St. Josemaría Escrivá

Josemaría Escrivá was born on January 9, 1902, in Barbastro, a small town in the Aragón region of northeastern Spain. He was one of six children in a devout Catholic family. His father was a businessman, and the family moved several times during his childhood. The early loss of three of his siblings to illness marked him deeply. He was ordained a priest in Zaragoza in 1925, at a time when Spain was experiencing significant political and social upheaval. On October 2, 1928, while on a retreat in Madrid, Escrivá reported receiving a divine inspiration to found Opus Dei, an organization dedicated to helping ordinary people seek holiness in their daily lives and work. This was a novel concept at the time, as it emphasized that sanctity was not reserved for clergy or religious but was the calling of every Christian. Opus Dei began as a movement among professionals, students, and ordinary workers, growing quickly despite the Spanish Civil War, which forced Escrivá into hiding and eventually exile. After the Civil War, Escrivá relocated to Rome in 1946, where he spent the rest of his life overseeing the expansion of Opus Dei worldwide. He was known for his tireless work ethic, often saying, 'Work, then, is a channel of grace.' He also had a deep love for the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary, and the sacrament of Confession, frequently emphasizing the importance of frequent Communion. He traveled extensively, giving retreats and lectures to inspire laypeople to integrate their faith into professional and family life. Under his leadership, Opus Dei grew to include members on every continent, and he established numerous educational and social initiatives, including the University of Navarra in 1952. Escrivá died on June 26, 1975, in Rome, of natural causes. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 17, 1992, and canonized on October 6, 2002, in a massive ceremony at St. Peter's Square attended by over 300,000 people. His feast day is celebrated on June 26. He is widely remembered for his message that holiness is attainable by anyone, regardless of their state in life, and his writings, particularly 'The Way' (Camino), continue to be spiritual classics read by millions.