The strength, the attraction of The Way is largely due to the fact that it is based on real, living experience, being the fruit of the author's work as a priest which began in 1925. The book appeared first in 1934 under the title Consideraciones espirituales and later (in 1939) received its definitive title, after being greatly expanded. Over the years, more than four and a half million copies have been sold, in 43 different languages.
This is one of the main attractions of the book-its direct, conversational style, its personal and deeply human character. As a reviewer in Osservatore Romano (March 24, 1950) put "Msgr. Escriva de Balaguer has written something more than a masterpiece; he has written straight from the heart, and straight to the heart go the short paragraphs which make up The Way."
(from the author's "Read these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in the end you will be a more worthy soul."
I have a certain critical spirit that tempts me to write, "This book was nothing but a series of short sayings—even platitudes!—without context and without explanation." In a certain sense this is true, but I can not deny the fruit these wise sayings bore in prayer over the week that I read this little book. There is nothing new in Escrivá: his mystical theology is that of Teresa and his advice on the apostolate will be a review for those who have read Dom Chautard. But the relevance of this recapitulation proves the dictum of St. Augustine: "tam antiqua et tam nova." Because of the lack of any context or explanation for the sayings presented in this book, it is not for beginners. Escrivá assumes his readers know how to pray and know what an apostolate really is. But if you're looking for something to rekindle the fire of Christ in your heart, this is a work I can most enthusiastically recommend.
I liked this book. It has small points that make you think about your relationship with God and with others. While the author is a Catholic priest, I think some of the points in it are suitable to everyone (non Catholic and non Christian). It's a great book to just dip in and out of.
"999. ¿Qué cuál es el secreto de la perseverancia? El Amor. –Enamórate y no "le" dejarás". Novecientas noventa y nueve máximas y aforismos, y algunas frases que plantean preguntas y dan luces sobre la espiritualidad católica. No mil, no sé por qué (más allá de numerologías o supersticiones). Volviendo a la sentencia citada en el principio, ese "le" podría referirse a cualquier persona, animal o cosa. Pero en el contexto ya sabemos a qué se refiere, mejor dicho, a quién. Y por eso es el Amor con mayúsculas y no el "amor". Igual, pienso que si se logra trascender la idea de amor humano/carnal, sin necesidad de creencias, dogmas o filosofías, se podría entender ese Amor desde una intención universal. Pero no voy a negar lo evidente, este es un libro de apostolado. Y que puede llegar a ser incluso polémico por varias razones. Quienes sepan quién fue San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer lo entenderán. San. Porque es santo declarado por la Iglesia Católica y fundador del Opus Dei. Pues bueno, quienes quieran entender de qué va el pensamiento de Escrivá saliéndose de las teorías de la conspiración y las suspicacias que esos dos nombres despiertan en tiempos actuales, pues este libro podrá aclarar muchos puntos, los cuales son doctrina católica pura pero al estilo Escrivá: sin pelos en la lengua. En un principio llama la atención lo directo e incluso altisonante que puede llegar a ser, pero luego se entiende que busca dar un sacudón a sus seguidores, jóvenes sobre todo. Cosas que resuenan y resaltan: el constante llamado a la virilidad como una actitud de firmeza y valentía, y, contrariamente a lo que se cree del Opus Dei, el llamado al apostolado sin búsqueda de gloria personal ni recompensa material (aunque sí a que el profesional cobre lo justo en su vida laboral, pero esto es aparte). O sea, nada nuevo doctrinalmente hablando pero sí rompedor de mitos acerca de esta organización. 3.7 puntuación final.
Daily meditations. This book contains daily meditations of "how to" live by the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaria Escriva. If you are looking for fluff, forget it. This is perfect for Lectio Divina or to read after praying Compline.
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:
“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.
Josemaría Escrivá is a writer who does not pretend to be more clever than he is. Nothing illustrates that admirable trait better than The Way, his principal work.
I was not sure what to expect. Should I decide to love The Way or to hate it? My uncertainty had not so much to do with the work itself as with the bad press received by the organization he founded, the Opus Dei. No matter how hard you try to push that organization's(founded or unfounded) notoriety to the background, it does colour your opinion of the book.
Should I like The Way just because I don't agree with the silly things that have been written about the Opus Dei? The funny thing is that even a sympathetic reader feels disappointed while reading the book, as if one had secretly hoped to find something lurid on its pages. The book simply does not live up to the bad press. Then it hits you: the book comes across as banal. If you compare it to Blaise Pascal's Pensées, which has a similar structure of short utterances, The Way amounts to a "nice try" or a "valiant effort", nothing more. Compared to the unutterable riches of the Pensées, The Way comes across as preachy and dull.
Then you start reading The Way. Then you continue reading it. Then you start realizing that it is not so much the banality but the simplicity of it that is striking about the book. The short utterances that seem almost trivial when read in isolation gather the momentum of a wrecking ball when read together. What accounts for that force? I am not sure but I can think of a few reasons.
First, Josemaría practices what he preaches, at least judging by this book. When he says that simplicity is a virtue, he exhibits that virtue in this book. He does not try to be more clever than he is (to come back to that point). The utterances are consistent with each other. Josemaría speaks from experience. It is as if a "way" were being built before our very eyes: every part fits the others. Second, Josemaría does not sugarcoat his message. The book promises blood, sweat and tears (among other things) and we know from history how compelling such candour can be. Josemaría's message appeals above all to men, who are his primary audience in this book. Men's biggest fear is to appear feminine in trying to live up to the Christian ideal. Josemaría assures them that they can become like children, as Jesus teaches, and still be men. The book's stark tone reinforces his "manly" message. Third, a subtle theology of incarnation is at play here. For Josemaría, the doctrine of incarnation means that God is to be found in things that to us seem ordinary or even banal. Jesus was, in a sense, a regular guy. So should we. Christian life is not about bells and whistles but about hard work and Josemaría promises a lot of it.
The doctrine of incarnation has a more precarious aspect as well. Jesus lived among people, as do priests today. Just as Jesus was God's all-seeing eye incarnate, so to speak, so are priests today. An individual Christian is to have no secrets from the priest, who is like "other Christ" (alter Christus). Without a priest's guidance, an individual Christian is lost, if not doomed. Doesn't that make you feel paranoid? Even if it does not, you have to admit that the idea of living under the constant gaze of God, represented by a priest, is one heck of a tough way of life. Josemaría remains unflinching. Yes, he says, it can be tough. It was meant to be. Did not Jesus tell us to carry our crosses? However, Josemaría would also ask, don't we get so much more in return? Following Christ and keeping his commandments should not be toil, provided we do it out of love. Love makes all that effort more than worthwhile and, in essence, turns drudgery to play.
It is clear that this book is not everybody, if one thinks in terms of putting its teachings into practice literally. That does not matter. Even while reading it, you can hear that inaudible clicking sound in your head while your brain is getting rewired. The book does not tell you anything that you did not already know. Nothing comes as a surprise. These are things you knew pretty much all your life but tried not to think about because you thought they were too obvious. Josemaría's point is that God can be found in the little things, in things that seem "obvious" to us. For that reason, the book's central message is for everybody. I love it.
Camino. El libro más conocido de San Josemaría Escrivá. Se han publicado más de 5.000.000 de ejemplares en más de 50 idiomas. Es una recopilación de 999 pensamientos, frases, meditaciones... para ayudarnos a reflexionar sobre puntos concretos de nuestra fe, nuestras actitudes y nuestro carácter. 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. Algunos puntos nos hablarán más que otros, se pretende suscitar una reacción en el lector para que reflexione, ya sea sobre su conducta, sus intenciones, etc... Al final del libro se incluye un indice de temas muy útil. En definitiva, creo que es un libro muy rico para profundizar en nuestra actitud hacia la fe y que nos reta a ser mejores personas para el mundo y ayudarnos a santificarnos. Me quedo con muchas citas/puntos muy profundos y bellos.
Perfect for taking with you on the go and reading a snippet whenever you have a moment to spare. St Joemaria will open your eyes to the realities of your weakness and motivate you to be on fire for Christ and His saintly apostolate!
