Josemaría Escrivá was a Spanish priest who founded Opus Dei in 1928. He taught that anyone can grow in holiness through ordinary work and family life.
Life
Saint Josemaría Escrivá was born in 1902 in Barbastro, Spain. Ordained a priest in 1925, he founded Opus Dei on October 2, 1928, following an inspiration he received during a retreat.
He taught that everyone is called to holiness through ordinary work, family life and social duties. During the Spanish Civil War he lived in hiding and faced great danger, and he later settled in Rome, from where he guided the spread of Opus Dei to many countries. He died in Rome on June 26, 1975, and was canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2002.
Spirituality
Saint Josemaría's spirituality is the sanctification of ordinary life. He saw holiness not as something for a special few, but as open to everyone who does their daily work carefully and with love, offering it to God. He taught that the workplace and the home are themselves places to meet God.
Reflection
Saint Josemaría taught that ordinary work becomes prayer when it is offered to God. Why not take one task today and do it as an offering to him?