Conversations with Saint Josemaría Escrivá

by St Escriva

These interviews, given during the lifetime of St. Josemaria Escriva, explain the nature of Opus Dei and describe some basic aspects of its spirit and organization. The replies of Opus Dei's founder, despite the awkwardness of the inadequate juridical terminology at the time, explain its aim to spread in all spheres of society a deep awareness of the universal call to holiness and apostolate, in the fulfillment of one's ordinary professional work. St. Josemaría also addresses issues of family life, education, society, and the Church. Freedom of the individual, love of the Church, and his own supernatural outlook and human warmth are features that permeate these conversations.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Catholic, Spirituality, Christianity, Nonfiction

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Václav Kubíček · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spiritual works of Saint Josemaria might partly unveil the bright intelligence of their author, but they are meant to direct its reader towards God, not the writer. Exclusively, in this set of interviews one obtains broader notion how well-educated and competent Monsignor Escrivá was.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know much about Opus Dei before reading this book, except the crazy fanatical character in Dan Brown's book. This book compiles interviews and writings by the founder of Opus Dei, and that fictional portrayal by Brown couldn't be further from the truth. This movement and Saint Josemaria Escriva's goals are all about the holiness of the average individual -- how we are all equal, and in striving to make each thing we do, no matter how inconsequential in the world's eye, valued any God by doing it in love, with clear intent as an offering to God. I'm sure I haven't portrayed it accurately in this review. Pick up this book, read an interview or two and get a sense of the real movement of Opus Dei. Toss out all your misconceptions. Hear it from the founder's mouth.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The super synthesis of this book: a must read for Catholics, a must read for people with horrible already made judgements -or just unfounded fears- about the Opus Dei. A must read for anyone who's interested in the Opus Dei as a faithful Catholic or person of good will, a must read for universitary students, women and men with a marriage vocation in course. What the Opus Dei is and isn't, what does it promote and what it doesn't promote. And for the last time, no, the Jesuits did not not and do not, and will not hate the Opus Dei or the other way around. I am admired of Josemaría's eloquency and patience while trying to answer all these questions from the media, and that surely the journalists did not ask with malice, they seemed to be floating in the air, about whether the Opus Dei is political, an order, mason, etc.
A worthwhile, engaging read which also clarifies Josemaría's thoughts on the Vatican II which are sadly warped by some people with interests that don't seem too clear. It's uh, the second St. Josemaría book I read this year. Gonna go for more. It's a shame I had to delay the reading this much.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

his is a great book, a collection of interviews with Josemaria Escriva. The interviews were written at different time's and for different publications.

Pedro Rodriguez for Parabra
Peter Forbarth for Time Magazine
Jacques Guilleme-Brulon for Le Figaro
Tad Szulc for the New York Times
Enrico Zuppi & Antonio Fugardi for L’Osservatore della Domenica
Andres Garrigo for Gaceta Universitaria
Pilar Salcedo for Teva
And a homily given by Escriva October 8th 1967

These articles will give you a very clear view of Josemaria’s vision and mission for members of Opus Dei, for how they can sanctify work, be sanctified and sanctify others through their work.

This collection will be a great introduction to Escriva’s though and the work.

[Andrea L]

Me encantó leer las respuestas de San Josemaría a las preguntas que tantas veces nos hacen. Han pasado muchos años, y las respuestas siguen siendo las mismas: es la verdad, la verdad que vivimos.

[Jason Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is nice to see this side of St. Josemaria where he is speaking to the wider public.

[Nasbly Kalinina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro muy hermoso que nos acerca a la vida y a la obra del Padre Josemaría. Entre algunas de sus enseñanzas están las siguientes:
- No podrá hacer nunca recto uso de la inteligencia y de la libertad -para obedecer, lo mismo que para opinar- quien carezca de suficiente formación cristiana.
- Todo trabajo humano honesto, intelectual o manual, debe ser realizado por el cristiano con la mayor perfección posible: con perfección humana (competencia profesional) y con perfección cristiana (por amor a la voluntad de Dios y en servicio de los hombres)... Se eleva así el trabajo al orden de la gracia, se santifica, se convierte en obra de Dios, operatio Dei, Opus Dei.
- El trabajo... es un medio de perfección, una camino a la santidad.
- El objeto del Opus Dei ha sido siempre contribuir a que haya en medio del mundo, de las realidades y de afanes seculares, hombres y mujeres de todas las razas y condiciones sociales, que procuren amar y servir a Dios y a los demás hombres en y a través de su trabajo ordinario.

[Francesco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vote: 4,50
Class: P-A1

Avevo letto questo libro di interviste forse trent'anni fa e ho avuto occasione di rileggerlo (stavolta in lingua originale) quest'estate e vi ho riscoperto tutta la freschezza del messaggio del Fondatore dell'Opus Dei con la chiarezza delle sue stesse parole.
Alcune delle domande sono certamente legate al contesto storico in cui sono state fatte, ma le risposte riescono sempre a trascendere dalle specifficità storiche e politiche per offrire un messaggio rivolto a tutto il mondo e a tutti i tempi.
Totalmente fantastica l'omelia con cui si conlude il libro, che è disponibile online (https://opusdei.org/it-it/article/ama...), e che consiglio a tutti di leggere.