Letter from the Prelate (22 July 2026)

On the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, the Prelate of Opus Dei invites us to renew our desire for conversion, so as to grow in love for God and for others.

22/07/2026

My dear children: may Jesus watch over my daughters and sons for me!

Today we celebrate the liturgical feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, which offers us a fresh invitation to renew our desire for conversion, since her whole life reveals the transforming power of an encounter with Jesus Christ.

The conversion we seek does not consist only in the movement from evil to good – which is always necessary – but also in the passage from what is good to what is better: constant growth in love for God and others.

Both require of each one of us the humility to recognize our need to improve, together with sincerity of heart. Let us recall these words of Saint Josemaría, which recall the parable of the prodigal son: “Your Father God comes out to meet you the moment you admit you have sinned, in that thing which your pride blinded you from seeing as a sin” (Letter, 14 February 1974, no. 7).

This personal sincerity about our own sins and shortcomings should not be a cause for discouragement, because, as our Father also tells us, “awareness that God is our Father brings joy to our conversion” (Christ is Passing By, no. 64).

We have a wonderful means for letting the Lord act in our soul: our daily examination of conscience. Let us take care of it, without scruples or anxiety, with the eagerness to discover how to correspond better, in great things and small, to God’s immense love for us.

As the ripe fruit of this desire for conversion, God’s grace will lead us, as it led Mary Magdalene, to seek the Lord in every circumstance and to be strong beside his cross.

As you know, since the beginning of this month I have been in Pamplona. I close by asking you to accompany me with your prayer on this journey which, God willing, will continue next month in Central America – Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador – and Uruguay. Together, from the four corners of the earth, let us unite ourselves to the Pope’s intentions; in particular now for July’s intention: respect for human life.

Your Father blesses you with all his affection.