Audio - St. Josemaria Institute

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | October (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to seriously go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

Living by Faith | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

You hear people saying sometimes that there are fewer miracles nowadays. Might it not rather be that there are fewer people living a life of faith?

The Archangels: The Devotion of St. Josemaria Escriva

St. Josemaria Escriva's devotion the Archangels is well-known in Opus Dei as he entrusted the apostolates of its members to their protection. However, his devotion is also an example for all the faithful.

Jesus Nourishes Us

It is no accident that Jesus chooses to have the Passover meal with his closest friends before he is to suffer the greatest pain of his life on earth.

"Under the Gaze of Our Lady of Mercy": The Marian Devotion of St. Josemaria Escriva

The title of “Our Lady of Mercy” came to hold a special place in St. Josemaria’s memory and heart.

Witnesses of the Cross

Once a terrible sign of death and punishment, the Cross became a sign of love and peace through the power of Our Savior. On September 14th, we step into that conversion to commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

"That Cross is Your Cross" | The Devotion of St. Josemaria Escriva to the Holy Cross

St. Josemaria’s profound devotion to the Holy Cross of Jesus is highlighted in brief accounts from his close friends and collaborators.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary: Reflections from St. Josemaria Escriva

The devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary helps us to meditate on the events in Our Lady's life when she lovingly and willingly united herself to her Son's self-giving and sacrifice on the Cross.

"Towards Holiness": A Spiritual Game Plan

There is only one way to become more familiar with God, to increase our trust in him. We must come to know him through prayer; we must speak to him and show him, through a heart to heart conversation, that we love him.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | September (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to seriously go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

Getting to Know God | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

You and I need to be made anew, we need to wake up from the slumber of feebleness by which we are so easily lulled and to become aware once again, in a deeper and more immediate way, of our condition as children of God.

Mary Chose the Better Part

What I have learned from St. Josemaria is that you can connect with Jesus present in the Eucharist anywhere you are.

Our Lady of Torreciudad and St. Josemaria Escriva

St. Josemaria's gratitude to the Mother of God grew deeper and stronger over the years and one of the manifestations of his gratitude was the construction of a new Shrine of Torreciudad.

A Spiritual Backpack: Inspiration for the School Year

The St. Josemaria Institute “spiritual backpack” is a curated selection of resources for students, families and teachers to help maintain a happy spiritual life throughout the school year.

The Mother in Heaven

Turning to our Mother to venerate her, mirroring what the heavenly courts do, is a delightful duty: all generations will call me blessed. And seeking her maternal protection guarantees success: to Jesus, we go and return through Mary.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | August (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to seriously go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

The Blessed Virgin, Cause of Our Joy | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

"Mary has been taken up to heaven by God in body and soul, and the angels rejoice." Joy overtakes both angels and men. Why is it that we feel today this intimate delight, with our heart brimming over, with our soul full of peace?

Bethany Moments

A character in the Gospel provides a particular point of view to understand the image of our Lord: Martha of Bethany. She was a woman of service, a woman of faith, and one of the closest friends of Jesus during His time on Earth.

"Vocations, Homes, & Family Life Renewed": An Interview with Laura Zambrana

In this interview, the St. Josemaria Institute speaks with Laura Zambrana who currently serves as the Director of Content for Endow.

Do You Have a Minute?

I’d like to have a moment of your time. I’m not asking for myself, but on behalf of the Lord Jesus.

Freedom, A Gift from God | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

This hymn to freedom is echoed in all the mysteries of our Catholic faith. The Blessed Trinity draws the world and man out of nothing, in a free outpouring of love. The Word comes down from Heaven and takes on our flesh, an act which bears the splendid mark of freedom in submission.

Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage | July 17-25, 2023

Join the St. Josemaria Institute in praying our annual Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage.

Simon, son of John, do you love me? | A Homily on the Feast of SS. Peter & Paul

If Peter wonders how he could ever love the Lord again, Jesus answers, If you love me, keep my commandments, that is, always respond to me as you do now: “Yes, Lord.”

With St Josemaria Through the Scriptures

St. Josemaria immersed himself in the Scriptures as another character, making of them his own life.

Discovering Something Divine in the Ordinary

St Josemaria concentrated much of his apostolic drive in convincing ordinary Christians that being ordinary is okay. But his message was not one of mere contentment with everyday life or of shunning the wealth and fame typically associated with "extraordinary" people.

