2. Lives of the Saints

First published in English in 1996 as Immersed in God, this 20th anniversary edition serves an anecdotal account of the life of St. Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975). Blessed Alvaro (1914-1994) was at the saint' s side for almost 40 years as his confessor, and from 1976 to his death as the Prelate of Opus Dei, was the successor to St. Josemaria. Blessed Alvaro relates dozens of accounts of Saint Josemaria' s apostolate, his service to the Church, and his personality. Many of these stories only came to light after his death, when letters and tributes poured into Rome from around the world. These lively anecdotes are gathered in 13 chapters which form a mosaic of the life of St. Josemaria and provided thousands of readers around the world with a picture of the saint, just before publication of an official three volume biography, The Founder of Opus Dei, by Andres Vazquez de Prada. Page numbers: 311

Opus Dei official website

Apologia Pro Vita Sua by St John Henry Newman

St. Teresa of Ávila's Autobiography, formally titled The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus, is a candid spiritual memoir recounting her journey from a privileged childhood in Avila—born on March 28, 1515, to noble parents—to her entry into the Carmelite convent, profound conversion, miraculous healing from paralysis through St. Joseph's intercession, and the founding of reformed monasteries like St. Joseph of Avila. Its main themes include the progressive stages of prayer, ecstatic visions and locutions, the challenges of discerning authentic mystical experiences amid spiritual trials, unwavering obedience to confessors and Church authority, and her zeal for Carmelite reform emphasizing poverty, enclosure, and contemplation. Theologically, this work holds immense significance as a cornerstone of Catholic mystical theology, offering practical guidance on interior prayer, humility, and union with God, while earning approbation from saints and theologians for its doctrinal orthodoxy and enduring influence on spiritual direction.

Trochu, F. Bernadette Soubirous

Chiara Petrillo was seated in a wheel chair looking lovingly toward Jesus in the tabernacle. Her husband, Enrico, found the courage to ask her a question that he had been holding back. Thinking of Jesus’s phrase, “my yoke is sweet and my burden is light,” he asked: “Is this yoke, this cross, really sweet, as Jesus said?” A smile came across Chiara’s face. She turned to her husband and said in a weak voice: “Yes, Enrico, it is very sweet.” At 28 years old, Chiara passed away, her body ravaged by cancer. The emotional, physical, and spiritual trials of this young Italian mother are not uncommon. It was her joyful and loving response to each that led one cardinal to call her “a saint for our times.” Chiara entrusted her first baby to the blessed Virgin, but felt as though this child was not hers to keep. Soon, it was revealed her daughter had life-threatening abnormalities. Despite universal pressure to abort, Chiara gave birth to a beautiful girl who died within the hour. A year later, the death of her second child came even more quickly. Yet God was preparing their hearts for more—more sorrow and more grace. While pregnant a third time, Chiara developed a malignant tumor. She refused to jeopardize the life of her unborn son by undergoing treatments during the pregnancy. Chiara waited until after Francesco was safely born, and then began the most intense treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, but it was soon clear that the cancer was terminal. Almost immediately after giving birth to Francesco, Chiara’s tumor became terminal and caused her to lose the use of her right eye. Her body was tested, and so was her soul as she suffered through terrible dark nights. She said “yes” to everything God sent her way, becoming a true child of God. And as her days on earth came to an end, Enrico looked down on his wife and said, “If she is going to be with Someone who loves her more than I, why should I be upset?” Each saint has a special charisma, a particular facet of God that is reflected through her. Chiara’s was to be a witness to joy in the face of great adversity, the kind which makes love overflow despite the sorrow from loss and death. Page numbers: 131

