Podcast Summary: Catholic Saints – St. Josemaria Escriva

Podcast Information:

• Title: Catholic Saints
• Host/Author: Augustine Institute
• Episode: St. Josemaria Escriva
• Release Date: June 26, 2025
• Description: In this episode, scripture scholars from the Augustine Institute explore the life and legacy of St. Josemaria Escriva, offering insights into his spirituality and how his teachings can inspire modern Catholics in their daily lives.

Introduction

Host: Mary McGhan
Guest: Dr. Chris Mooney, Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute

Mary McGhan welcomes listeners to the "Catholic Saints" podcast and introduces Dr. Chris Mooney as the guest for the episode focusing on St. Josemaria Escriva. The aim is to delve into the life of St. Josemaria, understand his contributions, and explore how his example can inspire believers today.

Early Life and Background

Timestamp: [00:42]
Key Points:

• Birth and Death: St. Josemaria Escriva was born in 1902 in a small town in northeast Spain and died in 1975.
• Canonization: He was canonized in 2002, with an impressive 350,000 attendees, highlighting his significant impact.
• Founding Opus Dei: At 23, St. Josemaria founded Opus Dei, the Personal Prelature, just a few years after becoming a priest in 1928.

Notable Quote:

"John Paul II said we could think of St. Josemaria as the saint of ordinary life."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [01:06]

Family Life and Upbringing

Timestamp: [02:41]
Key Points:

• Holy Family: St. Josemaria came from a devout family influenced by the political turmoil in early 20th-century Spain, including the Spanish Civil War.
• Motivation for Priesthood: Witnessing the divisiveness and turmoil inspired him to pursue the priesthood at a young age to address the spiritual and social needs of his community.

Founding Opus Dei and Its Spirituality

Timestamp: [02:50]
Key Points:

• Opus Dei Meaning: The term "Opus Dei" translates to "Work of God" in Latin, reflecting the organization's focus on sanctifying ordinary life.
• Common Misconceptions: Opus Dei has been misunderstood, partly due to pop culture (e.g., The Da Vinci Code), but it includes many respected American Catholics, including bishops.
• Spiritual Pillars:
  1. Sanctification of Ordinary Life: Emphasizing that holiness can be achieved through everyday activities like work, family life, and social interactions.
  2. Divine Filiation: Understanding and embracing the identity as children of God, recognizing the dignity and grace bestowed upon each individual.
  3. Apostolate: Encouraging all Catholics to participate in the Church’s mission, viewing their daily work and interactions as opportunities to serve God.

Notable Quotes:

"Opus Dei doesn't want to stand out, reflecting St. Josemaria's spirituality. It's really about how do you live an ordinary life that you nonetheless elevate with holiness."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [04:55]

"We need to adopt the same attitude if we want to live out ordinary holiness. We need to remind ourselves constantly that I am a child of God."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [10:34]

Spiritual Insights and Practices

Timestamp: [07:29]
Key Points:

• Practical Holiness: St. Josemaria advocated for practical steps to achieve holiness, such as setting aside time for prayer, attending Mass regularly, and engaging in daily spiritual practices.
• Homilies and Writings: His homilies, especially those compiled in "Christ is Passing By," offer accessible and impactful spiritual guidance.
• Divine Filiation: Emphasizing the personal relationship with God as a foundation for holiness, aligning with Paul’s teachings in Romans 8 about calling God "Abba, Father."

Notable Quote:

"Holiness is not something for only priests. It's not something only for monks. Anyone can take up the call to holiness."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [05:14]

"One day... he was reading the newspaper and he just realized he needed to sort of put it down and go for a walk... overwhelmed with this realization that he was a child of God."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [10:33]

Influences and Legacy

Timestamp: [08:21]
Key Points:

• St. Joseph as a Model: St. Josemaria often drew inspiration from St. Joseph, valuing humility and hidden holiness, similar to Mary’s humble and concealed life.
• Complementary Saints: While not directly influenced by St. Therese of Lisieux, the principles of doing little works with great love align closely with St. Josemaria’s teachings on ordinary holiness.
• Impact on Vatican II: John Paul II recognized St. Josemaria’s role in paving the way for the Second Vatican Council, particularly in promoting the universal call to holiness.

Personal Reflection and Devotion

Timestamp: [17:41]
Key Points:

• Personal Encounter: Dr. Mooney shares his personal journey of discovering St. Josemaria through interactions with Opus Dei members and reading his works.
• Recommended Readings: Highlights include "Furrow," "The Way," "Forge," and "Christ is Passing By," which contain St. Josemaria’s homilies and spiritual advice.
• Living the Teachings: Emphasizes the importance of integrating St. Josemaria’s teachings into daily life by engaging with devout communities and practicing his spiritual disciplines.

Notable Quote:

"Jose Maria says this is a trick of the devil to distract you from the fact that you have an opportunity for holiness right in front of you and for your apostolate."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [16:18]

Conclusion

Timestamp: [20:05]
Key Points:

• Dr. Mooney concludes by affirming the relevance of St. Josemaria Escriva’s teachings for the contemporary Church.
• Encourages listeners to explore St. Josemaria’s writings and participate in communities that embody his spirituality to deepen their own journey towards holiness.

Final Quote:

"He's a great saint to get to know, especially for the church today."
— Dr. Chris Mooney [20:05]

Host Closing: Mary McGhan invites listeners to further engage with the Augustine Institute’s resources and encourages them to pray for St. Josemaria Escriva.

Additional Resources

• Books by St. Josemaria Escriva:

  • Furrow
  • The Way
  • Forge
  • Christ is Passing By

• Online Platforms:

  • formed.org – Online Catholic streaming service by the Augustine Institute.
  • missioncircle.org – Support the Augustine Institute’s mission by becoming a Mission Circle Partner.

Note: This summary is intended to provide an overview of the podcast episode for those who have not listened. It captures the essence of the discussions, key insights, and notable quotes shared by Mary McGhan and Dr. Chris Mooney.