During a retreat in Madrid, Josemaría Escrivá understood his call to found a path of sanctification in ordinary life and work. Although the name "Opus Dei" came later, from the beginning he referred to this mission statement as the Work of God in his notes and conversations.

Years later, during the celebration of Mass, she understood that Opus Dei was also for women.

The DYA Academy was opened, the first Opus Dei center for students, with classes in Law and Architecture. The following year, it becomes a university residency program , providing Christian training and care for the needy in Madrid. An essential part of its work includes catechesis and care for the poor and sick in the suburbs of Madrid.

Consideraciones espirituales", the predecessor of "Camino", is published in Cuenca.

Spanish Civil War. The Catholic Church was persecuted and, in order to save his life, Josemaría Escrivá had to take refuge in various places. Circumstances imposed failhis plans to extend the apostolic work of Opus Dei to other countries.

The founder and some young people of Opus Dei escape from Republican Spain by crossing the Pyrenees, arriving in Pamplona and settling in Burgos.

Recommencement of the apostolic workfrom the city of Burgos.

Once the civil war was over, he returned to Madrid. Opus Dei expands to other cities in Spain. The beginning of the Second World War prevents the beginning in other nations. That same year, "The Way" is published in Valencia, initiating a constant diffusion. Today it exceeds 5 million copies in more than 50 languages.

The Bishop of Madrid, Leopoldo Eijo Garay, grants Opus Dei its first diocesan approval.

During the Mass, Josemaría Escrivá found a solution to incardinate priests: the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross.

The bishop of Madrid-Alcalá, Leopoldo Eijo Garay, ordains the first three priests of Opus Dei: Álvaro del Portillo, José María Hernández de Garnica and José Luis Múzquiz.

Beginning of Opus Dei's expansion in Europe and America.

The founder of Opus Dei moved to Rome, where he spent long periods of time until 1949, when he took up permanent residence. In the following years he travels from Rome to prepare the establishment of Opus Dei's work in different countries.

Holy See gives first pontifical approval to Opus Dei as a secular institute

The founder erects the Roman high schoolof the Holy Cross. Since then, many faithful of Opus Dei have received a solid spiritual and pastoral education at trainingand at the same time have attended programs of studyin various Roman pontifical athenaeums.

Pius XII granted final approval to Opus Dei, which allowed the admission of married persons and diocesan priests, who remained incardinated in their respective dioceses.

Creation of the Estudio General de Navarra in Pamplona (Spain), which in 1960 became the University of Navarra.

Establishment of the Roman high schoolof Santa Maria, which provides an intense spiritual, theological and apostolic trainingto women of Opus Dei from all over the world.

The Holy See entrusts the Prelature of Yauyos in Peru to Opus Dei.

Opus Dei begins to expand in Asia and Africa.

Paul VI inaugurates the Elis Centre, an initiative for the professional trainingof young people, located on the outskirts of Rome, with a parish that the Holy See entrusts to Opus Dei.

congressThe General Council of Opus Dei in Rome to study its transformation into a prelature staff, a juridical figure foreseen by the Second Vatican Council and appropriate to the pastoral phenomenon of Opus Dei.

The founder of Opus Dei travels to Mexico. He went to pray for nine days at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In several large gatherings he gave an intense Christian catechesis.

St. Josemaría travels through Spain and Portugal on a two-month trip to catechesis.

catechesis trip of the founder of Opus Dei to six countries in South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela. The following year he returned to Venezuela and visited Guatemala.

On June 26, Josemaría Escrivá died in Rome. At that time, some 35,000 people belonged to Opus Dei. Months later, Alvaro del Portillo was elected as the founder's successor. In July of the same year, the shrine of Our Lady of Torreciudad (Huesca, Spain) was inaugurated.

John Paul II erects Opus Dei as a staff prelature and appoints Álvaro del Portillo as prelate.

Execution of the bull erecting Opus Dei as a Prelature staff.

The Roman Academic Centre of the Holy Cross is founded in Rome, which in 1998 becomes the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

John Paul II ordains Bishop del Portillo, prelate of Opus Dei.

Beatification of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer at placeof St. Peter's (Rome).

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo dies in Rome. Alvaro del Portillo died in Rome, a few hours after returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

John Paul II appoints Javier Echevarría as Prelate of Opus Dei, confirming the election made at the elective General Meeting held in Rome, congress.

Bishop Echevarría is ordained bishop by John Paul II.

John Paul II canonises Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer in St. Peter's place(Rome).

Beatification of Alvaro del Portillo

Bishop Javier Echevarría dies in Rome.

After the conclusion of the third elective congress of the Prelature, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Fernando Ocáriz as Prelate of Opus Dei.

Beatification of Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri

The territorial reorganization of the circumscriptions of Opus Dei begins.