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The Way, Furrow, the Forge
The Way, Furrow, The Forge is a handy three-in-one volume of Saint Josemaria Escriva's most well known books for meditation with a combined index for all three books.
991 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1939
47 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Josemaría Escrivá
141 books178 followersSaint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer (9 January 1902 – 26 June 1975) was a Roman Catholic priest from Spain who founded Opus Dei, an organization of laypeople and priests dedicated to the teaching that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. He was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II, who declared Saint Josemaría should be "counted among the great witnesses of Christianity."
Josemaría’s father’s textile business failed in 1915, so the family relocated to Logroño, where José found other work. It was in Logroño that Josemaría sensed his vocation for the first time. After seeing some bare footprints left in the snow by a friar who had walked that way a short time earlier, he felt that God wanted something from him, though he did not know exactly what. He thought that he could more easily discover what it was if he became a priest, so he began to prepare for the priesthood, first in Logroño and later in Saragossa. Following his father’s advice, he also studied for a law degree at the University of Saragossa. His father died in 1924 and Josemaría was left as head of the family. Ordained on March 28, 1925, he began his ministry in a rural parish, and afterwards in Saragossa.
In 1927, with the permission of his bishop, Fr. Josemaría moved to Madrid to work on his doctorate in law. There, on October 2, 1928, God showed him clearly the mission he had been hinting to him for several years; and he founded Opus Dei. From that day on he worked with all his energies to develop the foundation that God asked of him, while he continued to fulfill the various priestly responsibilities he had at that time. These brought him into daily contact with sickness and poverty in the hospitals and the poor districts of Madrid.
When the civil war broke out in 1936, Josemaría was in Madrid. The religious persecution forced him to take refuge in a variety of places. He exercised his priestly ministry in a clandestine fashion until he was finally able to leave Madrid. After escaping across the Pyrenees to southern France, he took up residence in Burgos.
At the end of the war in 1939 he returned to Madrid. In the years that followed he gave many retreats to lay people, priests, and members of religious orders. In the same year, 1939, he completed his doctorate in law.
Josemaría’s father’s textile business failed in 1915, so the family relocated to Logroño, where José found other work. It was in Logroño that Josemaría sensed his vocation for the first time. After seeing some bare footprints left in the snow by a friar who had walked that way a short time earlier, he felt that God wanted something from him, though he did not know exactly what. He thought that he could more easily discover what it was if he became a priest, so he began to prepare for the priesthood, first in Logroño and later in Saragossa. Following his father’s advice, he also studied for a law degree at the University of Saragossa. His father died in 1924 and Josemaría was left as head of the family. Ordained on March 28, 1925, he began his ministry in a rural parish, and afterwards in Saragossa.
In 1927, with the permission of his bishop, Fr. Josemaría moved to Madrid to work on his doctorate in law. There, on October 2, 1928, God showed him clearly the mission he had been hinting to him for several years; and he founded Opus Dei. From that day on he worked with all his energies to develop the foundation that God asked of him, while he continued to fulfill the various priestly responsibilities he had at that time. These brought him into daily contact with sickness and poverty in the hospitals and the poor districts of Madrid.
When the civil war broke out in 1936, Josemaría was in Madrid. The religious persecution forced him to take refuge in a variety of places. He exercised his priestly ministry in a clandestine fashion until he was finally able to leave Madrid. After escaping across the Pyrenees to southern France, he took up residence in Burgos.
At the end of the war in 1939 he returned to Madrid. In the years that followed he gave many retreats to lay people, priests, and members of religious orders. In the same year, 1939, he completed his doctorate in law.
In 1946 he took up residence in Rome. There he obtained a doctorate in theology from the Lateran University and was named consultor to two Vatican Congregations, as well as honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, and prelate of honor to His Holiness. He followed closely the preparations for the Second Vatican Council and its various sessions (1962-1965), keeping in touch with many of the council fathers. From Rome he frequently went to different countries in Europe, including Britain and Ireland, to spur on the apostolic work of Opus Dei. It was with the same objective that, between 1970 and 1975, he made long trips to Mexico, Spain, Portugal, South America, and Guatemala, holding catechetical gatherings which large numbers of men and women attended.
He died in Rome on June 26, 1975. Thousands of people, including many bishops (a third of all the bishops in the world), requested that the Holy See open his cause of beatification and canonization.
