#josemaria escriva

[charliethomascoxuniverse]

In the Footsteps of a Saint

FAITH TODAY：MAY 2011

Catholic actor Charlie Cox is making waves across the Atlantic – and he’s about to hit the cinemas in his native UK playing a saint in a new movie.

FAITH TODAY went to meet him.

How does it feel to be a saint?  That’s something no-one alive can ever really know, since sainthood is only acknowledged after death: but up-and-coming actor Charlie Cox knows more about it than most. Cox, 28, is the star of There Be Dragons, a new movie about the early life of St Josemaria Escriva, the Spaniard who founded Opus Dei.  So – given that he’s a Catholic himself - how did it feel to Cox to walk in a saint’s shoes, and to portray his holiness on screen?

What struck him most, says Cox, is that ‘there seemed to have been no single moment when Josemaria was saintly... instead, what people who knew him spoke about and wrote about was a lifetime of consistently good decisions and a dedication of his entire life to God’.  So in fact, he explains, portraying him meant being very human – and yet aware that decisions often had to be made that weren’t directed at other people, but were directed at God. Playing Josemaria is the latest step on a path that’s fast feeling like the road to the big-time: Cox first appeared on the showbiz radar in 2007 when he got the role of Tristan Thorne in the movie Stardust, and he went on to play the Duke of Crowborough in the ITV drama Downton Abbey.  And just a fortnight before we meet, he’s filmed his first episode of HBO’s prohibition drama Boardwalk Empire, the flagship programme of the new Sky Atlantic channel, in which he plays an immigrant from Northern Ireland with ties to the IRA.  Cox says he’s loving the part: Steve Buscemi, who recently won a Gold Globe award for his portrayal of Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson in the series, is one of his all-time heroes, and he can hardly believe his luck in being cast with him.

’Working with Steve feels amazing, I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been,’ he says, as we chat over coffee at a Madrid hotel on the morning of the premiere of There Be Dragons.  He jetted in this morning from New York – he’ll be there filming Boardwalk Empire through the summer and, he says, he can’t imagine a better way of spending the next few months. ‘They’re the nicest bunch of people – and everyone is so confident about how good the series is, so there’s a great buzz about it.’

Working on Boardwalk Empire has taken him a long way from his Sussex roots.  He grew up in Hearst Green, the son of publisher parents – and he was raised a Catholic, like his father, although he was educated at a non-Catholic independent school, Sherborne School in Dorset.  ‘Only about 70 out of 700 boys were Catholics. We had to get up early on a Sunday to go to Mass at a local girls’ school... it would have been easy to skive off it, but actually we never did.  I’ve always loved churches – even now, in a strange city, I’ll often wander around looking at churches.’ There was no history of acting in the family – bar a grandmother who had been at RADA before the second world war – but even as a youngster, Cox was smitten with the idea.  ‘My mum and dad had a fantastic attitude to it,’ he says.  ‘The school wanted me to go to university, play it in safe mode, have a back-up plan.  But my parents came to see me act, and afterwards my dad sat me down and he said: ‘I think you’d be a fool not to pursue this’.  And I don’t know whether I’d be here now if it hadn’t been for that one comment...’ Despite living in the US at the moment, and the fact that his parents spend most of their time these days in France, Cox says Britain will always be home – and he’s very close to his family.  He has a brother, and three half siblings from his father’s first marriage, and his parents have flown to see him in Madrid while he’s over for the premiere of There Be Dragons. After school, he spent a gap year working for a photographer – and even before he could take up a place at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, he’d landed the role of Theo in the movie Dot the i.  ‘An agent took a punt on me and put me up for the part,’ he says.  ‘I’ve been incredibly lucky, and that was just one of my lucky breaks.’

But it’s not just luck – Cox is immensely likeable, and he’s obviously genuinely passionate about acting.  He’s also been smart enough to realise that he can learn a huge amount from more seasoned actors – so he saw acting alongside Robert de Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust, for example, as a fantastic opportunity to soak up knowledge.  And he’s learnt lots more, too, from Roland Joffe, director of There Be Dragons, who was also the film-maker behind The Mission (about the early Jesuits in south America) and The Killing Fields (about the murderous Pol Pot regime in Cambodia), both of which were Oscar nominees.

‘I didn’t think twice about taking the part of Josemaria, and that was down to Roland,’ he says.  ‘He’s such a great director – he really understands the processes that actors have to go through to give their best.  I learnt so much from working with him.’

Given the subject-matter of There Be Dragons, Cox also spent time in the run-up to filming learning about Opus Dei, which has the status of a ‘personal prelature’ within the Catholic Church.  ‘I visited several Opus Dei houses, and I went on a retreat and had a lot of help from an Opus Dei priest, Fr John Wauck.’

