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Ever since someone got into my life to bring me face to face with God through the teachings of Saint Josemaría I have had a clear way to follow and clear aims in life, I’ve been happy, and what’s more, I hope to gain eternal life.

I was studying to become a lawyer at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, and from 1994 onwards I worked for a legal practice with my father and some friends of his who were also lawyers. Around that time, the aunt of a friend of mine at university invited me to go and give catechism classes in the deprived areas of the city, and to prepare for them, we arranged to meet in an Opus Dei Centre. At first I was sorry I’d gone because I didn’t know anyone there, but when I saw the atmosphere of friendship and serious study, I began to go there every Saturday for catechism, a meditation, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. To prepare our catechism classes, Luzma, who I made friends with then, lent me a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and told me to read the part about human life onwards, and ask her about the things I wasn’t sure of. I was ready to argue, and at first I wrote down lots of questions, but to my surprise, by the time I got to the end I found that I’d crossed out all my questions, because in the Catechism I found what I had been looking for in many different systems, none of which had been totally convincing.

However, I still had many doubts about the Church because of my family – my parents don’t have faith in the Church – and school background. I talked to the priest who went to the Centre to hear confessions. With great clarity, patience and supernatural sense he explained to me all the things I needed. But most convincing of all was to see that the university students who went to that Centre had a real relationship with God, were fighting to get to heaven, paid attention to little details and lived as I imagined the first Christians had. Could effects like these be a product of the hypocrisy which, so I’d been taught, was what Catholics lived by? Definitely not! What’s more, nowhere did I see any signs of people being kept in ignorance and subjection. So, although the vast majority of people in Guadalajara are Catholics, it came as something new to me to discover what the Catholic faith means, and I plucked up my courage to start practising the faith from then on, though I knew that we human beings, both inside and outside the Church, have our failings. Real love for the Holy Father came later, little by little, with prayer and reading books about him, helped also by things people said just in passing.

In 1997, two days before my graduation ceremony, my father, who was forty-five, died of a heart attack. My mother worked alone at home, my two brothers were still at school; and my grandmother, who was retired, also depended on my father for financial support. The only property we possessed was sold off cheaply, and we were left with no house, no job and no money.
We sold both our cars to pay for food and rent. We urgently needed a steady income, so that as I was the only person in the family who could earn something I worked for over six months as an office assistant, mostly answering the telephone, sorting the post, and making coffee. I found this very hard, because I felt degraded. But then I remembered the Cross of no value, and without its Crucified, that Saint Josemaría talked about in The Way, and I remembered Don Alvaro del Portillo (the first successor of the Founder of Opus Dei), smiling. And that changed my outlook on everything because work has a supernatural, transcendent value, service is the most important part of it, and every effort seems little when it is offered to God.

In 1998 I was transferred to the legal department, for which I was very grateful to God. I have been working ever since as a lawyer in family law for disadvantaged people in the Guadalajara municipality. In addition to that, since 2003 I’ve been teaching the Civil Course of Marriage Preparation which is obligatory in the State of Jalisco. I’m now thirty years old, I like my work despite the tiredness and the heavy responsibilities, and I have the same post and salary as I did when I started, plus only the annual increments.

On 8 December 1998 I asked to be admitted to Opus Dei as a Supernumerary. On 1 December 2000 I married Eduardo, a psychologist I met at work, and in February 2002 my daughter Mariana Paola was born.

I am grateful for all this and happy to give permission for my testimony to be published on the Saint Josemaría website.
E. A. A., Mexico

When I most needed it
At a time when I had absolutely no hope of being able to form a family, after being disappointed and deceived in the past, I began praying to Saint Josemaría without any real faith. But I soon recovered the faith and hope that I’d lost in some way. I am devoted to Saint Josemaría because he heard my prayers when I most needed it and I am deeply grateful. I pray to him every day, asking him to shine a light on my life in the same way as he has lighted up many paths here on earth. Thank you very much, Saint Josemaría!
M. N., Mexico
20 December 2004

Try again!
Eight months ago I lost my job. I’m 53, so it would be difficult to find new employment. At present I’m setting up my own business. I still haven’t made a sale. This weekend I felt really discouraged. In that frame of mind I visited the Saint Josemaría website, and found that he was telling me: “You've failed? We never fail. You placed your confidence wholly in God. Nor did you neglect any human means. Convince yourself of this truth: your success — this time, in this — was to fail. — Give thanks to our Lord... and try again!”
Once again I can feel his presence, and I feel privileged to have received his message directly.
Guillermo Silva, Mexico
14 December 2004

From Taiwan
As a Filipino living in Taipei, Taiwan for the past 20 years, I never thought I would experience being laid off from a job because of my professional expertise. But it did happen in May 2003 when I became unemployed for the first time in my professional career. Being 43 years old and saddled with many debts, I didn't realize the trials would take much longer than I thought. Over the next 14 months, I was in and out of odd jobs before a former employer decided to hire me again in July 2004. The worst part of this ordeal that our Lord sent to test me was my wife's losing her faith, not just in me, but in God as well. Being a convert to the faith just before we got married in December 1989, her "foundations" were not that strong.
Just two months after being laid off, she started to "panic" and would never have a day of peace unless I quickly resolved my employment problem. She stopped going to church with the family and just felt everything was hopeless for us.
Day in and day out, I was saying many times the prayer cards to Saint Josemaria, as well as to Don Alvaro del Portillo. Every time I had an interview, I would always ask for their intercession, not just for getting the job I wanted, but also to recover my relationship with my wife whose barometer for happiness was highly linked to our financial capability.
In mid-November 2004, I got myself called for an interview at a European bank that had a vacancy for a Technical Writer. To make a long story short, I was hired immediately in early December 2004 and was also able to work out things with my wife.
I certainly attribute these answers from our Lord to my prayers for the intercession of both Saint Josemaria and Don Alvaro del Portillo. I give thanks to our Lord and to both of them for helping me get through these most difficult times of my life in Taiwan.
R. L., Taiwan

I remembered the prayer-card I’d put away
Very many years ago, I don’t know – or at least I can’t remember – how, there came into my hands a prayer-card of Blessed Josemaría, as he was then. It had a prayer on the back, so I didn’t throw it away, but put it in a drawer. A little over a year ago I was at a Catholic meeting and made friends with a Spanish person, a very nice man, who always spoke about Saint Josemaría in a very special way. That really struck me, and I remembered the prayer-card I’d put away. I got it out, and realised, with my friend’s help, how out-of-date it was, because at the end of the prayer it asks for his canonization. From then on he began to send me information about Opus Dei and Saint Josemaría. One day he sent me the address of a church in my country which was looked after by the Opus Dei prelature. My greatest surprise was that it was a church, less than four miles from my house, which I’d never been into, but every time I went past it I had always said to myself that some day I’d like to go in and see what it was like. Little by little I started to find out more about the Work and this marvellous Saint. I began to give out prayer-cards, I read The Way, and finally I visited the Church of the Holy Family, where I felt very much at home, and I spread devotion to Saint Josemaría among my family members and friends. Now I pray to him every day with a lot of faith. When I feel a bit down, or think that something’s not going well, I take up The Way and read a few passages. I feel as if he were standing in front of me, speaking to me directly, and that encourages me and fills me with great faith and hope.
I thank God for having brought me to meet that person, who has become a great friend overseas, because it was thanks to him that I learnt about the “Saint of the ordinary”, and in his turn he has helped me to see the greatness of the Lord with new eyes. Today I can say in all certainty that I have opened up my heart and my life to God and that I live to please Him at every moment of my life, always thinking that everything I’m going to do is for His glory… “all for love of Him”.
F.D.B., Venezuela
11 December 2004

A strong family
I am a service member on active duty and had a mild stroke in October 2003. It was then my sisters sent me the prayer card to St. Josemaria, with a rose petal attached. I prayed dearly for my well-being and in particular the future of my career and family. The first miracle that occurred led to my promotion. I was promoted to the ultimate rank of an enlisted man despite being on the sidelines. A very rare occasion.
In October 2004, I was being forced to retire from service. My family prayed the rosary along with the prayer of St. Josemaria every night. The second miracle happened when the directive for me to retire was reversed and I was still allowed to continue to serve.
My daughter who is in her junior high school desired so badly for me get another tour of duty in Japan so she can graduate at her alma mater. This was another impossible desire as we have been in Japan for over 8 years, and the basic requirement to be allowed to stay in Japan cannot be over 6 years. The third miracle happened when I was detailed for another 2 year tour in Japan which will see my daughter to graduation.
Since we received St. Josemaria's prayer card and rosary, our family has been very devoted in saying our rosary, if not, our family meditation. The stressful, tiring and most trying times of these trials made us a strong family living our daily life under the guidance and teaching of St. Josemaria. The harmony, peace and love that we have now in our family would have not been possible without the intercession of St. Josemaria. His guidance and intercession have always been there for us. God bless him always!!
Prospero T. Rivera, Yokosuka, Japan
16 December 2004

A brilliant weekend
It really was a brilliant weekend. A couple of days before I had been at my brother’s ordination as a Deacon in Rome, and I was on my way back to the UK, where I’m living at present. I had to take two flights, and I got to Fiumicino Airport very late – just 25 minutes before take-off.
I had my ticket but not my boarding-card, because they stop issuing those 40 minutes before take-off time. Anyway, because I’d phoned in to say I’d be arriving late, they let me through. But once I was in the departure lounge they wouldn’t give me a seat on the plane because the flight was technically “closed” and they said there was nothing they could do. I was quite upset because that meant missing my connection with the next flight.
At that point the only thing I could do was pray the prayer-card: Saint Josemaría had to help me. Taking my courage in both hands, I went straight to the gate for my plane. I engaged the help of a friendly stewardess who was travelling as a passenger on that flight and was waiting to get on. After a tense wait, and more prayer-cards, they let me on to the flight. Thank you, Saint Josemaría!
Pablo D-C, Spain
6 December 2004

Wasn’t that a miracle?
My son Sebastian, who is now 12, was born with a congenital heart defect. We consulted several doctors and travelled to the capital, Santiago. There they confirmed that he would have to have open-heart surgery, but said that we should wait because there was a slight possibility that it might improve with time. Several years went by, and then his heart began to dilate and he had to have an emergency operation. I was shattered and felt desperate, wondering why this had to happen to us. (…) There came into my hands a little card of Blessed Josemaría, as he was then. I prayed hard, together with the whole family. My son was operated on by a specialist from abroad who had travelled to Santiago for just one day, which happened to be the day booked for Sebastian’s operation. The next day we took our son home from hospital. Wasn’t that a miracle? I certainly think so!
Mabel Vanegas Gutiérrez, Chile
4 December 2004

It was that quick
I was in serious financial straits. I had had three children very close together, and I was living in Oaxaca State, Mexico. I moved back to my home State with my family and started looking for a job. I kept praying for a job, unsuccessfully, until my sister gave me the prayer to Saint Josemaría. I said that prayer and immediately got a telephone call from the school where I’d applied for a job. I’m a language therapist, and getting a job was that quick, thanks to the prayer. Later I was again unemployed, then I found a job, prayed the prayer again and straight away they gave me a contract and I gained professional success. Thank you, Saint Josemaría, for your support. I’m fine now, but my husband was also having difficulties getting a job. So I prayed for him to Saint Josemaría, and when my husband went for a job interview they gave him a contract the very same day. We are so grateful to him for all his favours.
Oralia Avendano Ramirez, Mexico
2 December 2004

She prayed to Don Alvaro
Some time ago my sister Abigail was diagnosed with a tumour, and the doctors told her she’d never be able to have children. Last June she had her first baby and the tumour went on growing. They told her she’d have to have an operation as soon as possible because they didn’t know if it was cancerous. She says that one day she went to a basilica in Mexico City and saw a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría and another of Don Alvaro del Portillo. She felt great faith that they would help her, and from then on she kept the prayer-card in her purse and prayed through Don Alvaro’s intercession. Some days before the operation she prayed to him for her health, because it was a complicated operation. She had the operation on 17 November and came through it well, but then they realised she was haemorrhaging internally. The next day she had an emergency operation at 12 o’clock at night. The doctors held out no hope that she would survive, because her blood pressure was extremely low and they were afraid of an infarction, but, to the Glory of God, she came through it very well and was discharged from hospital two days later. My sister Abigail is now convalescing at home, and she feels like a new woman. She herself told me that she felt that she was close to death that night, and prayed to Don Alvaro to help her. It turned out that her tumour was not cancerous. She’s forever grateful to God for giving her the chance to continue living with her baby and husband… Thank you, Saint Josemaría Escrivá and Don Alvaro!
Jaquelin Gomez Rocha, Mexico
1 December 2004

