The Ascension of the Lord

It has always seemed logical to me that the most holy humanity of Christ should ascend to the glory of the Father. The ascension has always made me very happy Tags: Joy, Heaven, Hope, Jesus Christ

May, the Month of Mary

The Catholic faith sees Mary as a sign of God's special love. God calls us his friends; his grace acts in us, winning us from sin, enabling us to reflect in some way the features of Christ. We start wanting to speak to her, who is also our mother. We want to treat her as someone who is alive. Tags: Piety, Interior life, Our Lady

In Saint Joseph's workshop

We do know that he was not well-to-do: he was just a worker, like so many millions of people throughout the world. He worked at the same demanding and humble job which God chose for himself when he took our flesh and came to live just like the rest of us for thirty years. Tags: St Joseph, Work, Christ Is Passing By

The Cross is no easy solution

When I speak to you about suffering, I am not just talking theory. Nor do I limit myself to other people's experience when I tell you that the remedy is to look at Christ, if when faced with suffering, you at some time feel that your soul is wavering. Tags: Cross, Suffering, Holy Week , difficulties

The Ascension

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Tags: Apostolate, Gospel, Jesus Christ

Stations of the Cross to download

St Josemaria reminded people that the secret of Christian living is to follow Christ’s life. He meditated on it himself. Extracts from his book The Way of the Cross are now available as an illustrated leaflet, in pdf format, to meditate on and share with friends. Tags: Cross, The Way of the Cross, Lent, Holy Week

Hard times

Sickness, family problems, money worries, annoyances, lasting sadness. Hard times are something everyone has experience of. Can they be sanctified? In Christian life are they an opportunity or an obstacle? Tags: Cross, Peace, difficulties

Almsgiving or how to to lend a hand

Didn’t you see the light in Jesus’ eyes as the poor widow left her little alms in the temple? Give him what you can: the merit is not in whether it is big or small, but in the intention with which you give it. The Way, 829 Tags: Charity, Generosity, Lent

The salt of mortification

St Josemaria recommended something he practiced himself: including “a cross in every dish”. In other words offering a small mortification at every meal, for example, drinking water a little less often; taking a little less of what he liked or a little more of what he didn’t like so much. Tags: Mortification, Ordinary life, temperance

Knowing when to keep silent and when to speak

“Keep silent, and you will never regret it; speak, and you often will,” suggested St Josemaria. But elsewhere he also said, “Hell is full of closed mouths.” Some passages from his writings can guide reflection on the wisdom of silence and of the right word at the right time. Tags: Friendship, Apostolate, Sincerity, Daring

Making others happy

You asked me what you could do to prevent the loneliness of that friend of yours. I will tell you what I always say, because we have at our disposal a marvellous weapon which is the answer to everything: prayer. In the first place, you must pray. And then you must do for him what you would like others to do for you if you were in similar circumstances... Tags: Joy, Friendship, Love of God, Apostolate, Priestly soul

Any questions about Opus Dei?

A series of questions from journalists about Opus Dei, answered by its founder St Josemaria Escriva, and published in the book Conversations with Msgr. Escriva (1968). Tags: October 2, 1928, Founding of Opus Dei, Opus Dei, Politics, Vocation, calling, Opus Dei's foundational charisma

Purification: change, recovery

February 2nd is the feast of Jesus' Presentation in the Temple and the Purification of Our Lady. Mary offers her Son to God and learns that she too will share closely in Jesus' redemptive mission. The Catholic Church suggests a time to "purify" to seek a change of heart with the help of Our Mother. Tags: Conversion, Our Lady

10 questions about marriage

St Josemaria answers ten questions about love, marriage, engagement, faithfulness, raising children, and more. What is the basis of family unity? What about married couples who can’t have children? Tags: Children, Marriage, Love, family, engagement, Conversations with Josemaría Escrivá

10 Tips For Getting Peace

Holy Mary is the Queen of peace, and thus the Church invokes her. So when your soul or your family are troubled, or things go wrong at work, in society or between nations, cry out to her without ceasing. Call to her by this title: Regina pacis, ora pro nobis — Queen of peace, pray for us.'' Tags: Peace, Our Lady of Peace, Furrow