Before he made the film, he admits, he’d never heard of Josemaria – and all he knew about Opus Dei was what he’d read in Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code.  But researching Josemaria, he says, what struck him most was the saint’s humanity – and his ability, examined in the film, to forgive.  ‘It was an example I had to put into practice, because one day when we were filming I returned to my trailer to find someone had broken in and cleaned the place out completely,’ he says.  ‘They’d even taken my computer, and the charger, and even my clothes.’ ‘The following day I was due to film one of the big scenes in which Josemaria shows how he can forgive, and I remember thinking: this is really interesting.  And the thing is that I did manage to forgive the guy who nicked my stuff.’ ‘And what I realised, through that incident, was that – though we think of forgiveness as something very moral and impressive, it’s actually something that works totally in your own favour.  Because if you don’t forgive then you’re angry inside – and that anger doesn’t hurt the other person, but it really hurts you.’ Since filming finished for There Be Dragons, Cox has been working on another movie – Moby Dick, due to be released later this year – and now Boardwalk Empire.  It all suggests, I tell him, that fame – which he’s told previous interviewers frightens him – could be beckoning. ‘It’s tricky,’ he says, candidly.  ‘I’ve got friends who have gone on to extraordinary fame, and what I’ve realised through them is that it’s never quite as appealing as it promised to be. ‘On the other hand, like everyone else I want recognition.  I like people to think I’m good at what I do. That’s human nature, isn’t it?’

~*~

#just me archiving another old interview 😊 #had to check I didn't have this one yet but no I don't xd #thank you so much to Charlie's parents for supporting him in becoming an actor from the start 🙏💕 #charlie cox #josemaria escriva #there be dragons #baby charlie #interview #article

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA The Saint of Ordinary Life Feast Day: June 26

"Don't judge without having heard both sides. Even persons who think themselves virtuous very easily forget this elementary rule of prudence."

Josemaria Escriva, the founder of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei (or simply called for short Opus Dei), was born Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás, on January 9, 1902 in the town of Barbastro in Huesca, Aragón, Spain, to José Escriva y Corzán and his wife, María de los Dolores Albás y Blanc. He is the second of six children and the first of two sons. He discovered his priestly vocation at a young age, after seeing the footprints left on the snow by a barefoot monk.

With his father's blessing, he began to prepare for the priesthood. Having completed his studies, he was ordained in Zaragosa on March 28, 1925, and assigned to Madrid as private tutor and chaplain to the Foundation of Santa Isabel, which comprised the royal Convent of Santa Isabel and a school managed by the Little Sisters of the Assumption. Three years later, during a retreat, he was inspired to established the Opus Dei, (translated in English as 'Work of God'). It was a way by which Catholics might sanctify themselves through their secular work. He chose the name 'Work of God' as opposite to 'work of man', in the sense that it was a movement inspired by God, and the founder was only an instrument in his hands.

His apostolic zeal, especially among the poor and the sick, and the spirituality open to all walks of life, attracted thousands of people through the world. These lay faithful were engaged in work of evangelization, human welfare, and their own spiritual formation.

On February 14, 1943, he founded the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, intended for the priests connected with Opus Dei.

By the time of his death in Rome on June 26, 1975 at the age of 73 after he suffers from cardiac arrest, the Opus Dei numbered over 60,000 members in 80 countries.

Three years after Escrivá died, the then Cardinal Albino Luciani (later Pope John Paul I) celebrated the originality of his contribution to Christian spirituality.

He was beatified on May 17, 1992, and during his canonization on October 6, 2002, St. John Paul II said: 'He was a master in the practice of prayer, which he considered to be an extraordinary weapon to redeem he world; he believed that the fruitfulness of the apostolate lies above all in prayer and in intense and constant sacramental life.'

Josemaria Escriva is the patron of those who suffered from diabetes, and his major shrine can be found at Our Lady of Peace, Prelatic Church of Opus Dei in Rome.

#random stuff #catholic #catholic saints #josemaria escriva #opus dei

[nycreligion]

JOURNEY TV: Inside the global Catholic movement of Opus Dei

JOURNEY TV: Inside the global Catholic movement of Opus Dei

John Coverdale, historian of Opus Dei ENCORE PRESENTATION. In June, the network television broadcast was disrupted by a problem in the MNN Network. So, for those who were not able to see the broadcast, we running the June program as if it is our July program. We will return with a brand new episode in August! For a century, Opus Dei has transmitted to the world a message of encounter with God…

View On WordPress

#Brian Finnerty #John Coverdale #Josemaria Escriva #Opus Dei #Tony Carnes

[conduit-of-grace]

“You’re not humble when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ.” 

- St. Josemaria Escriva, “Humility” from The Way, #594

#Catholic #Christian #St. Josemaria Escriva #The Way #quotes

[inspiredbyjesuslove]

#christianity #catholicism #catholic #faith #quote #st josemaria escriva

[gratiae-mirabilia]

The word of Jesus Christ is fruitful; it stirs many souls to dedication and fidelity.

