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El último romántico. San Josemaría en el siglo XXI
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- GenresCatholic
167 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 24, 2018
Some books you read leave an immediate impact upon your life. I find that is true with all the books by or about Saint Josemaria Escriva that I have read. I have been reading books about this man since I started researching him for a university paper about 20 years ago now. I eagerly anticipate new title as they become available in English. And this book did not disappoint. The description of this book is:
"I love the freedom of others," said St. Josemaria, "yours, that of the person passing by right now on the street, because if I didn't love it, I couldn't defend mine. But that's not the main reason. The main reason is this: that Christ died on the Cross to give us freedom, so that we could live in the freedom and glory of the children of God."
St. Josemaría Escrivá referred to himself as the "last of the Romantics," and under this title Mariano Fazio portrays the founder of Opus Dei as a passionate defender of freedom. As he does so, Fazio offers an orderly, clear, and attractive presentation of many of St. Josemaría's key teachings. These teachings will challenge his readers and hopefully awaken in them the same love of freedom that St. Josemaría bore in his heart. "Don't let me be 'the last of the romantics,'" he would say. "This is Christian romanticism: to love the freedom of others, with love and affection."
And this book is being released on the 90th anniversary of St. Josemaria receiving the vision of what would become the Work. Fernando Ocariz the Prelate of Opus Dei in the forward to this book states:
"With the nostalgic words, the "last of the romantics," St. Josemaría wanted above all to challenge his listeners, to awaken in them this same love of freedom that he bore in his heart. "Don't let me be 'the last of the romantics.' This is Christian romanticism: to love the freedom of others, with affection."
With this as the key to our reading, we approach in these pages several aspects of the view of the gospel that God inspired in St. Josemaría: the joy of being children of God, work as a locus of holiness, the positive character of secularity, the importance of family life and of love, the value of pluralism, the social repercussions of the life of each Christian. The author has undertaken this task with an eye to synthesis and accessibility, which ensures a thought-provoking and pleasant reading experience. This book, moreover, takes on a special relevance as we approach the ninetieth anniversary of the moment when God opened St. Josemaría's eyes to this panorama of holiness in the middle of the world."
This book is by no means a large volume. Though there are many large volumes about Escriva, in fact two different books that span three volumes. But this one focuses on a specific passion, and challenge to us. The author in the introduction himself states:
"The book you hold in your hands is not a biography: many fine ones have already been written. Nor is it a theological study-these, thanks be to God, are already abundant as well. Nor is it a simple collection of texts. Rather, it's an orderly presentation of some of the consequences of the light received by St. Josemaría ninety years ago, which remain relevant today. Obviously, the order and themes selected will follow a personal vision. The message is a rich one, allowing for various emphases. Here we are in the realm of opinion, where, as St. Josemaría would say, freedom ought to reign."
He then goes on to outline what the book will cover. He states:
"In Part One, we will stop to consider the intervention of grace in his soul on that second day of October-the call to sanctification and apostolate in ordinary life-and the means he used to spread this teaching throughout the world. In Part Two, we'll endeavor to outline some distinctive features of the spiritual life of Opus Dei's founder, following a threefold outline. In Part Three, we will analyze the "places" where we are called to sanctify ourselves: the Church and the world. The next three chapters-which make up Part Four-will address the great theme of freedom as a necessary condition for living out our vocation to holiness. Finally, in Part Five, we will dedicate a few pages to the three basic areas of ordinary life, which we are called to sanctify: work, the family, and civil society."
The exact sections in the book are:
Foreword
Introduction
Part 1: The Divine Pathways of the Earth
1. October 2: Ninety Years Ago
2. The Grace of God, Twenty-Six Years, and Good Humor
Part 2: Contemplatives in the Middle of the World
3. The Centrality of Christ
4. Children of the Merciful Father
5. Docile to the Holy Spirit
Part 3: In the Church and in the World
6. Love for the Church
7. Passionately Loving the World
8. Like the Early Christians
Part 4: Freedom: A Gift from God
9. The Freedom of the Children of God
10. Freedom of Consciences
11. There are no Dogmas in Temporal Matters
Part 5: At All the Crossroads of the World
12. Work: Born of Love, Manifestation of Love, Ordered to Love
13. Bright and Cheerful Homes
14. Civic Responsibility
15. Only One Race: The Race of the Children of God
16. Among the Poor and the Sick
17. Friends of God and Men
Conclusion: The World Is Emmaus
Appendix: Holiness as a Human Reality
This book draws extensively from the writings of St. Josemaria, how could it not. In fact the vast majority of the conclusion is an extended excerpt from Friends of God 313-314. So some would ask why read this book. And I would say because it is the connections between his writings and talk spanning time that make this book so worthwhile. If Escriva's writings are the meat of the meal, then words of Fazio are the vegetables and gravy that turn it into a magnificent stew. The writing is wonderful in this book. It illuminates passages I was already familiar with and shed new light upon them, their meaning and how to live them out in my own life.
