“In giving, one does not have to be rich. One only has to be generous.”

With these words, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo exhorted the faithful during the solemn Mass in honor of St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei, at the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City last June 26.  In his homily, Lagdameo invited everyone to learn from the saint’s life of service. 

Lagdameo gave a local example: the Dingle Family Farm School, a high school for the children of farmers. Located in the municipality of Dingle, Iloilo, the farm school has educated more than 200 students on full scholarships with a curriculum that emphasizes teamwork between the students’ families and the school. The school’s founders, who started it in 1996, wanted to follow the example of St. Josemaria Escriva.

Lagdameo acknowledged the work of the school’s main benefactor, Jose Maria Cacho, who passed away last May. The Archbishop said that Cacho made a significant act of service without making a show of it, like the founder of Opus Dei.

“It was only last night,” said Lagdameo, “when we learned how [Cacho] dedicated himself so that children of poor farmers could be educated and grow in moral values.” Cacho worked with the Archbishop for several years as a member of the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference.

Lagdameo also encouraged the faithful to learn from the many other examples of service left by the founder of Opus Dei. “St. Josemaria,” he explained, “fostered vocations to the priestly ministry, to the religious life, and to dedication to God in the midst of the world.”

The Archbishop also cited the saint’s concern for diocesan priests. “At a point in time, he was ready to start a new foundation for them, even to the point of leaving Opus Dei,” he said.

In closing, the Archbishop conveyed an exhortation from St. Josemaria Escriva, who spoke these words for priests of Opus Dei. Lagdameo narrated, “but they are also for all who are called to service: they must put their hearts on the floor like a rug so that their brothers and sisters could walk softly.”