St. Josemaria Escriva

#st. josemaria escriva #catholic #catholicism #christian #file under caroline #greatest hits

[tinyshe]

#precious blood #saint quote #st josemaria escriva #each soul was purchased at the cost of His Blood #even those that do not believe #even those that turn away

[eternal-echoes]

#Catholic #Christianity #quotes #St. Josemaria Escriva

[myremnantarmy]

"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩..."

#jesus #catholic #my remnant army #jesus christ #virgin mary #faithoverfear #saints #jesusisgod #endtimes #artwork #Jesus is coming #st josemaria escriva #pray for us #saint quote

[catholic-saint-tournament]

Modern Saint Bracket Announcement

Instead of waiting until Sunday, the modern bracket will open immediately after the post-schism bracket is over. This is the modern bracket, which will be followed by a final four, and then there will be even MORE polls (losers' brackets, Marian apparitions, we're going all summer baby.)

Catholic Saint Tournament Modern Bracket Round 1 Pairings:

St Therese of Lisieux vs St Elizabeth Ann Seton

St Padre Pio (of Pietrelcina) vs St Charles de Foucauld

St Maximilian Kolbe vs St Benilde Romancon

St John Bosco vs St John Neumann

St Mother Teresa (of Calcutta) vs St Arnold Janssen

St Jacinta Marto vs St Edith Stein

St Maria Goretti vs St Marianne Cope

St Charles Lwanga (& co) vs St John Vianney

St Oscar Romero vs St Josemaria Escriva

St Bernadette vs St Damian of Molokai

St Faustina vs St Catherine Laboure

St Mary MacKillop vs St Katharine Drexel

St Gemma Galgani vs St Frances Xavier Cabrini

St John Henry Cardinal Newman vs Pope St John Paul II

Pope St John XXIII vs St Mark Ji Tianxiang

St Francisco Marto vs Sts Louis & Zelie Martin (package deal)

You can still submit nominations for beatified folks, propaganda for your favorite saints, or other thoughts in the ask box! Or suggestions for future polls, questions, etc.

May the best saint win!

#st therese of lisieux #st elizabeth ann seton #padre pio #st padre pio #st charles de foucauld #st maximilian kolbe #st benilde romancon #st john bosco #st john neumann #mother teresa #st mother teresa #st arnold janssen #st jacinta marto #st edith stein #st maria goretti #st marianne cope #st charles lwanga #st john vianney #st oscar romero #st josemaria escriva #st bernadette #st damian of molokai #st faustina #st catherine laboure #st mary mackillop #st katharine drexel #st gemma galgani #st frances xavier cabrini #st john henry newman #pope st john paul ii

[ynhart]

Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Priest and founder of Opus Dei.

#st. josemaria escriva #josemaria escriva de balaguer #catholic #catholicism #he has a special place in my heart <3 #today is his feast day! #ynhart

[charliethomascoxuniverse]

Charlie Cox as Josemaría Escrivá in There Be Dragons (2011)

#*sits here thinking inappropriate thoughts again* 😶🌫️ #charlie cox #josemaria escriva #there be dragons #priest!Charlie #tw catholicism #tw christianity #CTCU

[nam-ore]

Aconselho que se amem, que conversem bastante, que se conheçam, que se respeitem mutuamente, como se cada um fosse um tesouro que pertence ao outro. Não se esqueçam de que Deus Nosso Senhor está diante de vocês, que os vê, que os ouve.

São José Maria Escrivá

#namoro santo #castidade #projetofalandodoceu #projetofalandonoceu #namoro cristão #matrimonio #Sao josemaria escriva

[nycreligion]

JOURNEY TV: Inside the global Catholic movement of Opus Dei

JOURNEY TV: Inside the global Catholic movement of Opus Dei

John Coverdale, historian of Opus Dei ENCORE PRESENTATION. In June, the network television broadcast was disrupted by a problem in the MNN Network. So, for those who were not able to see the broadcast, we running the June program as if it is our July program. We will return with a brand new episode in August! For a century, Opus Dei has transmitted to the world a message of encounter with God…

View On WordPress

#Brian Finnerty #John Coverdale #Josemaria Escriva #Opus Dei #Tony Carnes

[conduit-of-grace]

“‘The Mass is long,’ you say, and I reply: ‘Because your love is short.’”

- St. Josemaria Escriva, “Holy Mass” from The Way, #529

#Catholic #Christian #St. Josemaria Escriva #The Way #quotes

[apesoformythoughts]

“I want to warn you against a difficulty that may arise: it is the temptation of weariness and discouragement.

—Isn’t it still fresh in your memory what life—your old life—used to be like, with no aim to it, no purpose, no sparkle, and then, with God’s light and your own dedication, a new direction was given to it and you were filled with joy?

—Don’t be so silly as to exchange your new life for that other one.”

— St. Josemaría Escrivá: The Forge, n. 286

#st. josemaria escriva #josemaría escrivá