Father Joseph Muzquiz's Cause Advances

Remarks by Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston at the Closing of the Diocesan Phase of the Process of Canonization for Father Joseph Muzquiz on May 22. With Rome Reports video summary.

From remarks by Cardinal O’Malley at the closing of the diocesan phase of the process of Canonization for Father Joseph Muzquiz on May 22, 2014:

We are so grateful for the presence of Opus Dei in the Archdiocese and the wonderful formation that they are giving to our lay people. The spirituality that sustains you, and the motivation for evangelization is such an extraordinary contribution, and it certainly is the wonderful charism of St Josemaria that is embodied. . . .

The Church exists to make saints and so we can’t always do it with the formality and the declaration of a canonization. But just out of curiosity, how many of you knew Father Joseph? Isn’t that wonderful that in our Church today we are canonizing people whose lives were so immediately connected to our own!

In my office I have a picture of myself with Saint Pope John Paul II and with Mother Teresa. It is wonderful that we have that opportunity to have been close to such holiness which is an inspiration to us all.

And although the process is just beginning, even reflecting on the holiness of life of this great priest is of benefit to all of us.

I pray that this cause will advance quickly and that many others will continue to be touched by the testimony of his life and his holiness. I thank all of you for your presence here today. . . .

God bless you, and I think that we are now going to sing to our Lady. (Cardinal O’Malley then led in the singing of the Regina Coeli.)

Afterwards, Cardinal O’Malley made the following comments in a taped media interview:

Today is a very joyful occasion as we come together to initiate this process here in the Archdiocese. We are so blessed by the presence of many people who are living the spirituality and the charism of Saint Josemaria Escriva in Opus Dei. It was our great blessing to have Father Joseph here in the Archdiocese for so long in his ministry touching the lives of so many people. So today is a very happy day. The Church exists to make saints, and so when we are able to recognize the heroic sanctity in some of our brothers and sisters, it is a great encouragement to all of us to live our baptismal call of discipleship with the same generosity and joy and fidelity that we find in the lives of people like Father Joseph.

Two minute trailer from documentary film about Fr. Joseph's life