"Be firm! Be strong! Be a man!, and then...be an Angel!"

"Be firm! Be strong! Be a man!”

“And then...be an angel!"

St. Josemaria Escriva

This quote from St. Josemaría Escrivá reflects our call as men to holiness through both virtue and grace.

"Be firm! Be strong! Be a man!"

·This calls for fortitude and perseverance.

·In Catholic teaching, being a man means living with integrity, courage, and responsibility, especially in faith and moral life.

·This echoes 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.”

·St. Josemaría Escrivá often spoke of the need for men to resist temptation, laziness, and mediocrity and to pursue holiness in daily life.

"And then...be an angel!"

·After developing strength and virtue, a man must seek higher things, a pure heart, a deep relationship with God, and the ability to bring Christ to others.

·The angelic life signifies a life of holiness, prayer, and self-giving.

·This could refer to Matthew 22:30, where Jesus speaks of the resurrected life being like that of angels, fully devoted to God.

·This also reflects the call to be messengers of God, just as angels are.

 Application to Catholic Men's Spirituality:

·Be Firm! – Stand for truth, lead your family, Church, and community with virtue.

·Be Strong! – Overcome sin, be disciplined in prayer and work.

·Be a Man! – Embrace responsibility, defend your faith, be an example.

·Be an Angel! – Strive for purity, holiness, and a deeper union with God.

This quote is a perfect challenge for Catholic men to develop strength and virtue, but also to seek divine holiness beyond earthly struggles.

How do you think this resonates with the men in your group?