Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Feast: Memorial of St Josemaria Escriva (June 26)

St Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer hardly needs introduction! In times when Catholicism and anything related regularly make appearance on the front page, St Josemaria stood out for being a visionary of his time. Lay spirituality is as old as Christianity itself, but St Josemaria anticipated a springtime in the Church through active apostolate of the laity and he sharpened, revolutionized this message. Thus he became an 'apostle of apostles' to the rest of the world through his firm belief that sanctity is not impossible and sainthood is within reach for all of us—even those who are not called to priesthood or religious life (which I think is a misleading term, because all Christian lives should be consecrated!)

Today we celebrate a feast in his memorial; in Singapore, a mass was said at Holy Spirit Church today. Get to know him through Opus Dei and his works here.

O God, through the mediation of Mary our Mother, you granted your priest St Josemaria countless graces, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian's ordinary duties. Grant that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving You and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity, lighting up the pathways of this earth with faith and love.

1 comment:

Enbrethiliel said...

+JMJ+

I think the fact that he is the most misunderstood saint in the world today is a big hint that he is the perfect patron for our troubled times.