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Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer is remembered as a humble and courageous priest who helped people discover holiness in the everyday tasks of life. His feast day is celebrated on June 26, the day he passed into eternal life.
Born in Spain during a time of social change and unrest, Saint Josemaría saw the deep spiritual hunger in the world around him. He believed strongly that all people — not just priests or religious — are called to be saints by offering their daily work, struggles, and joys to God. This simple yet powerful message became the heart of his life’s mission.
He is best known as the founder of Opus Dei, a personal prelature within the Catholic Church that helps people live their faith in their ordinary lives. His teachings inspired many to see that even routine activities — like working in an office, raising a family, or studying — can be paths to God if done with love and for God’s glory.
Josemaría’s life was marked by deep prayer, love for the Church, and a quiet strength in the face of difficulties. Today, he is honored as a saint who showed the world that holiness is not just for a few — it is for everyone.
Quick Facts About Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | June 26 |
| Born | January 9, 1902, in Barbastro, Huesca, Spain |
| Died | June 26, 1975, in Rome, Italy |
| Country | Spain |
| Category | Priest, Founder of a Religious Institution |
| Patron of | People with diabetes (unofficial); ordinary life and work sanctification |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | May 17, 1992, by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | October 6, 2002, by Pope John Paul II |
Early Life
Saint Josemaría Escrivá was born on January 9, 1902, in the small town of Barbastro, in the region of Aragon, northern Spain. He was the second of six children born to José Escrivá and Dolores Albás, a devout Catholic couple who raised their children with deep faith and strong moral values. Sadly, three of his siblings died at a young age, which left a lasting impression on young Josemaría and drew him closer to God.
His father was a successful businessman, but when Josemaría was a child, the family suffered financial hardship and had to move to Logroño, where they lived modestly. Even in these difficult times, his parents kept their trust in God, and their example helped shape Josemaría’s heart for prayer, sacrifice, and service.
One winter morning, as a teenager, Josemaría saw footprints left in the snow by a barefoot Carmelite friar. That simple image deeply moved him. He realized that if others were willing to give so much to follow Christ, then he, too, was being called to do something special with his life — even though he didn’t yet know what that would be. This moment marked the beginning of a quiet search for God’s will.
He began to feel a strong pull toward the priesthood, not out of a desire for status, but from a deep desire to serve God and help souls. As he grew older, his love for prayer and his longing to be close to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament became stronger. These early years laid the foundation for the spiritual mission that would later touch the lives of millions.
Religious Life and Calling
Saint Josemaría Escrivá followed the quiet but strong call in his heart to become a priest. He entered the seminary in Logroño, and later continued his studies at the Seminary of Zaragoza, while also earning a doctorate in civil law. Though life was still difficult for his family after his father’s death in 1924, Josemaría worked hard and remained faithful in prayer, trusting that God would guide him.
He was ordained a priest on March 28, 1925, in Zaragoza. At just 23 years old, he began his ministry by serving in rural parishes, hearing confessions, visiting the sick, and celebrating Mass. But deep inside, he felt that God was preparing him for something more — something he didn’t yet understand.
That deeper mission became clear on October 2, 1928, during a time of silent prayer and reflection in Madrid. Josemaría received a spiritual light that helped him see the heart of what God was asking: to found Opus Dei (“The Work of God”) — a path that would help ordinary lay people seek holiness in the middle of the world, through their work, family life, and daily duties.
It was a new and surprising message at the time. Many people thought holiness was only for priests, nuns, or monks. But Josemaría firmly believed — and taught — that everyone is called to be a saint, and that even simple tasks, if done with love and offered to God, could become holy.
With great courage and trust in divine providence, he began sharing this message quietly among students, professionals, and working people. It wasn’t easy. He faced misunderstandings, poverty, and rejection. But he never gave up. His deep prayer life, love for the Church, and devotion to the Virgin Mary gave him the strength to keep going.