The Sacrament of Joy
I had just been ordained and was beginning my priestly ministry at the time when the so-called “spirit of the Council” erupted – referring to the Second Vatican Council, which had just ended. Those were years of considerable confusion because many of the teachings of the Council were pastoral indications which directly affected Catholics’ lives. In this situation I looked for a firm foothold, and found it in Josemaría Escrivá, whom I have always seen as a priest to model my own life on. I never met him, but I know him well through his teachings and the example of his life. I took him for my teacher and a spiritual Father, but it never occurred to me to invoke his intercession. At least, not until now. I spend a long time in the confessional, waiting for the faithful to come to the “Sacrament of Joy”, as Saint Josemaría called it. My presence there is a witness to the fact that God our Lord is always ready to forgive us. The problem was that fewer and fewer people were coming. That was when I decided to turn to Saint Josemaría’s intercession before God. A large part of my time in the confessional was spent asking him for people to come, and the intercession of this spiritual Father of mine was not long in making itself felt. In the next few days several people came whom I didn’t know. The number has continued to grow day after day. Every time I see someone coming into the church I pray the prayer-card for the Lord to lead them to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Saint Josemaría is a real gift, a powerful intercessor before the Throne of God.
Fr. E. R. P., Spain
28 November 2004

She prayed to him for three days
My cousin finished her training as a nurse and started to look for work. She found a job, but not the sort she had been studying for. (…) I had some prayer-cards of Saint Josemaría and Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, and I gave them to her, recommending her to have recourse to Saint Josemaría’s intercession. She prayed to him for three days. Last Friday I heard that she has gone into partnership with a doctor to run a pharmacy which is just next door to her house. I am sure that this is due to the intervention of our Father Saint Josemaría.
Anita, Mexico
29 November 2004

“I have found the Faith”
I have prayed, and I have found the Faith thanks to Saint Josemaría Escrivá’s intercession.
P. T., Italy

I’d been trying for six months
I found out about Saint Josemaría about a month ago. It was at a very difficult stage in my life because I had quarrelled with a close friend over something unimportant. I’d been trying to mend the quarrel for the past six months, because I value this friend a lot and I couldn’t reconcile myself to a permanent split with him. One day I happened to read Piero Vigorelli’s book Nuovi Miracoli (“New Miracles”), which talked about our Father, and it made a deep impression on me. I started to investigate and ended up finding your website! I began to pray devoutly to Saint Josemaría, and things are miraculously sorting themselves out. I have re-established contact with my friend, whereas up until now he wouldn’t even look at me. I am sure things will continue to improve. Thank you, Father, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
R. P., Italy
24 November 2004

I prayed for thousands of different people
When I was at school in the late 70’s I was given a prayer card, I took that prayer card with me when I left home to become a nurse. I memorized the prayer which I said every time I attended to a simple chore for each patient. For many many years I prayed for thousands of different people asking Blessed Josemaria Escriva to intercede for their intentions. 25 years later I saw my vocation and became incorporated in Opus Dei. I prayed “to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving You and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls”. I feel that the prayer card has not only helped many others but I have benefited constantly on a daily basis (in all those simple things). Thank you God, Thank you my Most Holy Mother Mary, St. Joseph and St. Josemaria. I’m a very happy wife and mother of a large family and nurse manager who continues to struggle every day to “begin and begin again”. The Way. Totus Tuus.
D. P., Australia
November 05, 2004

My son is healthy
I am immensely grateful to Saint Josemaría Escrivá for a miracle he worked for my baby son Sebastian, who is just one year old. About a month and a half ago, he had a very high white blood cell count. From the first moment we heard this, I prayed to Saint Josemaría every day for my son’s white cell count to return to normal, because otherwise he would have to have a bone-marrow examination to see if he had leukaemia. Miraculously, his cell count did return to normal, and both the haematologist and the paediatrician say that my son is perfectly healthy and they cannot account for what happened. To me it was clearly a miracle by Saint Josemaría, and so I’m infinitely thankful to him. I wanted to share with you this manifestation of his love.
S. N. S., Paraguay
12 November 2004

I no longer had any excuse
Throughout my life I’ve always kept well away from the atmosphere of the sacristy, but this Saint has completely disarmed me by saying – and putting it into practise too – that being a Catholic doesn’t mean cutting oneself off from society. So that I no longer had any excuse. From when I was very small I always hated anything to do with cassocks.
That no longer stands as an excuse. But don’t you imagine that I changed just because I liked a particular person or his teaching. A short time ago, a lifelong friend of mine died in hospital. We had shared everything, and he was taken from me. He never had anything to do with religion, but he asked for a priest and made his Confession. He died an hour later. All because he had some neighbours who were in Opus Dei and at the last moment he remembered that the Sacraments existed. I went to see these people and thanked them for what they had done for my friend without knowing it, because after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation he was as serene as though he had only been waiting for that to be able to die in peace. They told me that they had been praying that if he died, he would die at peace with God. It was through them I came to know about Josemaría Escrivá.
Alvaro Fuentes, Bolivia
7 November 2004

I remember it like today
At about five in the afternoon one wintry day in Chile, it was nearly time to leave the engineering office where I worked. It was already dark and quite cold. Fr. Fernando, (God rest his soul) said to me, “Fernando, let’s go and have tea at my house.” “Thanks,” I replied, and by about six o’clock we were on our way.
Then he invited me to a meeting in Tabancura School, and I accepted. I honestly had no idea what this meeting was about, but destiny springs that sort of surprise. There was a group of people waiting in the school courtyard, some on chairs and the rest sitting or standing on the floor.
Suddenly there was a silence, and along the passage on the left I saw a very striking figure arrive, with a beaming smile, wearing glasses, and dressed as a priest. It was none other than Monsignor Escrivá de Balaguer. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
My mind was racing, recalling all the teachings contained in The Way, which Fr. Fernando had given me. I began to listen to what he was saying.
He spoke to us for a while, and then stopped to let various mothers and fathers ask him questions. It was just like a family around their father, a father who was truly kind, firm, clear, precise and cheerful. At that stage in my life I was finishing my degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Chile and Fr. Fernando was my tutor for some of the themes of my thesis.
I just wanted to tell you about this episode which happened 29 years ago and which I still remember like today.
Fraternally,
H. M., Chile
5 November 2004

They cured him a second time
Hi, I hope you’re well. In July I sent in a testimony about how God our Lord, through the intercession of our dearest Fr. Josemaría Escrivá, cured my Dad of cirrhosis. Then I asked him for another miracle, because it turned out that Dad had cancerous tumours in one lung. I prayed with all my love and faith that the disease would be cured and Dad has now finished the course of chemotherapy and only has to go in for a check-up once a month. The doctors are surprised at how quickly he’s recovered, and I am so grateful to God our Lord, Fr. Josemaría Escrivá and our beloved Virgin Mary, because I know that they cured him a second time. I’m very happy and thankful. The only problem is that Dad doesn’t want to quit smoking but I have great faith that God our Lord, Fr. Josemaría and our Lady are going to cure him so that the disease doesn’t come back and he stops smoking little by little. I’m very grateful for all they have done. Thank you.
M. D. M. E., Mexico
5 November 2004

All my expectations fulfilled
I am writing to let people know about the favour I received through Saint Josemaría. Thanks to his intercession I was able to get a job where I am really happy. I’ve been given all the guarantees I’d always wanted: security, stability, support, respect, job satisfaction, and they are concerned for their employees’ quality of life and training opportunities. Best of all are the working conditions, because everyone is ready to help whoever needs it, there’s a fantastic atmosphere. My boss is a great person who values the work I do and motivates me to do better all the time, so that all my expectations are fulfilled with regard to my job and my pay.
D. L. H., Colombia
2 November 2004

They had got lost
For the last month I have been praying through Saint Josemaría’s intercession for some items of sentimental value which had got lost to reappear. I am happy to say that they have turned up, to my own and my wife’s immense relief. Thank you, Saint Josemaría!
Y. C. R., Mexico
1 November 2004

I don’t let a day go by without talking about Saint Josemaría
I am writing this account to testify how much Saint Josemaría loves us and how he wants to bring us closer to God, and I’ll explain why. Many years ago, one of my daughters brought me a little booklet she had been given at school. I remember that it said “Opus Dei” on the front, and there was a photograph of Saint Josemaría, who hadn’t yet been canonized then. I put it at the bottom of a drawer because I didn’t know who he was or what Opus Dei meant. It stayed there for years. Every time I took something out of the drawer or put something away I caught a glimpse of his peaceful face with its sweet, tranquil smile.
After some time I joined a Catholic group. I asked for some support to help me pray, and a friend in the group wrote to me, sent me a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría, and suggested I should get to know him. And I certainly did get to know him! I got really hooked on him because of his goodness, his apostolate, and because of the meaning of Opus Dei. I prayed to him with great faith and love, and obtained a miracle! My son had had an operation on his left eye which had gone badly, so that he’d almost completely lost his sight in that eye. It started getting better and has continued to improve quite unbelievably.
From that day onwards I haven’t stopped praying to him, with ever-increasing faith, and I don’t let a day go by without talking to someone about Saint Josemaría and Opus Dei.
I’ll just tell about two more things. One day I was talking to a lady about Saint Josemaría. The next day she asked me more about him, I told her a bit more and gave her a prayer-card. Then she said she wanted to bring her family so that I could explain about Opus Dei to them too. Now she is spreading devotion to Saint Josemaría.
The other thing is that a few weeks ago I had to get a taxi home. Shortly before we arrived I paid the taxi-driver his money, and I saw him make the sign of the cross and say something under his breath. I let him finish and then asked him why he’d done that. He told me he was placing himself in the hands of God and all the Saints, because for the past few days he had earned nothing for himself and very little for his boss, who owned the taxi. I asked him if he knew Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, and he said no. As you can imagine, I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity. I talked to him until we got to my destination, and ended up by saying: “If you want more prayer-cards, and more information, come to my house any day and I’ll give you both.”
A few days went by, and one evening someone rang at the door. When I asked who was there, he said: “It’s me, ‘your’ taxi-driver. I’d like some prayer-cards and anything else you can give me about Saint Josemaría.” So I gave him more prayer-cards, and he told me that from the very moment he prayed the prayer I’d given him, he had earned more than any other day, and his boss had been very happy and thanked him for the amount he was bringing in. The taxi-driver said: “Don’t thank me, I’m just doing my job. It’s Saint Josemaría you should thank.”
I’ve written this to invite you to share the joy of our intercessor, Saint Josemaría. We need to share this treasure with everyone around us! Saint Josemaría and the Work of God are two divine treasures for the whole of mankind.
Yolanda C. Z., Mexico
30 October 2004

This saint’s faithfulness to the Church left us all dumbfounded
I think that twenty-first-century Catholics cannot ignore Saint Josemaría Escrivá, because by God’s will, he showed us that we can be saints in the middle of the world. Without that gift of Providence, we would be like exiles in a place where we couldn’t love God: the world. I’ve been a member of Catholic Action for many years, but I never understood my own role as a Catholic layman until I came across this saint’s teachings. Someone left some prayer-cards of Saint Josemaría and a booklet about him in the Catholic Action offices, with an affectionate letter saying that they just wanted to give this gift to our association. It came at a very opportune moment, when we were going through a difficult and rather confusing situation. I kept the envelope with the prayer-cards and showed them to members at our next meeting. This saint’s faithfulness to the Church left us all dumbfounded. It went straight to the hearts of everyone there, and we began to work and pray as hard as we could.
In every city there are slums, poor districts which need visiting and evangelizing, because the poor are specially loved by God. A good group of us went along to one of these districts every week for a fairly long time. And see what an eight-year-old gipsy girl said to us there once: “I’m poor, but I’ve learnt from Father Escrivá that you can be happy to live in poverty. I’m happy.”
This couldn’t be mere chance. From that point on we have worked with a new outlook. That little girl and Saint Josemaría were the help our Lord sent us in difficult times.
A. P. L., Spain
30 October 2004

