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Chapter 1: What historical context is essential to understand about Spain in 1936?
Spain, 1936. A country on the brink of civil war. As sectarianism rips Spain apart, no one can escape its murderous grip. But in the midst of bitter partisanship, hatred, and mistrust, one young priest holds hope for unity and proposes a different way. This is the story of José María Escriva.
The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. Jose Maria Escriva. Episode one, Dreams Fall Short. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
Oye, chicos, here's one of those priests, all dressed up in his black cossack. It's a cockroach.
What courage, my friend, to pick a fight with someone walking past on the street. Hey, don't pay attention to him.
You gotta understand, he hates priests.
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Chapter 2: How does Josemaria Escriva propose hope and unity amidst civil unrest?
And that's a satisfactory explanation? Look at me. I'm coated in plaster and grime. I'm a respectable worker here. And you, you cockroach, you'd better be careful of that shiny black cassock. Oh? Yeah. Watch out. Hey, don't dump the plaster on him. It's a waste. Come on, my friend. Give me a hug and have done. What? He's really not a hugger.
Got me. There. Now I've got plaster all over my cossack. Happy?
Happy now. That cockroach is crazy. Nice one, father.
Come in. Buenos dias, Bishop Schuster. Father Escriva, it's good to see you. Were you baking? You've got flour all over your gossack. I made friends with a bricklayer on the way over. Sit down, sit down. How is the work this Opus Dei you've started? People are getting it. Slowly, but surely. And the center you've set up? What are you doing there? I teach some classes in law.
Putting your degree to good use, I see.
That's right. Other students come for Alvaro to tutor them in engineering. We have daily mass in our chapel and monthly recollections for members of the work. How many official members do you have? Twelve. They follow the plan of life, everyday prayer norms, go to daily mass, and meet with me for spiritual direction. Have you had any political trouble? No.
We may differ on political issues, but that's no reason why we can't walk arm in arm down the street.
Are you, say, actively recruiting the students to come to your center to join Opus Dei? No.
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Chapter 3: What challenges does Josemaria face as a young priest during this turbulent time?
Are they not eligible to join?
They are, but we don't recruit. We invite them to the center, and if they ask questions about Opus Dei, I happily supply the answers. Who do you envision joining Opus Dei? Anyone who'd like to. Juan Vargas is a medical student. Isidoro Zorzano is an industrial engineer. And Alvaro del Portillo, a civil engineer. Anyone can become a saint.
This is why they call you a heretic, Jose Maria.
I mean it. The cleaning lady, the engineer, the student, the bricklayer. Anyone can unite their work to Christ's sacrifice on the cross and follow their individual call to holiness through it. Go on.
Opus Dei is like a coach helping people find God in their ordinary life, giving advice, offering them a path they can follow if they want to holiness in their personal life, family life, and their work. Work like Catholic action? No, we don't do explicitly Catholic work as such.
Hmm.
And how exactly do you coach your members to be saints?
It's very simple. Do your work well. Sanctify yourself by living the virtues as you do your work. Sanctify others through your work as you interact with them. Be an active part of the church.
You call it simple, but some call it a revolution. A scheme to pull young vocations away from the priesthood and the religious life. I know. Already there are rumors about the so-called apostolic sect of Opus Dei. No one knows what to make of a priest involved in something that is not officially Catholic. Why don't you seek ecclesiastical approval?
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Chapter 4: What role does Opus Dei play in the lives of its members?
Josie Maria's boys eat everything. Buenas noches, Mama! Carmen! How was school, Santiago? Good. No homework tonight. Dinner is on the table. Gracias, Mama. Señora Escriva, it smells delicious.
I'm glad. It's so good to see you, Isidoro. Sit down, sit down, before it's cold. Alvaro, bring the water pitcher for me.
Got it. I'm starving. Are they not feeding you anymore?
Well, I had lunch, but that was a long time ago. Isidoro, sit down. Santi, come here and tell me about your day. What have you been up to?
You won't believe what happened. May I be excused? Si. Thank you for dinner, Mama. The electric company called again.
Twenty-five pesetas we don't have.
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Chapter 5: How does Josemaria Escriva address political tensions affecting his mission?
This center is too costly to maintain.
Carmen is right. I made some plans for how to renovate the bedrooms. But sadly, I'm a civil engineer, not a miracle worker. So, it'll cost more money. More money we don't have.
And if we can't furnish those rooms and take in student boarders, we can't afford to keep going.
You see, Jose Maria, listen to your mother. To keep going would be like jumping out of a plane without a parachute and expecting God to come to the rescue.
I've entrusted it all to St. Joseph. He will take care of us.
We are running out of time.
Don't be discouraged, Carmen.
But why the haste? Why do we have to build this center in Milan before this one is properly running? Haste?
It's not haste. It's Jesus pushing. Juan? Calvo Sotelo was assassinated.
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Chapter 6: What is the significance of the church's persecution during the civil war?
What? When? How? God rest his soul.
There's a nationalist uprising? Civil war has started in Morocco? We have to go. Isidoro? He's right. Government security forces are in the street. This will be one of the first places they come to hunt for priests and the religious fanatics they hate. We are not well loved by the Nationalists or the Republicans. Come home with us, Jose Maria. The streets are getting ugly.
Everyone go home. I will take the Blessed Sacrament out of the chapel and bring it to your house, Mama.
You should put on a disguise, Father. You're in danger. I will not take off my collar. Jose Maria, there are soldiers in front of the building. Something's wrong. We have to get out of here.
They're only waiting for an excuse to ransack the center. Come on, let's go.
Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from The Merry Beggars. Tune in to Episode 2, Seeking Asylum, to hear the next installment of Jose Maria Escriva. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
The Merry Beggars is the entertainment division of Relevant Radio.
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