naturalness in married life

it more difficult to be “naturally normal” because this implies the acquisition of the different ethical habits, or virtues (such as prudence, justice, etc.) and at least some of the scientific, artistic or technical habits. It is still more difficult to incorporate the theological “supernatural” virtues of faith, hope, and love, and even more arduous to do this in a harmonic and simple manner in the everyday, ordinary life. The restoration of nature through virtue leads immediately to its perfection, which is received through the supernatural. Therefore, the addition of the supernatural in an ordinary life of a virtuous person bestows an incredible “naturalness” which transforms one into a wonderfully normal person. In other words, to be wonderfully normal requires a lot of personal effort and, no less, the grace of God.

And this was the “essential” in the lives of Paquita and Tomás, with an important nuance: the manner in which they translated this wonderful naturalness to their marriage relationship and to the relationships with their children. They strived to live an ordinary life with the greatest natural-supernatural perfection—inseparable in this spirit—which led them to develop good professional work, a lovely participation in social life, and a marvelous marriage and family life, following the spirit of St. Josemaría, who called himself “the last romantic.”

- Our Lives are in His Hands