Saxum—the Latin word means rock—is the nickname that St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, bestowed on Alvaro del Portillo. Don Alvaro, as he came to be known, was for many years the founder’s closest associate as well as his successor and first Prelate of Opus Dei after it became a personal prelature—a foundational rock for this dynamic international Catholic group devoted to promoting sanctity in ordinary life. Written in anticipation of Bishop del Portillo’s September 2014 beatification—his official recognition by the Church as “blessed” and a stage on the way to his possible canonization as a saint—the book is a fact-filled biography set against the background of historic events like the Spanish Civil War and Vatican Council II. It depicts a person of powerful integrity and conviction who set aside a promising engineering career to follow the vision embodied in Opus Dei. Don Alvaro emerges in these pages as a tower of strength, reliability, and good humor in the face of a host of threats and challenges that might well have defeated a lesser man. John Coverdale, an attorney and historian, is the author of two other books detailing the early days of Opus Dei—Uncommon Faith, about St. Josemaría and his companions during and shortly after the civil war in Spain, and Putting Down Roots, about Father Joseph Muzquiz, along with Alvaro del Portillo one of Opus Dei’s first priests, who played a key role in introducing it in the United States.

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, who died in 1994, dedicated his life to Opus Dei in its work of helping ordinary people find holiness in their professional and family life. This book tells the story of a man of the Church.'

Over the years, the Holy Father has said much about the meaning of vocation and how Catholics should respond to God's call, but it has been scattered through dozens of addresses he has given all over the world. Now at last this compact compendium collects the Pope's choicest remarks on God's call and how you should strive to hear and obey Him. He helps you clarify what God is calling you to do, explains how and when God calls, and even helps parents face up to their children's vocations!

This book explores the early years of Opus Dei and shows why St. Josemaría Escrivá so quickly became renowned for his sanctity. Bringing to light details found only in hard-to-find Spanish sources, author John Coverdale highlights St. Josemaría's tireless, courageous efforts to spread the message of lay holiness even amid the terror and uncertainty of the Spanish Civil War. Coverdale explains how St. Josemaría helped others find Jesus Christ through a lay spirituality that anticipated Vatican II by thirty years.

Based on the teachings of St. Josemaría, this series of short meditations gives you simple ways to make that saint's passionate love for God your own.You'll find penetrating Catholic insight on the Christian vocation, interior life, Christian hope, humility, celibacy and chastity, death, and much more -- plus guidance on how to overcome temptation, handle humiliations, and find serenity.Best of all, author Salvatore Canals presents these insights from the perspective of everyday life, so that you can use them to enrich your daily duties and activities.