There are books that I reread every year. Some I read for a few years and they end up falling off the list. Some like Escriva's own; The Way, Furrow, and The Forge have been read and reread many times. This book will be joining that list. And as such I challenge you to give it a read, you will never be the same.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by or about Saint Josemaria Escriva.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
"I love the freedom of others," said St. Josemaria, "yours, that of the person passing by right now on the street, because if I didn't love it, I couldn't defend mine. But that's not the main reason. The main reason is this: that Christ died on the Cross to give us freedom, so that we could live in the freedom and glory of the children of God."
St. Josemaría Escrivá referred to himself as the "last of the Romantics," and under this title Mariano Fazio portrays the founder of Opus Dei as a passionate defender of freedom. As he does so, Fazio offers an orderly, clear, and attractive presentation of many of St. Josemaría's key teachings. These teachings will challenge his readers and hopefully awaken in them the same love of freedom that St. Josemaría bore in his heart. "Don't let me be 'the last of the romantics,'" he would say. "This is Christian romanticism: to love the freedom of others, with love and affection."
And this book is being released on the 90th anniversary of St. Josemaria receiving the vision of what would become the Work. Fernando Ocariz the Prelate of Opus Dei in the forward to this book states:
"With the nostalgic words, the "last of the romantics," St. Josemaría wanted above all to challenge his listeners, to awaken in them this same love of freedom that he bore in his heart. "Don't let me be 'the last of the romantics.' This is Christian romanticism: to love the freedom of others, with affection."
With this as the key to our reading, we approach in these pages several aspects of the view of the gospel that God inspired in St. Josemaría: the joy of being children of God, work as a locus of holiness, the positive character of secularity, the importance of family life and of love, the value of pluralism, the social repercussions of the life of each Christian. The author has undertaken this task with an eye to synthesis and accessibility, which ensures a thought-provoking and pleasant reading experience. This book, moreover, takes on a special relevance as we approach the ninetieth anniversary of the moment when God opened St. Josemaría's eyes to this panorama of holiness in the middle of the world."
This book is by no means a large volume. Though there are many large volumes about Escriva, in fact two different books that span three volumes. But this one focuses on a specific passion, and challenge to us. The author in the introduction himself states:
"The book you hold in your hands is not a biography: many fine ones have already been written. Nor is it a theological study-these, thanks be to God, are already abundant as well. Nor is it a simple collection of texts. Rather, it's an orderly presentation of some of the consequences of the light received by St. Josemaría ninety years ago, which remain relevant today. Obviously, the order and themes selected will follow a personal vision. The message is a rich one, allowing for various emphases. Here we are in the realm of opinion, where, as St. Josemaría would say, freedom ought to reign."
He then goes on to outline what the book will cover. He states:
"In Part One, we will stop to consider the intervention of grace in his soul on that second day of October-the call to sanctification and apostolate in ordinary life-and the means he used to spread this teaching throughout the world. In Part Two, we'll endeavor to outline some distinctive features of the spiritual life of Opus Dei's founder, following a threefold outline. In Part Three, we will analyze the "places" where we are called to sanctify ourselves: the Church and the world. The next three chapters-which make up Part Four-will address the great theme of freedom as a necessary condition for living out our vocation to holiness. Finally, in Part Five, we will dedicate a few pages to the three basic areas of ordinary life, which we are called to sanctify: work, the family, and civil society."
The exact sections in the book are:
Foreword
Introduction
Part 1: The Divine Pathways of the Earth
1. October 2: Ninety Years Ago
2. The Grace of God, Twenty-Six Years, and Good Humor
Part 2: Contemplatives in the Middle of the World
3. The Centrality of Christ
4. Children of the Merciful Father
5. Docile to the Holy Spirit
Part 3: In the Church and in the World
6. Love for the Church
7. Passionately Loving the World
8. Like the Early Christians
Part 4: Freedom: A Gift from God
9. The Freedom of the Children of God
10. Freedom of Consciences
11. There are no Dogmas in Temporal Matters
Part 5: At All the Crossroads of the World
12. Work: Born of Love, Manifestation of Love, Ordered to Love
13. Bright and Cheerful Homes
14. Civic Responsibility
15. Only One Race: The Race of the Children of God
16. Among the Poor and the Sick
17. Friends of God and Men
Conclusion: The World Is Emmaus
Appendix: Holiness as a Human Reality
This book draws extensively from the writings of St. Josemaria, how could it not. In fact the vast majority of the conclusion is an extended excerpt from Friends of God 313-314. So some would ask why read this book. And I would say because it is the connections between his writings and talk spanning time that make this book so worthwhile. If Escriva's writings are the meat of the meal, then words of Fazio are the vegetables and gravy that turn it into a magnificent stew. The writing is wonderful in this book. It illuminates passages I was already familiar with and shed new light upon them, their meaning and how to live them out in my own life.
