Opus Dei

Pope John Paul II has called for solidarity with the earthquake victims of the disaster in south and southeast Asia; the Church herself is moving to aid the people afflicted by this catastrophe.

"With what a special blessing God referred to Mary from the beginning of time! Truly blessed, Mary, among all women!"

The approaching end of the year is an occasion to summarize some social initiatives that were taken in 2004. They all have in common the concern to help others that is part of St. Josemaria's legacy: "Don't be indifferent to the pain of another person. That relative, friend, colleague--even someone you don't know--is your brother" (The Furrow, 251).

Bishop Javier Echevarría, then Prelate of Opus Dei, wrote this letter for the Year of the Eucharist proclaimed by Pope John Paul II for 2004.

Testimony of Paul Ybarra, a Los Angeles firefighter for nearly twenty years. He has three children, two of them adopted.

Conferral of prizes established in observance of the canonization of Opus Dei’s Founder took place in Rome’s City Hall on November 15, 2004.

Bishop Echevarría attended several observances including the blessing of a likeness of St. Josemaría in the basilica of Our Lady of Mercy in Barcelona and the consecration of a new archbishop in Tarragona. He also met with families, members of the Prelature, and cooperators in Viaró and Brafa, two schools in Barcelona.

Camp Instructor Sarah Helmers of Kitchener Ontario tells of her Tenth Year in the back woods of Ontario where she has spent many an adventurous summer. The Chilawee girls camp was started by two Ottawa mothers in 1994 and has grown ever since.

"Stay with us, Lord,” John Paul II’s apostolic letter for the Eucharistic year, has been introduced at the Vatican. According to Cardinal Arinze, the Pope’s letter "will help guide the Church to celebrate this special year with the greatest possible fruits."

Metro helps Chicago's disadvantaged youngsters to become better students and better people through after-school and summertime programs that integrate academics with virtues.