The St. Josemaría Historical Institute was established shortly after St. Josemaría’s canonization in 2002, and work began immediately on adapting and organizing the documents from the General Archives of the Prelature of Opus Dei so that they could form the Institute’s archives. Finally, the journal “Studia et Documenta” was founded as a forum for presenting and publishing the research papers that were being written.
Studia et Documenta
The Institute designed and published a publication plan for the critical editions of St. Josemaría’s works and also outlined the criteria that the various authors would follow in carrying out this work. Almost 25 years have passed since then, and a rich array of monographs, complete works, nearly 25 volumes of the Research Journal, and more is now beginning to emerge.
In 2028, the journal *Studia et Documenta* will examine the development of the Work during its founding phase; in 2029, it will explore the history of the first corporate works; and in 2030, it will feature several regional histories.
Recent Publications
Just recently, Almuzara published a monograph on the historiography of Opus Dei, in which four professors from various universities have examined everything that has been published about St. Josemaría and the Prelature of Opus Dei and offer an interesting assessment.
In addition, studies continue to be published on prominent figures in Opus Dei, such as Hermann Steinkamp, the early days of Opus Dei in the Netherlands, and monographs on its beginnings in other countries.
With regard to the causes for canonization, monographs have recently been published by Pedro Ballester, whose cause for beatification was opened this year in England; two books have also been published about the Alvira couple; another is in the works about the marriage of the Venerable Ernesto Cofiño and his wife Clemencia Somoyoa, from Guatemala, etc.
Upcoming Publications
In two years, a scholarly biography of St. Josemaría will be published, which will provide a historically accurate account of his life and his contribution to spirituality and the advancement of evangelization in civil society.
As is well known, part of the Vatican Archives relating to the pontificate of Pius XII have already been opened; therefore, research papers may be submitted on the activities of the faithful of Opus Dei, the development of the legal framework, the relations of the General Council of Opus Dei with various regions of the Work, and to study the periodic reports that Opus Dei submitted to the Holy See, etc.
Professor Julio Montero, already known for his extensive career as a historian of communication at the Complutense University and author of a monograph on the early work of Opus Dei with women in mid-20th-century Spain, will publish in the coming months a study on the origins of the Tajamar Institute in Vallecas, Madrid, and, later, a historical essay on Opus Dei.
