The Founder of Opus Dei: The Early Years

El fundador del Opus Dei #1

by Andrés Vázquez de Prada

The Early Years This is the first volume of three about the life of Saint Josemaria Escriva. He has been hailed as a pioneer in helping ordinary Christians find God in their daily lives. Moved as a teenager by footprints of a barefoot Carmelite priest in the snow, Josemara felt called to greater generosity in the priesthood and in his struggles to build up Opus Dei during the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. This latest biography is the most extensively researched work on his family history, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. The reader benefits from an enormous wealth of details in extensive notes and appendices. Accompanying them are excerpts from his correspondence, spiritual writings and testimonials from dozens of friends and acquaintances. The remarkable story continues in volumes II and III.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Catholic, Spirituality, Nonfiction

655 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2001

Reviews

[Wangũi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't do biographies and with good reason-but after you get over all the grandfather, aunts, uncles business and actually begin to read the life of St.Josemaria it definitely starts to look up. Now I know so much more about Opus Dei which I'd always wondered about but never got round to asking... I love the notes from the Catherines because in them you get to see the Saint's beautiful soul and his trust in Divine Providence is definitely something remarkable and to be asked for. The things I'll never forget are probably the cross without Cyreneans he asked for and the wholesomely pious and devout household he grew up in-(definitely taking notes for my future family)
In fact other than learning from the Saint you learn also from his saintly parents!

[Federico De Obeso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toda mi vida he frecuentado medios de formación del Opus Dei. Estudié en escuela y en Universidad asistida por la Obra. Creía conocer la vida de San Josemaría… En realidad no sabía casi nada.

Esta es una biografía estupenda de alguien de quien o no sabes nada o te han dicho cosas equivocadas. En mi caso, una tercera opción, creía que ya lo “conocía”.

Que grato encuentro he tenido y quedo con ganas de leer los siguientes tomos de esta serie.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful account of the life and times of a saint (Josemaria Escriva). I’ve read several biographies of this saint and this one is definitely the best and most authoritative. This is volume one of a three part series and covers his early life (from his birth to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War). Teeming with footnotes and historical evidence / quotations, this incredibly well researched account also makes for very enjoyable reading. Highly recommended to anyone looking to be inspired by the life of a great man. This is probably one of my top five favorite reads of all time.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read these three volumes I learn so much more. They are brilliantly written and have so much detail in them I'll never remember it all. What stood out to me this time was the fact that the women didn't have that close contact with St Josemaria and were dependent on priests who didn't really understand the Work. Not surprising, they faltered and failed in those early days. I'm looking forward to the second volume now to see how the women developed and how St Josemaria managed to form them while keep a prudent distance.

[Steve Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly inspiring!!

A detailed look into how a saint came from the ordinary and how Opus Dei came into being. The Work is even more meaningful in today's even more secularized world--"evangelizing by example, by living a Christian life in the real world. For those who desires to live a holy life and to be God's instrument in evangelization and discipleship.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best biography of the Founder of Opus Dei

Well written and meticulously researched. I would say this is the "official" biography. Offers quotes from the founder's personal notes as well. A true gem.

[Ana Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Increíble para conocer los inicios del Opus Dei y a San Josemaria. Es de esos libros que me hicieron apreciarlo y admirarlo más, desde una óptica más humana; sin embargo es un libro pesado con poca narrativa que puede cansar.

[Ralph Wechuli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facts well outlined and presented. Good read.

[Evan H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough biography (well, volume one of three) that is well researched but very academic on it's language. Not a bad book! Just takes commitment to work through.

[Liz Arévalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about the founder of Opus Dei: Saint Joseph Maria.

[Davis Haguma]

Ok

[Vividelpaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó 🤩. Aunque es muy gordo y tienes que tener mucha disciplina para terminarlo. A veces puede parecer que tiene demasiado detalle pero creo que te ayuda a entender mejor

[Alejandro Quintero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una historia a detalle de una parte de la vida de san Josemaría. A veces demasiado detalle para mi gusto…, pero muy buena porque te pone en contexto de una manera magistral.

[Eduardo Da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um ótimo livro sobre São Josemaria e o Opus Dei. História envolvente e muito bem escrita.

[Daniel Rincon Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Más que un aprendizaje sobre los primeros años de vida de San Josemaría, la intimidad y abundancia de detalles que tiene el libro son un medio para aprender y aprehender la esencia del mensaje que el Señor suscitó en su hijo Josemaría. Si lo entendemos, no queda otra opción que seguir sus pasos y hacer con desvergüenza su Obra.

[Pablo Galiana]

Primer volumen (aparecido en 1997) de la biografía de San Josemaría Escrivá más amplia y documentada de todas las que se han publicado. Sigue un orden cronológico, que llega hasta 1936. Libro fundamental para conocer la vida de San Josemaría Escrivá y ahondar en el origen sobrenatural del Opus Dei.

[María Antón Sancho]

Leído varias veces

[Carlos Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bien escrita y documentada la biografía de San Josemaría. Voy por el tomo II.