For the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September, here are some extracts from the book "Memories of Blessed Josemaría Escrivá" by Bishop Javier Echevarria.
After his stay of 40 days in Mexico in 1970, the hour came when the Founder of Opus Dei had to say adios: adios to his children, to the land of Mexico, and to our Lady of Guadalupe.
"Wanting Jesus Alone to Shine" is a biography of the founder of Opus Dei illustrated with over 300 photos, maps, infographics and autograph texts. Its authors, Jesús Gil y Enrique Muñiz, say they hope the book "will enable readers to enter more fully into the life of Saint Josemaria."
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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 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.
