BOOK OF THE MONTH

February 2026

One of the young men who accompanied St. Josemaría Escrivá on his escape to freedom during the Spanish Civil War was Tomás Alvira. He wished to follow the founder of Opus Dei in a life of apostolic dedication, but as a married, rather than a single, person. St. Josemaría advised him to wait and, at the right time, he could become part of Opus Dei as well as be a family man with wife and children, which happened within 10 years. Our Lives in His Hands by Olga Marlin is the story of the life and adventures of Tomás and his wife Paquita, who raised a large family and whose cause of holiness is now progressing through the approval process of the Catholic Church.

As you read along, we invite you to share your thoughts, questions, favorite quotes, etc., with us on Facebook and Instagram @stjosemariainst.

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About the Author

Olga Marlin (New York, 1934) studied in Trinity College Dublin where she obtained an M.A. with a view to becoming a teacher. While there, she met and joined Opus Dei in 1955. In 1957 she studied in Rome for an academic year, where she interacted with the Founder on a number of occasions. In 1960 Josemaría Escrivá invited Olga to join the first group of women going to Africa to start the Work in Kenya. They founded Kianda College in 1961, followed by other initiatives which Olga relates in her book To Africa with a Dream (2002). In 2011 Olga was awarded a D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) by Strathmore University.