Opus Dei

From January 9, 2002 to January 9, 2003, various events took place to commemorate the centennial year of St. Josemaría’s birth. A summary of the events of the year follows.

An account given by Russian poet Aleksandr Ivanovich Zorin, an Orthodox Christian who discovered in “The Way” the secret for finding God “here, sitting in front of my desk.”

Lenten pastoral letter of Bishop Javier Echevarría to the members and cooperators of Opus Dei.

Interview with Bishop Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei: “Peace in communities and between peoples can come about only from peace in consciences.”

Romana, the official journal of the prelature of Opus Dei, has launched a new website: www.romana.org.

The Jacarandá Center, which includes a school and four other social programs, is a project in Guayaquil, the main port of Ecuador. This social initiative was inspired by the life and teachings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei.

An article on St. Josemaría from the Denver Catholic Register follows. A Mass of Thanksgiving for the canonization of the new saint drew 350 to the Denver Cathedral last month.

During a ceremony in which she was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Navarre, a Spanish university inspired by St. Josemaría, Mary Ann Glendon spoke on the importance of education in the task of transforming culture. Her address follows.

Netherhall House, a student residence in London inspired by St. Josemaría Escrivá, reached the half-century mark this past summer. An account of the residence's history and of the commemoration of this year's anniversary follows, along with a video clip of Netherhall highlights.

As part of its 50th anniversary year, the University of Navarre gave three honorary doctorates during a ceremony on January 17, 2003. Bishop Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei and grand chancellor of the University, presided at the event.