San Josemaría encouraged the implementation of the College Moncloa in 1943, following on from the residence of students from Jenner, who had launched in 1939. Before the civil war, the residence had its headquarters in Calle Ferraz.

The Father has put special effort in finding and remodeling of the new headquarters of the Avenida de la Moncloa, with which doubled the number of places in Jenner. Mobilized many people and especially prayed and did pray for that training efforts would be made there. At that time, he explained, would Moncloa "as a showcase of the work."

In October 1943 the first residents arrived. On the 7th of that month the Father brought all to explain the spirit and atmosphere of the Residence, and reciprocal commitment to students. Always insisted that living in Moncloa was based on trust. Father went daily to follow the progress of work, especially those of the Oratory. He celebrated the first Mass on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which has since been celebrated with special joy in Moncloa.

A few weeks after the opening of the Residence, was fulfilled an old desire of the Father, that women take charge of the work of the Administration of the house, the foundation of the family environment. In this area the Father took the first steps and said the spirit that should work: transmitting years experience Ferraz and Jenner, where for a long time had personally performed some household chores: sweeping, making beds, washing the dishes ...

San Josemaría was responsible for the work of spiritual direction and preaching. While living in Madrid were frequent visits to promote the apostolic work and turn in all the desire to be good citizens and good Christians. Once in Rome, was always with affection all the news that reached from Moncloa. Thanks to its influence Moncloa life from the beginning was marked by the pursuit of holiness and union with Christ through the study, good humor and the human and cultural level.

On October 24, 1972, during one of his catechesis by Spain, had a conversation with residents of Moncloa, which remains a movie. Sympathetically again explained what he had taught the first residents and directors. Father's last visit to the Colegio Mayor Moncloa was in May 1974, a year before his departure to Heaven "on the occasion of consecrating the new altar of the oratory, where they were recorded a few words of Scripture, then repeated with particular intensity : fortes in fide! Strong in faith!

On October 6, 2002, John Paul II canonized Saint Josemaría in a ceremony attended by hundreds of former residents.