The Importance of Study: 10 Quotes from St. Josemaria Escriva

“Student: form yourself in a solid and active piety, be outstanding in study, have a strong desire for the ‘professional’ apostolate.”

Study is not only a path to knowledge, but also a path to holiness. St. Josemaria Escriva reminded students and professionals alike that diligent study, offered to God, becomes prayer and apostolate. Following are 10 quotes from St. Josemaria to inspire us to approach our studies with greater purpose, discipline, and love:

1. “There is no excuse for those who could be scholars and are not.” (The Way, no. 332)
2. “Study. Obedience: non multa, sed multum — not many things, but well.” (The Way, no. 333)
3. “You pray, you deny yourself, you work in a thousand apostolic activities, but you don’t study. You are useless then unless you change. Study — professional training of whatever type it be — is a grave obligation for us.” (The Way, no. 334)
4. An hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer. (The Way, no. 335)
5. If you are to serve God with your mind, to study is a grave obligation for you.(The Way, no. 336)
6. You frequent the Sacraments, you pray, you are chaste, but you do not study. Don’t tell me you’re good: you’re only ‘goodish’.(The Way, no. 337)

7. Formerly, since human knowledge — science — was very limited, it seemed quite feasible for a single learned individual to undertake the defence and vindication of our holy Faith. To-day, with the extension and the intensity of modern science, the apologists have to divide the work among themselves, if they want to defend the Church scientifically in all fields. You… cannot shirk this responsibility.(The Way, no. 338)

8. Books: don’t buy them without advice from a Christian who is learned and prudent. It’s so easy to buy something useless or harmful. How often a man thinks he is carrying a book under his arm, and it turns out to be a load of rubbish!(The Way, no. 339)

9. Study. Study in earnest. If you are to be salt and light, you need knowledge, ability. Or do you imagine that an idle and lazy life will entitle you to receive infused knowledge?(The Way, no. 340)

10. It is good to see you put such determination into your study provided, of course, you put the same determination into acquiring interior life.(The Way, no. 341)

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• A Spiritual Backpack: Inspiration for the School Year – a selection of resources for students, families, and teachers from the St. Josemaria Institute to help maintain a happy spiritual life throughout the school year.
• Novena to Our Lady of Students (PDF) – a novena inspired by St. Josemaria’s love for Our Lady of Students, Mother of Fair Love.