Born at the turn of the twentieth century, St. Josemari ́ a Escriva ́ spent his life as malleable clay in the Potter's hands. He took on a very visible leadership role as a priest and as the founder of Opus Dei, with a substantial collection of writings and recorded talks "revealing the personality, tone of voice, mannerisms, and spirit of the man." In these pages, author Fr. John Henry Hanson explores the role of leader and coach that the " Saint of the Ordinary" lived while on earth and continues to live today, drawing practical lessons on everyday sanctity, including: Why we should treat great saints like Joan of Arc as role models, not historical anomalies How a healthy spiritual life requires both prayer and work in balance Why recreation is important— and how to avoid laziness and dissipation How to recharge our spiritual batteries using the tools God provides The importance of abandonment to God— giving and entrusting without restraint How God uses our persistent faults to drive us toward sainthood Never one to mince words or refrain from action, St. Josemari ́ a coaches us in work and rest, in times of struggle and ease, through confusion and certainty. He is for all of us— men and women of today, living and working in the midst of the world. He is for us all a coach, a father, and an excellent teacher of the elevated, virtuous, and courageous life. Page numbers: 77

St. Augustine's Confessions is a profound autobiographical work in which the saint recounts his wayward youth, intellectual wanderings through Manichaeism and Neoplatonism, dramatic conversion to Christianity in 386 AD, and subsequent reflections on God, Scripture, and the human soul. Its main themes revolve around the famous restlessness of the heart—"You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you"—the pursuit of truth through intellectual conversion, the Trinitarian image in humanity (to be, know, and will inseparably), divine grace triumphing over sin, and allegorical interpretations of Genesis as the Church's formation. Theologically, it holds immense significance in Catholic tradition as a foundational text illuminating original sin's deep wounds, God's intimate providence, the interplay of time and eternity, and the soul's ascent to the unchanging Trinity, influencing doctrines on grace, self-knowledge, and the God-man relationship for centuries.

The book 'Forty Years With a Saint' by Bl. Álvaro del Portillo

Friar Thomas d'Aquino: His Life, Thought and Work by Weisheipl, J.A.

It often happens that a call to holiness and devotion to Christ touches the heart amidst immense suffering. A young girl named Guadalupe experienced such a call while living through the trials of her family and country as a result of the Spanish Civil War. Guadalupe Ortiz, the first woman of Opus Dei to be beatified, had a style of sanctity that attracted others. She was known as determined, joyful, and a source of peaceful strength. As one of the earliest woman members of Opus Dei, she took seriously her calling to bring the love of Christ to her work and her daily life. Her relatability is what makes her remarkable. As an individual often faced with challenges, a dedicated scientist and teacher, and a devoted friend and daughter, we can all identify with the stories and themes that make up her beautiful life.

"Holiness and the World: Studies in the Teachings of Bl. Josemaría Escrivá" is a profound exploration of the life and teachings of Blessed Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, who emphasized the call to holiness in everyday life. This collection of essays delves into key themes such as the sanctification of work, the universal call to holiness, and the integration of faith within secular contexts. Through scholarly analysis and practical insights, the authors illuminate how Escrivá's teachings encourage individuals to pursue spiritual growth amidst the challenges of modern life. The book serves as a significant resource for understanding the relevance of Escrivá's message in today’s world, inspiring readers to embrace their own paths to holiness.

The Gospels tell us almost nothing about St. Joseph, yet his life is full of spiritual treasures. Michel Gasnier O.P. in his book Joseph The Silent shows you where to find them and how they can enrich your own relationship with God. In this series of brief meditations he explores St. Joseph’s work as a carpenter, his marriage, his character, the flight into Egypt, his return to Nazareth, Simeon’s prophecy, and more. He gives you an enlightening portrait of this man who remains one of the Church’s most extraordinary saints and intercessors.