Josemaría Escrivá has been following me around a lot this year. I picked up this book at my local Catholic Bookstore and immediately fell in love with his style. He writes with a cleverness and brief tenacity that is unlike other writers I’ve read. “The Way” is a collection of short proverbs and words of wisdom; it isn’t a book you’d read all the way through at once. Rather, it’s more fun to carry it with you and read it when you’re waiting somewhere. I had a lot of fun carrying it in my purse (where it still lives) and pulling it out here and there. I also enjoyed taking it section by section and mediating on his advice during my morning prayer. However you choose to read it, you should read it, even if just once. It might be exactly what you need to hear.
It’s taken me over a year to read this book because I wanted to soak in every word of St. Josemaria Escriva. A man whose wisdom comes from God, every proverbial saying really resonated with me and it lead to deeper contemplation and consideration in my own life.
I especially enjoy how the it ends with 999 sayings, meaning that our life is the 1000th way to live “The Way” of Christ.
I’ll include #607: Humility is one of the good ways to achieve interior peace. He has said so: "Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
I am sad to finish this book because I know I can turn back to it daily for reference. Highly recommend for you to read the little pocket book!
Kerenlah buku ini. Nasehat-nasehatnya tegas, tanpa tedeng aling-aling, dan pendek-pendek sehingga praktis tetapi bisa direnungkan mendalam. Sayangnya, awalnya saya agak curiga karena buku ini ditulis oleh pendiri Opus Dei. Ya jujur waktu itu saya abis keracunan The Da Vinci Code-nya Dan Brown, jadi di benak saya, Opus Dei itu semacam perkumpulan terlarang. Tapi jangan ngikut-ngikut saya ya. Opus Dei adalah prelatur personal, seperti ordo atau kongregasi religius tetapi yurisdiksinya terbatas pada pribadi masing-masing (makanya disebut "personal"). Ga ada hubungannya dengan konsfirasi aneh-aneh seperti di Da Vinci Code.
Sulit untuk menuliskan review buku ini karena topiknya banyak dan terlalu profound untuk saya bahas secara adil di sini. Setidaknya, rating 5 bintang sudah mengungkapkan segalanya. Buku Jalan sangat saya rekomendasikan bagi orang Katolik maupun non-Katolik, bahkan relevan juga bagi non-Kristen sekalipun.
Este libro es una joya. Ni más ni menos. Se trata de una serie de 999 puntos para meditar y mejorar en tu vida espiritual, agrupados según temas y con un buenísimo índice, lo que hace mucho más sencillo buscar aquellos puntos de meditación que más necesitas en un momento dado. Perseverancia, caridad, apostolado... Todo tipo de temas importantes para el desarrollo interior del cristiano. No puedo dejar de recomendarlo, pero no para leerlo de un tirón, por supuesto. Este es uno de esos libros que hay que degustar poco a poco. Incluso delante del Santísimo, si es posible. Leer un punto. Detenerse sobre él y saborearle. Una vez terminado, pasar a otro punto. Sacar todo el jugo a cada reflexión. Un jugo que podría cambiarte la vida, abrirte los ojos, llenarte de alegría...
Duže vrijeme ovu sam knjigu imala na umu da je pročitam, no nikako da se sretnemo. Ne znam jesam li ja ili pak ona čekala pravi trenutak ali jedno je sigurno, "Put" je pronašao najljepši put do mene, iz ruku drage osobe. Uz radost zbog potonjeg i unutarnjeg mira kojim me ispunila i utjehu koju mi je pružila, zauzela je jedinstveno mjesto među knjigama. Zlatna kategorija: knjiga koja jest ili hoće (ovisi o meni) promijeniti moj život.
Dejando atrás diferencias ideológicas. Para ser un libro que ha marcado a tantas personas me ha decepcionado bastante. Se queda a la altura de El libro rojo de Mao. Más bien podría ser un libro de microcuentos de Mónica Carrillo, el horóscopo o un compendio de tweets à la Mr Wonderful.
“Camino” es especial, lo leí hace años, lo vuelvo a retomar ahora, como libro de cabecera, perfecto para ratos de oración, momentos en los que sentirLE cerca, cinco minutos entre sus páginas al día, con eso basta.
Un libro que hace que te maravilles más si cabe con San Josemaría, aunque es una obra dedicada a todo cristiano que quiera, con un mínimo esfuerzo, reflexionar sobre su día a día, despierta en ti una llama y un ansia por santificar hasta lo más nimio de tu ser, despierta tu día, de tu vida mundana y ordinaria que, enfocada hacia la santidad, puede acercarnos más y más al Padre.