Thank you, Father
Hi, I’m writing from Seville, Spain, because I want to tell you about some miracles: two through Saint Josemaría’s intercession and one through Isidoro Zorzano’s. The first one from Saint Josemaría was many years ago in 1977, but I’ve never written it down until now. It was one of the first he worked, and it was as follows. I was born in El Salvador and went to Guatemala to do a teacher training course. I studied for two and a half years, and it wasn’t easy to find the money for it. When I was ready to graduate, the nuns at my college told me that I couldn’t, because I didn’t have the necessary validation from Guatemala and El Salvador, so I’d have to start the course all over again from the beginning, with all the expense involved, and, of course, all my time wasted. The college advised me to go to the Ministry of Education to see if they could solve the problem. As Saint Josemaría had died two years before, I started praying to him in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, since it happened to be October, the month of the Rosary. I prayed to him every day for my problem. I went to see many different people, who all told me there was no solution. I made an appointment to see the Minister for Education of Guatemala, and continued praying to Saint Josemaría. The day of my appointment, when I went into the Minister’s office, the first thing he said to me was: “I don’t know why I’m doing this” (signing the authorization for me to graduate): “take it and go away before I change my mind.” I attribute this miracle to Saint Josemaría ,because the problem was a major one, caused by the fact that I hadn’t taken certain exams. I write this twenty-eight years after graduating and I’m very grateful for it – THANK YOU, FATHER!
The other miracle from Saint Josemaría was a very little one, but it shows his affection for us even in the smallest things. It was like this: one Sunday the whole family started to wash the car. We do it by hand, so there’s always a lot of commotion. When my husband was holding the hose the water pressure made one of his contact-lenses fall out. The ground was covered in soapy water and gravel. We all started looking for the lens, and the first thing I did was pray to Saint Josemaría. When I finished the prayer from the prayer-card, I found the lens. Although it’s a very little miracle, it’s a sign of love from Saint Josemaría.
The third miracle is one I attribute to Isidoro, and it was this: my husband had a problem with his computer. He had tried to sort it out a few days before, but had given up in disgust. I decided to go to my room and prayed the prayer to Isidoro Zorzano (who was the first Opus Dei person to have his cause for beatification started) because he understands about computers. I prayed the prayer to him with great fervour and then put the prayer-card beside my husband where he was sitting at his computer. At that moment the problem was solved, and we were all surprised and delighted at Isidoro’s instant help. I have written down these miracles because new things come out about Saint Josemaría every day, and I felt that these miracles, whether big or small, may help people to realise that he is a saint who is very close to us. And I’ve written the one from Isidoro to help towards his process of beatification. Many thanks.
Rocío Sisniega Urbon, Spain
29 October 2004

He caught my attention straight away
Two years ago I came across a magazine about someone who caught my attention straight away. It was Saint Josemaría Escrivá, and what struck me most was the vitality and simplicity of his message. Just at that time I had to have an emergency operation for peritonitis. It goes without saying that I made a rapid and complete recovery, but what really matters is that it helped bring me closer to my Creator and made me and my family realize the happiness that is to be found in the simple little things in life. I still have at home the photograph and prayer that I cut out of that magazine, which introduced me to a good man, one of God’s Saints, and his important message.
J. J. R., Peru
26 October 2004

Only a beginning
I want to express my gratitude to Saint Josemaría. He has been helping for more than 20 years, in big things and in small or daily things. About a month ago, and quite unexpectedly, I found myself with two very complex problems to solve. One of them is related to my private life and the other to both private and professional life. I couldn’t find a solution to any of them by myself, as in both cases other people are involved. So, I intensified my prayers to Saint Josemaría and asked him to help me. Today, finally, “the beginning of a solution” for one of these problems was given to me. It is only a beginning but it opens the way for a complete solution and I am completely sure I have to thank Saint Josemaría for it. I keep praying for a total solution for both situations and I’ll write again as soon as everything is solved.
A. A. Portugal
25 de octubre de 2004

A Prayer-card dispenser
I don’t belong to Opus Dei and have no connection with Opus Dei at all. I want to “lodge a protest” because your founder has complicated life for me. I work at a hospital reception desk. One day a couple of years ago someone left some prayer-cards of the recently canonized Saint Josemaría Escrivá at the desk. They were in the space under the reception desk window, and they soon ran out. Then some of the hospital staff – doctors, nurses and all – started telling me they wanted one. As if it was I who’d put them there! Things got “worse”, because a month later I found another pile of them, placed there by a religious sister who comes in for regular check-ups and we know her well. Those soon ran out too. For the next week there was a string of requests from patients asking me for a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría. It didn’t stop there. I live quite close to the hospital where I work, so people in the area know me, and they would even come up to me in the street and ask me for one. Intolerable.
At this point the person who’d first left the prayer-cards turned up again, bringing his father in for some tests. I don’t know how I recognized him, but I went up to him and asked him to bring in some more prayer-cards. He turned out to be a really nice guy and we soon made friends. Now we have leaflets about Saint Josemaría at the reception desk, and everything. Some people just come in and ask me for a prayer-card, I point to them, they take a couple and go out again. We’ve turned into a sort of prayer-card dispenser. So what’s the problem? None at all. Hospital management are quite happy. The Lord has chosen to get me involved in this game and I’m only too delighted to “play” for his Glory.
Iñaqui A. S., Spain
22 October 2004

We didn’t give in
Two weeks ago my husband and I decided to apply for visas for our two children to go across America as part of the trip to Colombia we were making in November. Five days later we received the visa for our daughter, but not for our son, because he apparently needed a document which it was impossible to get. We didn’t give in, and went to the Embassy in person, without an appointment. I kept praying the prayer to Saint Josemaría, asking him that we might find grace and favor on the part of the people who worked in the Embassy. We spoke to eight different people and were sent backwards and forwards. Finally they gave us an interview on the spot, and in less than an hour God had granted us our son’s visa through Saint Josemaría’s intercession. I want to share all this because for me it was a miracle, and I owe it to Saint Josemaría. Thank you, God, thank you, Saint Josemaría.
M. M., South Korea
19 October 2004

A source of help in times of desperation
I am so grateful to Saint Josemaría Escrivá for the countless miracles he has worked in my life. He has always been my source of help in times of desperation.
Two months ago, when I had already bought a brand new condominium in the hopes of me and my husband moving in, my husband changed his mind and decided that he wanted to continue living at our old apartment. This broke my heart, as it would mean a separation between us. It was impossible for me to convince him about his decision to stay behind. Although he loved me, he reasoned that he could not live in a condominium complex where there would be noises from all around the building. I prayed so hard to Josemaría Escrivá. On the fourth day of my novena, our neighbors took in 2 new dogs. They barked non-stop in the evening and in the mornings. My husband got so fed up that he told me he could not stay at the old apartment and that he was "ready to move in" with me. God works miracles, and this indeed has been a pure miracle through the intercession of St. Josemaría Escrivá.
C., San Francisco
October 15, 2004

A smiling man
It was 1989 and I was desperately looking for a job and racing against time because I am paying rent and other bills, when I just encountered a small magazine with a man smiling on its cover. I wondered, “Who is this saint?” As I read his biography, I found that the smiling man was just up for beatification. There was a prayer at the back only for private devotion as he as wasn’t declared blessed or canonized yet. So I prayed for his intercession. It was less than a day and I was called to report to my job right away. My new boss said he was looking for me because I was accepted the moment he interviewed me, but since I was on vacation for a week there was no one who answered the phone. I was really very surprised to find that I was instantly hired. During the interview my employer said that he would call me in the afternoon as he had a lot of applicants to interview. Therefore, I was not expecting the position to be given to me. I just prayed to Msgr. Escrivá and that day my prayers were heard! I said to myself, “This man is very powerful with God.”
I wanted to send a testimony to the address in the magazine to help for his beatification, but somehow I did not send it because I was thinking that my proof would not count towards his canonization because it was very simple, and people may not believe it. But I believe that even though he was not declared a saint yet, Msgr. Escrivá de Balaguer was already working for his canonization from God. So that when I watched the canonization, I recognized his face right away and said to myself, “This is the man who helped me find a job.” But the name that I knew then was only Josemaría de Balaguer, and I was questioning myself if this was the same man. I recognized his smiling face, and I said, “I will not forget the good deed he did to me, and someday I will give a testimony.” We are blessed by God to have Msgr. Escrivá’s intercession to pray to.
J. G., Bronx, NY USA
October 15, 2004

The happiest days in my life
“‘These days,’ you were saying, ‘have been the happiest in my life.’ And I answered you without hesitation: ‘That is because you have lived with a little more self-giving than usual’.” These words by Saint Josemaría (Furrow, 7) could have been written to express what we, a group of Canadian and Mexican students, experienced during our stay in the villages of Toxché, Bonxhí and El Comal in Mexico State. We’re sending some photos. And the first point in his book The Way, “Be useful. …” was certainly something that stimulated some of us to get going.
Over those days we gave talks on Christian doctrine, held classes for younger children, had nutrition and hygiene sessions with their mothers, built ovens to make tortillas and heat their meals, and painted walls and benches. But above all, we learnt from their generosity and cheerfulness.
When we went to say goodbye to the village people before we left, they surprised us with a taquiza – a collection of Mexican dishes, eaten with maize tortillas. Each of them had brought a different dish, so that we and the Canadians could sample everything. This, and thousands of other little touches, made us realize that it was not really we who were teaching them, but that they were teaching us hundreds of very important things. When someone has only just enough food for one day, and they give it all to you, words fail you.
M.A.N, Mexico

A merciful judge
I am a devoted to the prayer card of Saint Josemaría Escrivá. I pray to him every day and every night for the last 15 years. I wanted to share a miracle that Saint Josemaría has granted our family today. My son was involved in a DUI accident in May this year and caused great bodily injury to a passenger friend that was in the back seat of my car. My son was facing 7 years of prison for this. He is only 19 years of age and this was his first offense. When we showed up to court his attorney was expecting a no-mercy judge. The attorney found out that the judge that my son was supposed to have had taken a leave of absence and he was substituted by a merciful judge on his case. Through my prayers and devotion that I have to Saint Jose Maria, (I always take my prayer card to court with me), he granted the favor that I asked of him. My son got 4 months in a half way house and no prison time. The attorney said that this was a miracle in this case and that in all the years that he has practiced criminal defense, he has never seen this happen before. I owe this to Saint Josemaría Escrivá. I truly believe he is a very powerful Saint and grants favors if you are truly devoted to him daily. I ask that you publish this in your books of favors granted. Thank you.
Maggie Rivero, USA
9 October 2004

A radical change
I’m not an emotional person, or the sort to get carried away. I am going to testify to what happened to me some time ago, on October 6 2002 to be exact. I would not blame anyone for thinking it sounds unlikely, or for dismissing it as merely the imaginings of an old man. I have dedicated half my life to the world of art, specializing in the colonial art of Spanish America. I have seen thousands of religious images and hundreds of churches. They never aroused any devotion in me or caused any change of heart. I do not feel moved when I look at the most harrowing picture I know, “Christ taking up his garments after the scourging” (which is practically unknown outside Latin America).
That day I was in Madrid, the Spanish capital, in the Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel. The only thing I was interested in was the architecture of Bonavia, an architect of the end of the baroque period. I say this so that nobody thinks it was because I was artistically dazzled, or anything like that. I went round the side-chapels and stopped at one which was dedicated to the Founder of Opus Dei, the subject of this web-site. I have seen how pictures and statues of this Saint have spread all over Latin America, especially in the poorest places, churches where the country people go. They are simple pictures and statues, without any particular artistic interest.
I went back down the nave of the Basilica, on my way out. Just then I looked back at the sanctuary, and, like a sudden flash, the tabernacle caught and held my attention for a few very intense seconds, leaving me exhausted, confused and stunned. I went towards it, and my body suddenly doubled up before the chapel of this Saint, Josemaría Escrivá. I fell to my knees. I started crying unrestrainedly. I saw my whole life like a picture, drawn in a few rapid strokes. I felt overwhelmed, as though I were taking a beating.
I have never wanted to talk about this event before, and now, paradoxically, I’m sharing it with anyone who chooses to read it. I did tell my usual doctor about it, and after giving me a thorough check-up he concluded that there was no physical or psychological cause for such a reaction. When I left the surgery I didn’t know what to think – there was something that was beyond my grasp. A few days later I went back to the San Miguel Basilica and there I finally understood what had happened. It meant a radical change in my life, which I am not going to write about. Thank you.
R. G. H., Spain
8 October 2004

They got married a week ago
I prayed the prayer to Saint Josemaría that someone I love very much would get married, because they were living in an irregular situation and they didn’t want to marry. He worked this miracle for me, because a month ago they gave me the news that they were going to get married, and they have been married for a week now. I owe this to our Father.
M. E. A. S., Peru
6 October 2004

