Knowing when to keep silent and when to speak

“Keep silent, and you will never regret it; speak, and you often will,” suggested St Josemaria. But elsewhere he also said, “Hell is full of closed mouths.” Some passages from his writings can guide reflection on the wisdom of silence and of the right word at the right time. Tags: Friendship, Apostolate, Sincerity, Daring

Making others happy

You asked me what you could do to prevent the loneliness of that friend of yours. I will tell you what I always say, because we have at our disposal a marvellous weapon which is the answer to everything: prayer. In the first place, you must pray. And then you must do for him what you would like others to do for you if you were in similar circumstances... Tags: Joy, Friendship, Love of God, Apostolate, Priestly soul

Any questions about Opus Dei?

A series of questions from journalists about Opus Dei, answered by its founder St Josemaria Escriva, and published in the book Conversations with Msgr. Escriva (1968). Tags: October 2, 1928, Founding of Opus Dei, Opus Dei, Politics, Vocation, calling, Opus Dei's foundational charisma

Purification: change, recovery

February 2nd is the feast of Jesus' Presentation in the Temple and the Purification of Our Lady. Mary offers her Son to God and learns that she too will share closely in Jesus' redemptive mission. The Catholic Church suggests a time to "purify" to seek a change of heart with the help of Our Mother. Tags: Conversion, Our Lady

10 questions about marriage

St Josemaria answers ten questions about love, marriage, engagement, faithfulness, raising children, and more. What is the basis of family unity? What about married couples who can’t have children? Tags: Children, Marriage, Love, family, engagement, Conversations with Josemaría Escrivá

10 Tips For Getting Peace

Holy Mary is the Queen of peace, and thus the Church invokes her. So when your soul or your family are troubled, or things go wrong at work, in society or between nations, cry out to her without ceasing. Call to her by this title: Regina pacis, ora pro nobis — Queen of peace, pray for us.'' Tags: Peace, Our Lady of Peace, Furrow

The Epiphany of our Lord

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." Tags: Joy, Jesus Christ, Christmas

Meditating on the Pope’s three Christmas wishes with St Josemaria

Pope Benedict XVI expressed three wishes before lighting the lights on a Christmas tree: raising our gaze toward God; seeking the true light for our lives, and being light for others. Some passages from St Josemaria’s writings can help to focus on these themes. Tags: Charity, Vocation, Benedict XVI, Christmas

Advent

Advent is here. What a marvellous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come — for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. The Church encourages us: Ecce veniet! — He is about to arrive! Tags: Conversion, Hope, Jesus Christ, Holy Family, Advent

To say Thank you

God is very pleased with those who recognise his goodness by reciting the Te Deum in thanksgiving whenever something out of the ordinary happens, without caring whether it may have been good or bad, as the world reckons these things. Because everything comes from the hands of our Father. Tags: Gratitude, Optimism, Prayer, Presence of God

The kingdom of heaven: what is it?

Christ’s kingdom is not just a figure of speech. Christ, true God and true man, lives and reigns. He is the Lord of the universe. Everything that lives is kept in existence only through him. Why, then, does he not appear to us in all his glory? Because his kingdom is “not of this world,” though it is in this world. Tags: Heaven, Jesus Christ, Ascetical struggle, Holiness

A Judge who is our Father and our Friend

‘I was amused to hear you speak of the “account” that our Lord will demand of you. No, for none of you will he be a judge — in the harsh sense of the word; he will simply be Jesus.’ These lines, written by a good bishop, have consoled more than one troubled heart, and could well console yours. Tags: Heaven, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Examination of Conscience, Divine sonship

Communion of saints

The expression “communion of saints” indicates the common sharing of all the members of the Church in holy things: the faith, the sacraments, the charisms, and the other spiritual gifts. It also refers to the communion between holy persons; between those who by grace are united to the dead and risen Christ. Tags: Church

Understanding, dialogue, love

Charity does not consist so much in “giving” as in “understanding”. Therefore, seek an excuse for your neighbour — there is always one be found, — if it is your duty to judge. The Way, 463 Tags: Love of God, Charity, Understanding

A secret for times of crisis

A secret, an open secret: these world crises are crises of saints.
God wants a handful of men 'of his own' in every human activity. And then... 'pax Christi in regno Christi — the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ'. Tags: Optimism, Holiness, difficulties