As the crisp autumn air begins to settle and students return to their studies, it’s the perfect time to draw inspiration from St. Josemaria Escriva, the Saint of Ordinary Life. He reminds us that study and work aren’t just tasks, but powerful ways to serve God.
Here are 10 quotes that will help you approach your daily work and studies with renewed purpose and devotion.
- "You pray, you deny yourself, you work in a thousand apostolic activities, but you don't study. You are useless then unless you change. Study — professional training of whatever type it be — is a grave obligation for us." -The Way, #343
- "One has to study… to gain the world and conquer it for God. Then we can raise the level of our efforts: we can try to turn the work we do into an encounter with the Lord and the foundation to support those who will follow our way in the future. In this way, study will become prayer." -Furrow, #526
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"Correspondence to grace is to be found also in those very little things of each day, which seem unimportant and yet have the transcendence of Love." -The Forge, #686
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"When you find studying is an awfully uphill task offer that effort to Jesus. Tell him that you continue poring over your books, so that you may use your knowledge as a weapon to fight his enemies and so gain many souls for him… You can then be sure that your study is well on its way to becoming prayer." -Furrow, #619
- "An hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer." -The Way, #335
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"It is through Love rather than study that one comes to understand the things of God. That is why you have to work, you have to study, you have to accept illness, you have to be sober — lovingly!" -Furrow, #656
- "You frequent the Sacraments, you pray, you are chaste, but you do not study. Don't tell me you're good: you're only 'goodish'." -The Way #337
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"Don’t confuse serenity with laziness, with neglect, and putting off making decisions or studying questions that need attending to." -The Forge, #467
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"You worry only about building up your knowledge. And what you have to build up is your soul. Then you will work as you ought — for Christ." -The Way, #347
- "That half-finished work is a caricature of the holocaust, the total offering God is asking of you." -The Forge, #700
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone looking to deepen your spiritual life, these quotes will inspire you to approach your work with love, dedication, and the understanding that every effort is a step toward holiness.
Check out all of St. Josemaria's books and writings and let his wisdom guide you through a successful and spiritually enriching fall!