St. Thomas More as Intercessor of Opus Dei

St. Thomas More appears to have been chosen as the fourth saintly Intercessor of Opus Dei in mid-1954.

Novena to St. Josemaria Escriva | 2023

Join us for the annual Novena to St. Josemaria Escriva, June 17-25, 2023!

Finding Peace in the Heart of Christ | A Homily on the Feast of the Sacred Heart

God our Father has seen fit to grant us, in the heart of his Son, "infinite treasures of love," mercy and affection.

On the Feast of Corpus Christi | A Homily

Today, on the feast of Corpus Christi, we come together to consider the depths of our Lord's love for us, which has led him to stay with us, hidden under the appearances of the blessed Sacrament.

Gazing upon God's Face: Celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi

Let us set the scene. I picture Jesus sitting by the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with Capernaum in the backdrop on a somewhat bitter evening.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | June (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

The Supernatural Aim of the Church | A Homily on the Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity

The Church is rooted in this fundamental mystery of our Catholic faith: the mystery of God who is one in essence and three in persons.

The Great Unknown | A Homily for Pentecost Sunday

Having just read in the Acts of the Apostles about Pentecost, the day when the Holy Spirit came down on the Lord's disciples, we are conscious of being present at the great display of God's power with which the Church's life began to spread among all nations.

The Ascension of Our Lord | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

Once more the liturgy reminds us of the final moment in Jesus' life among men, his ascension into heaven.

St. Josemaria Escriva: A Pilgrim at Fatima

St Josemaria’s first visit to Fatima was on February 6, 1945, at the request of Sr Lucia, who at that time was living in Tui, Spain. He said that it had been the Blessed Virgin who opened the gates of Portugal to him.

Our Lady Leads Us to the Holy Spirit

The month of May… offers us a privileged opportunity for drawing closer to the Holy Spirit.

Marian Pilgrimages in the Month of May

St. Josemaria desired to show an outward expression of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May, which the Church traditionally dedicates to her.

To Jesus through Mary | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

If we look at the world, at the People of God, during this month of May, we will see devotion to Our Lady taking the form of many old and new customs practiced with great love.

Our Lady of Peace: The Prelatic Church of Opus Dei

On May 2, the Prelature of Opus Dei celebrates the anniversary of the dedication of the Prelatic Church of Our Lady of Peace.

Ten-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit | 2023

Join the St. Josemaria Institute in praying the Ten-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost from May 18 to 27, 2023.

A Spiritual Toolkit for the Marian Month of May

The St. Josemaria Institute is pleased to share this Spiritual Toolkit offering a curated selection of resources to aid your devotion to Our Lady during the month of May.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | May (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

St. Catherine of Siena: "She knew how to love...serve...speak out."

When the Church was going through difficulties, St Josemaria had deep recourse to St Catherine, since she had been a passionate defender of the truth.

Our Lady of Montserrat and St. Josemaria Escriva

St. Josemaria had been suffering from diabetes for about ten years. And it was on the feast of Our Lady of Montserrat, April 27, 1954, that he was cured of diabetes.

“The Gift of Never Losing Jesus” | Spring Appeal 2023

The events of St. Josemaria's life and how he lived them also teach us about the beautiful and unforgettable events in our lives as Christians.

“Come & Take Possession of My Heart” | The First Holy Communion of St. Josemaria Escriva

St. Josemaria made his First Communion on April 23, 1912 and would always observe with unabashed fervor the anniversary of that wonderful day.

Christ's Presence in Christians | A Homily for Easter Sunday

"Christ is alive." This is the great truth which fills our faith with meaning. Jesus, who died on the cross, has risen.

Our New Life is Born in the Empty Tomb

All sorts of questions fill the air on Easter morning, on that first morning of our new life: “Who will roll us back the stone?” “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?”

"The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ": Reflections and Prayers from St. Josemaria Escriva

"The Seven Last Words" is a beloved devotion of the Church that invites us to recall and meditate on Jesus' last words as he hung on the cross.

The Eucharist, Mystery of Faith and Love | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

"Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end" (Jn 13:1). The reader of this verse from St John's Gospel is brought to understand that a great event is about to take place.

Commentaries on Holy Week | Reliving the Moments of Our Redemption

This Holy Week, and afterwards every day, has to be a leap of quality for us, asking our Lord to completely fill our lives. We have to communicate to many people the new life that Jesus gained for us by the Redemption.

