Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer

Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer (1902 - 1975) is the founder of the Opus Dei (“Work of Latin God” in ), a personal prélature of the catholic Church . It was canonized by Jean-Paul II the October 6th 2002.

The Catholic church thus indicates it under the name of Saint Josemaría .

Childhood and formation

Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer was born with Barbastro in the Province from Huesca in Spain, the January 9th 1902. His/her parents named Jose and Dolores. It had five brothers and sisters: Carmen (1899-1957), Santiago (1919-1994) and three sisters younger than him who died in low age.

In 1915, the business enterprise of his/her father closed his doors, and the family must settle with Logroño.

At the 16 years age, it entered to the Séminaire of Saragossa and also continued studies of Civil law, like non-registered student.

The foundation of Opus Dei

It was ordered Prêtre the March 28th 1925, then named in a rural Paroisse near to Saragossa. In 1927, it settled with Madrid to complete a Doctorat in right. It is in this city that it will found the Opus Dei the October 2nd 1928.

The civil war of Spain bursts in 1936. The small number of members of Opus Dei scatters then. Like so much of other priests, the Escrivá abbot risks his life and goes from hiding-place in hiding-place. With eight young people, it joined a caravan of refugees and crosses the Pyrenees during the winter 1937, in order to join the other zone of Spain.

Growth of Opus Dei

It settles with Rome in 1946 and obtains there the Doctorat in Théologie of the Université of Lateran. It is named consultor of two congregations vaticanes, honorary member of the pontifical academy of theology and Prélat of honor of the pope. The movement becomes extensive after the Council the Vatican II. He will undertake several voyages in Europe and Latin America to support the development of the Opus Dei.

He dies in Rome of a cardiac arrest the June 26th 1975.

Beatification and canonization

Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer was béatifié by the pope Jean-Paul II the May 17th 1992. The miracle retained for this Béatification is that of the cure, in 1976, of a Carmélite: sister Concepción Boullón Rubio. Canonization took place the October 6th 2002 on the Saint-Pierre place. Its liturgical festival celebrates on June 26th. The body of Josemaría Saint rests in the Church prélatice Santa-Maria-beyond-Pace with Rome.

See too

External bonds

  • site of the founder of Opus Dei: http://www.josemariaescriva.fr
  • site of works of Josemaría saint: http://www.escrivaworks.org
  • Department of communication of Opus Dei in France: http://www.opusdei.fr
  • Biography of Josémaria saint by the Vatican: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20021006_escriva_fr.html

Random links:Charles Brooks, Jr. | Francoise Jolly | Little Britain | Lionel Plumenail | Ian Murdock