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Canonisation of St. Josemaría, October 6 2002
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Short biography of St. Josemaría
Short Biography of
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
He was born in Barbastro (Spain) on 9th January 1902 and died in Rome on 26th June 1975. After his ordination to the priesthood on 28th March 1925 he began his ministry in country parishes. Later he worked in the poorer districts and hospitals of Madrid and among university students. On 2nd October 1928 he founded Opus Dei, which from the beginning had the approval of the diocesan authorities and, from 1943, that of the Holy See, which established Opus Dei as a Personal Prelature on 28th November 1982. After 1928, Monsignor Escrivá's life coincides with the history and development of Opus Dei. From 1946 he took residence in Rome as President General of Opus Dei. His body lies in the crypt of the Oratory of our Lady of Peace, in the central offices of the Prelature in Rome. When he died, Opus Dei had spread over the five continents, with more than 60,000 members of over 80 nationalities. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on the 17th May 1992. He was canonised on October 6th 2003. Click on photograph to access web-site of the USA information office.