October 2nd, 1928: when it all started

This 2nd of October (tuesday) st Josemaria was in his room after having heard a meditation (he had started a retreat on the 30th of september in the Convent of the Paules in Madrid). He was carrying the notes he had been taking and gathering during the previous years about the aspirations, resolutions and graces that God had given him. Then, while reading those papers he received the supernatural illumination of the Work. According to the retreat timetable, that happened between 10 and 11am. He had already celebrated Holy Mass (btw 7 and 8am):

"I received the inspiration about all the Work, while I was reading those papers. Deeply moved I knelt -I was alone in my room, between talk and talk- gave thanks to the Lord, and y remember with excitement the sound of the bells of the Church of Our Lady of Angels (...)".

From those bells, after the war there was only one left. In october 1972, it was given to the founder as a gift. It is now at the sanctuary of Torreciudad.

October 2nd, 1936: "Threw away the key"

02/10/1936: st Josemaria has to change refuge during the war to avoid being found. He is offered the key to an apartment where only the maid was living, a young girl. He answered to Jose Maria Gonzalez Barredo (who had offered the key): "My son, don't you realize that I'm a priest and that, with the war everyone is with broken nerves? I can't -nor do I want- to be locked with a young woman day and night. I have a commitment with God, who is above all. I'd rather die than to offend God, to fail that commitment of love". He threw the key in the gutter.

October 2nd, 1941: the first centre of studies

First centre of studies in Madrid, in Lagasca. After april, Carmen remained alone in the administration of the centre as st Josemaria's mother had died on april 22nd of that year.

October 2nd, 1968: special favours

In a getogether in Pozoalbero, celebrating the 40th anniversary with some of other members. They became quite insistent that, on occasion of the anniversary, st. Josemaria tell them some supernatural favour related to himself and the work. He didn't, despite the insistence of some. Before finishing, he told them: "Deliberately I haven't told anything... I've been beating around the bush... I would lie to you if I told you that the Lord hasn't had with me extraordinary interventions. He has every time that it has been necessary for the work. And these are interventions that I don't want for anyone because, even though they leave the soul filled with peace, they also demand a lot. But especially in a day like today, I haven't wanted to tell you any of that, so that you have it very clear that our way is the ordinary: to sanctify the common and ordinary events of every day".