Sixty years ago, 23 June 1946, the founder of Opus Dei, Saint Josemaría Escrivá, arrived in Rome for the first time: commemoration celebrations in various parts of the city

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Sixty years ago, 23 June 1946, the founder of Opus Dei, Saint Josemaría Escrivá, arrived in the Eternal City for the first time. Despite a tempestuous sea voyage from Genoa and a difficult car journey on Italy’s streets of 1946, Josemaria spent the first night in Rome in prayer in the direction of the Pope’s window, which he could see from the balcony of the rented apartment in Piazza della Città Leonina.
Special Masses will be celebrated on his feast-day 26 June. In Rome Mons. Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei, will celebrate Mass in memory of Josemaría at 7pm at the church of S. Eugenio. Cardinals Re, Herranz, Bertone and Giordano will be the main celebrants in Brescia, Firenze, Genova and Naples. (AP) (21/6/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:15; Parole:164)