It wouldn’t go back in its place
I received some newsletters about the Founder of Opus Dei. I was really interested and impressed by the favours people had received through Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer’s intercession. I started praying the prayer-card to him every day.
My father has to breathe through his larynx, with a silver gadget to keep the aperture open. One day I was very worried because he had taken the gadget out and couldn’t get it back in its place.
I was really frightened, and began saying the prayer to Saint Josemaría, holding the prayer-card in my hands. Suddenly I heard my father say “It’s OK!” I saw that he had tears in his eyes because of the pain, but was looking relieved and happy. Seeing what had happened, I thanked God for Saint Josemaría’s intercession.
Olga Padrão, Bragança – Portugal
30 September 2004

Problem solved
I have been praying to St. Josemaria for the past few weeks that a matter that was troubling our family be resolved completely. I am happy to announce that this matter has finally been put to rest, no doubt through the loving intercession of St. Josemaria. Thanks.
Rebecca Oloo, South Africa

“Father, please make it come out quickly!”
Last week I went to the dentist to have a tooth out. I was rather nervous about it, to be honest. I was given an injection to anaesthetise my mouth, and having waited for it to take effect, the dentist started to extract the tooth. Because of the anaesthetic I couldn’t feel anything, but I realized that the tooth wasn’t coming out. I began to get anxious, and said to Saint Josemaría, “Father, please make it come out quickly – we can’t be here all day!” Obviously, it was in my own interests that the tooth came out soon, but I also said to him, “The person who’s come here with me has an important appointment for three o’clock, and what’s more the dentist and her assistants are beginning to get stressed, and so am I.” I prayed the prayer to Saint Josemaría, but nothing happened. I prayed it again, this time with great faith in God and in Saint Josemaría’s intercession, and hardly had I said “Amen” when the tooth came out. The dentist said afterwards that the tooth had very strong, deep roots, but that it had cooperated very well. The one who had really cooperated was Saint Josemaría!
C. P., New Delhi
29 September 2004

Big and small favours
Here are some favors granted by St Josemaria to me and my family: Late June this year, my husband was transferred here in Bangkok. So I came to look for a house to rent. I wanted it to be near a church where I can hear daily mass and near the school of the children. I kept on looking but the prices are so high in the area I was targeting. I prayed a novena to St Josemaria. Just before the 9th prayer, I got this inspiration to look for a house near the hotel my husband and I were staying at that time - it was near my husband's office too. And wow! It was a favor granted. I learned that in this area, there is a chapel where there is daily mass. Also, it is nearer the children's school compared to the area I had been targeting because traffic is worse in that area (both areas are far from the school because the school is in the outskirts of Bangkok). Also, my husband can spend more time with us since it is very near his office.
I have many other small favors granted through the intercession of St Josemaria like finding a lost item, finding a parking space, praying that my daughter arrives now, etc. But I guess I need not write them anymore there are so many. Everyday St Josemaria intercedes for me in both big things and small. St Josemaria has been helping me and my family for many, many years now. Thanks be to God and to St. Josemaria.
Gay Tanchuling-Salazar, Thailand
September 28, 2004

Patiently and cheerfully
Being an immigrant in Canada, I have discovered, through the inspiration of Saint Josemaria, how to sanctify myself and others through my daily encounters with the Cross. I have learned to put my complete trust in my Father God who doesn’t lose battles and who will always be there for me through thick and thin. All of this has greatly helped me to bear my daily crosses patiently and cheerfully. I have realized that my sufferings have redemptive value and that through them I can do a lot of good for others and for the Mother Church. Thank you, Saint Josemaria!
Ben Ontuca, Canada
26 September 2004

On the ninth day
All this began when I was little, because my mother is faithfully devoted to Saint Josemaria, and she taught me and my sisters the prayer to him. A year ago my husband had to go to Canada to find better job opportunities, since the economic situation in my country is very bad. My husband went off without knowing anybody there, and with just 300 dollars in his pocket. He was running out of money and still couldn’t find a job. At that stage, I reminded him that I had included in his papers the prayer of Saint Josemaría, and I suggested that he prayed a novena to him to help him solve the problem. The surprising thing was that just when he had said the prayer on the ninth day, he got a job, and also, he found an envelope in the road with 700 dollars inside! He couldn’t believe it. Saint Josemaría saw his need and the desperate situation my husband was in, and came to his help. I’ll never stop thanking him for all the help he has given us, because he has often interceded for us before God.
Hanely Sanchez, Mexico
26 September 2004

Coming back next year with a baby
In March 2003 I had an operation for some cysts due to an endometriosis. The gynaecologist told me that this condition was often solved or at least improved by pregnancy, but at the same time, the endometriosis complicated the possibility of pregnancy.
On 26 June my husband and I went to the Mass of Saint Josemaría, and in the homily the priest talked about the Communion of Saints. He told the story of another married couple who couldn’t have children. The husband prayed to Saint Josemaría that they might come back the following year with a baby in arms, and they did.
I felt so identified with this story that I prayed to him for the same thing: that I might come back next year with a baby in my arms. Now it’s almost October, and I’m expecting a baby. Exactly as I prayed to Saint Josemaría, if God wills I shall go to Mass on June 26 next year with my baby.
24 September 2004


God blessed us with a Downs Syndrome child…
… and he isn’t the last of many, but the eldest of our four children.
When he was born, a geneticist suggested that it would be wise to take precautions against having more children, advising us that in a case like ours there is a strong genetic tendency towards Downs Syndrome children (two of my sisters are Downs Syndrome). When we got married we were looking forward to having lots of children, so that piece of “advice” saddened us considerably. Anyway, we carried on praying to Saint Josemaría for the children we hoped to have.
Time went by, and no more babies came. After five years, and several miscarriages, we had our second child, a girl, who was fine – “normal”, as they say. Fifteen months later we had our third child likewise, and twenty months after him, our fourth. All of them were “normal”. Up until now God has not sent us any more, so our “large” family is made up of four beautiful children who are all little (great) miracles of Saint Josemaría.
We love all of them equally, but I can say without any exaggeration that the eldest is the one who gives us the greatest happiness, as well as teaching us all the time what love is.
Marisa de Antonucci, Argentina
24 September 2004

They had already said no
I was waiting to sign a contract that I had been working on since January. Yesterday, when I went to hand over the last documents, I was told by the contracting firm that they were intending to cancel the contract. I decided to go ahead and make the necessary arrangements anyway, but by the time I got home I was feeling totally disheartened. I prayed the prayer-card to Saint Josemaría asking that through his intercession the contract would be signed today, if it was God’s will.
This morning I made the final arrangements and shortly afterwards they faxed through the signed contract. Because of the way they had told me firmly that they were not intending to sign, I am certain that Saint Josemaría interceded for me so that everything would turn out well. Thank you, Saint Josemaría!
Antonio Carlos Laus, Brazil
23 September 2004

I’m from Russia
My name is Katarína, I’m 26 years old. I’m a designer. I’m from Russia and I’m a Catholic. I have known about Saint Josemaría Escrivá since the year 2000, when I read his book Holy Rosary, which helped me a lot in my prayer. Then I read his other books: The Way and Friends of God. Then I read all the other books by Saint Josemaría and some biographies of him. In the teachings of Saint Josemaría I found the way which I had longed to find for years.
Since I found your website I visit it whenever I can. It helps me very much to read the articles about Saint Josemaría, and testimonies of miracles which people got with the help of the prayer to Saint Josemaría Escrivá. I especially like the section of the site called On this day.
I have a great devotion to Saint Josemaría and pray to him with the prayer on the prayer-card and in my own words.
I want to tell about two “little miracles” that Saint Josemaría granted me. Both of them happened during a coach trip to the Czech Republic in February of this year with a group of young people. On the way, our coach broke down on a narrow road in the Polish mountains, with deep snow-covered ravines on either side. For one very dangerous moment, it seemed that we were either going to crash into another car or fall into the ravine. But neither thing happened, and we only stopped dead. I felt sure that it was Saint Josemaría who protected us at that moment of danger, because I had been praying to him that nothing bad would happen.
The other “little miracle” was that on the outward journey my seat was at the back of the coach, where a strong smell from the diesel engine really tormented me, and by the end of the journey to Prague I was feeling very sick. I didn’t say anything about it or complain to anybody. Before we set off on the return journey I asked Saint Josemaría to help me not to be affected by the smell of diesel. But when we were getting on the coach I was given a new seat in the fourth row from the front, with plenty of fresh air!
K. T., Rusia

He sold it for a fair price
The economic situation in our country is very worrying. My friend Jorge has a bakery that he bought with the loans he had been given when he was made redundant by the company he used to work for. But he owed a lot of money to the bank, and his wife’s property was at risk. Accordingly he decided to sell the bakery. The only people interested in buying it wanted to pay a minimal amount for it. I suggested that he should pray the prayer to Saint Josemaría, and shortly afterwards a buyer appeared who offered him a fair price for the bakery, on good terms. We both realise that this was a favour and we are very grateful for it.
L.S.G., Venezuela
13 September 2004

Another baby
Every time I ask God for something through Saint Josemaría’s intercession, he always grants it. This time I asked him to help my niece to have another baby. She lost one a year ago, and because of her state of health the doctor told her it would be very difficult for her to become pregnant again. A few days ago my sister, much excited, told me that my niece was expecting another baby. Thank you, Saint Josemaría, for your intercession.
G. Evans, England
10 September 2004

Nothing spectacular but lots of little favours
Saint Josemaría has granted me lots of favours, nothing spectacular but little ones that happen every day. I need help, I turn to him, and the problem is solved! He’s a great Saint! What’s more, the witness of his life and his teachings makes it easier to be a good Christian, fulfilling the little everyday things and winning Heaven through our ordinary lives. Thank you, Saint Josemaría!
Maria Teresa, Spain
6 September 2004

They were received into the Catholic Church
I moved to a new house about two years ago. A few days later, in the lift, one of my neighbours said good-morning to me and offered me a leaflet about the Evangelical Church. I’ve always been a Catholic, and I told him I wasn’t interested. As time went by we made friends and sometimes talked about the Faith. He has seven children, and now he is a Catholic too.
It all happened quite recently. This time, almost without saying a word, he showed me a prayer-card of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. My neighbour had always been one of the people who contributed most to the upkeep of the Evangelical Temple, and a convinced defender of its faith, which he had received from his parents.
He explained to me what had happened. His wife was having their seventh child. There were serious complications with the delivery, and the doctors told her that the baby was dead. This agonizing situation lasted for some time. Finally the lifeless baby was born, and they put it to one side while they concentrated their care on the mother, who was in a state of collapse.
Shortly after my neighbour had heard that the baby would be born dead, someone (he can’t remember who) gave him the prayer-card, and without thinking about it he began to pray the prayer. Suddenly, to everyone’s complete amazement, the baby started crying. The upshot of it all was that my friend and his wife have both been received into the Catholic Church. I found the website address on the back of the prayer-card. I told him that I wanted to write about this miracle, and he told me to go ahead.
Pablo Gil, Spain
6 September 2004

To be more available
I am about to give Saint Josemaría the title of “Patron Saint of drivers”. I passed my driving test through Saint Josemaría’s intercession, as I have already explained on this website. The brother of a friend of mine in the seminary had failed the test five times, until he prayed the prayer on the prayer-card and passed. This week a religious sister who studies with me also took her driving test. She asked the founder of Opus Dei for help, and she passed. With our driving licences we can be much more available to help others. By God’s grace, my motto as a priest will be: “Serve the Lord with gladness”, just like Saint Josemaría in his fifty years’ priesthood.
Gilberto Lombardo Junior, Brazil
5 September 2004

