St. Josemaria Escriva

Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975) studied for the priesthood in Logrono and Zaragoza, Spain. He moved to Madrid in 1927 to study law. Following a profound spiritual retreat, he founded Opus Dei in Madrid on October 2, 1928, opening a new way for the faithful to sanctify themselves in the midst of the world through their work and fulfillment of their personal, family and social duties. Religious persecution in the Spanish Civil War forced him into hiding, and he ministered covertly to his parishioners. He escaped across the Pyrenees to Burgos. At the end of the war in 1939, he returned to his studies in Madrid. Opus Dei received the approval of the Holy See on June 16, 1950. By the time of his death, Opus Dei had spread to five continents with over 60,000 members of 80 nationalities, and today has over 80,000 members, mostly laymen.

He was canonized in October 2002 by Pope John Paul II. His Feast Day is June 26.