The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)

The Reverend Father Julio Dieguez, the Regional Vicar of the Opus Dei for the Philippines and Indonesia, brother priests and assisting deacons; men and women religious, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are gathered here today in this splendid Manila Cathedral to celebrate the life and teachings of our beloved saint, St. Josemaria Escriva. The Gospel passage we just heard from Luke 5:1-11 shows us a beautiful parallel between the calling of the first disciples by Jesus and the mission of St. Josemaria.

In the Gospel, we see Simon Peter, James, and John, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing. They were tired, disappointed, and perhaps felt hopeless. But then Jesus came to them and said, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And when they obeyed His words, they witnessed a miraculous abundance of fish.

St. Josemaria was also a man who ventured into the deep waters of the apostolate. He realized that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary work can be sanctified. He founded Opus Dei to help men and women in all walks of life discover that their daily activities can be a way of meeting God. St. Josemaria had a deep desire to bring souls to Christ, to awaken in them a thirst for holiness, and to show them that their work, their family life, and their relationships could become occasions to love and serve God.

My dear friends, the parallels between St. Josemaria’s mission and the call of the first disciples are remarkable. Just as Jesus invited the fishermen to cast their nets into the deep, St. Josemaria urged us to dive into the depths of our lives, to transform our daily routines into moments of encounter with God. Like the disciples, we too may have faced moments of weariness, discouragement, or emptiness. But through the intercession of St. Josemaria, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s command to cast our nets again.

St. Josemaria’s life was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. He overcame many challenges and obstacles in his mission, but he never gave up. He understood that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s grace is always enough. St. Josemaria’s perseverance and trust in God’s plan inspire us to keep going in our own spiritual journey, to stay faithful in the pursuit of holiness, and to trust that God’s love and mercy will support us.

Just as the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, St. Josemaria calls us to a radical commitment to Christ. He invites us to give our whole selves to God, to make our lives a living sacrifice, and to embrace the joy of self-giving love. St. Josemaria showed us that the way to holiness is not reserved for a few but is open to every baptized person. He taught us that we can sanctify our daily work, our relationships, and our aspirations, making them all means for serving God and others.

My dear brothers and sisters, as members of Opus Dei, you are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world. Just as St. Josemaria’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel, you too are called to share the joy of the Gospel in your own lives. Through your work, your relationships, and your daily encounters, you have the chance to bring Christ’s light and love to those around you.

On this day, as we honor St. Josemaria Escriva, let us renew our commitment to his teachings and his mission. Let us deepen our understanding of the universal call to holiness and embrace the transforming power of sanctifying our daily lives. May we, like the first disciples, respond generously to Christ’s invitation to cast our nets again and again, trusting in His abundant grace.

May St. Josemaria intercede for us and guide us on this journey of holiness. And may the Holy Spirit empower us and fill our hearts with the zeal to bring Christ to the world. Amen. (Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)