On May 17, 1992, Pope John Paul II beatified Josemaría Escrivá. He proclaimed him a saint ten years later, on October 6, 2002, in St. Peter’s Square, in Rome, before a great multitude. In his homily on that occasion, the Pope said: “Following in his footsteps, spread in society the awareness that we are called to holiness, without distinction of race, class, culture or age."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 3, 2023
The Way, Furrow and The Forge
Josemaria Escriva
Hard Cover Sinag-Tala
ISBN 9715540406
Soft Cover Scepter
ISBN 1889334723
I have previously reviewed each of these separately, yet the value and importance of this combined edition deserves another post. The greatest asset of this combined edition is you have the 3 most famous works by St. Josemaria Escriva in a nice neat combined edition. The individual mini editions may be slightly more portable but in this edition you have it all. The greatest advantage of this 3 in 1 edition is the combined indexes, you have a single index and can search all three books, in either the Subject Index or the Scripture Index. This book is an invaluable tool for spiritual growth!
The Way
Josemaria Escriva
Various Individual EditionsThis is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"Fight against the softness that makes you lazy and careless in your spiritual life. Remember that it might well be the beginning of tepidity … and, in the words of the scriptures, God will vomit out the lukewarm."
#325
"When I made you a present of that life of Jesus, I wrote in it this inscription: 'May you seek Christ, may you find Christ, may you love Christ. These are three very distinct steps. Have you at least tried to live the first?"
#382
"Fight against that weakness which makes you lazy and careless in your spiritual life. Remember that it might well be the beginning of lukewarmness... and, in the words of the Scripture, God will vomit the lukewarm out of his mouth."
#325
Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
Furrow
Josemaria Escriva
Various Individual Editions
This is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"As soon as you willfully allow a dialogue with temptation to begin, the soul is robbed of its peace, just as consent to impurity destroys grace."
#836
"Prayer is the humility of the man who acknowledges his profound wretchedness and the greatness of God. He addresses and adores God as one who expects everything from Him and nothing from himself. Faith is the humility of the mind which renounces its own judgement and surrenders to the verdict and authority of the Church. Obedience is the humility of the will which subjects itself to the will of another, for God's sake. Chastity is the humility of the flesh, which subjects itself to the spirit. Exterior mortification is the humility of the senses. Penance is the humility of all the passions, immolated to the Lord. Humility is truth on the road of the ascetic struggle."
#259
"Being faithful to God demands a struggle. And it means close combat, man to man - the old man against the man of God - in one small thing after another, without giving in."
#126
Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
The Forge
Josemaria Escriva
Various Individual Editions
This is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"Each day be conscious of your duty to e a saint. A saint! And that doesn't mean doing strange things. It means a daily struggle in the interior life and in heroically fulfilling your duty right through to the end."
#60
"Make an effort to respond at each moment to what God is asking of you: have the will to love him with deeds. They may be little deeds, but do not leave any out."
#82
"To die is a good thing. How can anyone with faith be, at the same time, afraid to die? But as long as the Lord wants to keep you here on earth, it would be cowardice for you to want to die. You must live, live and suffer and work for Love: that is your task."
#1037Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
(I have the 3 in 1 edition, the Hard Cover Centenary Complete Works of St. Josemaria Escriva and the Mini Editions. I use all 3 and find there are advantages to each.)
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Saint Josemaria Escriva.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!
Josemaria Escriva
Hard Cover Sinag-Tala
ISBN 9715540406
Soft Cover Scepter
ISBN 1889334723
I have previously reviewed each of these separately, yet the value and importance of this combined edition deserves another post. The greatest asset of this combined edition is you have the 3 most famous works by St. Josemaria Escriva in a nice neat combined edition. The individual mini editions may be slightly more portable but in this edition you have it all. The greatest advantage of this 3 in 1 edition is the combined indexes, you have a single index and can search all three books, in either the Subject Index or the Scripture Index. This book is an invaluable tool for spiritual growth!
The Way
Josemaria Escriva
Various Individual EditionsThis is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"Fight against the softness that makes you lazy and careless in your spiritual life. Remember that it might well be the beginning of tepidity … and, in the words of the scriptures, God will vomit out the lukewarm."
#325
"When I made you a present of that life of Jesus, I wrote in it this inscription: 'May you seek Christ, may you find Christ, may you love Christ. These are three very distinct steps. Have you at least tried to live the first?"