Following in His Footprints: Accompanying the Lord through Holy Week

“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Mt 21:9).

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | April (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

“Intimations of Love” | The Priestly Ordination and First Mass of St. Josemaria Escriva

As a teenager, St. Josemaria Escriva followed the normal course of a high school student. He aimed to be a good student, get excellent grades, and dreamed of being an architect. Becoming a priest was not what St. Josemaria had originally thought was for him.

A Priest Forever | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

When saying Mass a few days ago I paused to reflect on a phrase from the psalms in the Communion Antiphon: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | March (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

"Christ is Passing By" | 50th Anniversary (1973-2023)

In 2023, the book Christ is Passing By by St. Josemaria Escriva is celebrating its 50th anniversary of publication.

Unromantic Dust

We begin Lent with the ultimate reality of human life: we are marked with ashes on our head. And this is meant to stand for who we are...

Lent 2023: Repaying Love with love

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, the St. Josemaria Institute invites you to join us each week of Lent as we open ourselves and our hearts to Jesus Christ, especially in the Holy Mass and the Eucharist.

Mary, Mother of Fairest Love and St. Josemaria Escriva

"The holy Virgin Mary, Mother of Fair Love, will bring relief to your heart, when it makes you feel that it is of flesh, if you turn to her with confidence."

St. Josemaria Escriva: A Pilgrim at Lourdes

St. Josemaria Escriva was a pilgrim at Lourdes many times during his life, remarking that: “It would be bad manners to pass by there without dropping in on her.”

I want results.

We are careful about calorie counting, protein intake, omega supplements, as we try to increase one thing and decrease another. It’s easy to be obsessed with the process: we want to see the results, the fruits, of our discipline. Result seeking in the spiritual life, however, can be misplaced...

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | February (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

"Footprints Towards Love": An Interview with Holly Rodriguez

In this interview, the St. Josemaria Institute speaks with Holly Rodriguez, artist and author of Loving Christ through St. Josemaria Escriva.

NEWS | EPPC Internship: St. Josemaria et al. & Sports, Research in Spanish and English

Interested in Sports and Saints? Learn more about the EPPC Internship: St. Josemaria et al. & Sports, Research in Spanish and English

A Spiritual Toolkit for Lent

This Lent explore our curated selection of resources to help you begin again and advance in your faithfulness to Christ and desire for holiness.

Seven Sundays Devotion to St. Joseph | 2023

Join the St. Josemaria Institute for our annual Seven Sundays Devotion to St. Joseph from February 5 to March 19, 2023.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | January (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to go deeper into his or her relationship with God.

Light Shines in Darkness: The Christmas Mystery

The readings for the Mass of Christmas night highlight several appearances: from Isaiah, a light has shone; in St Paul, The grace of God has appeared; in St Luke’s Gospel, the angel of the Lord appeared, followed by a multitude of the heavenly host.

Christmas 2022: God is here!

The St. Josemaria Institute joins you in celebrating Christmas near the crib of the Child Jesus!

Homily on the Solemnity of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Just as Our Lady hurries to visit her cousin St. Elizabeth in the Gospel of St. Luke, so today we see how she does the same to visit us and stay with us.

Our Lady of Loreto and St. Josemaria Escriva

Since the fourteenth century, pilgrims have made their way to the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto at the Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto, Italy. St. Josemaria Escriva went to Loreto for the first time in January 1948.

Fulfilling the Fiat: Responding with Mary to God’s Call

In a season when Mary’s responsiveness to God’s will is continually before us, the Church in her Advent liturgy invites us not only to reflect on her perfect obedience but also to imitate it.

Feast of St. Nicholas of Bari: Source of Joy and Thanksgiving

Support our annual St. Nicholas Appeal in which we ask our friends and followers who have never given before to consider making a one-time gift before the New Year!

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | December 2022

In this month's recollection, we reflect on our calling to live as children of God. Baptism makes us heirs of God's kingdom and participants of his divine nature. We rejoice in this mystery as we spend this month preparing ourselves for the coming of the Lord.

Advent 2022: Prepare and Rejoice!

The St. Josemaria Institute invites you to join us in preparing our hearts and homes this Advent 2022 as we "Prepare and Rejoice!" for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.

Charity Consists in Understanding | Giving Tuesday 2022

On this Giving Tuesday, when we are asked to be generous towards so many great causes, do we pause to truly understand what and how much is being asked of us?

