The Resurrection of Our Lord

“Christ is alive.” This is the great truth which fills our faith with meaning. Jesus, who died on the cross, has risen. He has triumphed over death; he has overcome sorrow, anguish and the power of darkness. Tags: Joy, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Easter

To be filled with happiness

During Easter-time, Christian life is characterized by the message of joy. St Josemaria's advice helps us find it: "You enjoy an interior happiness and peace that you would not exchange for anything in the world. God is here. There is no better way than telling him our woes for them to cease being such." Tags: Joy, Optimism, Prayer

Christ’s Presence in Christians

Audio of the homily "Christ’s Presence in Christians", given on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967, published in Christ Is Passing By: "Christ is alive in Christians. Our faith teaches us that man, in the state of grace, is divinized – filled with God. We are men and women, not angels. We are flesh and blood, people with sentiments and passions, with sorrows and joys." Tags: Holy Week , mp3, Homily, Audio

A donkey was my throne

"When the time for his Passion draws near and Jesus wants to illustrate his kingship in a very vivid way, he makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, mounted on a donkey! It had been written that the Messiah was to be a king of humility," said St Josemaria Tags: Donkey, Fortitude, Humility, Work, Holy Week

No matter who he is, we love him already

The conclave to elect Benedict XVI’s successor begins Tuesday March 12. On a comparable occasion St Josemaria said, “I wanted to talk to you again about the forthcoming election of the Holy Father. You know, my children, how much we love the Pope. After Jesus and Mary, we love the Pope with all our souls, no matter who he is. So we already love the next Roman Pontiff. We are determined to serve him with our whole lives.” Tags: Pope

Think about it!

Think about it. Who would lack courage before God and in the face of eternity? There is nothing to be lost and instead so much to be gained. Why do you hold back, then? The Forge, no. 459 Tags: Prayer

Among the roses, kiss the Cross

On February 14, 1971, St Josemaria wrote a brief note for himself: “Among the roses, kiss the Cross.” Tags: February 14, Cross, Suffering

When times are hard

It looks as if the whole world is coming down on top of you. Whichever way you turn you find no way out. This time, it is impossible to overcome the difficulties. But have you again forgotten that God is your Father? He would never send you anything that is evil. That thing that is worrying you, it’s good for you, even though those earthbound eyes of yours may not be able to see it now. Tags: Abandonment to God, Ascetical struggle, trust

Christian Unity Octave: What Can I Do?

The Church asks all Christians to pray more intensely during the Christian Unity Octave, which lasts from January 18 to January 25, feast of the conversion of St Paul. Tags: Ecumenical dialogue, Church, Prayer, Unity

Praying at the Crib

Some ideas for meditating on Christmas, in the words of Benedict XVI and St Josemaria. "Mary wrapped the child in swaddling cloths. Without yielding to sentimentality, we may imagine with what great love Mary approached her hour and prepared for the birth of her child." Tags: Christmas

Advent homily: The Christian Vocation

Audio in English of the homily on "The Christian Vocation", given by St Josemaria on December 2 1951, First Sunday of Advent. Tags: Prayer, Advent, Homily, Audio

A Novena to the Immaculate Conception

A novena to prepare for the feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Lady on December 8, with writings, videoclips and audio-clips of St Josemaria talking about love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Click on the images to access the texts etc. To download in pdf format, click here. Tags: Our Lady, novena

Twelve Points about the Next Life

Men lie when they say 'for ever' about things on earth. The only true, totally true, 'for ever' is that which we say with reference to God. This is how you ought to live your life, with a faith that will help you to taste the honey, the sweetness of heaven whenever you think about eternal life which is indeed 'for ever'. Tags: Heaven, Hope, Death

The Holy Souls in Purgatory

"They have such power with God! — remember them often in your sacrifices and in your prayers. May you be able to say when you speak of them, “My good friends the souls in purgatory". Tags: Spiritual childhood, Death

"Don't forget..."

Don’t forget that sometimes one needs to have smiling faces around. Furrow, 57 Tags: The Way, Furrow, writings of the founder of Opus Dei, Year of Faith