Description
IN SEVILLE AND FROM SEVILLE
Book Summary
This work offers a documented and detailed account of the beginnings of Opus Dei in Seville and its expansion throughout Western Andalusia during the 1940s. The reader will discover how, starting from the Andalusian capital, the apostolic work extended to cities such as Cordoba and Cadiz, and how the first members of this institution took their experience to other countries in Europe and Latin America. A rigorous historical testimony that illuminates the origins of one of the most significant ecclesial realities of the 20th century.
What is it about?
The book chronicles the arrival of Opus Dei in Seville in 1942, just fourteen years after its foundation by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. From that moment on, the city became a hub from which the institution’s expansion throughout Western Andalusia was driven, reaching localities such as Cordoba and Cadiz within the same decade. The work also addresses how, except for the case of Ronda, Seville did not participate directly in the beginnings of Opus Dei in Eastern Andalusia, where Granada initiated its own development in parallel. An especially relevant aspect is the tracking of the trajectories of those who were part of these first groups: many of them later moved to different countries in Europe and Latin America to collaborate in the first steps of Opus Dei in those nations, which gives the work an international dimension and a unique testimonial value.
Main Topics
- History of Opus Dei in Seville and its initial area of influence.
- Expansion of the foundational charism of Saint Josemaría Escrivá throughout Western Andalusia.
- International projection of the first members of Opus Dei from Seville.
- Processes of implementation and development of ecclesial institutions in local contexts.
- Testimonies and historical accounts of the protagonists of the expansion.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the contemporary history of the Catholic Church, especially in the development of Opus Dei in Spain. It will also be of great value to researchers, historians, and scholars of 20th-century ecclesial movements, as well as to those who wish to know in depth the origins and expansion of this institution in Andalusia and its subsequent international projection.
What this book provides
- A detailed and documented analysis of the early years of Opus Dei in Seville and its surroundings.
- The connection between local Sevillian history and the global expansion of Opus Dei.
- Testimonies and biographical data of the people who led that initial work.
- A rigorous historical perspective that contextualizes the growth of the institution in a key decade.
- Reference material for understanding the dynamics of establishing ecclesial realities in new cities.
Technical Sheet
- Author: HERRERA DAVILA, JOAQUIN
- Publisher: EDICIONES RIALP S.A.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: TRUE STORIES
- Collection: BOOKS ABOUT OPUS DEI
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: November 2023
- Number of pages: 492
- Weight: 796 g
Editorial Review
This is an essential reference work for those who wish to delve into the history of Opus Dei from a local perspective with an international reach. Its rigorous approach and attention to biographical and chronological detail make it a reliable source for researchers and an enriching read for the general public interested in contemporary ecclesial history. The work manages to combine historical rigor with narrative accessibility, offering a complete vision of a foundational period.