“A Home from Home” in UK

James Pereiro

St Josemaría Escrivá personally encouraged the setting up of Netherhall House in the 1950s as a residence for students from all over the world. He spent several summers in Britain between 1958 and 1962, and considered London a "crossroads of the world" where different cultures could enrich one another and work together for building a better society. Read here the article "Netherhall House, London (1960-1984): The Commonwealth dimension". Tags: Youth, Opus Dei, UK

10 Questions about the St. Josemaria Institute

The St. Josemaria Institute was founded in the United States in 2006 to help people discover and explore the life and teachings of St. Josemaria, the “patron saint of ordinary life”, who has become a spiritual guide for thousands of people around the world. Elia Rivera began working as Director of the St Josemaria Institute (www.stjosemaria.org) in February 2011. Here she answers questions about the Institute’s work and aims. Tags: Opus Dei, US, Josemaria Escriva

January 9, 1902 - How was Josemaría Escriva's arrival to the world

Describing his arrival into the world, he says, "God our Lord was preparing things so that my life would be normal and everyday, nothing extraordinary. He had me born in a Christian home, as was typical in my country, of exemplary parents who practiced and lived their faith." Tags: Barbastro, The Escriva family

Blessed be Suffering

Behind this phrase, from one of the points in The Way, lies a long story that was deeply engraved on St Josemaria's soul, one which he often referred to in the course of his life. Tags: Cross, Suffering, sick

Novena to the Immaculate Conception

The Novena to the Immaculate Conception, is a custom that has crystallized in the Church as a preparation for the great solemnity of December 8th. As St. Josemaría taught us, each of us should live this custom in the way that he or she considers most appropriate. Tags: Our Lady, novena, Josemaria Escriva

The Advent Wreath

This tradition goes back to pre-Christian times, and was a preparation for the coming of spring. In the sixteenth century Christians gave it a new meaning: preparing for the coming of Christ. Read in this article the origin and symbolism of it. Tags: Advent

We need to converse with God

Ferdinando Cancelli

The primacy of prayer over action. In this article published in L’Osservatore Romano on November 17, the author, Ferdinando Cancelli, comments on the teachings of St Josemaria about the importance of prayer. Tags: Alvaro del Portillo, Contemplation, Javier Echevarria, Prayer

Forever in thanksgiving

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the US since 1863. It is also a time for many people to give thanks for what they have. But Thanksgiving is overall a part of Christian life, as we realize how much God has done for us and for others. St Josemaria developed gratitude as a virtue throughout his life, as those who lived with him recall. Tags: Abandonment to God, Gratitude, Alvaro del Portillo, Javier Echevarria, Opus Dei

A prayer that went round the world

Fr Jesus Sancho-Bielsa

St Josemaria was taught a spiritual communion prayer by a religious. Where did this prayer come from originally? The author of this article found it by chance in the pages of an old Spanish catechism. Tags: Eucharist, Holy Communion

When love is strengthened

Bishop Javier Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei

St Josemaria recalled his parents' love: "They really loved each other, and they had to suffer a lot (...); and I always saw them smiling." In this article, Bishop Javier Echevarria talks about the love of married people in the teachings of St Josemaria. Tags: Javier Echevarria, Marriage, Love, family