#382
"Fight against that weakness which makes you lazy and careless in your spiritual life. Remember that it might well be the beginning of lukewarmness... and, in the words of the Scripture, God will vomit the lukewarm out of his mouth."
#325
Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
Furrow
Josemaria Escriva
Various Individual Editions
This is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"As soon as you willfully allow a dialogue with temptation to begin, the soul is robbed of its peace, just as consent to impurity destroys grace."
#836
"Prayer is the humility of the man who acknowledges his profound wretchedness and the greatness of God. He addresses and adores God as one who expects everything from Him and nothing from himself. Faith is the humility of the mind which renounces its own judgement and surrenders to the verdict and authority of the Church. Obedience is the humility of the will which subjects itself to the will of another, for God's sake. Chastity is the humility of the flesh, which subjects itself to the spirit. Exterior mortification is the humility of the senses. Penance is the humility of all the passions, immolated to the Lord. Humility is truth on the road of the ascetic struggle."
#259
"Being faithful to God demands a struggle. And it means close combat, man to man - the old man against the man of God - in one small thing after another, without giving in."
#126
Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
The Forge
Josemaria Escriva
Various Individual Editions
This is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"Each day be conscious of your duty to e a saint. A saint! And that doesn't mean doing strange things. It means a daily struggle in the interior life and in heroically fulfilling your duty right through to the end."
#60
"Make an effort to respond at each moment to what God is asking of you: have the will to love him with deeds. They may be little deeds, but do not leave any out."
#82
"To die is a good thing. How can anyone with faith be, at the same time, afraid to die? But as long as the Lord wants to keep you here on earth, it would be cowardice for you to want to die. You must live, live and suffer and work for Love: that is your task."
#1037Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
(I have the 3 in 1 edition, the Hard Cover Centenary Complete Works of St. Josemaria Escriva and the Mini Editions. I use all 3 and find there are advantages to each.)
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Saint Josemaria Escriva.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!
May 15, 2024
I don’t know if I’ll ever truly finish this book, it’s such a good book to have on hand and just open for a couple seconds throughout the day to get some advice to chew on. But I suppose I should return it to its rightful owner, so I have marked it as read. Jack Goose, do you want your book back? The only way I return it is if you reply to my Goodreads review.
March 8, 2024
A compilation of St. Josemaria’s spiritual insights given in snippets, I took this book very slowly. I found him to be straightforward in his approach to the truth. He doesn’t mince words but he is kind and gentle. My first experience of Catholic spirituality was Opus Dei and so I feel at home with his approach even when it feels like great expectations.
November 10, 2025
“The day you no longer strive to draw others closer to God, since you ought to be a burning coal all the time, you will become a contemptible little piece of charcoal, or a little heap of ashes, to be scattered by the slightest puff of wind. You have to be on fire. You need to be a thing that burns, producing flames of the love of God, of faithfulness and apostolate.” (985 The Forge)
This is probably one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, and honestly, I think every Catholic (and really any Christian) should read it at some point. I try to remember some of the quotes in this book to really live by—but honestly, there are so many.
It took me about two years to finish, not because it was hard, but because I was really enjoying it and wanted to take my time reflecting on what St. Josemaría was saying. There’s just so much to unpack and so much wisdom in this book. I started reading it after visiting St. Josemaría Escrivá’s tomb in Rome, which made me want to learn more about him, Opus Dei, and his life in Spain during the Civil War. I honestly didn’t even know he was buried in the church we visited until we got there (and getting to that church was a journey in itself—that’s a whole other story).
Reading this felt like getting a wake-up call. Escrivá is so straightforward—he tells you flat out to get up, live your faith, and be on fire for Christ. No excuses.
I felt really convicted reading it. Obviously, in life there are spiritual dry seasons and days when you just don’t feel like praying or being “on fire.” But St. Josemaría really puts that into perspective. His words have helped me in those moments, reminding me that faith isn’t about feelings—it’s about staying faithful anyway. This book made me want to be more: more faithful to God, more prayerful, more virtuous, even on the days I don’t feel like being more.
My biggest takeaway is that faith isn’t meant to stay private. It should show up in how you live and how you love others. You can’t bring people closer to God if your own flame is burning out.
This isn’t really a book you “finish.” It’s one you keep coming back to whenever you need to remember what holiness looks like in real life.
This is probably one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, and honestly, I think every Catholic (and really any Christian) should read it at some point. I try to remember some of the quotes in this book to really live by—but honestly, there are so many.
