HomeNewsA new way of life
News

A new way of life

October 5, 2009

Tags: Canonization
October 6, 2009 will be the seventh anniversary of St Josemaria’s canonization.

The following is an interview with Giuseppe (Pippo) Corigliano, director of Opus Dei’s Press Office in Italy.
You took an active part in preparing for the canonization of Josemaria Escriva, and especially with regard to the press:

What would you highlight from the canonization?

Just one phrase, spoken by Pope John Paul
after the Thanksgiving Mass the following day: “I thank him for all he did for the Church.” The Pope, the “sweet Christ on earth”, thanked St Josemaria and us who had been lucky enough to follow him. It was like a caress from our Lord for this beautiful family, the Work.

What did all of this mean to you personally?

When you are involved in the preparations for an event such as that canonization there is the risk that you won’t experience it in depth, as it should be experienced. All the work of preparation occupied my attention right up to the time when Mass was celebrated. While I was trying to concentrate on my thanksgiving after Holy Communion, Giovanni Minoli, a top-level director of RAI (Italian television) who was next to me during the ceremony, whispered, “Pippo, look!” I raised my head and from up there on the platform I saw the whole of St Peter’s Square invaded by a flood of white umbrellas accompanying the priests who were giving Holy Communion. It was a totally unique spectacle and inspired deep devotion. It seemed to me that St Josemaria’s love for the Blessed Eucharist, and his acute suffering in his last years over theological errors, were manifested in that scene. It was a sign from Providence that rewarded St Josemaria’s faith. That is my most striking memory.

What repercussions did the canonization of Opus Dei’s founder have in the media around the world? How would you summarize press reactions before, during and after the event?

We all know that the media don’t always manage to understand the Gospel simplicity of the spirit of Opus Dei. What you normally get are interpretations with a political or even malicious slant. Well, that day, quite unexpectedly and right across the world, they were dumbstruck, and reported the events of the canonization with great respect. Italian television made a masterly production of the event, televising a magnificent spectacle of faith. In particular, Vittorio Messori’s commentary pointed out the absolute silence, full of meaning, during the Consecration, and afterwards highlighted the orderly way in which the whole celebration had unfolded, and how clean St Peter’s Square was left when the ceremony was over.

Which headlines did you like? Where there any reports of the event that you objected to, and if so, why?

I liked the Corriere della Sera headline: “Feast of Escriva, saint of young people and ordinary life”. In fact we took that article as the basis for a commemorative booklet that we put together afterwards. La Repubblica published an article in which a journalist mocked at the number of young, elegant mothers wearing jewellery, surrounded by their many children, going to Confession. I explained to the editor that the article’s tone was out of place and that same newspaper afterwards published two excellent interviews with Italian politicians who had attended the ceremony.

You met St Josemaria personally. When was that? What attracted your attention? Could you say he left a mark on your life?

I first met him in 1961 and the last time I saw him was March 31, 1975. That time, he said something to me which really summed up everything I’d learned from him: “The worst thing that could happen to Opus Dei would be if we didn’t clearly love one another.” St Josemaria made me realize that Jesus is not a catechism, he is living love itself.

How would you describe the experience of having met a saint? Did you ever think that you would see him canonized?

I never for a moment doubted his sanctity. I would always do whatever it took to be able to stay with him as long as I possibly could, because I was convinced that he was a saint and that it would be a shame to miss a single chance of listening to him and looking at him. Seeing him canonized seems only right to me, I would like to see him more in my heart. When I see a film of him talking, I tell myself, “Pippo, you have to begin again!”

In your view, what is the most significant contribution of the founder of Opus Dei?

In the first place, a renewal of sanctity throughout the Church; a new breath of the Holy Spirit. Then the original and correct setting out of the role of lay-people, which is essential for this stage of the history of the Church. Finally, his reminding people that having a living faith means being in a family with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, in a family with Mary and Joseph, in a family with Jesus and the Apostles. The Church is a family, God’s family. It isn’t a convent, or a barracks, nor a monastery, nor a school. I’ve over-simplified this – whole libraries could be, and in fact are being, written on the topic.

What is your opinion of journalism and the media in society today?

I think we need to improve here. St Josemaria was a great cultural event. A new way of life. We ourselves need to understand him more and more deeply. Professionalism in the media is not just a question of better technology, it means being more cultured, knowing everything about human beings. Having experience of life and a knowledge of the literature, the history and the philosophy that mankind has produced. Professionalism doesn’t only mean being specialists, but being complete, all-round human beings.