Some spiritual books are big and heavy, packed with long chapters and deep theology. The Way by St. Josemaría Escrivá isn’t one of those books. It’s small, easy to carry, and full of short, to-the-point reflections—just 1–3 sentences each. And yet, this little book has changed countless lives.
So how can you make The Way part of your own spiritual life? Here’s a bit of background and some practical tips to help you get started.
A Book Born in Real Life
In the late 1920s and 30s, St. Josemaría Escrivá—who later founded Opus Dei—started jotting down notes and reflections on prayer, work, friendship, and holiness. They weren’t meant to be lofty or complicated. They were practical insights for ordinary people trying to follow God in everyday life.
He eventually gathered 999 of these reflections into The Way, first published in 1939. Since then, the book has been translated into dozens of languages and read by millions of people around the world. Why? Because it speaks to real life. It’s not abstract theology. It’s short, direct encouragement to keep going, keep praying, and keep growing closer to God right where you are.
How to Use The Way
Here are a few simple ways to make The Way part of your routine:
1. Take it one point at a time.
Instead of reading it cover to cover, read just one reflection a day. Carry it with you into your commute, lunch break, or bedtime prayer. Let that single thought sit with you during the day.
2. Match it to your season of life.
If you’re struggling to pray, flip to the chapter on prayer. If work feels draining, look at the reflections on sanctifying your daily tasks. If friendship or family is on your mind, go to the sections on charity. The book is flexible—you can dip into the chapters that speak to your life right now.
3. Use it as a conversation starter with God.
Don’t just read a point and move on. Turn it into prayer. For example, if you read a line about patience, pause and ask, “Lord, help me to be patient with my kids today.”
4. Write down what strikes you.
Keep a notebook or jot quick notes in your phone. Writing down what stood out helps you notice patterns—God might be nudging you in a certain direction.
5. Share it.
Read one point with a spouse, friend, or small group. The Way can spark conversations that help each other grow in faith.
Why It Still Matters Today
The beauty of The Way is that it doesn’t ask you to escape ordinary life. Instead, it helps you find God in ordinary life—at work, at home, with friends, while running errands. It’s about weaving faith into the things you’re already doing.
And that’s why it’s still relevant almost 100 years after it was first written. Holiness isn’t about doing extraordinary things. It’s about doing ordinary things with extraordinary love—and The Way gives you the encouragement and reminders to keep at it.
You don’t need hours of free time or a theology degree to use The Way. Just a few quiet minutes and an open heart.
Start small. Take one point a day. Let it shape the way you think, pray, and act. Over time, you’ll find that The Way is more than a book—it’s a companion on your own journey to holiness.
