2. Lives of the Saints

First published in English in 1996 as Immersed in God, this 20th anniversary edition serves an anecdotal account of the life of St. Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975). Blessed Alvaro (1914-1994) was at the saint' s side for almost 40 years as his confessor, and from 1976 to his death as the Prelate of Opus Dei, was the successor to St. Josemaria. Blessed Alvaro relates dozens of accounts of Saint Josemaria' s apostolate, his service to the Church, and his personality. Many of these stories only came to light after his death, when letters and tributes poured into Rome from around the world. These lively anecdotes are gathered in 13 chapters which form a mosaic of the life of St. Josemaria and provided thousands of readers around the world with a picture of the saint, just before publication of an official three volume biography, The Founder of Opus Dei, by Andres Vazquez de Prada. Page numbers: 311

Opus Dei official website

Apologia Pro Vita Sua by St John Henry Newman

St. Teresa of Ávila's Autobiography, formally titled The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus, is a candid spiritual memoir recounting her journey from a privileged childhood in Avila—born on March 28, 1515, to noble parents—to her entry into the Carmelite convent, profound conversion, miraculous healing from paralysis through St. Joseph's intercession, and the founding of reformed monasteries like St. Joseph of Avila. Its main themes include the progressive stages of prayer, ecstatic visions and locutions, the challenges of discerning authentic mystical experiences amid spiritual trials, unwavering obedience to confessors and Church authority, and her zeal for Carmelite reform emphasizing poverty, enclosure, and contemplation. Theologically, this work holds immense significance as a cornerstone of Catholic mystical theology, offering practical guidance on interior prayer, humility, and union with God, while earning approbation from saints and theologians for its doctrinal orthodoxy and enduring influence on spiritual direction.

Trochu, F. Bernadette Soubirous

Chiara Petrillo was seated in a wheel chair looking lovingly toward Jesus in the tabernacle. Her husband, Enrico, found the courage to ask her a question that he had been holding back. Thinking of Jesus’s phrase, “my yoke is sweet and my burden is light,” he asked: “Is this yoke, this cross, really sweet, as Jesus said?” A smile came across Chiara’s face. She turned to her husband and said in a weak voice: “Yes, Enrico, it is very sweet.” At 28 years old, Chiara passed away, her body ravaged by cancer. The emotional, physical, and spiritual trials of this young Italian mother are not uncommon. It was her joyful and loving response to each that led one cardinal to call her “a saint for our times.” Chiara entrusted her first baby to the blessed Virgin, but felt as though this child was not hers to keep. Soon, it was revealed her daughter had life-threatening abnormalities. Despite universal pressure to abort, Chiara gave birth to a beautiful girl who died within the hour. A year later, the death of her second child came even more quickly. Yet God was preparing their hearts for more—more sorrow and more grace. While pregnant a third time, Chiara developed a malignant tumor. She refused to jeopardize the life of her unborn son by undergoing treatments during the pregnancy. Chiara waited until after Francesco was safely born, and then began the most intense treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, but it was soon clear that the cancer was terminal. Almost immediately after giving birth to Francesco, Chiara’s tumor became terminal and caused her to lose the use of her right eye. Her body was tested, and so was her soul as she suffered through terrible dark nights. She said “yes” to everything God sent her way, becoming a true child of God. And as her days on earth came to an end, Enrico looked down on his wife and said, “If she is going to be with Someone who loves her more than I, why should I be upset?” Each saint has a special charisma, a particular facet of God that is reflected through her. Chiara’s was to be a witness to joy in the face of great adversity, the kind which makes love overflow despite the sorrow from loss and death. Page numbers: 131

St. Augustine's Confessions is a profound autobiographical work in which the saint recounts his wayward youth, intellectual wanderings through Manichaeism and Neoplatonism, dramatic conversion to Christianity in 386 AD, and subsequent reflections on God, Scripture, and the human soul. Its main themes revolve around the famous restlessness of the heart—"You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you"—the pursuit of truth through intellectual conversion, the Trinitarian image in humanity (to be, know, and will inseparably), divine grace triumphing over sin, and allegorical interpretations of Genesis as the Church's formation. Theologically, it holds immense significance in Catholic tradition as a foundational text illuminating original sin's deep wounds, God's intimate providence, the interplay of time and eternity, and the soul's ascent to the unchanging Trinity, influencing doctrines on grace, self-knowledge, and the God-man relationship for centuries.

The book 'Forty Years With a Saint' by Bl. Álvaro del Portillo

Friar Thomas d'Aquino: His Life, Thought and Work by Weisheipl, J.A.

Guadalupe: the freedom of Loving by Abad Cadenas, C

"Holiness and the World: Studies in the Teachings of Bl. Josemaría Escrivá" is a profound exploration of the life and teachings of Blessed Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, who emphasized the call to holiness in everyday life. This collection of essays delves into key themes such as the sanctification of work, the universal call to holiness, and the integration of faith within secular contexts. Through scholarly analysis and practical insights, the authors illuminate how Escrivá's teachings encourage individuals to pursue spiritual growth amidst the challenges of modern life. The book serves as a significant resource for understanding the relevance of Escrivá's message in today’s world, inspiring readers to embrace their own paths to holiness.

The Gospels tell us almost nothing about St. Joseph, yet his life is full of spiritual treasures. Michel Gasnier O.P. in his book Joseph The Silent shows you where to find them and how they can enrich your own relationship with God. In this series of brief meditations he explores St. Joseph’s work as a carpenter, his marriage, his character, the flight into Egypt, his return to Nazareth, Simeon’s prophecy, and more. He gives you an enlightening portrait of this man who remains one of the Church’s most extraordinary saints and intercessors.

The Last Letters of St. Thomas More

"Life of Piety in St Josemaría Escrivá," authored by various contributors, delves into the spiritual legacy of St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei. This book explores the core themes of piety, work, and holiness in everyday life, illustrating how Escrivá's teachings encourage individuals to integrate their faith into their daily routines. Through personal testimonies and reflections, it highlights the transformative power of a life lived in accordance with Christian values. The significance of this work lies in its ability to inspire readers to pursue a deeper relationship with God and embrace the call to sanctity in their ordinary lives.

'Light of the World' by Baur, B. is a profound exploration of the Catholic faith, delving into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and their relevance in contemporary society. The book emphasizes the themes of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of love, offering readers a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. Through insightful reflections and theological discussions, Baur invites readers to embrace the light of Christ in their lives, encouraging a personal connection to faith that transcends mere doctrine. This work stands as a significant contribution to Catholic literature, inspiring believers to live out their faith with conviction and compassion.

Address of Benedict XVI / Ratzinger on St. Paul

Redemptoris Custos (1989), an apostolic exhortation by St. John Paul II, delves into the person and mission of St. Joseph within the life of Christ and the Church, portraying him as the silent guardian enveloped in contemplation amid his daily work as a carpenter in Nazareth.[^1] [^2] Its main themes include Joseph's sacrificial fatherhood and virginal spousal love for Mary—elevated by special graces of the Holy Spirit—his role in the mystery of the Incarnation as an efficacious instrument of Christ's divinity, and the Holy Family as the "original Church in miniature" (ecclesia domestica.[^2] [^3] [^4] Theologically, it offers profound underpinnings for devotion to St. Joseph, drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas to affirm God's preparation of him for his unique vocation, resolves the tension between active and contemplative life through charity's perfection, and invites the faithful to imitate his virtues for spiritual renewal.[^2] [^3] [^5] [^6]

Highly acclaimed as the most reliable, thorough, and accessible introduction to Thomas Aquinas, this first volume in Jean-Pierre Torrell's set of books on the great Dominican theologian has been revised to include a new appendix. The appendix consists of additions to the text, the catalog of Aquinas's works, and the chronology. Each item in the appendix is called out in the original part of the book with an asterisk in the margin. "This is the introduction to Thomas: presenting all the known facts of his life and work, tracing the themes of his writing out of his juvenilia, and following the influence of his thought in the years immediately after his death."--First Things "The most up-to-date biography available."--Choice Page numbers: 468

Saxum— the Latin word means rock— is the nickname that St. Josemarí a Escrivá , founder of Opus Dei, bestowed on Alvaro del Portillo. Don Alvaro, as he came to be known, was for many years the founder' s closest associate as well as his successor and first Prelate of Opus Dei after it became a personal prelature— a foundational rock for this dynamic international Catholic group devoted to promoting sanctity in ordinary life. Written in anticipation of Bishop del Portillo' s September 2014 beatification— his official recognition by the Church as " blessed" and a stage on the way to his possible canonization as a saint— the book is a fact-filled biography set against the background of historic events like the Spanish Civil War and Vatican Council II. It depicts a person of powerful integrity and conviction who set aside a promising engineering career to follow the vision embodied in Opus Dei. Don Alvaro emerges in these pages as a tower of strength, reliability, and good humor in the face of a host of threats and challenges that might well have defeated a lesser man. John Coverdale, an attorney and historian, is the author of two other books detailing the early days of Opus Dei— Uncommon Faith, about St. Josemarí a and his companions during and shortly after the civil war in Spain, and Putting Down Roots, about Father Joseph Muzquiz, along with Alvaro del Portillo one of Opus Dei' s first priests, who played a key role in introducing it in the United States. Page numbers: 271

In "Simon Peter," G. Chevrot delves into the life and legacy of one of Christianity's most pivotal figures, exploring the complexities of faith, leadership, and human frailty. Through a blend of historical analysis and theological reflection, the book examines Peter's transformation from a simple fisherman to a foundational leader of the early Church, emphasizing themes of redemption, grace, and the enduring struggle of belief. Chevrot's work not only sheds light on Peter's significant role in the New Testament but also invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the universal challenges of faith. This insightful exploration serves as both a biographical account and a spiritual guide, highlighting the importance of Peter's story in contemporary Christian thought.

St. Teresa of Avila's teachings

G.K. Chesterton's work on St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Peter the Apostle by Walsh, W.T.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Torrell, J.-P.

"Story of a Soul" is the spiritual autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a beloved French saint known for her profound simplicity and deep faith. In this inspiring work, Thérèse shares her journey of spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of love, humility, and the "little way" of trusting in God's grace. Through her reflections on her life in a Carmelite convent, she conveys the transformative power of childlike faith and the significance of embracing one's own smallness in the pursuit of holiness. This timeless classic has resonated with countless readers, offering profound insights into the nature of love and the path to God, and it continues to inspire many on their own spiritual journeys.

The Curé of Ars by Trochu, F.

The Foundations (Libro de las Fundaciones), written by St. Teresa of Ávila between 1573 and 1582, chronicles her efforts as foundress of reformed Carmelite monasteries, detailing the establishment of seventeen convents and the challenges faced in promoting a stricter observance of the Carmelite rule. The book emphasizes the daily life of these nascent religious communities, weaving together narratives of trials, miracles, and spiritual growth to edify and encourage her nuns. Theologically, it underscores God's providential action in the reform movement, portraying the foundations not merely as human endeavors but as divine works that advance contemplative life in service to the Church, blending practical history with profound insights into humility, obedience, and mystical union.

Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage by Wegemer, G.

St. Josemaría Escrivá's teachings on virtues

The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Ávila is a practical spiritual manual addressed to her Carmelite nuns, guiding souls toward Christian perfection through disciplined prayer, detachment from worldly vanities, and the cultivation of virtues like humility, love, and holy fear of God. It delves into mental and vocal prayer—especially a meditative commentary on the Our Father—emphasizing perseverance amid temptations, trials, and spiritual warfare, where souls embrace conflicts as opportunities for growth rather than fleeing them. Theologically, it distinguishes contemplative perfection from mere mental prayer, underscoring humility's power to unite the soul with God and the necessity of divine aid against subtle demonic deceptions, establishing it as a foundational Carmelite text on the interior life. [^16 wait no, id11 is ch16] [^3 footnotes ref Way]