Opus Dei grew slowly, and Josemaría worked tirelessly to form people in the faith, helping them discover that their work and everyday life could become a path to heaven. His vision was not about doing extraordinary things, but about doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.
Major Contributions or Miracles
Saint Josemaría Escrivá is best known for his life-changing message that ordinary people — no matter their job, education, or background — can become saints by offering their daily lives to God. His central teaching was simple yet powerful:
Sanctify your work, sanctify yourself in your work, and sanctify others through your work.
This was a new and inspiring way to understand holiness.
Through his founding of Opus Dei, Josemaría created a spiritual path that helped people live their Catholic faith not by leaving the world, but by embracing it with love and purpose. He reminded people that God can be found in the small things — in office work, parenting, studies, cooking, or cleaning — if they are done with a heart full of love and prayer.
He also had a deep love for the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist, and he encouraged people to seek Christ in these sources of grace regularly. He emphasized the importance of daily prayer, devotion to Our Lady, and living with joy, even in times of struggle.
Josemaría was a gifted spiritual guide. He gave retreats, spiritual direction, and personal support to thousands of people — lay people, students, priests, and professionals. His words were full of wisdom, yet always humble and full of kindness.
Though he did not perform public miracles during his life, many people have testified to spiritual and physical favors received through his intercession. One of the miracles approved for his canonization involved the healing of a woman in Honduras who suffered from a serious illness. After prayers were offered to Saint Josemaría, she made a complete and medically unexplained recovery.
In his writings — especially in books like The Way, Christ is Passing By, and Friends of God — he offered simple, heart-touching reflections that continue to inspire millions. His short sayings, called “points for meditation,” are easy to read and rich with spiritual insight. Many of them continue to circulate widely, touching hearts across generations.
His life’s contribution wasn’t in starting schools, hospitals, or large institutions — it was in helping people see that God is near, even in the most ordinary parts of life.
Suffering, Persecution, or Martyrdom
While Saint Josemaría Escrivá did not die as a martyr, his life was marked by deep suffering, both spiritual and physical, as well as serious persecution, especially in his early years of priesthood.
One of the most dangerous and difficult times in his life came during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The war was especially violent toward the Church, and many priests and religious were killed simply for being faithful to Christ. During this time, Josemaría had to live in hiding, constantly on the move to avoid being arrested or executed. He wore civilian clothes and moved from place to place, celebrating Mass secretly and continuing to support those he was guiding spiritually.
The danger was real. He witnessed the brutal hatred toward the Church, and he lived daily with the fear of death. Yet, he never stopped trusting in God. He remained prayerful, calm, and full of courage. He eventually escaped across the Pyrenees Mountains into France — a dangerous journey that almost cost him his life.
Even after the war, Josemaría faced criticism and misunderstanding. His message — that laypeople could become holy in the world — was new and not always accepted. Some people doubted or misrepresented his intentions. Others accused him or Opus Dei of being secretive or too demanding. But he never responded with anger or bitterness. Instead, he trusted in time, prayer, and God’s justice.
He also carried spiritual sufferings — the kind that come with great responsibility. Founding and growing a spiritual family like Opus Dei meant making many sacrifices, watching over others with care, and carrying the weight of misunderstandings. He had to depend totally on God's grace.
Physically, Josemaría suffered from diabetes, especially in the early years when treatment was less advanced. Yet, he rarely spoke about his health problems and continued his demanding schedule with joy and gentleness.
All of these hardships became part of his path to holiness. Instead of becoming discouraged, he offered every pain and trial to God, often saying:
Blessed be pain. Loved be pain. Sanctified be pain… Glorified be pain!
Through suffering, he drew even closer to Christ and taught others to find meaning and grace in their own difficulties.
Death and Legacy
Saint Josemaría Escrivá died peacefully on June 26, 1975, in Rome, Italy, at the age of 73. That morning, he had celebrated Mass, gone to confession, and spent time in prayer — as he did every day. Later that afternoon, while in his office, he looked at an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and quietly passed away from a sudden heart attack. His death was quick, unexpected, and full of grace — a holy departure for someone who had lived his entire life in the presence of God.
