Born in a staunchly Christian Spanish family, Josemaría Escrivá entered the seminary at of 15. As a priest, he slowly began to understand that his calling was to open a new path, one that leads laypeople to holiness, through the practice of the Christian virtues - teaching them to become heroes of the ordinary life. 

Years later, the Second Vatican Council also encouraged Catholics to work for transform the world from the inside out.

A Vocation is Born

Josemariá Escrivá was born on the 9th of January 1902 in Barbastro, Spain. He had 5 siblings: Carmen (1899-1957), Santiago (1919-1994) and three young sisters, who died during childhood.

They received from their parents a deeply Christian education. For instance, when aged 2, Josemariá fell badly ill. His mother entrusted his life to the Virgin Mary, praying at the nearby Shrine of Torreciudad. Later, when he recovered, she took him there to pray for thanksgiving. At the end of his life, Josemaria worked to expand the chapel, to facilitate Marian pilgrimages to the site. In 1915, the Escrivá family moved to Logroño, in the North of Spain. In this town, the young Josemariá - then aged 15 - heard the calling of God for the first time. On a beautiful winter morning in 1917, he noticed the footprints of a barefoot Carmelite in the snow. Seized by the sight of such generosity, he understood that God expected something from him, but he didn't know what exaclty. Becoming a priest sounded like the correct course of action, it would enable him to ready himself for whatever Providence would send his way. He began to prepare for priesthood, first at the Logroño Seminary, then at the Great Seminary of Saragossa, all the while studying Civil Law.

Texts from Saint Josemariá Escrivá

Freedom, a gift from God (First excerpt from the homily "Freedom, a gift from God",  published in Friends of God: Homilies)

With his sense of humour, Josemariá called himself "the last of the romantics." To him, one can only love God in a free environment. But, as Saint Paul strongly reminds us, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

I accept no slavery other than that of God's love. This is because religion is the greatest rebellion of men ; who refuse to live like animals ; who are dissatisfied and restless until they know their Creator and are on intimate terms with him. I want you to be rebels, free and unfettered, because I want you - it is Christ who wants us! - to be children of God. Slavery or divine sonship, this is the dilemma we face. Children of God or slaves to pride, to sensuality, to the fretful selfishness which seems to afflict so many souls.