We both had the same idea in our heads
This summer I spent a few days in the country with my family. We went for a picnic at a little-known spot on the mountainside which I thought really beautiful – the grandeur of the landscape made one’s heart swell with joy. While we were having our picnic I was wondering what I could keep as a souvenir of that particular trip, and just then something caught my eye: the picture of a priest, with some illegible writing underneath. It seemed that the spot was not quite as unknown as I’d thought. My find made a deep impression on me: the picture just radiated peace, a peace which could only be compared with that of the wonderful scenery we were admiring that day.
The next day, impelled by curiosity, I went to the local church in the village where we were staying and spoke to a religious there, showing him what I’d found. He looked at it, smiled, and took a similar card out of his pocket, which said, “Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei”. Then, standing in the church porch, he spoke to me for a long time, among other things about this saint, and all the good that the religious had seen done through his teachings and his intercession. What I had found was a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría in Japanese. That day I went to Mass for the first time in many years. Afterwards I stayed there for a while thinking and looking at the picture of Saint Josemaría.
When I got home I went to get my hair cut. While chatting with the hairdresser I started telling him the story of the prayer-card I had found on the mountain. He said that he’d had a copy of The Way at home for years, and he always turned to it whenever he felt a bit down. Now, that very same day my wife came home delighted with herself, holding the same prayer-card, but in Spanish. She had been investigating on her own account, and had told our story to a priest she met at a bus-stop – who promptly gave her the prayer-card.
A week later, we went with some friends on a sight-seeing trip to Madrid. I’m not over-fond of art, and when we got to the Cathedral of the Almudena I sat down on the nearest bench and left the others to go around without me. Just beside me several people were standing still, in silence, in front of one of the side-chapels. I moved over to them, and saw that the chapel was dedicated to Saint Josemaría and what these people were doing was saying the prayer on the prayer-card. I took several of the cards, and bought a copy of The Way that very day. Now I’ve got all the books by Saint Josemaría at home, and my wife has bought a medal of him and wears it all the time.
Best of all is that we found we both had the same idea in our heads, but hadn’t quite managed to say so: it was time we got married in church, had our two children baptized, and started practising our faith again.
Raul F. A., Spain
5 September 2004

By the third day
Six months ago I began a novena to Saint Josemaría, asking that my third son Bruno, who is studying Communications at the University, might find a work-placement. He needed to have his time and talents better occupied.
By the third day of the novena he had found a placement, but it was unpaid. I continued the novena and said jokingly to Saint Josemaría that he hadn’t understood me, because we also needed the money: a family of five children is quite a financial burden for my husband and me. Straight away, a former teacher of my son’s called him to offer him a paid placement.
We are really grateful for the intercession of the Founder of Opus Dei and the Blessed Virgin, because the fact of having a job is already having a good effect on him.
M. T. V. S., Brazil
1 September 2004

An apartment
After begging and praying to Saint Josemaría, I managed to buy an apartment for my daughter. A period of great stress ended yesterday afternoon when we signed the contract.
Regina Viveiro, Brazil
29 August 2004

My miracle is called Josemaría
I’d been told that I would never be able to have a baby in the natural way. And today, 27 August, it is exactly a year since I found I was pregnant. I had been praying for that intention for some time, but I must admit that there were many other people praying much harder for it. I always said to God, whatever he wanted – if he chose to give me a baby I would be very happy, but if not, I asked him for light to see whether to go down the path of adoption.
Soon after my pregnancy was confirmed the gynaecologist told me I’d have to have an emergency operation because I was at risk. I had the operation straight away. During the operation something guided the surgeons so that they were able to avoid harming the still invisible foetus.
I had a relic of Saint Josemaría and on the day of the operation I put it on, and I was wearing it when I went down to theatre. I’ve kept it with me ever since, until my son Josemaría was born. He is now five months old. He was born at eight months on 27 March, completely healthy – he didn’t need any special care for being premature. I thank God and Saint Josemaría for his intercession.
Ana Lucia Guinea de Cota, Mexico
28 August 2004

At 98 years of age… she’s walking
Through this testimony I wish to thank Saint Josemaría for all the blessings he has obtained for me. One of them has to do with the health of my grandmother China, who fell and broke her hip when she was 97. We knew that an operation would be very risky at her age, and that there was very little chance that she would ever walk again. Pained by her suffering, and having received blessings from Escrivá de Balaguer on other occasions, I gave her a prayer-card and we prayed it together with deep faith, for everything to happen in accordance with God’s will. Miraculously she underwent a successful operation and three days later she was already taking her first steps in the hospital. Now she’s 98 and she thanks Saint Josemaría every day for enabling her to carry on with her life and to walk!!!! We thank the “Father” too, that we have our grandmother with us, passing on to us her infectious vitality and love for life.
Azucena Z. M., Argentina
28 August 2004

He was a lawyer just like me
In 2002, I applied for admission to the Bar having completed my studies in Law at our local university. I was declined immediate admission because of a legal technicality based on my citizenship. I was desperate that 5 years of legal training would go down the drain and I would be left jobless. I was asked by the court to prepare arguments to support my case. I began to do so in
earnest. I prayed a great deal to St. Josemaría. I was encouraged and attracted to the fact that he was a lawyer just like me. When my case was heard 7 months later, it could not have gone more smoothly. It was heard by a brave and well respected judge and I was admitted to the Bar by a special exception being added to the law to cater for persons in my position. I remain for ever grateful to St. Josemaría. I encourage all those looking for work to ask him for help. If work is our means to sanctification, then St. Josemaría will be sure to assist us to secure it from heaven.
Elizabeth, Botswana
27 August 2004

We would love her just the way she was
My fourth daughter, Blanca, was born on 13 August. When I was five months pregnant the doctors did a scan and saw a 6.5 mm oedema. They asked my husband and me if we wanted them to perform an amniocentesis to see if it was a chromosome problem and the baby was going to be born with Down’s Syndrome or some other syndrome. As amniocentesis involves a 2% risk of miscarriage, we decided that I would not have one, and that we would love my daughter just the way she was at birth. We prayed a lot to Don Alvaro and Saint Josemaría. Over the following months the oedema shrank to 3.5mm in size, and by the time Blanca was born it had been completely reabsorbed. My daughter is perfect, plump and healthy. We are very grateful to Don Alvaro del Portillo for this favour, because my family and my husband’s family prayed many novenas to him.
Rocio Molina Leon, Spain
14 August 2004

It’s amazing how St. Josemaria always answers my prayers for small favors. Just minutes after I finish saying a prayer card, I get my ride to the hospital for my duties. I have never been late even during rush hour traffic. It was also through his intercession five years ago that I was able to obtain permission and get the money to go on a rural service project organized by a center of the Work. And now, I am entrusting one more favor to St. Josemaria.... I shall inform you about it as soon as it is granted!
J. A., Philippines

My father recovered
About a month and a half ago my father had an accident: he fell down and broke his arm. It was a bad fracture, and it was very worrying because they wouldn’t see him in the Social Security hospital because his card had not come through. A doctor told me that the fracture could wait until I got the papers sorted out, and then we could come back. I was very worried because my father was bleeding badly. They told me that they would only see him if I signed a paper agreeing to pay for treatment, but it was very expensive. But then, thank God, one of the doctors looked at my father’s X-rays and said that the operation could not wait, so he sent him to theatre straight away to have his arm operated on.
Everything was going well until they told us that he would have to have another operation to pin the bone. The operation was fixed for a Tuesday. They took him to theatre, he spent the whole day there, and at ten o’clock at night they told us that they couldn’t operate because his arm had an infection. I was praying very hard, and I asked God not to let anything bad happen to my father. I went on the Internet to look for support, and on a Catholic website I contacted someone who began to pray to Saint Josemaría for my father’s health. He advised me to pray to him with a lot of faith, and sent me a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría. I printed the card and put it on my father’s bedside table in hospital.
I was really scared, but my friend, who lives in another continent, and who I only know through the Internet, gave me a lot of strength. Both of us together, united in prayer, placed my father in God’s hands, through Saint Josemaría’s intercession. Now several weeks have gone by and my father is recovering the movement of his arm, and I want to thank all the people who, without knowing me, joined in my prayers and took an interest in my father’s health. Very especially I want to thank the person I met through the Internet, for having passed on to me his faith in God and in Saint Josemaría, to whom I attribute this favour.
Maria Teresa Fuentes, Mexico
10 August 2004

I am writing today to thank St. Josemaria for his intercession as well as to share with everyone the favors that my friend received from him. I have been praying for the conversion to the Catholic faith of one of my best friends from the university. She began catechism classes 6 years ago but stopped after a few months because she was not very sure about being becoming a Catholic although she has an affection for the Faith. This year as I would always do in the past years, I invited her to come to the Mass in honor of St. Josemaria. During the Mass I was prayed to St. Josemaria to help her ease her medical condition which frequently causes her unbearable pain and indisposes her. I also asked him to help her truly see that it is worthwhile to be part of the Catholic Church. After the Mass we spoke briefly and I gave her a new issue of the Opus Dei regional dossier. Then a week later she called me up and told me that she really wants to know more about the Catholic faith and at the moment, she would like to read biographies of famous Catholics. I started thinking about the classic books of St. Teresa of Avila or some other famous saints. Then without wasting a second, she asked me if I could lend her a book about St. Josemaria Escriva because after seeing his picture on the dossier she really felt that there is something special about him. I gladly agreed to lend her one and I gave her the brief biography of our Father prepared especially for the Canonization. Two weeks later, she phoned to tell me that she had gone through a very rough week (due to work) and had almost sank into depression. One night she found herself crying uncontrollably. She said she started praying and caught sight of the book I lent her... she started reading it and suddenly peace rushed through her and she felt extraordinarily better. Incidentally, the page that she opened was the account of the moments when St. Josemaria was going through very difficult moments in his life. My friend felt that he has helped her cope with her problems. Moreover, she had told me that the pains that she often gets were a lot less painful and that the painkillers that she took worked well. In the past, even painkillers could not ease the pain that she experiences. Then I told her about the favor I asked from St. Josemaria. And the best part of her story is that she has finally found her path... the Catholic Church. In the meantime, though, she is waiting for the right moment to begin catechism classes. In her words, "Ever since I attended the Mass of St. Josemaria and saw his picture, many miracles have happened." I thanked God and St. Josemaria for the favor and my friend's wonderful disposition.
Dayenne Sipaco, Macau SAR, China

I want to thank whole heartedly the things I have received through Josemaria. I am sorry I am testifying after sometime but better late than never. There is a time I was still back home and did not have a job. A friend of mine gave the prayer and asked to pray. I did. In seven days I got a job and I have always been promising to testify. I am out to pray again, and I will come to testify here.
Dorothy, England

He always helps me
Saint Josemaría has always been with me and has always helped me a lot. I remember the first time I asked him for help. I was doing my pre-university year, and I felt I didn’t know enough for my accountancy exam, which I had to pass because otherwise I was going to be relegated. I prayed so hard to Blessed Josemaría, as he was then, that I got 90 for it – I don’t know how!
From then on I have asked him for lots of things, and he has always granted them. I know he’s always with me and looking after me, like when I was taking some tablets which caused harmful side-effects and I nearly died. Thanks to him I got over it, and I’m writing this now because I promised him I’d send in my testimony. Although I know he’s got many things to do, he always finds time for every single one of us. I love you very much, Saint Josemaría!
Janet L., Mexico
27 July 2004

It went incredibly well
Hi, I’m Jose Angel, 29, from Zaragoza. I’m writing this to tell about something I lived through with my family. I was severely overweight. The doctors diagnosed it as “morbid superobesity”. I’m about 1.85 metres tall, and I weighed 225 kilos. After trying many different diets I decided to go to the Navarre University Hospital, and entrusted my condition to the doctors who work there. After a long series of tests it was decided that the best thing would be to operate. As the time for the operation drew near, I got more and more stressed and nervous.
I went into hospital the day before the operation in order to prepare for it, and I decided to go down to the hospital chapel, where I felt a sense of protection. Up until then I had been educated in a Catholic school and of course brought up as a Catholic by my family, but I was quite sceptical. It didn’t do anything for me, or so I thought. I went to Mass from time to time, but without any devotion, just to fulfil a duty. But now I really prayed, as I had never prayed before. When I came out of the chapel I felt happy and secure. I went up to my ward and they began to get me ready for the “ordeal”. The endocrinologist came in to see how I was doing and as he left, he said something which I can still hear inside me: “I’ll pray for you.” The hospital chaplain also came to see me. The time for the operation came, and they took me to theatre. Both my mother and my fiancée (I am lucky enough to be getting married on 31 October this year) were with me. During the whole operation they were praying in the chapel, asking Saint Josemaría especially to look after me during the operation and convalescence.
Complications developed in the operation, and it lasted five hours. When I came round I was taken to intensive care for about half a day. I remained in hospital for the next five days, and this was a hard time for me and my family. I can remember perfectly the picture of our Lady in my room, which kept me company so well during that time. I learnt afterwards that my mother made two promises to Saint Josemaría: one was to go to Torreciudad on his feastday, and the other was to go to Rome to pray before his tomb if everything turned out well.
And it has all gone incredibly well, because as well as recovering from the operation and losing over 100 kilos, I have found myself again, and found other people too in a new way. I have to recognize that I have matured more than I can describe, my whole outlook on life has changed, and I have come back to God totally. My mother has fulfilled the promises she made when she was praying for me, and I went with her. Just this last weekend my parents, my sister and I all went to Rome. They showed us the church of Our Lady of Peace and we saw the casket containing Saint Josemaría’s body under the altar, and my mother was given a relic of his. For all these reasons I am writing this account: to tell about what happened to me and to give thanks from the bottom of my heart for all that God has done for me.
Jose Angel Equiza Lopez, Spain
25 July 2004

