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On episode twenty-one of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I talk with Benjamin Valle, Communications & Media Coordinator for the St. Josemaria Institute, about the many lessons we can learn from St. Josemaria Escriva. 

Biography:

Benjamin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Catechetics and Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is currently pursuing certification in Interior Architecture & Design through the Interior Design Institute. He works as the Communications Coordinator for the St. Josemaria Institute and freelances as a worship leader and accompanist in the Chicago area.

Episode breakdown:

:15 Introducing Benjamin Valle and the St. Josemaria Institute

4:40 Benjamin’s story

8:45 How do you invite God into everything?

14:00 Lessons learned from Josemaria

20:30 The Role of the St. Josemaria Institute 

26:00 I don’t have time to pray

31:30 Best quotes by Josemaria Escriva

40:00 Final thoughts on sanctity in daily life

42:45 Mt. Rushmore of Saints

46:40 What will you be the patron saint of?

Quotes from the podcast:

“You haven’t been praying? Why, because you haven’t had time? But you do have time. Furthermore, what sort of works will you be able to do if you have not meditated on them in the presence of the Lord, so as to put them in order? Without that conversation with God, how can you finish your daily work with perfection? —Look, it is as if you claimed you had no time to study because you were too busy giving lessons... Without study you cannot teach well. Prayer has to come before everything. If you understand this and do not put it into practice, don’t tell me that you have no time: it’s simply that you do not want to pray!”
The Furrow, #448

“There is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations and it is up to each one of you to discover it.”
Conversations, no. 114 / Homily: Passionately Loving the World

“Don’t let your life be sterile. Be useful. Blaze a trail. Shine forth with the light of your faith and of your love.”
The Way, no. 1

“Don’t wait until you are old to start becoming a saint. That would be a great mistake! Begin right now, in earnest, cheerfully and joyfully, by fulfilling the duties of your work and of your everyday life.”
The Forge, no. 113

Links:

Institute - www.stjosemaria.org
Books - www.stjosemaria.org/product-category/books/by-st-josemaria/ 

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