Abiding Presence: Christ our Eucharistic Refuge

The Lord does not remain with us in the Eucharist for His own sake, but to meet our deepest human needs for love and friendship: “Jesus, who has encouraged this feeling of emptiness in us, comes out to meet us” (Christ is Passing By, no. 170).

Time is a Treasure | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

I want to talk to you about time, that passes so swiftly. I am not going to repeat to you the well-known phrase about one year more being one year less...

“My Memories of St. Josemaria Escriva: 1953-1975”

In 2009, Fr. Joseph Soria wrote “My Memories of St. Josemaria Escriva”, a series of articles for The Westbrook Voice (Canada) in which he described some of the most memorable moments he shared with St. Josemaria Escriva.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | November 2022

In this month's recollection, we reflect on our duty to transmit the gift of faith to others, beginning with our friends and family. We consider that, for parents especially, the duty to form their children well is of primary importance.

Novena to the Immaculate Conception

Join the St. Josemaria Institute for our annual Novena to the Immaculate Conception from November 30 to December 8.

In the Footsteps of Christ | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

I am the way, the truth and the life. In these clear and unmistakable words Our Lord traces out for us the true path that leads to everlasting happiness.

Our Lady of the Pillar and St. Josemaria Escriva

"My devotion to Our Lady of Pilar has always accompanied me: my parents, with their Aragonese piety, instilled it in my soul since I was a child," said St. Josemaría.

Letting God Work: Pope Benedict XVI on St. Josemaria Escriva

"A man open to the presence of God discovers that God is always working and still works today: We should, then, let him enter and let him work."

St. Josemaria and the Guardian Angels

Opus Dei was founded in 1928 on October 2nd– the feast day of the Guardian Angels. St Josemaria’s devotion to the Guardian Angels, whom he saw as celestial protectors and messengers, was fostered early on as a young boy.

October: Month of the Holy Rosary

The Church dedicates the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary so that individuals, families, and communities would pray the Holy Rosary, if possible, on a daily basis for peace in the world.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | October 2022

In this month's Recollection, we reflect in a more intimate way upon the Christian vocation to holiness. We turn toward St. Josemaria and Our Blessed Mother in a special way as models of faithful responsiveness to God's call.

Our Accuser is Cast Out: The Feast of the Holy Archangels

“For the accuser of our brethren has been cast out, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb” (cf. Rev 12:10-11).

Is it Pointless? | On Interior Struggle and Determination

We don’t need to be told that we struggle... We struggle daily not only to become holy but just to be good people—naturally good, naturally virtuous.

Looking into the Heart of the Sorrowful Mother

“Behold your Mother!” (Jn 19:27). This is our Lord’s command to us from the cross. What do we see when we behold our Mother?

Towards Holiness | A Homily by St. Josemaria Escriva

Today, once again, I set myself this goal and I also remind you and all mankind: this is God's Will for us, that we be saints.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | September 2022

In this month's Recollection, we reflect upon the magnificent reality of Christ as the Good Shepherd who knows and calls us by name.

The Holy Mass in the Christian’s Life

To "live" the holy Mass means to pray continually, and to be convinced that, for each one of us, this is a personal meeting with God. We adore him, we praise him, we give thanks to him, we atone for our sins, we are purified, we experience a unity with Christ and with all Christians.

Finding Joy in Our Poverty

How much is holy poverty a driving force on your path to Christ? For the first disciples of Jesus, as for the Saints of every age, poverty is a privileged way of identifying oneself with the “affections” of Christ.

Lifting Up Our Eyes: The Transfiguration of the Lord

The saying goes that most people see only what they want to see. If that's true, then most of us live with a kind of selective blindness.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION | August 2022

In this month's Recollection, we reflect on the spirit of detachment as we seek to live more fully in the presence of God.

A Spiritual Toolkit on the Vocation of Marriage

The St. Josemaria Institute is pleased to share this Spiritual Toolkit offering a curated selection of resources on the vocation of marriage.

Heroic in Love: On the Feast of St Mary Magdalene

Love is most in its element in hearts that dare to replicate the Savior’s love for them. Heading St Josemaria’s ‘list’ of such ardent souls is Saint Mary Magdalene.

Living in Hope: Saints Joachim and Anne

Nothing disappoints more than misplaced hope. And maybe nothing is easier to misplace than our hope. From time to time we are all tempted to put our hopes for happiness, even for a kind of salvation, in people whom we idealize or future circumstances we imagine will be perfect.