A Tribute to St. Josemaria Escriva on the 50th Anniversary of His Entrance into Eternal Life

Fr. Scott A. Haynes

June 26, 2025, is the 50th anniversary of the death of St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. He was a man whose sanctity, teachings, and deep love for God have inspired generations of the faithful. He spent his life working tirelessly to save souls and was totally dedicated to making everyday life holy. As we commemorate the golden jubilee of his entrance into eternity, we honor a saint who taught the world that holiness is not reserved for cloisters or rectories, but is accessible to all—especially through fidelity in the small things and through constancy in prayer, particularly the Holy Rosary.

Among his many powerful maxims, one stands out as both simple and profound:

"Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Marys which purifies the monotony of your sins!"[1]

This quote is a great example of St. Josemaria's genius—his ability to bring together the deepest ideas of mystical theology with the everyday realities of life. In a few words, he talks about how prayer can purify, the importance of repetition, and the mystery of divine grace that's released through simple acts of devotion.

The Rosary: A Prayer for Ordinary People

St. Josemaria had a deep Marian devotion, and the Rosary was a pillar of his spiritual life. He taught that the Rosary is not a peripheral devotion but a powerful tool for sanctification. It is not reserved for the elderly or unlearned, as modern minds might presume, but is a spiritual weapon for all—students, laborers, professionals, mothers, and priests.

He recognized that many people live in what he called the “monotony” of life—daily commutes, repetitive work, dishes, laundry, meetings. But he also saw that grace could penetrate these ordinary circumstances. The Rosary, with its repetitive and rhythmic sequence of prayers, becomes a sanctified echo in the midst of our daily busyness, a melody of love directed to our Blessed Mother.

St. Josemaria wrote:

“Love our Lady. And she will obtain abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle.”[2]

The Rosary purifies that monotony of life—not by changing it outwardly but by infusing it with divine meaning. As the faithful recite the Hail Mary over and over, it becomes an offering of the heart, a humbling of pride, a turning again and again to Mary, the Mother of Mercy.

Monotony and the Path to Sanctity

In our modern age, monotony is often associated with boredom or lack of meaning. But St. Josemaria saw something redemptive in repetition. He likens the repetition of the Hail Mary to the repetition of sin—not to highlight despair but to draw attention to the remedy.

Repetition is the soul of habit, and habit forms character. If sin ingrains a habit of selfishness, the Rosary ingrains a habit of love, humility, and hope. Each Hail Mary is like a drop of water smoothing the stone of the soul. Over time, the soul is reshaped into the image of Christ.

“You always leave the Rosary for later, and you end up not saying it at all because you are sleepy. If there is no other time, say it in the street without letting anybody notice it. It will help you to have presence of God.”[3]

Here St. Josemaria teaches that even if we are tired or distracted, the Rosary remains efficacious. It is not a performance but a turning of the heart to God through Mary. In its "monotony," it mirrors the stability of God's grace.

 

Biblical Foundations

The angelic salutation—“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28)—and Elizabeth’s inspired praise—“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42)—form the Scriptural foundation of the Rosary. Indeed, the prayer of the Rosary is a meditation on the mysteries of Christ, seen through the eyes of His Blessed Mother.

In the book of Revelation, we read of the Woman “clothed with the sun” (Rev 12:1), a reminder of Mary’s role in salvation history. The Rosary invites us into this mystery, decade by decade, as we follow the joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous paths of Christ's life and Mary’s participation in it.

St. Josemaria understood that praying the Rosary is a way of walking with Mary through the life of Jesus. It is a school of love and virtue.

 

The Way of the Soul

In The Way, St. Josemaria often returns to themes of purification, trial, and transformation. He likens the soul to metal shaped by fire and hammer. The Rosary is one such hammer—gentle yet persistent.

“You are full of weaknesses. Every day you see them more clearly. But don’t let them frighten you.”[4]

Despite our human imperfections, the Lord still calls us to work in His vineyard. If we say the Holy Rosary each day, Mary will bring us closer to Christ. She will always point the way to Him and remind us of His love.

Here is the brilliance of St. Josemaria’s insight: he does not view the Rosary merely as a devotional practice but as a spiritual exercise that forms saints. Each repetition is a step we take towards spiritual maturity, each mystery a scene of interior conversion.

For those who feel defeated by their faults, the Rosary is a remedy. Its grace does not come from emotional fervor or intellectual understanding but from fidelity. The one who perseveres in saying the Rosary—especially when it feels dry—is truly progressing in the spiritual life.

Mary, the Mother of Our Sanctification

St. Josemaria’s love for Mary was not sentimental but deeply theological. He saw Mary as the surest path to union with Christ. Through her intercession, we are purified and prepared for holiness.

“Go to Mary with the tender devotion of a son, and She will obtain for you the loyalty and self-denial that you desire.”[5]

Mary does not detract from Christ; she magnifies Him. In praying the Rosary, we follow her lead. We imitate her pondering heart (cf. Luke 2:19), and we ask her to form Christ in us just as she bore Him in her womb.

In Christ is Passing By, St. Josemaria point out:

“Devotion to our Lady is not something soft and sentimental.”[6]

Rather, true devotion fills the soul with strength and opens the way to self-sacrifice. Thus, the Rosary is not escapism but engagement. It is a school of virtue, a weapon of spiritual warfare, and a source of peace.

Devotion in the Midst of the World

One of the central teachings of St. Josemaria is that everyone is called to holiness in and through the ordinary circumstances of life. The Rosary is a practical application of this spirituality. It is a prayer that can be said in traffic, during a break, in the silence of dawn or the exhaustion of night.

Each bead can be an offering. Each mystery can be linked to one’s work, sufferings, family life. In this way, the Rosary unites heaven and earth, time and eternity.

A Model for the Laity

St. Josemaria Escriva is a saint for the modern world. His emphasis on lay sanctity and the power of ordinary duties to sanctify us makes him especially relevant today. The Rosary, so accessible and adaptable, is an ideal devotion for those immersed in the secular world.

“We go to Jesus — and we 'return' to him — through Mary.”[7]

This path—simple, hidden, and sure—is open to all. From homemakers to CEOs, from students to retirees, all are called to sainthood. And Mary is the sure guide. The Rosary is her gift to us, and through it, she leads us to Christ.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Love

Fifty years after his passing, St. Josemaria Escriva remains a radiant light in the Church. His writings continue to guide countless souls toward holiness. At the heart of his teaching is a profound love for Christ and His Mother—a love expressed beautifully through the daily Rosary.

In a world marked by distraction, chaos, and spiritual apathy, St. Josemaria’s call rings out with clarity:

"Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Marys which purifies the monotony of your sins!"[8]

Let us heed this counsel. Let us take up our beads with humility and trust, knowing that each Hail Mary is a step toward Heaven. Through the Rosary, our sins are purified, our hearts are conformed to Christ, and our lives—no matter how ordinary—are made extraordinary in grace.

St. Josemaria Escriva, pray for us!

[1] The Furrow, 475.

[2] The Way, 493.

[3] The Furrow, 478.

[4] The Way, 884.

[5] The Way of the Cross, Thirteenth Station, 4.

[6] Christ is Passing By, 143.

[7] The Way, 495.

[8] The Furrow, 475.