It took me about two years to finish, not because it was hard, but because I was really enjoying it and wanted to take my time reflecting on what St. Josemaría was saying. There’s just so much to unpack and so much wisdom in this book. I started reading it after visiting St. Josemaría Escrivá’s tomb in Rome, which made me want to learn more about him, Opus Dei, and his life in Spain during the Civil War. I honestly didn’t even know he was buried in the church we visited until we got there (and getting to that church was a journey in itself—that’s a whole other story).
Reading this felt like getting a wake-up call. Escrivá is so straightforward—he tells you flat out to get up, live your faith, and be on fire for Christ. No excuses.
I felt really convicted reading it. Obviously, in life there are spiritual dry seasons and days when you just don’t feel like praying or being “on fire.” But St. Josemaría really puts that into perspective. His words have helped me in those moments, reminding me that faith isn’t about feelings—it’s about staying faithful anyway. This book made me want to be more: more faithful to God, more prayerful, more virtuous, even on the days I don’t feel like being more.
My biggest takeaway is that faith isn’t meant to stay private. It should show up in how you live and how you love others. You can’t bring people closer to God if your own flame is burning out.
This isn’t really a book you “finish.” It’s one you keep coming back to whenever you need to remember what holiness looks like in real life.
May 31, 2007
Founder of Opus Dei JoseMaria Escriva was an intensely spiritual man and priest ~ I liked reading this set of works because it reminded me of just how diverse the members of the Church can be. Though I tend to have more Carmelite leanings (O.C.D.) in my approach to spirituality, I found his writings most instructive. Reading them also helped me more solidly confirm aspects of my disposition that simply do not align with some of his approaches.
March 20, 2024
Un libro 3 en 1. Esta edición combinada permite tener los tres libros mas famosos de San Josemaría Escrivá (Camino, Surco y Forja) en una edición practica para llevar y así meditar en cualquier lugar.
Las tres obras siguen el mismo estilo de recopilación de pensamientos, frases, meditaciones... para ayudarnos a reflexionar sobre puntos concretos de nuestra fe, nuestras actitudes y nuestro carácter. Nos reta a ser mejores personas para el mundo y acompañarnos en el camino de la santificación.
He opinado sobre cada una de las tres obras separadamente.
No es un libro para leer 'del tirón' (aunque se puede y lo hice). Sino para seleccionar un par de puntos cada día (o cuando queramos), puede ser al azar o según el tema que deseemos trabajar, y tomarse el tiempo de meditar sobre ellos.
Al final del libro se incluye un índice combinado de temas muy útil
Las tres obras siguen el mismo estilo de recopilación de pensamientos, frases, meditaciones... para ayudarnos a reflexionar sobre puntos concretos de nuestra fe, nuestras actitudes y nuestro carácter. Nos reta a ser mejores personas para el mundo y acompañarnos en el camino de la santificación.
He opinado sobre cada una de las tres obras separadamente.
No es un libro para leer 'del tirón' (aunque se puede y lo hice). Sino para seleccionar un par de puntos cada día (o cuando queramos), puede ser al azar o según el tema que deseemos trabajar, y tomarse el tiempo de meditar sobre ellos.
Al final del libro se incluye un índice combinado de temas muy útil
February 3, 2020
Not done reading this...it will take a while, and I don't get the impression that one is meant to sit and read it cover to cover. A collection of short insights and sayings grouped by topic. The writing is inspirational, and is useful to reference when considering those specific areas. I keep mine by my work desk, to reference when stressed out.
November 11, 2017
Libro de cabezara .Ideal
February 1, 2020
Besides the Bible, my go to spiritual reference! The Lord speaks through this book!
March 28, 2020
Written for ordinary Christians. Elaborate day to day considerations. Simple reflection but with deeper meaning.
Want to read
January 7, 2010Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
August 1, 2016
A handbook for Christian living- offering everything even tasks that appear mundane to the glory and honor of God.
February 5, 2021
Excellent. St. Josemaria has amazing, inspiring sayings. It was a very good read.
July 16, 2016
Small bits of advice for any situation.
May 22, 2019
Wonderful collection of inspiring spiritual quotes from a master of the Christian life.
June 2, 2008
A fantastic little spiritual resource. It's like a mini-retreat.
Currently reading
September 25, 2018exchange gift from Renz. have to find my copy!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews