Celebrating the Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva

On June 22nd, 2024, the Anniversary Mass of St. Josemaria was attended by many lay faithful and friends of Opus Dei at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Raleigh, NC. Fr. Andrew Ogacho Okeyo presided, and in his homily, he emphasized St. Josemaria’s role as the Patron Saint of the ordinary. 

“The universal call to holiness is as simple as breathing and available to everyone regardless of their status in life.” He added, “Our holiness is manifested in our work, in our family and where we are in life.”

In the spirit of St. Josemaria, let’s remember, “There is just one life, made of flesh and spirit. And it is this life which has to become, in both soul and body, holy and filled with God.” 

The Feast Day Mass for St. Josemaria Escriva was a beautiful time to remember the life and work of this “Saint of the Ordinary,” to ask for his intercession for our many intentions, and to thank God for the gift of Opus Dei in our lives and communities.

Following the Mass, families gathered for a light reception in the church hall to socialize and strengthen bonds, both old and new.

On June 22, 2024,  Prince of Peace Church in Greenville, SC hosted the Annual St Josemaría Feast Day Mass organized by the friends of St. Josemaria.

There were over 150 people in attendance and the Mass was celebrated by Fr. Tomlinson. During his homily, he noted, "Today is also the Feast Day of St Thomas More. St. Josemaria had a great devotion to this saint for 'all seasons' making him one of the intercessors of Opus Dei. More’s life was a rare example of a true lay-vocation, a kind of ‘proto"‘ Opus Dei member.”

Following the Mass was the veneration of a relic of St. Josemaria and also a light reception in the Parish Activity Center.