Priestly Society of the Holy Cross

Some resources to celebrate the double anniversary of the foundation of the women's branch of Opus Dei (14 February 1930) and the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross (14 February 1943).

On the Saturday before Passion Sunday, 28 March 1925, Bishop Miguel de los Santos Diaz Gómara conferred priestly ordination on Josemaria Escriva in the Church of the Royal Seminary of San Carlos, Saragossa

Gerona, Hinojosa de Jarque (Teruel) and Santa María de Luneda (Pontevedra) are the starting points for three hitherto unknown testimonies of dedication to others. The historian Santiago Martínez brings us an account of three early members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross — founded by Saint Josemaría in 1943 — to which more than 4,000 clerics around the world belong today.

At the age of 16, Father James lost his sight completely. But not his inner light. Now 36 years old, accompanied by his faithful dog "Ibiza," he says that the spirituality of Opus Dei played an important part in the discovery of his vocation to the priesthood.

On 14 February 1943, Saint Josemaria first saw how priests could be incardinated in Opus Dei in service to all souls. Fr. Jose Maria Hernandez Garnica was one of the first three priest in Opus Dei.

25 faithful of Opus Dei have been ordained to the diaconate by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-siken, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, in the Basilica of St. Eugene (Rome). The text of the homily, remarks by Mons. Fernando Ocáriz, and a photo gallery.

On February 14th, in 1930 and 1943 respectively, Saint Josemaria saw that both women and priests could form part of Opus Dei. Some texts and videos about these two foundational dates.

Excerpt from the homily of Bishop Yanguas at the diaconal ordination of 24 faithful of Opus Dei, and also some words from the Prelate of Opus Dei after the ceremony.

Archbishop Georg Gänswein exhorted the new priests to “remain in Christ.” “In an age when there is so much talk of being ‘progressive,’ you are being asked to remain in Christ.”

During the 75th anniversary year of Opus Dei coming to Britain we are posting a number of videos telling stories of lives changed by faith. "Nourish this faith” is the story of Fr Matt, a Welsh parish priest who was helped by Opus Dei to follow his vocation to the priesthood.

“The Centrality of Christ in the Formation and Life of Priests” was the theme of the 57th Conference on Pastoral Questions in Castelldaura, near Barcelona, which took place on 25-26 January.

Priests from all over the world speak about the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, an association of clergy intrinsically united to the Prelature of Opus Dei. Its aim is to promote holiness among secular priests through the exercise of their ministry in the service of the Church.

On the 22nd of May, at 10 am, Archbishop Georg Gänswein will ordain 27 faithful of Opus Dei as priests. The ceremony will be broadcast live on this website.