It changed my daily life too
Thank you, Saint Josemaría! Through constant daily prayer I managed, through his intercession, to solve a number of work problems that had seemed insurmountable. And all that praying changed my daily life too, because it brought me closer to God, to the Church and to my loved ones. In my prayers I always asked for another son, and he blessed me by sending me two together!
A. H., Venezuela
21 July 2004

He received a visit from the priest
I want to tell about a grace received through Saint Josemaría’s intercession. A friend of our family was seriously ill. He had stopped going to the sacraments many years before. I made three or four attempts to convince the woman who was looking after him that he should be given the last sacraments (because he was no longer able to speak) but it was useless, because she refused to allow a priest to come and see him. Reading a biography of Saint Josemaría, I came across a passage where he said that there had never been a gravely ill person entrusted to his care who had not received the sacraments. I thought that now he is in heaven, Saint Josemaría must continue, with still more reason, to care about such cases. So I prayed the prayer on the card entrusting our friend to his care. Two days later, I heard that a priest who is a family friend happened to visit sick people regularly in the same hospital where our friend was. I asked this priest to go and see him. Before he went I telephoned the woman who looked after him to tell her what I had decided, and, to my surprise, she agreed to the idea without the slightest objection. The following day, in the morning, our friend was overjoyed to receive a visit from the priest.
Fabio Protti, Brazil
20 July 2004

Saint Josemaría’s care
I am writing to thank Saint Josemaría for the care he has taken of my mum and me. Just recently I had to get my mum to the doctor, as, because of the hard-heartedness of my brothers and sisters, my mum, after a lifetime’s hard work, is in an old people’s home, where life is very difficult. I am short of money and there is no way I could get a doctor to go and see her. She and I both appealed to Saint Josemaría and one of my uncles agreed to take her to the doctor, thanks to his intercession. Please pray for my mum and me and for the soul of my dad. Many thanks and may God reward you.
Rafael Augusto Peñuela Velasquez, Colombia
17 July 2004

A miracle is a miracle
Some days ago I went to the bank with a colleague. We had to transfer some money from the firm’s account in Mexico to the account of an organization in Spain. When we got back to the office we realized that there was an error in the account number which had been entered in the system. Apart from the fact that we would incur further charges if we had to repeat the transfer, the error would mean a delay of several days in a payment that was already urgent, and that would bring other consequences. I checked the number several times and asked my colleague to do so too, but there was no room for doubt: it was the wrong number. First I thought that there was no point in praying to Saint Josemaría because the error was clear. But I prayed to him on the grounds that a miracle is a miracle. This morning I got an e-mail from Spain acknowledging correct receipt of the transfer.

Another favour. On 23 June I got an e-mail with the heading: ‘Thank God’. As soon as I saw the sender’s name I knew what it was about, and I was right. On 9 January 2002 I went with a friend to the Mass for Saint Josemaría’s centenary. That day we prayed for her and her husband to be able to have children. I gave him a deadline for this favour, and it was granted before the deadline. In November that year her first daughter was born. A little time ago my friend told me that she was praying to Saint Josemaría for an increase in her family soon. It was already June, but I thought: ‘Father, before the twenty-sixth’. And it happened. Now we are praying to Saint Josemaría for this new baby. Although my friend will probably write about the favour, I wanted to do so right now just in case!
Adriana G., Mexico
14 July 2004

Just nine months after the canonization
We got married a little over three years ago, never doubting that we would start a family straight away. But the weeks and months went by, and the longed-for pregnancy did not happen, so we began to pray to Saint Josemaría for it.
In summer 2002, a year and a half after our wedding, we decided to go for a medical check-up in case there was any physiological problem. After the initial check-up the doctor advised my wife to undergo several tests, but before these could be done we both went to Rome for Saint Josemaría’s canonization. Making the most of that unrepeatable occasion we decided to appeal to his intercession and we did so intensely, both when Pope John Paul was pronouncing the formula of canonization, and afterwards before Saint Josemaría’s tomb, where we spent a long time praying prayer-cards for this intention.
When we got back to Madrid, my wife had to wait for a certain time before having the tests which had been recommended. We went on praying, and a few weeks later we learnt that we were going to have a baby! When my wife went for the first ultrasound scan, we asked out of curiosity how many weeks it was, and to our surprise they told us that she was seven weeks pregnant, and the estimated delivery date was 7 July, i.e. just nine months after the date of the canonization! In view of that “coincidence” we had no hesitation in attributing the favour to Saint Josemaría. But our Father’s watchfulness didn’t stop there, because when the normal time had gone past, our daughter didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry to be born. The delay made the doctors suggest the need for a caesarean. We opposed the idea, because it might limit the possibility of having more children, and we asked the medics to do everything possible to avoid it, provided that our daughter was all right.
The doctors decided to apply one more treatment. We got the whole family to pray for an hour, asking them expressly to entrust the matter to Saint Josemaría. During that hour, my mother (“pestering” like the widow in the Gospel) prayed what she calls a rosary of prayer-cards – no less than fifty of them! And my mother-in-law did the same, and so did we. In a little under an hour my wife’s condition improved quickly and surprisingly and our daughter Ines was born in less than ten minutes, weighing 3.7 kilos. We attribute both my wife’s pregnancy, and the safe birth of our daughter Ines, to the intercession of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer.
I hope that the account of this favour will contribute to spreading devotion to the founder of Opus Dei.
Carlos Alonso de Velasco and Cristina Palou, Spain
13 July 2004

The example of Dolores Escrivá
It was just a few weeks before the delivery date of my second child when my friend gave me a copy of the biography of St. Josemaría that had been printed for his canonization. My mother, who had come from Bangalore to spend some months with my family in New Delhi to help with the new baby, immediately read the whole book, but I had only glanced through part of it.
This was in fact my third pregnancy – I had lost the first in a miscarriage, and the pregnancy and delivery of my elder son, had been difficult. Thank heavens, he was born a healthy child and his first name in Hindi means “precious.” I have the same gynecologist now – as the next baby came just one and half years after the first. There had been some slight complications during the pregnancy, and when I had gone for a check up, the doctor advised that I be admitted there and then, and that the labor be induced. I was a bit nervous, so my mother took along the book about St. Josemaría when we went to the hospital, to help us both stay close to God.
My mother had given me a rosary to pray, and she was also reading to me from the book of St. Josemaría. I could not concentrate, and decided to hand her the rosary and asked her to give me the book. I started reading at the part where it tells how St. Josemaría’s younger sisters died one by one when he was a child, and how he told his mother, “next year it’s my turn.” Then I read how his mother told him, “Don’t worry, I offered you to our Lady, and she will take care of you.” Then I thought: “Now that’s what I should do! I put this baby and myself into our Lady’s hands. Whatever is going to happen is according to God’s will.”
After that prayer, I felt very peaceful. The gynecologist came and observed that I was not progressing and told me it would probably take another four or five hours. I felt it was going to be sooner, but the gynecologist did not agree. And then, the labor was over within another one hour. The gynecologist was amazed that it was a very quick delivery this time.
My second son is also a healthy boy; my husband and I thank God for him, and feel he has the great protection of the Blessed Virgin. I am sincerely grateful for the example of Dolores Escrivá, the mother of St. Josemaría, who helped me to respond with faith to the trials of motherhood, and to realise that my children are first of all, God’s children.
A. D., New Delhi
12 July, 2004

I received a third job offer
I did a novena to Saint Josemaría for him to help me find a good job so that we could get married soon. After nine days, and two offers of jobs, I received a third job offer which has enabled us to fix the date of the wedding for the end of this month.
Marina Beatriz Haddad, Brazil
6 July 2004

It all went perfectly
My mother had to have an emergency heart operation. Thank you, Father, it all went perfectly.
John F. Ochoa Duque, Colombia
1 July 2004

A boy like me
I learnt about Opus Dei from a Spanish website. I sent an e-mail to Spain asking for a little more information about the Work, but felt sure that, as with most websites, they would never answer. First thing next day I received the information, the address of a Center of Opus Dei I could go to if I wanted. I went and was given a very friendly welcome. A friend showed me a video about Saint Josemaría, I began to take part in the means of spiritual formation, and my life changed forever. Then I went to Rome, the most beautiful city in the world, as a volunteer at Saint Josemaría’s canonization. I never thought that a boy like me from a little province in Mexico could be so close to a Work with such spiritual riches and through that, discover little by little what God wants of me. Now I have come closer to Him thanks to Opus Dei and above all thanks to Saint Josemaría.
Jorge Humberto Torres, Mexico
28 June 2004

A bright and cheerful home
Six years ago, on 9 January, without knowing about the significance of the date, my future wife Maria Delicia and I began to fall in love. A year later, on the same date, we got married, still not knowing that 9 January is the anniversary of Saint Josemaría’s birth. Some hours before our wedding I went to Mass and prayed a lot to him. Now that we have two children, Antonella and Santiago, and are hoping that God our Lord will soon bless us with another child, I pray to Saint Josemaría that our home may be a “bright and cheerful” one, and I attribute the fact of having received this beautiful family to his intercession.
Javier U., Bolivia
28 June 2004

“Priests always and in everything”
I am a seminarist, and I wanted to write and say that this 26 June was a special day for our seminary. The feast of Saint Josemaría was celebrated in our cathedral, and we seminarists were urged to participate in the celebration by our much-loved Bishop. I was moved to see how much devotion this saint inspires, and how all those people, working in the world, have learnt to see God in their ordinary occupations. At the celebration there were people of all ages and of every kind; whole families whose homes are cheerful, in the light of Saint Josemaría’s teachings. I am struck by Saint Josemaría’s words about the ministerial priesthood: “Be Priests always and in everything”. I cannot express the joy that that unforgettable day meant to me, for the seminary, for all the clergy of the diocese and for all the faithful. Now I see the priestly ministry in a much richer way. Saint Josemaría will be the model of identification with Jesus Christ our Lord that I will try to follow from now on: a priest who believes deeply in his priesthood, believes deeply in the Eucharist, believes deeply in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The way he spoke to us about the beauty of our ministry! From that day on, I consider myself a son of Saint Josemaría, and I love him as a good father. I too will try to be a good son by serving all souls without exception, whether close by or far off, known or unknown. I will try to spend myself joyfully, totally, in service to others, especially the poorest and most destitute, just as this faithful servant of the Lord did. How convinced I am that God never abandons us, and raises up saints in the Church throughout the ages. I feel a debt of gratitude towards our Lord for choosing me to be (very soon now) almost a contemporary of Saint Josemaría in the priesthood.
Mario S. F., Spain
28 June 2004

I found a prayer-card
I heard about Saint Josemaría some time ago. I wondered what heroisms he had performed, to be canonized. I watched the canonization on television, but I must admit, in my ignorance, all that was going on seemed rather excessive to me. One evening I saw a programme where a business-woman was talking about him, and while I was a little irritated by her air of certainty, I found the excerpts from films about Escrivá very attractive. A couple of weeks later, just by chance, I was in a telephone kiosk in a square in the city center, where I found a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría. It was rather crumpled and worn, but it was very precious to me because I took it as a sign from the saint. I kept it, and telephoned a religious sister who is a friend of mine and told her about what had happened. In addition, during those days I had arranged to go and study at the Austrian Institute, and I found that just thirty doors along the same street was the church of Our Lady of Peace, with Saint Josemaría’s mortal remains. I was so surprised and moved, as it came at a rather difficult point in my life! From then on I have been going to Mass before going to the library. Escrivá is now at the center of my prayers, I consider him my teacher, and I hope he will continue helping me. I went to visit him on 26 June last. I thank God for the marvelous people he enables us to meet as witnesses to His Truth.
Chiara, Italy
28 June 2004

I had the job and it was given to me on St. Josemaria's feast day!
I had a job in which I was very unhappy. My boss was cruel and demeaning and yet I needed to work to support my family. I prayed everyday to St. Josemaria that I would get another job. Yet each one I tried for didn't come through. I finally interviewed with one that I was so hoping to get. I saw it was his feastday coming up and figured that I would get a positive call on that day. I sat by the phone all day long at work and waited. No call came. I went home feeling rather depressed and sat in my chair and fell asleep only to be awoken by a phone call. Yes...I had the job and it was given to me on St. Josemaria's feast day. It was a good job and I have him to thank.
Monica, USA
21 June 2004

