"Our Lives in His Hands": New Biography of the Alviras
Mary Ann Glendon has written the foreword for Olga Marlin's biography of Tomàs and Paquita Alvira, a married couple with nine children whose cause of canonization is underway.
Tomás Alvira, Father of a family
There can be no better gift for a father… than the grateful love of a son. That affection grows and matures with years and becomes even more deeply rooted when the father has gone, even though he is known to be nearer and more active than ever. Rafael Alvira, a son before a philosopher, considered at the death of his father the legacy he received.
Paquita and Tomás helped me to meet Jesus
A month ago the following story arrived, written by a school teacher, who tells how she drew close to Jesus and Mary thanks to the example of Christian life given by the Alvira couple.
Tomas Alvira. From Teacher to Teacher
The school’s energy is not produced in the directors’ offices, but in the classroom, in every classroom. But this will only be produced if it has life.
Tomás Alvira’s first meeting with St. Josemaría
The first meeting between Tomás Alvira and the Founder of Opus Dei took place during a very difficult time, as the civil war had broken out little more than a year before. It occurred in Madrid, in the midst of a religious persecution that had already produced many martyrs. Tomás used to go to the house of an old friend from the Chemistry Faculty of Saragossa, Josémaría Albareda.
Favors received from prayers to the Alviras
Some favors granted through the intercession of the Alviras.
News about the Alviras' Cause
On September 20, 2012, Cardinal Ruoco, Archbishop of Madrid, presided over the closing of the diocesan phase of the cause of canonization of the servants of God Tomás and Paquita Alvira.
Biography of the Alviras
Faithful to the spirit of Opus Dei, the couple passed on to their children and to many other people their example of Christian life and marriage, of a “bright and cheerful home,” as St. Josemaria used to say.
Photo gallery of Tomas and Paquita Alvira
Photos from the married life of Tomas and Paquita Alvira