"The best proof of love..."

A reflection on love from St. Josemaria Escriva

“I dream — and the dream has come true — of multitudes of God's children, sanctifying themselves as ordinary citizens, sharing the ambitions and endeavors of their colleagues and friends. I want to shout to them about this divine truth: if you are there in the middle of ordinary life, it doesn't mean Christ has forgotten about you or hasn't called you. He has invited you to stay among the activities and concerns of the world. He wants you to know that your human vocation, your profession, your talents, are not omitted from his divine plans. He has sanctified them and made them a most acceptable offering to his Father.

To remind a Christian that his life is meaningless unless he obeys God's will does not mean separating him from other men. On the contrary, the commandment God gives us is to love others as he has loved us, which in most cases means living alongside the rest of men and being their equals, giving ourselves to the service of our Lord in the world so as to make everyone know better the love of God, telling them that the divine paths of the world have been opened up.

God has not just said that he loves us. He has proved it with facts. Let's not forget that Jesus Christ became man in order to teach us to live as children of God. Do you remember the introduction to the Acts of the Apostles, where St Luke says: "I have spoken of all the most significant things Jesus did and taught"? He came to teach us, but he taught us by doing things. In teaching us, he was the model, being our teacher and setting us an example with his conduct.

(…) Are we ready to try to make our life a model and an example to our brothers, the rest of men, our equals? Are we ready to be other Christs? It's not enough to say that we are. I am asking you now — as I ask myself: Can it be said also of you, you who have been called to be another Christ, that you have come to do and to teach, to do things as a son of God would? Are you attentive to the Father's will, so as to be able to encourage everyone else to share the good, noble, divine and human values of the redemption? Are you living the life of Christ, in your everyday life in the middle of the world?

Doing God's work is not just a pretty phrase. It is an invitation to spend ourselves for Love's sake.”

St. Josemaria Escriva
Christ is Passing By, 20-21

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All texts and images of St. Josemaria Escriva © Studium Foundation

Novenas through the Intercession of St. Josemaria Escriva

Saints spend their lives on earth loving God and other people, imitating Jesus Christ who “went about doing good”. And when they get to heaven they “constantly care for those whom they have left on earth...Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan.” Therefore, “we can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2683)

Since his death in 1975, thousands of people around the world have sought the intercession of St. Josemaria Escriva.  Many people first started praying through St. Josemaria’s intercession after finding a prayer-card, often by chance.  

In recent years, novenas have been written seeking his intercession for those specific needs that concern us all:

Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage
Novena for Work
Novena for the Sick
Novena for the Family

The novenas and prayer cards are available online to download and share.

In the spirit of St. Josemaria, it is important to remember that this time of prayer is above all an opportunity “to strengthen our faith in the loving power of God, our Father, who always hears the prayers of his children and grants what is best for them” and “to reflect on the deeper dimensions of God’s care for us and the efficacy of our prayers when they spring from authentic faith.” (Cures, 7)

Several amazing stories of both spiritual and material favors are documented in Cures and Favors of Saint Josemaria Escriva by Fr. Flavio Capucci available in our online shop.