St. Josemaria - Apostle of the Sanctification of Work

On June 26th, we celebrated the feast day of St Josemaria Escriva.

During the homily on the feast of St Josemaria, Bishop Javier Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei, called him the apostle of the sanctification of work for his tireless effort in reminding all people that:

“Christian responsibility in work cannot be limited to just putting in the hours.  It means carrying out the task with technical and professional competence…and, above all, with love of God.” (The Forge, 705)

“God is not removing you from your environment. He is not taking you away from the world, or from your condition in life, or from your noble human ambitions, or from your professional work... But he wants you to be a saint — right there!”  (The Forge, 362)

Following in St Josemaria’s footsteps we continue to ask for his intercession to God to help us in our everyday needs and noble ambitions.

On the Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva

Homily on the Feast of St Josemaria Escriva
Bishop Javier Echevarria
Prelate of Opus Dei
June 26, 2012

“The invitation to work, to complement the work of creation, is the primordial vocation of every woman and every man. Rightly, then, did St Josemaria say that any honest work is “an indispensable means which God has entrusted to us here on this earth. It is meant to fill out our days and make us sharers in God’s creative power. It enables us to earn our living and, at the same time, to reap ‘the fruits of eternal life’” (St Josemaria, Friends of God, 57). In these words, he invites us to discover God anew, both in important jobs and in our everyday tasks, which can become a solid base for our personal holiness.

This primordial dimension of work is the deepest reason why everyone has a right to a job that will enable them to earn their living and provide for their families. Unfortunately, many countries at present are suffering under the scourge of unemployment, which is causing so much worry and difficulty to countless families. We should pray for the civil authorities and those who hold public office, at every level, that, enlightened by divine Wisdom, they may discover and apply appropriate measures to bring their respective countries out of the present crisis, while fully respecting the dignity of the individual and the common good. Let us entrust this intention to God through the intercession of St Josemaria, the apostle of the sanctification of work.”

Click here to read the complete homily.

Homily on the Feast of St Josemaria Escriva
His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
June 26, 2012


Homily on the Feast of St Josemaria Escriva
Fr. Francis “Rocky” Hoffman
Priest of Opus Dei and Executive Director of Relevant Radio
June 26, 2012

The Sanctification of Work

“The Sanctification of Work” by Father Jose Luis Illanes helps readers explore in depth the divine meaning of work and how work is a means to holiness for everyone in the middle of the world.  According to the author, “The Christian…needs to have a positive view of work, to discover in the commandment to work a law, which because it is divine, raises man up and ennobles him.”

Speaking about the “The Sanctification of Work”, St Josemaria Escriva explains that, “Other books like this can and should be written…They would do souls a lot of good.” (Man of Villa Tevere, 43)

Order Now

St. Josemaria Escriva - your reading companion!

Now available through the St. Josemaria Institute, bookmarkers of St. Josemaria Escriva!  The bookmarkers are available in two editions each with an image of St Josemaria on the front and an inspirational quote on the back.  

The bookmarkers are available for a suggested donation as all donations help support the ongoing work and mission of the St. Josemaria Institute.  Thank you!

Order Now



All texts and images of St. Josemaria Escriva © Studium Foundation