Una obra que no es para decir “venga, voy a leer Camino”, más bien para tenerla siempre cerca, recurrir a ella cuando lo sientas necesario, quizás mucho.
my grandfather gave me this book at 18 and told me he was given it at the same age. he taught the importance of this book and me becoming a man. a couple years later and i have read it a couple times, and will continue to do so, very important book.
The edition of this book that I read was in Tagalog so I will write my review in that language. If you want to know what I think of this first Escriva book that I just read, it is just okay. According to Wiki, this book was first published in 1954 and it was very popular in the Philippines in 1964 when Opus Dei (means "Work of God") started to become popular in the county.
Unang libro ni Saint Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975) na aking nabasa. Binili ko ito noong Setyembre 2014 sa Academic Book Fair sa Megatrade Hall ng SM Megamall. Sale. Binili ko lahat ng maliliit na librong ito ni Santo Josemaria Escriva.
Koleksyon ito ng mga kung anu-ano pananaw niya sa mga bagay-bagay. Maraming mga nangangaral o preachy ang tono. Maraming luma na dahil matanda pa ang librong ito sa akin at siguro isinulat o naisip niya ito noong panahong pari siya sa Espana. Mayroon din namang angkop o relevant pa hanggang ngayon pero marami na yong mapapatanong ka: ano raw? o mapapasabi ka ng dati siguro ito.
At yan ay di lang sa aklat na kagaya nito. Nagbabago kasi ang panahon. Kahit sa bibliya, may mga pangyayari sa Lumang Tipan o Old Testament na binago na nga Bagong Tipan o New Testament o kahit ng kasaluyuhang panahon. Kagaya halimbawa ng diborsyo o kasal ng dalawang parehong kasarian (gay marriages). Marami nang bahagi ng mundo na ginawang legal ang mga ito dahil ito ang tawag ng kasalukuyang panahon (signs of the times). Maaring taliwas sa turo ng Bibliya o Simbahang Katoliko pero kapag iniisip ko, mag matimbang na dapat bigyan ang tao ng karapatang mag-isip kung ano ang makakabuti sa kanyang sarili (free will) dahil ito naman talaga ang nais ng Diyos na gawin natin. Di ba't kaya may free will ay dahil nais ng Diyos na tayo'y maging malaya? Dahil bakla o tomboy ang isang tao, hindi na siya maaring maging malaya? Hindi ba siya puwedeng maging masaya? Magiisa na lang ba siya hanggang sa mamatay siya? Hindi ba siya maaring magkaroon ng pamilya (mag-ampon)? At maranasan kung paano ang maging magulang? Dahil lang sa siya ay ginawang bakla o tomboy? Na hindi naman niya kagustuhan?
Heto yong ilan sa mga linya rito sa libro na nagustuhan ko:
116Huwag mong kaliligtaan ang iyong pagbabasang espiritwal. Marami na ang naging santo dahil sa pagbabasa.
O ha? Pede akong maging santo dahil puro mga spiritual books ang binabasa ko haha!
164Kumusta ba ang pusong iyan? Huwag kang mag-aalala: naramdaman din ng mga santo - mga taong matitino at karaniwan, katulad mo at katulad ko - iyang mga "likas: na hilig. At kung hindi nila naramdaman ang mga ito, disi'y kakaunting merito lamang ang natamo ng kanilang reaksiyong "sobrenatural" na pag-ingatan ang puso - kaluluwa't katawan - para sa Diyos, sa halip na ibigay ito sa isang nilalang.
Tama, nararamdaman din ang mga banal ang libog. Pero dapat magtiis dahil nakalaan lamang ang kanilang pagmamahal sa Diyos. Mas higit yong kaysa pagmamahal sa isang tao lang. Kaya di ako nag-pari! haha!
208Purihin nawa ang sakit. Mahalin nawa ang sakit. Pagpalain nawa ang sakit. Luwalhatiin nawa ang sakit.
Pag may hirap, may ginhawa. Ang sakit may dahilan. Bakit nangyayari ang masasamang bagay sa mabubuting tao? Mayroon daw dahilan yan na di natin nakikita. Di natin arok o maintindihan sapagka't Diyos lamang ang nakakaalam. O di kaya balang araw mauunawaan natin.