The Last Letters of St. Thomas More

When Guadalupe Ortiz, a chemistry teacher, first met Saint Josemaría in 1944, she discovered that God was offering her a path to holiness in the middle of the world, through her professional work. A few months after that encounter, she wrote him a letter beginning, like all her letters to him from then on, “Father,” in which she asked to join Opus Dei. That was the first of 350 letters that she wrote to him, beginning on 19 March 1944, and ending on 22 June 1975, four days before Saint Josemaría died in Rome. The selections have been grouped into five chapters according to five central aspects of Guadalupe’s life, which can also offer light for people living in the 21st Century. Maria del Rincon and Maria Teresa Escobar, journalists and authors of the book, work in the Communications Office of Opus Dei in Rome. “Some months ago we started to study in depth all the documentation relating to Guadalupe, so that we could get close to her and communicate her message in the best possible way,” explains Maria Teresa. “When we read the letters we discovered her naturalness and simplicity. We decided that the best way to show her to the public at large was to let them discover her as we ourselves had, by directly reading her letters.” For three months they have been working on the archives to select the texts now being presented in an English translation.

"Life of Piety in St Josemaría Escrivá," authored by various contributors, delves into the spiritual legacy of St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei. This book explores the core themes of piety, work, and holiness in everyday life, illustrating how Escrivá's teachings encourage individuals to integrate their faith into their daily routines. Through personal testimonies and reflections, it highlights the transformative power of a life lived in accordance with Christian values. The significance of this work lies in its ability to inspire readers to pursue a deeper relationship with God and embrace the call to sanctity in their ordinary lives.

'Light of the World' by Baur, B. is a profound exploration of the Catholic faith, delving into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and their relevance in contemporary society. The book emphasizes the themes of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of love, offering readers a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. Through insightful reflections and theological discussions, Baur invites readers to embrace the light of Christ in their lives, encouraging a personal connection to faith that transcends mere doctrine. This work stands as a significant contribution to Catholic literature, inspiring believers to live out their faith with conviction and compassion.

Montserrat Grases (Montse, to her friends) was born in Barcelona, Spain. At the age of 17 it was discovered that she had bone cancer. Less than a year later she died. Montse’s life was simple and short, but intense and deep. So powerful is the message of her life that the Cause for her Beatification and Canonization is making steady progress in Rome. This book is the story of her life. Montse had time to sow and to hope, to laugh, to cry and to sing. Hers was a life which came to be focused on the Love of God. Thanks to her contagious and endearing cheerfulness, Montse was able to transform every smile into a prayer, and ever prayer into a smile accepting the Will of God. Her message could be summarized in an aspiration she came to use: “Lord, whatever You want!” A leading member of the Spanish Academy wrote: “She died without having done anything extraordinary – nothing other than having done extraordinary well the ordinary things of every day.” Here lies the prescription for the many millions of Catholics who are living their ordinary workaday lives, and aim to win heaven by turning ‘their everyday prose into heroic verse’.

Address of Benedict XVI / Ratzinger on St. Paul

St. Joseph is often called the Silent Saint— but in this bold and beautifully structured meditation, his voice resounds loud and clear as a spiritual father, guardian, and intercessor for the whole Church. Ian Mahood leads readers through meditations on each title of the Litany of St. Joseph, grounding every reflection in Scripture and Church teaching. This is a doctrinally solid invitation to love the foster father of Jesus more deeply, a place where dogma and devotion meet. Ideal for daily reflection, catechesis, or as a personal Josephite consecration, this book reveals the man who was entrusted with the highest of responsibilities, and the implications and meaning in our own lives. Let St. Joseph guide you to love Christ more fully, follow him more faithfully, and trust God's plan more completely. Discover the man behind the titles. Meet the SAINT who raised the SAVIOR. Page numbers: 144

Redemptoris Custos (1989), an apostolic exhortation by St. John Paul II, delves into the person and mission of St. Joseph within the life of Christ and the Church, portraying him as the silent guardian enveloped in contemplation amid his daily work as a carpenter in Nazareth.[^1] [^2] Its main themes include Joseph's sacrificial fatherhood and virginal spousal love for Mary—elevated by special graces of the Holy Spirit—his role in the mystery of the Incarnation as an efficacious instrument of Christ's divinity, and the Holy Family as the "original Church in miniature" (ecclesia domestica.[^2] [^3] [^4] Theologically, it offers profound underpinnings for devotion to St. Joseph, drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas to affirm God's preparation of him for his unique vocation, resolves the tension between active and contemplative life through charity's perfection, and invites the faithful to imitate his virtues for spiritual renewal.[^2] [^3] [^5] [^6]