There are books that I reread every year. Some I read for a few years and they end up falling off the list. Some like Escriva's own; The Way, Furrow, and The Forge have been read and reread many times. This book will be joining that list. And as such I challenge you to give it a read, you will never be the same.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by or about Saint Josemaria Escriva.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
July 10, 2019
🙌🏼🙌🏼 diferente... me gusta que cada capítulo termina con alguna idea del un Papa
December 29, 2024
He challenges us to hope.
It's one thing to examine and it's another to live. To live fully in the lens of St. Josemaria is to "turn your back on the shadow of the past self, that 'old man' who is selfish, proud, and conceited" as written in Friends of God (no. 220), and embrace the "new man," who is born from an encounter with the infinite whom the 'old man' has allowed to enter his heart, shape his life, and display to his true self (Christ is Passing By, no. 113).
St. Josemaria reminds us that the dichotomy between the 'old man' and the 'new man' is a continuous process of perseverance and reassures us that we're not alone in it. The 'new man' of St. Josemaria is not an abstraction but instead, is the one who actively imitates Christ and lives their vocation in the manner requisite to their circumstances. In summary, St. Josemaria is a man of the 20th century for the 21st.
It's one thing to examine and it's another to live. To live fully in the lens of St. Josemaria is to "turn your back on the shadow of the past self, that 'old man' who is selfish, proud, and conceited" as written in Friends of God (no. 220), and embrace the "new man," who is born from an encounter with the infinite whom the 'old man' has allowed to enter his heart, shape his life, and display to his true self (Christ is Passing By, no. 113).
St. Josemaria reminds us that the dichotomy between the 'old man' and the 'new man' is a continuous process of perseverance and reassures us that we're not alone in it. The 'new man' of St. Josemaria is not an abstraction but instead, is the one who actively imitates Christ and lives their vocation in the manner requisite to their circumstances. In summary, St. Josemaria is a man of the 20th century for the 21st.
February 12, 2019
A gem of a book for the spiritual life walking hand in hand with St Josemaria Escrivá. Msgr. Fazio’s writing style is flawless, captivating, and, as a result, this is book that must be read over and over again. The appendix, written by the late Navarro Valls, is in itself a small gem on holiness.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I have already gifted it, including to priests.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I have already gifted it, including to priests.
April 7, 2019
El autor describe de forma amena la enseñanza de San Josemaría. Resume muy bien los puntos más importantes de nuestra vida cristiana y como los recibió San Josemaría como don de Dios para su Iglesia y el mundo.
May 7, 2019
Excellent and practical
I love how each chapter is an ideal length for a short daily session of spiritual reading. Each one is a little gem of inspiration for living a Christian life today.
I love how each chapter is an ideal length for a short daily session of spiritual reading. Each one is a little gem of inspiration for living a Christian life today.
June 29, 2019
Brilliant perspective about the teaching of sanctity in ordinary life
January 14, 2021
Fazio has helped me rediscover the teachings of this great Saint and how relevant they are in today's modern age.
November 9, 2022
"Don't let me be 'the last of the romantics'" implored St Josemaria Escriva on 18th May 1974. He jealously defended the freedom of others and wished that we too would do the same. What prophetic words in a world that is increasingly restricting the freedom of others, yet again. This book is divided into five parts: first focusing on the universal call to sanctity and apostolate in ordinary life, second the distinctive features of St Josemaria's spiritual life - the centrality of Christ, divine filiation, docility to the Holy Spirit, third where we sanctify ourselves and others - in the Church and the world, fourth the importance of freedom in living our vocation to holiness and finally the areas we are called to sanctify in ordinary life: work, family and civil society.
What a magnificent book! I learned so much from it. It is written in such a straightforward way that reminded me a lot of Don Fernando Ocariz. Simple words, but enormous depth to them. He quotes quite a few classics as well which made it even more interesting. Just a really enjoyable read, that I spun out as long as I possibly could.
What a magnificent book! I learned so much from it. It is written in such a straightforward way that reminded me a lot of Don Fernando Ocariz. Simple words, but enormous depth to them. He quotes quite a few classics as well which made it even more interesting. Just a really enjoyable read, that I spun out as long as I possibly could.
January 18, 2024
about St Josemaria, and on his thoughts and inspirations on growing closer to God.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews