Saint Josemaria
Quotations from Saint Josemaria

Youth

Tags: Joy, Study, Generosity, Youth, Responsibility
The Way, 248

God’s Call
How frankly you laughed when I advised you to put the years of your youth under the protection of Saint Raphael: “so that he’ll lead you, like young Tobias, to a holy marriage, with a girl who is good and pretty and rich,” I told you, jokingly.
And then, how thoughtful you became! ... when I went on to advise you to put yourself also under the patronage of that young apostle John; in case God were to ask more of you.
The Way, 360

You are too calculating. Don’t tell me you are young. Youth gives all it can: it gives itself without reserve.
The Way, 30

I am convinced that John, the young Apostle, is at the side of Christ on the Cross because our Mother draws him there. The Love of Our Lady is so powerful!
The Forge, 589

I insist, and I would like to engrave this deep in your hearts, that freedom and self-surrender are not contradictory. They sustain one another. Freedom can only be given up for love; I cannot conceive any other reason for surrendering it. And I am not just playing with words or phrases. When people give themselves freely, at every moment of their self-surrender, freedom renews their love; to be renewed in that way is to be always young, generous, capable of high ideals and great sacrifices. I remember how pleased I was when I was told that the Portuguese term for young people is os novos, the new ones. That is just what they are. I tell you this because, although I have been around a good many years, when I pray at the foot of the altar “to God who gives joy to my youth”, I feel young and I know that I will never consider myself old. If I keep true to my God, Love will constantly vivify me. My youth will be renewed like that of the eagle.
Friends of God, 31

Maturity
You should show the moderation, fortitude and sense of responsibility that many people acquire after many long years, in their old age. You will achieve all this, while you are still young, if you do not lose the supernatural outlook of a son of God. For he will give you, more than to the old, those qualities you need for your apostle’s work.
The Forge, 53

When Jesus died on the Cross he was only thirty-three years old. Youthfulness can be no excuse!
Anyway, with each day that passes you are ceasing to be young... though with Him you will possess his eternal youth.
The Forge, 878

Do you think that no one else has ever been twenty years old? Do you think they were never restricted by their parents when they were under age? Do you think they avoided the problems, however great or small, that you come up against? No. They went through the same things that you are going through now, and they matured, with the help of grace. They trod down their selfishness with generous perseverance, gave in when they should, and remained loyal — with calm humility — without being arrogant or hurting anyone when they should not have done.
Furrow, 715