The Scabby Donkey

Today, October 6, is the Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva, the Founder of Opus Dei. The late Pope John Paul II proclaimed him as The Saint of Ordinary Life in St. Peter's Square last 2002.

I was then staying in a training center for girls in San Juan, and we were watching the ceremony broadcast live on television. It was 4:25 pm, Philippine time, and 10:25 am, Rome time.

It was my first time to witness a very solemn ceremony. It was moving to see this man I recognize as my spiritual father, proclaimed a SAINT in the 21st century. He used to call himself a 'scabby donkey,' a title known only to him and his guardian angel.

He liked to describe himself as a donkey because donkeys are known to be hardworking, and they thrive on a meager diet. They don't complain about the load placed on their backs by their masters. They are silent and attentive to what their masters want them to do.

He qualifies the donkey he'd like to be as SCABBY, the kind that doesn't have a noticeably healthy skin or hair. Scabby ... graphically put, sores and scars come to mind as images of this modifier.

Our Father, as we address St. Josemaria, wanted to be just like that --- a scabby donkey. And he did become one.

He worked hard for Opus Dei to be recognized by the Holy See. He did so with his own blood, sweat and tears. And with the help of our brothers, of course.

He prayed and denied himself a lot for Opus Dei to spread to many countries, such that before he passed away in 1975, there were already 80,000 members of Opus Dei in five of the world's continents.

He sacrificed so much to spread the universal calling to holiness, 'the load' placed by God on his shoulders. And along the way, there were not a few persecutions, but he faced them all smiling, forgiving and giving thanks to God.

He taught us a beautiful Latin expression "Omnia in bonum," which he translates as "Everything works unto good for those who love God." It's actually taken from St. Paul's letter to the Romans, Chapter 8 verse 28. 

Our Father never complained. He did the will of God as best he could. He showed us how to live our vocation in the middle of the world. In good times and bad times, he made sure --- and makes us feel --- that he is by our side to protect and defend us: to defend our happiness on earth in order to secure our happiness in heaven.

I am one of his many daughters. And I am happy to say that, with the grace of God, with the support of my sisters, and with the help of this spiritual father of mine who is now a saint of the Catholic Church, I am taking on the challenge to continue what he started --- back in 1928, the 2nd day of October, on the feast of the Guardian Angels, when God 'showed' him Opus Dei.

The lessons of the heroic life of the 'Scabby Donkey' were not written nor lived in vain.

Thank you, St. Josemaria, for being a wonderful father to us all. And to ensure that you will always be by our side, you have never left us orphans. Up to this day, we enjoy the living reality of having a Father in the Prelate of Opus Dei.

Like you, I wish to live and be called a scabby donkey myself.

Now, I begin. And everyday hence.