Description
Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer at the Real Patronato de Santa Isabel in Madrid
Book Summary
This rigorously documented monograph reconstructs a fundamental period in the life of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer: his years as chaplain and later rector of the Real Patronato de Santa Isabel in Madrid. The work offers a detailed vision of his pastoral and administrative work at this institution, shedding light on a key period in the formation of his priestly spirit and his subsequent founding of Opus Dei. An essential study for understanding the figure of the saint in his historical and ecclesial context.
What is it about?
The book focuses on the work of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer at the Real Patronato de Santa Isabel in Madrid, an institution dedicated to the education and protection of girls and young women. Beatriz Comella Gutiérrez, drawing on extensive historical documentation, provides an in-depth analysis of the period spanning from his appointment as chaplain to his time as rector of the center. The research details his daily life, his pastoral responsibilities, his relationship with the religious sisters, the students, and the authorities of the Patronato, as well as the challenges and achievements of his tenure. This study allows us to understand how this experience forged his character and his vision of educational and apostolic work, laying the foundations for what would later become the spirit of Opus Dei. The work reveals a lesser-known aspect of his biography, offering a faithful portrait of his priestly dedication within a specific social and religious context in Spain during the first half of the 20th century.
Main Topics
- Biography of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer during his time in Madrid.
- History of the Real Patronato de Santa Isabel as an educational and charitable institution.
- Pastoral and administrative work of a priest in the context of post-war Spain.
- Analysis of primary documentary sources for historical reconstruction.
- The foundations of the Opus Dei spirit in daily priestly practice.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at historians, researchers, and scholars of contemporary Church history, as well as all those interested in the figure of Saint Josemaría Escrivá and the origins of Opus Dei. It will also be of great value to readers seeking a rigorous and documented approach to a specific period of the saint's biography, far removed from simplistic hagiographies. It is, therefore, essential reading for anyone wishing to delve into the historical and personal context that surrounded his priestly life.
What this book contributes
- An exhaustive and original study on a little-known stage of Saint Josemaría Escrivá's life.
- Access to original historical documentation that supports the research and provides academic rigor.
- Understanding of the social, religious, and institutional context in which the founder of Opus Dei carried out his pastoral work.
- A perspective that connects the practical experience of the priesthood with the subsequent foundation and spirituality of Opus Dei.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Comella Gutiérrez, Beatriz
- Publisher: Ediciones Rialp, S.A.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: BIOGRAPHY: RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL
- Collection: MONOGRAFIAS DEL INSTITUTO HISTORICO JOSE
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: Not available
- Number of pages: 408
- Dimensions: Not available
- Weight: 580 g
Editorial Review
This is a reference work for the biographical study of Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Its primary value lies in its documentary rigor and monographic approach, which allow the reader to access a crucial period of his life with an unprecedented level of detail. The author succeeds in balancing historical erudition with a clear narrative, making in-depth research accessible. It is, without a doubt, a significant contribution to the knowledge of the saint and his time, recommended for anyone interested in the history of the 20th-century Church.