Saint Talk: St. Josemaria Escriva

Taken February 10, 1975 (via flickr)

Patron of Diabetics

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei and patron of diabetics. Those of you who have followed Joe Catholic for a while know that I am a cooperator of Opus Dei. Last year, I shared the unique way in which the Lord introduced me to St. Josemaría and the Work. Today, I a begin a three part series on the saint, his writings and his contributions to Catholic spirituality.

Saint of the Ordinary

Saint Josemaría Escrivá, who Pope John Paul II called the saint of the ordinary, published his most noted book, The Way in 1939. Some have called it a modern spiritual classic, comparing it to Imitation of Christ. The Way is a small book, often published in pocket size, yet it delivers a significant message – holiness is meant for everyone. This message may seem mundane in a post-Vatican II world, but it was revolutionary when presented in the climate of the late 1930’s. His teachings were so innovative that Josemaria Escrivá was even accused of heresy. This was humorously portrayed in the movie There Be Dragons in a scene in which a local bishop says that what St. Josemaría is proposing “sounds Protestant.” Nevertheless, St. Josemaría’s major contribution to spiritual theology is this message that the interior life is accessible to the everyday layperson; that one need not be a cloistered monk or nun to ascend the spiritual plane. His teachings provide a practical guide for obtaining an authentic relationship with Christ through filial love and the sanctification of one’s state in life.

Family Life
Saint Josemaría Escrivá was born in Barbastro, Spain on January 9, 1902. He had five siblings: one older sister named Carmen, three younger sisters who all died very young and a younger brother, Santiago. His parents, Jose and Dolores Escrivá raised their family in devoutly Catholic faith and home.

Footprints in the Snow

In 1915, Jose Escrivá’s textile business failed and he relocated the family to the town of Longroño. Here, Josemaría had his first inkling that God was calling him to do something special with his life. One evening when he was sixteen, he was walking home, and he saw the footprints of a discalced Carmelite friar in the snow. This experience moved him to feel God’s call to serve Him. Though he was not yet completely certain of God’s will, Josemaría discerned that the message would be more clear if he joined the priesthood.

Ordination and Opus Dei

He was ordained in Zaragoza on March 28, 1925. He was first assigned to a rural parish and in 1927 moved to Madrid to study law. On October 2, 1928, God showed him what he wanted him to do – establish Opus Dei (the Work of God) and help ordinary Christians seek sanctity through and in their daily ordinary lives. God called him to be an “apostle of apostles,” to help lead the mission of the laity to pursue universal holiness (Christ is Passing By, 147). This was nearly forty years before Vatican II promulgated this message. From that point forward, Josemaría dedicated his entire life to the foundation of the Work.

Death and Canonization

Opus Dei received the recognition of the Holy See in 1950. Josemaría travelled throughout Europe and Latin America to nurture the growth of Opus Dei until his sudden death in Rome on June 26, 1975. His cause for canonization was opened in 1981 and Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1992. Ten years later he was canonized on October 6, 2002 by Pope John Paul II who said, “Following in his footsteps, spread in society the awareness that we are called to holiness, without distinction of race, class, culture or age.”