Highly acclaimed as the most reliable, thorough, and accessible introduction to Thomas Aquinas, this first volume in Jean-Pierre Torrell's set of books on the great Dominican theologian has been revised to include a new appendix. The appendix consists of additions to the text, the catalog of Aquinas's works, and the chronology. Each item in the appendix is called out in the original part of the book with an asterisk in the margin. "This is the introduction to Thomas: presenting all the known facts of his life and work, tracing the themes of his writing out of his juvenilia, and following the influence of his thought in the years immediately after his death."--First Things "The most up-to-date biography available."--Choice Page numbers: 468

Christ Came not to call saints but to make them often out of weak, stupid, and sinful men. That's why the saints are not only models of holiness for us to imitate; they're reminders that God's grace can outshine every human flaw. As Alban Goodier's classic Saints for Sinners shows us, even the greatest saints had to battle the same stubborn vices, temptations of the flesh, and bouts of spiritual dryness that afflict you and me today. In these pages, with a style that perfectly blends hagiographical detail, spiritual meditation, and a skilled storyteller's touch, Archbishop Alban Goodier brings us the tales of: The mercenary fighting man and the itinerant gambler who left behind his rough soldier's habits and founded a religious order to take care for the sick. The backward, sickly teenager, disowned by his family and dogged by the Inquisition, who became a miraculous healer and paragon of humble simplicity. The willful Tuscan beauty with a bad reputation who forsook vanity and lust to answer God's call to live in poverty and penitence. The royal chaplain and daring Counter-Reformer who escaped the gallows but had to endure a lifelong interior martyrdom of doubt and discouragement. The brilliant, brooding Spanish nobleman who gave up everything to be a missionary only to see most of his efforts fail. The hedonistic heretic and womanizer who traded worldly pleasure for divine happiness, and became one of the Church's greatest theologians. And other inspiring tales of imperfect souls "made perfect in infirmity" Read these stories and find in them delight and encouragement, as well as hope. You'll come to see that there is no one so sinful, weak or desolate that God has not already raised another like him to the heights of glory.

Saxum— the Latin word means rock— is the nickname that St. Josemarí a Escrivá , founder of Opus Dei, bestowed on Alvaro del Portillo. Don Alvaro, as he came to be known, was for many years the founder' s closest associate as well as his successor and first Prelate of Opus Dei after it became a personal prelature— a foundational rock for this dynamic international Catholic group devoted to promoting sanctity in ordinary life. Written in anticipation of Bishop del Portillo' s September 2014 beatification— his official recognition by the Church as " blessed" and a stage on the way to his possible canonization as a saint— the book is a fact-filled biography set against the background of historic events like the Spanish Civil War and Vatican Council II. It depicts a person of powerful integrity and conviction who set aside a promising engineering career to follow the vision embodied in Opus Dei. Don Alvaro emerges in these pages as a tower of strength, reliability, and good humor in the face of a host of threats and challenges that might well have defeated a lesser man. John Coverdale, an attorney and historian, is the author of two other books detailing the early days of Opus Dei— Uncommon Faith, about St. Josemarí a and his companions during and shortly after the civil war in Spain, and Putting Down Roots, about Father Joseph Muzquiz, along with Alvaro del Portillo one of Opus Dei' s first priests, who played a key role in introducing it in the United States. Page numbers: 271

In "Simon Peter," G. Chevrot delves into the life and legacy of one of Christianity's most pivotal figures, exploring the complexities of faith, leadership, and human frailty. Through a blend of historical analysis and theological reflection, the book examines Peter's transformation from a simple fisherman to a foundational leader of the early Church, emphasizing themes of redemption, grace, and the enduring struggle of belief. Chevrot's work not only sheds light on Peter's significant role in the New Testament but also invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the universal challenges of faith. This insightful exploration serves as both a biographical account and a spiritual guide, highlighting the importance of Peter's story in contemporary Christian thought.

