March 2009 – The third issue of Studia et Documenta has been published
The third volume of Studia et Documenta opens with a section dedicated to St. Josemaria in Madrid during the 1930’s which was a crucial stage in the development of Opus Dei since it constituted the first decade of its existence.
These articles are preceded by an introduction to the history of Madrid at that time written by Julio Montero and Javier Cervera. This is followed by four other articles: the first is by José Luis González Gullón and Jaume Aurell which gives us an account of the priests who worked together with St. Josemaria in those early years; then Pedro Pablo Ortúñez presents us with a biographical sketch of Luis Gordon who was one of the first members of Opus Dei; there follows an analysis by Federico Requena of St. Josemaria’s devotion to the Merciful Love at that time; the section is completed by Beatriz Comella who presents an introduction to the relationship between Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer and the Foundation of St. Elisabeth (Patronato de Santa Isabel), of which he was Rector at that time.
In the Studies section there is an important study by José Luis Illanes in which he explains the history of the published and unpublished writings of St. Josemaria, including notes and memos conserved from his oral preaching.
In the same section, there are two articles about the teaching activities of St. Josemaria: the first article, written by Constantino Ánchel, is related to the Saint’s work in the Amado Institute and the Cicuéndez Academy (between 1926 and 1932) lecturing in Roman and Canonical Law; the second article, by Pablo Pérez López, examines the classes in Ethics and Professional Morality which St. Josemaria gave in the official training course for journalists in Madrid in 1940-1941. The section concludes with the second part of the theological study by Guillaume Derville on the critical-historical study of The Way.
The Documents section presents the annotated edition –prepared by Santiago Casas Rabasas– of the written account by St. Josemaria of his meetings with Francisco Morán, vicar general of the diocese of Madrid, between 1934 and 1938; these are documents of primary importance for the saint’s biography and for the history of the beginnings of Opus Dei.
La sección Notiziario aporta noticias sobre eventos relacionados con la historia del Opus Dei o de su fundador.
In addition to reviews and appraisals, the bibliographical section contains the second part of the charming bibliographical list continued by the “General Bibliography” on St. Josemaria and Opus Dei up to 2002. The first part appeared in the first volume of Studia et Documenta. This third installment of Studia et Documenta offers the second part of the literature on St. Josemaria divided into the following areas: Legal and theological studies and Other studies. It comprises a total of 350 references, in some cases accompanied by brief explanatory comments.
