There is more compelling scientific evidence for God, life after death, a transphysical soul, Jesus, the Church, the Eucharist, and Mary than ever before. Here are a few...
On What it Means to Sanctify Our Work
If you’ve tried living your faith in your personal and professional life, you’ve likely been met with resistance. When we try to intentionally integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives, unique challenges arise. Though this should come as no surprise to us (
see John 15: 18-19 if you need a refresher!), the reality can still be discouraging. But as members of Legatus, we’ve committed to the bold mission of living our faith, whether it’s convenient or inconvenient (2 Timothy 4:2).
This could look like hanging a sacred icon or holy image in your office, wearing a crucifix or Miraculous Medal around your neck, or creating authentically Catholic policies that uphold the sanctity of life and follow God’s commands. These are all worthy (and necessary!) ways to live our faith at work, but do not neglect perhaps an even more fundamental aspect of this: sanctifying our daily duties. Holy Scripture and the lives of the saints are full of examples of what this looks like, but if you’re on a quest to transform even the most mundane task, consider befriending St. Josemaría Escrivá.
A Spanish priest and the founder of Opus Dei (Latin for “Work of God”), Josemaría’s mission was to illuminate the way to heaven by means of sanctifying our work. That is, making it all holy. But what does this look like in real life? How can we, busy executives, sanctify our professional lives? St. Josemaría Escrivá has some ideas for us.
ALegatus members, we must be committed to daily prayer, that is, personal conversation with God. This can take on many forms, but it should always include an offering first thing in the morning. When you begin your day, offer your first fruits to God, declaring that this day is holy and entirely for Him. By this simple, quick gesture, we immediately transform the fibers of our day. We invite the Lord to infuse every task, encounter, and experience into an opportunity to love and serve Him.
You can do this in your own words, or borrow from the scriptures and the saints. This short “Morning Offering" is well-known and loved, and is a great one to memorize.
Running a tight ship isn’t just for Type-A personalities. While of course this can take on slightly different forms depending on your personal schedule and specific demands of the day, Josemaría suggests that developing discipline in your daily life is a virtue. If you feel you don’t have time for silent prayer, a morning Mass, or investing in your family and community, reevaluate how your days are ordered and ask St. Josemaría Escrivá to accompany you.
It can feel natural, dare I say necessary, to hurry through mundane tasks. But St. Josemaría provides an entirely different way, positing that what we consider dry and drab is where the Lord reveals the divine. Dr. Scott Hahn, in his book about his personal experience as a member of Opus Dei writes, “The little things we do are the building blocks of the big things God has planned, in our lives, in history, and in the spinning out of the cosmos. Indeed, little things matter so much to us because they matter so much to God.” (Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei)
Together as members of Legatus, let us commit to these actions inspired by Josemaría, trusting that where we meet resistance is precisely where grace is poured out.
“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 15:58
This could look like hanging a sacred icon or holy image in your office, wearing a crucifix or Miraculous Medal around your neck, or creating authentically Catholic policies that uphold the sanctity of life and follow God’s commands. These are all worthy (and necessary!) ways to live our faith at work, but do not neglect perhaps an even more fundamental aspect of this: sanctifying our daily duties. Holy Scripture and the lives of the saints are full of examples of what this looks like, but if you’re on a quest to transform even the most mundane task, consider befriending St. Josemaría Escrivá.
A Spanish priest and the founder of Opus Dei (Latin for “Work of God”), Josemaría’s mission was to illuminate the way to heaven by means of sanctifying our work. That is, making it all holy. But what does this look like in real life? How can we, busy executives, sanctify our professional lives? St. Josemaría Escrivá has some ideas for us.
Always start your day with an offering.
“Add a supernatural motive to your ordinary professional work, and you will have sanctified it.” (St. Josemaría Escrivá, The Way, No. 359).ALegatus members, we must be committed to daily prayer, that is, personal conversation with God. This can take on many forms, but it should always include an offering first thing in the morning. When you begin your day, offer your first fruits to God, declaring that this day is holy and entirely for Him. By this simple, quick gesture, we immediately transform the fibers of our day. We invite the Lord to infuse every task, encounter, and experience into an opportunity to love and serve Him.
You can do this in your own words, or borrow from the scriptures and the saints. This short “Morning Offering" is well-known and loved, and is a great one to memorize.
Keep your days well-ordered.
“When you bring order into your life your time will multiply, and then you will be able to give God more glory by working more in his service.” (St. Josemaría Escrivá, The Way, No. 80)Running a tight ship isn’t just for Type-A personalities. While of course this can take on slightly different forms depending on your personal schedule and specific demands of the day, Josemaría suggests that developing discipline in your daily life is a virtue. If you feel you don’t have time for silent prayer, a morning Mass, or investing in your family and community, reevaluate how your days are ordered and ask St. Josemaría Escrivá to accompany you.
Be attentive to the present moment—including the small details.
“Persevere in the exact fulfillment of the obligations of the moment. That work — humble, monotonous, small — is prayer expressed in action that prepares you to receive the grace of the other work — great and wide and deep — of which you dream.” (St. Josemaría Escrivá, The Way, No. 825)It can feel natural, dare I say necessary, to hurry through mundane tasks. But St. Josemaría provides an entirely different way, positing that what we consider dry and drab is where the Lord reveals the divine. Dr. Scott Hahn, in his book about his personal experience as a member of Opus Dei writes, “The little things we do are the building blocks of the big things God has planned, in our lives, in history, and in the spinning out of the cosmos. Indeed, little things matter so much to us because they matter so much to God.” (Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei)
Together as members of Legatus, let us commit to these actions inspired by Josemaría, trusting that where we meet resistance is precisely where grace is poured out.
“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 15:58
