New Year, New Struggle
This was the motto that Saint Josemaria set for himself at the beginning of 1972, in the face of many challenges in the Church and the world. An extract from Andrés Vazquez de Prada's biography of the founder of Opus Dei.
Prayer for Families of the People of Opus Dei
Since 1951, on the Sunday after Christmas, in Opus Dei a special petition is made to the Holy Family of Nazareth for the families of the Prelature's faithful. Here is the story of the origin of this prayer.
Saint Nicholas, Intercessor of Opus Dei
December 6 is the feast of Saint Nicholas of Bari. The story of how Saint Josemaria came to name him intercessor for the financial needs of Opus Dei.
Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels
On September 29, the Church honors the Holy Archangels. A brief history of how Saint Josemaria chose them as patrons of Opus Dei.
Pilgrimage to Fatima
May 13th is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The message of Fatima contains a wake-up call for all Christians: to make reparation to our Lord for all the sins of mankind, including our own, to do penance, to pray the Rosary, to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and to pray a lot for the Pope.
14 May 1970: Heading to Mexico
On his way to Mexico 50 years ago, Saint Josemaria landed at the Madrid airport on 14 May 1970. Some journalists were eager to interview him there. Javier Ayesta, who accompanied him that afternoon, tells us what happened during those hours.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
In addition to being one of the most-loved Marian shrines worldwide, Lourdes is also linked to an important page in the history of Opus Dei: the escape from one part of Spain to another that St. Josemaría made through the Pyrenees in 1937 with some of the first members of the Work and other people during the Spanish Civil War.
Pilgrimage to Guadalupe
Fifty years ago, on May 1, 1970, St. Josemaría announced his desire to cross the Atlantic to prostrate himself at the feet of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loreto
St. Josemaría considered himself especially indebted to Our Lady of Loreto for a very serious need that he placed under Our Lady's mantle on August 15, 1951.
Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Pillar
"My devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar has always accompanied me: my parents, with their Aragonese piety, instilled it in my soul since I was a child" - St. Josemaría.
Saint Catherine of Siena, Intercessor of Opus Dei
April 29 is the feast day of Saint Catherine of Siena. The story of how Saint Josemaria decided to name her an intercessor of Opus Dei. Adapted from an article published in "Studia et Documenta," vol. 8 (2014).
Saint Josemaria's First Holy Communion
Saint Josemaria's First Holy Communion took place on 23 April 1912, the feast of Saint George, patron saint of Aragon and Catalonia, and the traditional day for First Communion ceremonies.