It has been 44 years since the death of St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder
of Opus Dei, but his message of the universal call to holiness is no less
promoted than when he was alive.
Members of Opus Dei, a Catholic institution that teaches everyone
is called to holiness, celebrated their founder with Mass on his June 26 feast
day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge was the celebrant and Father Paul D.
Scalia, pastor of St. James Church in Falls Church and episcopal vicar for
clergy and director of the diaconate formation program, was the homilist. A
reception followed in Burke Hall.
During Father Scalia’s homily, he shared about the saint’s
emphasis on work and prayer. “St. Josemaría was a tireless teacher of the work
of sanctification and the sanctification of work,” he said. “In this, he was
simply a coworker with the Lord in helping to redeem in us what had been lost
by sin.
“Somewhere St. Josemaria says, ‘There are few things more at odds
with Christianity than superficiality,’ said Father Scalia. “It is an amazing
statement and terribly accurate. Our fallen nature inclines us to
superficiality, to skating on the surface of things. So, there is work required
for authentic prayer, to speak candidly and simply to the Lord.”
Attendees came from across the Diocese of Arlington for the feast
day. Melissa Chaves, a parishioner of Our Lady of Angels Church in Woodbridge,
found out about Opus Dei when she and her family lived in Madrid. “This brings
me back to that time,” she said. “St. Josemaría has blessed our family in a lot
of ways, so I’m happy Bishop Burbidge (celebrated Mass).”
Anthony Pomilla, a parishioner of St. Raymond of Peñafort Church
in Springfield, said St. Josemaría and Opus Dei have had an impact on their
lives. “They are helping (me and my wife) form a more intentional relationship
with Jesus Christ,” he said.
Josemaría Escrivá was born to José and Dolores Escrivá in
Barbastro, Spain, Jan. 9, 1902. He had an older sister, Carmen, three younger
sisters who died very young, and a younger brother, Santiago.
He was ordained March 28, 1925, and began his ministry in a rural
parish in Perdiguera, and afterward in Zaragoza.
In 1927, with the permission of his bishop, Father Josemaría
moved to Madrid to work on his doctorate in law. It was there, Oct. 2, 1928, that
he founded Opus Dei.
He died in Rome June 26, 1975. Pope John Paul II beatified him
May 17, 1992, and canonized him Oct. 6, 2002.