He discovered his religious vocation
I am 23 and studying at university. About three years ago I began going to an Opus Dei center. There I took part in Christian formational activities: talks on Catholic teaching, spiritual guidance, etc. In the center I met another student, the same age as me, who was also coming to the formational activities there, and we became good friends. We both returned to (or rather embarked on) a life of relationship with God and discovered the importance of the Sacraments, offering our work to God with the right intention, and serving everyone for love of Jesus Christ. On 6 October 2002 we went to Saint Josemaría’s Canonization. We found the whole thing deeply moving, and my friend began asking himself what God wanted of him. He told me that he was ready to say yes to God’s call, just as he had been advised in spiritual guidance. We agreed that from then on we would pray to Saint Josemaría every day to discover what God was asking him for. A week ago my friend entered the Society of Jesus. He is very grateful to the Work and Saint Josemaría for having helped him to discover his religious vocation.
Guillermo Salinas, Spain
21 June 2004

The following year
I was the mother of 3 girls. I say “was” because on the day of Saint Josemaría’s Canonization I prayed with all my heart and all my faith through Saint Josemaría’s intercession that God would give me a son, since I had always longed to have a boy in my family.
The following year, in October 2003, my long-awaited and much-wanted son Emilito Josemaría, was born, and although at present things are not going well with my husband, I am sure that this miracle too will happen before long. I never tire of thanking Saint Josemaría for the miracle of sending me my beautiful baby, who has brought so much joy into my and my daughters’ lives, and the sorrow we feel because of my husband’s distancing has been alleviated.
I consider that Saint Josemaría is a great intercessor and I am so very, very grateful to him for the blessings I receive from him and because I am coming closer to God every day.
M. C. R. K., Ecuador
16 June 2004

A priest got on my bus
I am a city bus-driver. On one occasion I was really upset because they had changed my route and my timetable was put out. It wasn’t one of my best days. And I had other problems on my mind: my two-year-old daughter was about to have an operation. A woman got on the bus and, seeing me looking so upset, told me that she was going to give me the prayer-card of a saint who would help me in my work. I was not interested, but I tried to smile at the woman and thank her for her concern. The saint was Josemaría. My daughter had her operation and it all turned out much better than any of us had dared to hope. It was a complicated operation but the results were excellent.
I had (and still have) the prayer-card with me in the driving-cab. A week later, the same woman got on, and this time I was the one who spoke first. I thanked her for the prayer-card and for her concern, and said I was sorry for seeming so uninterested in it when she gave it to me. We talked for the whole of her journey. I asked her why some people talk about Saint Josemaría as “our Father”, and I admitted that I felt a bit envious that I couldn’t call him that because I wasn’t in Opus Dei. She told me that that way of referring to Saint Josemaría came about because of the gratitude felt by millions of people. “I call him ‘Father’,” she told me, “because he engendered me to the life of the spirit, the life of a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.” I was dumbstruck. She continued, “He prayed and sacrificed himself for all the people of all times who would turn to God in their ordinary life. That’s why I think of him and love him as my father.”
I asked her for more prayer-cards, but she only had one. Another week went by and the same thing happened. This time she had brought a pile of prayer-cards. “I’ve been carrying them around with me, in case we met,” she said. Now ‘our Father’ (my Father) and I drive the bus together. A little while ago I nearly had an accident at a road junction. I had to swerve and brake violently. There was no damage, and no-one got hurt. Now I am cheerful even when I have some problem. The driver’s cab in my bus has become a wonderful place for talking about ‘our Father’.
I’m only going to tell one instance, but it is something really beautiful. About a month ago a young man of about 30 got on the bus, and asked me where there was a temporary employment agency. I told him where it was and said the bus route went that way. He got on and we began to chat. I told him the same as the woman had told me when she gave me the prayer-card: “I know about a saint who can help you with your work,” and I gave him a card. Two days ago (and this is why I’m writing) a priest got on the bus and said hello to me. I had no idea who he was. “Heavens,” I thought suddenly, “it’s the young man who asked me the way to the jobs agency.” I couldn’t understand what was going on. He smiled at my amazement, and told me that he had abandoned his vocation as a priest. But when he came across ‘our Father’ he had second thoughts, and he had asked to be reinstated as a priest because he wanted to be faithful, like Saint Josemaría.
Ramon Alonso, Spain
13 June 2004

An unexpected payment arrived
I prayed desperately to Saint Josemaría for help with a financial problem at work and just when things were unbearable an unexpected payment arrived…
Thank you, Saint Josemaría! I have you in my heart.
Maria, Argentina
10 June 2004

She received the Sacraments
Although my mother-in-law was a very good woman she did not go to the Sacraments. She fell seriously ill with an incurable cancer which, statistically, gave her very little time to live. My dear wife and I went first of all to the chaplain of the hospital she was in and asked him to help her, but she refused. Then we appealed to our Father, Saint Josemaría, and prayed many prayer-cards for her to be cured and also for her to accept the Sacraments. After some days, first she asked us to put a picture of our Lady in her room – a good sign – and then, much to our surprise, she too prayed some prayer-cards. She asked to go to Confession, received Holy Communion, and began to wear her scapular again. When her illness got worse she asked for and received the Anointing of the Sick, and died a few days later overflowing with peace, which spread to everyone who saw her. We give thanks to God for this intercession by Saint Josemaría.
L. O. Y., Chile
5 June 2004

Thanks to him, I am now a Catholic
I owe everything relating to my spiritual life, to Escrivá de Balaguer. It was he who led me to begin to trust the Holy Church. In the education I had received, Christianity was regarded as a historical phenomenon based on political and economic interests. Throughout history, according to what I was told, Christianity had been almost exclusively a tool of power. Religion was explained to us in such a way that we were never tempted to believe in anything. I became a stubborn rationalist. To me, the Church was just a set of hypocrites who catered for people living an impoverished intellectual life. I used to laugh at those who practised their faith, despising them as inferior people sunk in obscurantist, medieval ideas and superstitions, afraid of everything, suffering from mental paralysis. I was quite clear that I would never fall into that pit.
I got to know about Escrivá during a journey to Italy, where I met some pilgrims on their way to the Prelatic Church of Our Lady of Peace, where his mortal remains rest. I went there out of curiosity and malice, to see if I could find something to joke about. What I found in that church was not a joke, and I thought, “Here they believe what they say, and put it into practice”. I had no interest in Christ, but the figure of Escrivá made a very powerful impression on me and I began to find out about his life. At the beginning I was attracted by his extraordinary human virtues: a list of fascinating qualities which would be hard to match, including intelligence and his respect for freedom. As the saints reflect Christ, and are attractive because of their identification with him, little by little I started to draw closer to God. I learnt to trust the Church. Escrivá passed on to me his love for the Church, from the Pope down to the very last person to be baptized. Even though he was outstandingly intelligent, he never vaunted it, and gave docile obedience to the Bishops of all the places where Opus Dei was established. Thanks to him, I am now a Catholic, and I love the Church and the Holy Father deeply. I am a historian, and in my view, Escrivá was one of the most outstanding personalities in the Church since Saint Paul, and his canonization was a gift from God to the people of the third millennium.
Antonio S. T., Spain
4 June 2004

He asked for a son
I prayed very hard for my husband to learn about the power of Saint Josemaría Escrivá’s intercession. I went with him to the Mass of 26 June 1999. I told him to ask the “Father” for whatever grace he wanted, with faith. I imagined that he would pray for the solution to a material problem we had. Just after Mass started I asked him what he had prayed for, and he answered: “A son”. We did not yet have any children. We prayed with great faith and I told the Father that the next year I would like to come to this Mass with a baby in my arms to give thanks, or on the point of having one. Soon afterwards, I found I was pregnant. It was a blessing, and my husband began to have a deep respect for the Father and to experience the value of prayer. The following year we went to the Mass with my three-month-old son André, to give thanks to God. From that time onwards, my husband has been to all the Masses of the Founder of the Work and in every difficulty he prays the prayer on the prayer-card of Saint Josemaría. It was a deeply transforming experience for both of us. And I can state that every time I go to a Mass of the Father, I come out with a great grace granted by Saint Josemaría.
Maria Eliza Sampaio Barbosa, Brazil
31 May 2004

I prayed thousands of prayer-cards for his recovery
I had been going to the means of formation of Opus Dei for several years, but I had never taken them seriously. My father, who is 77, suffered an attack of food-poisoning and had to be taken to hospital. The ambulance arrived, and it was then that I realized how serious the matter was. I began praying prayer-cards to Saint Josemaría one after the other. When we got to the hospital they told us that very probably there was not much that could be done to save his life, as he was dehydrated and that had destabilized his whole organism. He was taken into the intensive care unit. We stayed up all that night, waiting at the door of intensive care for the news which they gave us every two hours. I carried on praying prayer-cards silently – thousands of them! The news got worse and worse, and at half-past twelve, seeing how things were looking, I telephoned a Centre of the Work to ask for a priest to come and give my father the last Sacraments. Everyone in the Centre began to pray for him to recover. We experienced how the Work really is a family, with countless signs of affection. My father spent ten days in intensive care. From the fourth day the news began to be a little more hopeful, while we still kept praying prayer-cards all day and staying up all night. He came through it. This crisis brought us all closer to God. When my father heard how we had prayed to Saint Josemaría he was really moved, and asked for a prayer-card too. He also asked us to buy a statue of our Lady to have in the house – we didn’t have any pictures or statues of her – and we got a large, very beautiful one and put it in the hall. There are prayer-cards of our Father all over the house, and he’s like our family saint. My father’s name is José and my mother’s is Maria, so between the two of them they make up the name Josemaría. For me, those ten days of intensive contact with Saint Josemaría and our Lord brought about a great change. My parents contribute towards the apostolates of the Work. In the case of my family it was also two favours in one: the material favour came together with the spiritual one. I felt I had to write and tell about this favour as a matter of justice, and so I have done. Thank you.
Luis G., Spain

A new opportunity
I am Venezuelan, my husband, child and I are now in the USA and we have been granted asylum. I have been praying to Saint Josemaría Escrivá ever since I left my country and I have clear reasons and data to prove that our asylum was granted through Monsignor’s intercession. Many wonderful and incredible things have happened, as I will now explain.
For many political, social and personal reasons we took the difficult decision to leave our country. I prayed to the Founder of Opus Dei from the start (…)
I was alone in Venezuela for six months because my husband first went to Canada to see what new opportunities he could pursue. I told him about my decision to leave the country and he accepted it, and we agreed that we would meet in the USA on 25 January (…)
On 24 February we submitted our application for asylum. I prayed over those pages and left my favourite picture of the Father on top of them overnight. The following days were agonizing. We were afraid that they would refuse our asylum application, my husband is Italian-Venezuelan, and they could easily have told us to go to Europe.
One morning, when I had been to check the post three times and found nothing from Immigration, I went to the kitchen where I have a picture of him and talked with Josemaría (that’s what I call him, as if he were my best friend). Minutes later, I went back to the post-box and found the receipt for our application, which had only taken a week to arrive instead of the normal fortnight. Everything began to go ahead smoothly.
During the interview I remember clearly that I asked Saint Josemaría Escrivá, “Enlighten this official to believe me and sympathise with our case.” Although in principle we should have had to wait three or four months, we got a letter back from Immigration just a month after the interview saying that our asylum had been approved 100% with all the benefits of the law. My surprise was still greater when I saw that the date-stamp on the approval document was 16 April, the day when I remember asking the Holy Spirit for help through Saint Josemaría’s intercession. Our asylum approval had come through in just fifteen working days, which is practically impossible, given that there are thousands of cases which have been waiting for over six months, and some for nearly two years.
I know that God wants something from me, and Saint Josemaría Escrivá has been his instrument to help me. The Founder of Opus Dei acts like that: starting with little things, in the things of our everyday lives, in small things and also in big ones. That is what he wants for us: to help us in little things so as to make us great in gratitude, in love and in trying to do things as well as we can in daily life. All that has helped me to improve as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, and to recognise that God has given us a new opportunity of life and we need to make use of it to be better Christians.
M. I. G., United States
25 May 2004