News of his death spread quickly, and people from around the world — lay faithful, clergy, students, and professionals — mourned the loss of a spiritual father and guide. Thousands came to pray and give thanks for his life and witness. Even in death, he drew people closer to Christ.
Josemaría’s legacy lives on most clearly through Opus Dei, the personal prelature he founded. Today, Opus Dei serves the Church in more than 90 countries, helping people of all walks of life to live their faith deeply and joyfully in their daily work, families, and communities. Many schools, universities, and spiritual centers inspired by his teachings continue to help people grow in holiness.
But his influence isn’t limited to institutions. His writings — especially The Way, Furrow, and The Forge — continue to touch hearts. These short reflections speak to the soul in simple, practical, and powerful ways. They have been translated into dozens of languages and are read by millions around the world.
Josemaría is often called the “saint of ordinary life” because he taught that holiness isn’t just for extraordinary people, but for all — in everyday moments, tasks, and relationships. He helped open the eyes of many to the truth that God is near, even in the simplest parts of our lives.
Though not officially the patron saint of any one group, he is often looked to as a heavenly friend and intercessor for:
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People seeking holiness in everyday work
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Those with diabetes
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Lay Catholics striving to live their faith in the world
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Professionals, students, and families
His tomb in the Church of Our Lady of Peace in Rome has become a place of quiet prayer and pilgrimage, where people still come to ask his help and draw strength from his example.
Saint Josemaría’s life continues to echo the message he lived and preached:
Don’t let your life be sterile. Be useful. Blaze a trail. Shine forth with the light of your faith and of your love.
Canonization and Veneration
After Saint Josemaría Escrivá passed away in 1975, people from all over the world began to share how his life and teachings had brought them closer to God. Many wrote letters, told stories of spiritual growth, and even spoke of favors received through his intercession. This strong devotion led the Church to open his cause for canonization just a few years later.
On May 17, 1992, Pope Saint John Paul II beatified Josemaría Escrivá in a joyful ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. In his homily, the pope called him “the saint of ordinary life,” recognizing his deep love for God and his effort to help others become holy through daily work and family life.
After a miracle was officially recognized — the healing of a man in Honduras from a severe medical condition after praying to Josemaría — the path to sainthood was complete.
On October 6, 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Josemaría Escrivá, declaring him a saint of the Catholic Church. In front of more than 300,000 people, including many families, workers, and students, the pope praised his message that “work and ordinary life are a path to holiness.” It was a powerful recognition of the value of the simple, hidden sacrifices made each day by people who love God in their daily lives.
Today, Saint Josemaría is venerated all around the world, especially by members and friends of Opus Dei, but also by countless laypeople, priests, and religious who find comfort in his teachings. His image is often shown with a kind expression, a rosary in his hands, or in priestly vestments — reminders of his deep love for prayer and service.
His writings, especially The Way, have become spiritual classics. They are used in personal prayer, retreats, and formation programs. His feast day, June 26, is celebrated with Masses and special devotions in many countries.
Pilgrims often visit his tomb in Rome, at the Church of Our Lady of Peace, where they pray quietly and seek his intercession. Around the world, schools, churches, and centers of study have been named after him, continuing his mission of helping people discover that every life, no matter how simple, can become a path to God.
Saint Josemaría’s canonization confirmed what many already believed in their hearts: that this humble priest was a true friend of God and a spiritual father for our modern times.
Short Prayer for Intercession
Prayer to Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer
Saint Josemaría,
you taught us to find God in the ordinary moments of daily life —
in our work, in our families, and in our quiet struggles.
Help us to see that holiness is not far away,
but possible here and now, if we offer each moment with love.
Pray for us, that we may live with joy,
serve with humility, and love with a generous heart.
Guide us to walk closely with Christ,
and to seek God's presence in all we do.
Amen.