Itong tatlo lang. Mayroong 999 na ganito sa libro pero ito lang ang tumatak sa akin. Hindi na masama di ba? Sale naman itong libro. Tsaka maliit kaya puwedeng ilagay sa bag at dalhin kung saan saan.
This was my second time reading through The Way. This book of 999 dichos is meant to be digested just a page or two at a time, so it has been a long process. Escriva's wisdom really speaks to me.
When I need a spiritual guidance, Camino is indeed the road to give the very best of us... because becoming a Saint is not just about behaving. Becoming a Saint can be attained through honest work to leave this place better than we found it.
Un librito de bolsillo que no necesita más que 1000 pequeñas agudezas para confrontar a un hombre con la verdad de su propia vida, que no es otra que su relación con Dios, la Creación y sus hermanos.
Lamentablemente presciente en cuanto a su análisis de un mundo sin Dios y el rumbo que, efectivamente, acabó tomando. Sin embargo, marca al hombre dispuesto un rumbo a seguir claro y sin medias tintas. Esto se agradece, especialmente en la sociedad líquida que nos ha tocado vivir.
Solo dos ligeras críticas puedo verle.
La primera, propia del carisma del Opus Dei y del catolicismo preconciliar, que a veces el autor incide excesivamente en la mortificación y el sufrimiento como camino de salvación y relega un pelín la vida alegre y normal. Por supuesto, nada que un poco de contexto histórico y leer bien todos los puntos de Camino (y no solo los que interesan a cierto catolicismo tradi) no pueda solventar.
La segunda, que hubiera agradecido que —manteniendo el formato bolsillo— la edición pudiera contener alguna otra referencia metatextual o contexto histórico o del autor, más allá de las escasas notas al pie. También recomiendo la versión web, que contiene al menos las referencias a la Sagrada Escritura usadas por el autor.
Totalmente recomendado a cualquier persona, más aún a un cristiano que desee ser santo independientemente del movimiento o realidad eclesial a la que pertenezca.
Opus Dei is, without a doubt, one of the most misunderstood, misrepresented, and underrated movements within the Catholic Church. To truly grasp its spirit, one must first understand the Church’s doctrine, the unique charism of Opus Dei, the people who live it out, and above all, the vision, work, and life of the saint who founded it. My Spiritual director handed me this book to read as "homework" and it took me 7 months to do it, eventough I read it every single day. The Way is a slow, contemplative read—rich in quotes and spiritual insights. It’s not intended for someone just beginning to discover the faith, but rather for those who already believe and are seeking to deepen and live their faith more fully. Throughout the book, it often feels as if Saint Josemaría is speaking directly and personally to the reader—as though each phrase were written with you specifically in mind.
This is a book to read slowly, to meditate on each line, and to revisit often. Each point invites introspection and encourages a more authentic and committed Christian life. The writing doesn’t aim to be intellectually or philosophically sophisticated—although it contains profound wisdom and depth. Instead, it is straightforward, clear, and deeply challenging. It calls the reader to grow in humility, to embrace Christian virtue, and to live their faith actively in the ordinary circumstances of life, building the Kingdom of God from within.
A must-read! And a read again. St. Josemaría has so many nuggets of spiritual gold in this classic work. On prayer - “You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, “Lord I don’t know how to pray!” You can be sure you’ve already begun.” On penance - “Say to your body: “I would rather keep you in slavery than be myself your slave.” On resolutions - “Tomorrow!” Sometimes it is prudence; many times it is the adverb of the defeated.” On supernatural life - “Aspiration: that I be good, and everyone else be better than I!” On study - “Whoever gives himself to work for Christ cannot expect to have a free moment, for even to rest is not to do nothing: it is to relax with activities that require less effort.” On sanctity - “So you failed? You —be convinced of it— can never fail. You haven’t failed; you’ve acquired experience. Forward!” On communion of saints - “ The Communion of Saints. How shall I explain it to you? You know what blood transfusions can do for the body? Well, that’s what the Communion of Saints does for the soul.” On little things - “Do you everything for love. And that way there will be no little things: everything will be big. Perseverance in the little things for love is heroism.” On the apostle - “Never be men or women generous in action and sparing in prayer.”