Saint Josemaría Escrivá

Biography

Saint Josemaría Escrivá, also known as Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, was born on January 9, 1902, in Barbastro, Spain. He was one of six children born to Jose and Dolores Escriva, but sadly, three of his siblings died in infancy. His father was a small businessman, and when his business failed in 1915, the family moved to Logroño, Spain. As a young man, Josemaria experienced a profound spiritual encounter that would change the course of his life. He saw the bare footprints left in the snow by a monk, and this sight deeply moved him, igniting a desire for religious vocation within his heart. Following this experience, he began studying for the priesthood in Logroño and Zaragoza, Spain. However, Josemaria faced a significant challenge during his studies when his father passed away in 1924. Being the eldest surviving son, he had to bear the responsibility of supporting his family financially while continuing his own education. Despite these difficulties, he was ordained a priest in Zaragoza on March 28, 1925. After his ordination, Josemaria was assigned to various pastoral duties. He served in a rural parish for a while before being transferred to Zaragoza. In 1927, he moved to Madrid, Spain, to study law. It was during this time that he underwent a deep spiritual retreat that would radically shape his future. On October 2, 1928, following his spiritual retreat, Josemaria founded Opus Dei in Madrid, Spain. Opus Dei provided a new path for the faithful to sanctify themselves while embracing their everyday work and fulfilling their personal, family, and social obligations. In the following years, while studying at the University of Madrid, he simultaneously took up teaching to support his family. Additionally, he dedicated himself to ministering to the poor and sick, and worked tirelessly to build the foundation of Opus Dei. The Spanish Civil War led to a period of religious persecution, which forced Josemaria into hiding. Despite the dangers, he continued to clandestinely minister to his parishioners. Eventually, he escaped across the Pyrenees to Burgos, Spain. At the end of the war in 1939, he returned to Madrid to resume his studies. He went on to earn a doctorate in law and became a retreat master for laity, priests, and religious. On February 14, 1943, Josemaria founded the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, which was united to Opus Dei. Seeking further theological education, he moved to Rome, Italy, in 1946 and earned a doctorate in theology from the Lateran University. He also served as a consultant to two Vatican Congregations and became an honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology. Pope Pius XII recognized his contributions by naming him a prelate of honor. Throughout the mid-1940s, Josemaria battled a serious form of diabetes, which was miraculously cured in 1954. This experience further strengthened his faith and devotion. Opus Dei received official approval from the Holy See on June 16, 1950, marking an important milestone in the development of this organization. Josemaria tirelessly traveled across Europe and Latin America, working towards the growth of Opus Dei. By the time of his death, Opus Dei had expanded to five continents with over 60,000 members of 80 different nationalities. Today, it has over 80,000 members, primarily laymen. Saint Josemaría Escrivá passed away on June 26, 1975, from natural causes in his office in Rome, Italy. He was laid to rest at the Prelatic Church of Our Lady of Peace in Viale Bruno Buozzi 75, Rome, Italy. He was declared venerable by Pope John Paul II on April 9, 1990, following the recognition of his heroic virtues. On May 17, 1992, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, with the beatification miracle involving the cure of Carmelite Sister Concepcion Boullon Rubio from a nearly-fatal cancerous form of lipomatosis. The cure came about following prayers by her family for the intercession of Father Josemaria. Later, on October 6, 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Josemaría Escrivá. The canonization miracle involved the saving of a surgeon's hands from a career-ending disease. Saint Josemaría Escrivá, through his founding of Opus Dei and his tireless dedication to the spiritual growth of others, continues to inspire countless individuals to seek holiness in their daily lives. He is renowned as a figure of deep faith and devotion and is venerated for his significant contributions to the Catholic Church.