Monsignor Emesto Julia (b. 1934) graduated in Law, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1962 for Opus Dei. He lived in Rome from 1956 to 1992, when he returned to Spain. His pastoral work took him to several countries around the world. He spent almost twenty years close to St Josemaria Iscriva in Villa Tevere, the headquarters of the Opus Dei Prelature. As head of the secretarial, he shared work and rest, sorrows and joys, prayers and conversations, with St josemaria. In this work, Julia enters into the spirit of the founder Opus Dei. He follows him through the steps that mar! his personal life as founder, and especially in those moments of the dark night to which St Josemaria himself referred, and which show that his life was truly hidden. with Christ in God. The author reveals how Opus Dei became a reality through all of Josemaria Escrivá's actions, which enabled God to truly do the "work of God", and St Josemaria was able to carry out the mission he had received.

St. Teresa of Avila's teachings

G.K. Chesterton's work on St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Peter the Apostle by Walsh, W.T.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Torrell, J.-P.

"Story of a Soul" is the spiritual autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a beloved French saint known for her profound simplicity and deep faith. In this inspiring work, Thérèse shares her journey of spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of love, humility, and the "little way" of trusting in God's grace. Through her reflections on her life in a Carmelite convent, she conveys the transformative power of childlike faith and the significance of embracing one's own smallness in the pursuit of holiness. This timeless classic has resonated with countless readers, offering profound insights into the nature of love and the path to God, and it continues to inspire many on their own spiritual journeys.

The Curé of Ars by Trochu, F.

Sins and shortcomings; Struggles and defeats; Repentance, a fresh start and a great love for God and neighbour. This is the stuff saints are made of. A frank, no-frills look into the lives of the men and women of the Bible in the intimate contemporary style the author is known for. Retuning to our Father God once, twice ... always! has made saints of ordinary mortals like us. The goal is not as impossible as you think...

The Foundations (Libro de las Fundaciones), written by St. Teresa of Ávila between 1573 and 1582, chronicles her efforts as foundress of reformed Carmelite monasteries, detailing the establishment of seventeen convents and the challenges faced in promoting a stricter observance of the Carmelite rule. The book emphasizes the daily life of these nascent religious communities, weaving together narratives of trials, miracles, and spiritual growth to edify and encourage her nuns. Theologically, it underscores God's providential action in the reform movement, portraying the foundations not merely as human endeavors but as divine works that advance contemplative life in service to the Church, blending practical history with profound insights into humility, obedience, and mystical union.

Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage by Wegemer, G.

To be a Christian today, to follow Our Lord and accept His call to discipleship, demands heroic courage. It takes deep faith to live the particular - special, unique - vocation that's yours alone. Heaven knows it isn't easy. St. Peter knows it, too. He's well aware that even the most enthusiastic and committed Christian can become frightened and unsure, can make mistakes and betray a loved one, can seek and receive forgiveness, can begin again and - with an even stronger faith - can go on to face life's most difficult challenges. To Whom Shall We Go? presents the words and actions of St. Peter as it clearly shows how his life - his strengths, weaknesses, joys, and sorrows - offers an example for all of us. How it offers hope for each of us.

St. Josemaría Escrivá's teachings on virtues

The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Ávila is a practical spiritual manual addressed to her Carmelite nuns, guiding souls toward Christian perfection through disciplined prayer, detachment from worldly vanities, and the cultivation of virtues like humility, love, and holy fear of God. It delves into mental and vocal prayer—especially a meditative commentary on the Our Father—emphasizing perseverance amid temptations, trials, and spiritual warfare, where souls embrace conflicts as opportunities for growth rather than fleeing them. Theologically, it distinguishes contemplative perfection from mere mental prayer, underscoring humility's power to unite the soul with God and the necessity of divine aid against subtle demonic deceptions, establishing it as a foundational Carmelite text on the interior life. [^16 wait no, id11 is ch16] [^3 footnotes ref Way]