Popular Book Shows How “Holy Ambition” in Ordinary Life Leads to Heroic Virtue

Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Hardcover $17.95. 160 pages. Available from the publisher.

From biblical times, God expressed His desire for all of His people to be holy. Over the centuries this was overlooked and many believed that only priests and religious were called to sanctity. God raised up saints to remind us of this universal calling such as Thomas More, with his “ordinary” example as a husband, father, and statesman.

In recent times, St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, made holiness accessible to everyone through his wealth of spiritual writings on “the work of God” and call to sanctify the day in our simplest prayers, occupations and activities. In Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá, Eric Sammons presents the philosophy of this twenty-first century saint in a relational way for readers. 

Eric Sammons is the author of seven books, including Deadly Indifference and The Jesse Tree from Sophia Press. He has spoken to thousands of people on various Catholic topics, conducted evangelization, Scripture, and apologetic workshops on the parish and diocesan levels, and has worked with many parishes to improve their evangelization efforts.

His latest book is ideal for anyone seeking to grow in their prayer life and holiness. As Pope Benedict XVI (then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) wrote: “Josemaría Escrivá has shaken people out of this spiritual apathy: no, holiness is not an unusual thing; it is something common and normal for all the baptized. It does not involve epic achievements of a vague and unattainable heroism; it assumes countless forms, and can be achieved in any state and condition in life.”

Readers will be fascinated as Sammons breaks open St. Josemaría’s life, from riches to poverty, mystical experiences to fidelity in ordinary life, and his tireless prayers for God’s will in times of peace and in the midst of war. He labored selflessly to draw all of the faithful to Christ’s heart in His family the Church by forging lives of holiness in their various vocations.

Sammons also reveals “the apostolate of friendship” that is sparked by our example of holiness. With St. Josemaría as their guide, readers will delight in the realization of how God is Our Merciful Father and He invites them to enter into the joy of spiritual childhood.

Readers will further learn about the “heroic minute” when you wake, the central activity and the spiritual path to holiness.

Sammons provides further resources to explore at the end of each chapter. As St. Josemaría encourages, “Don’t neglect your spiritual reading. Reading has made many saints.”

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá, and/or to schedule an interview.