If it is for the best, may it be done
I am now sending this testimony in gratitude to Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer for so many things in which he helps me every day and always has done, although I have not been so grateful to him. But I have just learnt to write on the Internet and I am recalling that I owe him immense favours.
One of them is my husband’s. Exactly two years ago he was transferred to Chiclayo, a province in the Department of Lima (Peru) where he was working because he is in the army (marines). We had to live apart because of our work, and we missed each other terribly, so we began to pray to the Father. We knew that it was difficult – because for political reasons transfers are not granted – but not impossible. Many people helped us to pray for him. It was a long time in coming and that trial united us, in the first place as a family, and it prepared my husband to realise that everything was due to the Father’s intercession.
On the day we least expected it, after we had been told that there would be no transfers, my husband’s transfer was granted. Even his commanding officer was surprised, especially because transfers are usually arranged in January and my husband’s was in May. That’s how it is. The Father sometimes delays because he wants everything to be done well. So I always say to him, “If it’s for the best, may it be done. If not, then whatever you think best.” I am thanking him for many miracles, including one for a friend of mine which I will tell about later. Thanks for everything.
N. P. J., Peru
21 May 2004

I whistle on my way to work!
I work in a bank, and I’ve been a Cooperator of Opus Dei since 1982. For many years I had a manager who used to make fun of me and despise me, among other things because of my faith. Last November I prayed prayer to our Father several times, asking that the manager would go, with an increased salary. In January of this year the manager called a meeting and told us that he was resigning. A week later the new manager arrived (…) This new manager respects me, and – what more can I say? Now every morning I whistle on my way to work! I owe this very special grace to Saint Josemaría’s intercession.
A. G., Italy
19 May 2004

Like a blessing from the Founder of Opus Dei
I did a novena to Saint Josemaría Escrivá, and the day after I had finished it I obtained what I had waited over a year for: a positive return for my efforts at my work. I have been working for an estate agent for more than a year, but I had never yet managed to complete a contract, in spite of all my efforts to work well. That discouraged me, making me think I was no good. I was on the point of leaving my job, but I didn’t because I needed the money which I still thought I might one day be able to earn. When I heard about the novena to Saint Josemaría Escrivá, I prayed with great faith, and just like a blessing, I began to complete some sales contracts, which gave me more confidence at work. Now I am managing well, and very happy, since it is a good, honest job and what’s more I am able to help my family.
Solange Faria Silva, Brazil
18 May 2004

We are getting married in a few days’ time
For a long time now I have been wanting to write and tell about the favour I received from the Founder of Opus Dei, and I am finally doing so only a few days before my wedding. I met my husband-to-be through Saint Josemaría’s intercession.
For years I had been trying to meet and get to know a boy I had only seen once, when we had been briefly introduced by some friends. Although I didn’t know him I was convinced that he was the right person for me, and so I began to pray to Saint Josemaría to help me meet this boy once again. I had to wait a long time, but one day, when I was least expecting it, I met him in the street, plucked up my courage, and said “Hello”. He smiled and returned the greeting, and said that he remembered me in spite of the long time which had gone by since we were introduced. From that day we began to go out together and get to know each other, and now we are getting married in a few days’ time!
I have never doubted that I owe this favour to Saint Josemaría, and my conviction was strengthened when my fiancé confided to me that the day we met, he had just finished a novena to Saint Josemaría asking his help in finding a girl who would be right for him.
Italy
12 May 2004

Successful diagnosis
I wanted to report an answer to prayer as I asked Saint Josemaria to help me with a very painful medical condition that the doctors could not diagnose for over a year now. Finally, after asking Saint Josemaria for help with this problem, I have been diagnosed and am receiving treatment. May God Bless others as He has blessed me through the intercession of Saint Josemaria!
Brother Mark of Our Lady of The Most Blessed Sacrament, USA
2 May 2004

I passed my driving test through Saint Josemaría’s intercession
I took my driving test in March, with seven other people from the same driving-school. I went first, and after praying the prayer to Saint Josemaría, I passed. I told this to two of my friends who were also taking the test, and they prayed the prayer too. The three of us were the only ones from our class who passed the test that day. One of the two friends who passed had stopped practicing his Catholic faith, and the fact of passing encouraged him to begin praying again. Thank you, “Father”!
Gilberto Lombardo Junior, Brazil
22 April 2004

Miraculous cure of my son Enrique
Enrique was born on 4 April 2003. Everything seemed to be going well, until the following day the doctor told me that the baby was having breathing difficulties and would have to be taken to the intensive therapy unit in pediatrics, with only a 40% or 50% chance of survival. Every day that passed was like living through hell, because the problems went on increasing. They told us that my son’s breathing difficulties were getting more severe and they had to put him on a high-frequency ventilator and intravenous feeding. There followed ten days of intense suffering and anguish for my husband and for myself because I could not hold my son in my arms. On Easter Sunday I went to Mass and someone gave me a card with a prayer to Saint Josemaría, telling me he was a great miracle-worker. I started praying to him straight away, and I said his prayer every day, begging him to intercede for the health of my sick son. The following week we were told that our son was out of danger. He is now one year old, and my greatest joy.
María del Consuelo Hernández, Mexico
16 April 2004

A miracle of St. Josemaria Escriva
My sister-in-law had a stroke when she was alone at home, cooking. The neighbours saw smoke coming from the kitchen and called the fire brigade, who rescued her and took her to hospital. She went into a coma. After a fortnight with no signs of life, the doctors told us to prepare ourselves for the worst. My husband and I went to her house to get things ready for her funeral. However, I’d been looking at the prayer-card of Saint Josemaría all that time, and he looked as if he was smiling at me. That morning he looked really amused, so much so that I said to him, “What are you laughing for at a tragic time like this?” Well, that same morning, while we were getting things ready for the funeral, we heard that my sister-in-law had regained consciousness. And that was not all. She was semi-paralyzed, and we feared that she’d have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. But just a few days later, she started to walk. What’s more, all her blood-counts, which had been way out, had gone back to normal. The doctors keep saying: “It’s a miracle. As far as we were concerned there was no hope.” In the hospital they started calling her “the woman who came back to life”. Everyone in the neighbourhood has been coming to look at her, like someone who’s had a miracle worked on them. I attribute it all to Saint Josemaría Escrivá’s intercession.
M. E. P, Italy

Praying for a friend
I prayed for a friend through Saint Josemaría’s intercession, so that a pay-cheque which his employers had stopped might be reactivated. I also prayed for him to keep his job. That same day he was notified that his cheque would be reactivated the following day, and it was. I want to publish this today in gratitude.
E. A. R. D., Mexico
28 March 2004

The “rescue” of my wallet
One day I caught a taxi home and as we were going along I gave the taxi-driver a prayer-card of Saint Josemaría. When I got home I realized that I had dropped my wallet, with all the money I had recently been paid, in the taxi. I thought: “I’m sure God will restore it to me.” I was extremely worried, because I had a sick patient for whom I had to buy some medicines. Three days went by and nothing happened. Just as I was leaving the medical center where I do voluntary work, I saw the same taxi I had taken before. Of course I stopped it, and the driver recognized me, he had even put the prayer-card inside his windscreen. I started talking to the driver, and he told me he hadn’t found anything. Halfway to my destination I saw that there, stuck between the hand-brake and the driver’s seat, was my wallet. I managed to extract it, much to the taxi-driver’s surprise. He couldn’t believe it because, as he told me, he cleans the taxi himself. I smiled inside myself and said: “Thank you, Father, for this grace you have sent.” The taxi-driver told me he would always pray to Saint Josemaría, and was very interested in learning more about him.
Elizabeth Servan Olivares, Peru
17 March 2004

Through The Way
By God’s grace I came to know Saint Josemaría through his book The Way… and from that time on my faith, which was rather feeble, has been reinvigorated. Thank you.
H. Costa, Brazil
17 March 2004

Holiness is possible
I would never have thought it possible to aspire to holiness. I thought that Saints were those who had been canonized and no-one else. With Saint Josemaría I have discovered that you really can fight to be a saint, and the daily fight gives you joy, sets your soul free, and helps you to work better and live better. I entrust Saint Josemaría with my thoughts and concerns, my worries over my son, and my knowledge of my own weakness. He never fails to help me.
Maria, Milan, Italy
March 2004

A complicated operation
In August 2003 a colleague at work, who is a friend of mine, had a serious health problem and had to undergo a complicated operation. There was the possibility that he would be left permanently impaired and even that he might not survive the operation. After the operation his convalescence was not going well. I prayed to Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer every day, asking his help. The sick man began to get better, and four months later the doctors pronounced him completely cured.
O. Dias, Portugal
23 February 2004

My uncle’s illness
In 2002 we discovered that my uncle had a melanoma in his neck. A few weeks afterwards he had to have a major operation to extirpate it. At that point I went to pray at the tomb of Saint Josemaría in Rome. What happened? To our deep joy, my uncle came through this difficult operation well, and very soon resumed his normal life, just like before. However, my uncle died just before last Christmas, because the disease returned last year and little by little he lost his strength, the ability to walk, and sometimes even his memory and his lucidity. I continued to pray to Saint Josemaría throughout his illness, and still do. I am very grateful for his intercession. My uncle is missed by all of us.
Claudio Rotunno, Italy
23 February 2004

A protector away from home
Before I left the Philippines (now I’m in New York) to work here, I wanted to prepare myself spiritually coz I know it’s gonna be hard for me to be away from home. I was searching for a place where I could have retreat and then I finally remembered the Banilad study center (Cebu) and so I went there. I asked Saint Josemaría’s intercession that I pass the board exam and he did not fail me, he helped me in my need. Until now, I still pray that I will find a good job where I could grow spiritually and professionally. God be praised.
B. C., Philippines
10 February 2004

2 favors in one for me too
I prayed to Saint Josemaría’s intercession for the cure of my father-in-law who was gravely ill. He is now improving and I have received a job offer in the management of the same hospital where he was being treated, so that means 2 favors in one for me too! Praised be the Lord Jesus.
F. F., Italy
5 February 2004

Saint Josemaria, move heaven and earth...
Before moving to Macau, I was partly involved with a pre-school owned by a lady who’s a friend of my younger sister. About a week ago, I got an SMS message from my sister informing me about the kidnapping of this lady’s mom. Such abduction could end up very ugly. Thus, I rushed immediately to St. Josemaria and the rest of the saints to intercede before God for a speedy and peaceful release of the kidnapped. Two days later, I read and heard from the internet edition of a newspaper that the mom was rescued safely. I also called the lady by mobile and she confirmed the successful rescue of her mom. I mentioned to her that upon learning her mother’s abduction, I started praying to St Josemaria. Many thanks to the holy founder of Opus Dei!
Z. U., Macao
28 January 2004

His books have helped me
First allow me to tell you that I learned about Father Josemaría through a friend who has a lot of devotion to him. I didn’t know about him before but through his homilies, and thanks to the books I have read, I became interested in finding out more about him. Thank you.
Yesenia Martínez Morales, México
19 January 2004

Being more faithful
I love Saint Josemaría a lot because he has taught me to be faithful to my Christian calling. I think it won’t be hard for me to go on loving him more and more every day. I appeal to his intercession for the Lord to grant me the favour I have been asking for. Thank you Saint Josemaría.
Juan, Perú
16 January 2004

I’m very grateful to him
I want to thank Saint Josemaría for his intercession, because ever since I heard about him and started praying the prayer-card, my life has changed enormously. He helps me in my work, and in my spiritual growth I have met people who love God and help me. All this is thanks to Saint Josemaría who always listens to me. I’m very grateful to him.
G. Evans, England
9 January 2004

A somersault in the air
When my daughter Aline was four she climbed onto a shelf which had been put up temporarily, following the birth of her little sister, next to a window. She lost her balance and fell backwards, and the window opened because the catch was faulty. We lived on the first floor. She turned a somersault in the air and landed in a seated position, and although she had fallen from a height of about three and a half metres, the only damage done was a slightly twisted ankle. I believe that it was thanks to her Guardian Angel and Saint Josemaría’s intercession that she emerged unhurt from this accident.
Hugo Hideo Kunii, Brazil
9 January 2004

Back together
I would like to thank St Josemaria for bringing me and my ex-boyfriend back together after four and a half years and this took place on his feast day on 26 June 2003. We attended mass and met each other after mass. We’ve been together 6 months now and I ask St Josemaria to continue to bless our relationship and see us through to Holy Matrimony by the grace of God.
Y. T., Singapore
6 January 2004

Thanks for Saint Josemaria’s intervention
I would like to inform you that I started a daily prayer to Saint Josemaria some four weeks ago as my daughter has not been to church for over three years. Christmas week she rang and told me she had gone to Sunday mass and she had been to confession and was getting ready to go to the Christmas celebrations. I am so happy and very thankful for Saint Josemaria’s intervention. I will continue with my daily prayer to him. God’s blessings to you all and a very happy new year.
D. M., Ireland
1 January 2004

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