Opus Dei

Following the announcement of the forthcoming beatification of Don Alvaro Portillo, the first Prelate of Opus Dei, three Australians share their memories of his warmth and the encouragement he gave to married couples.

In a get-together in southern Spain in 1993, Bishop Alvaro del Portillo speaks abut the meaning of suffering and illness, which are a true "vocation to the Cross."

Just prior to Christmas 2012, a strong cyclone tore through Samoa and Fiji. In the small village of Vuaki in the Yasawa island group of Fiji, no lives were lost, but many houses and livelihoods were destroyed after a 24-hour ordeal. A group of 22 Australians and New Zealanders saved up and pitched in to fund three new houses, and went there to help build them.

Bishop Alvaro speaks about the importance of the sacrament of Confession in Christian life, during a 1993 get-together in southern Spain.

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo explains how work helps us to be Christians at all times, not just on the weekends.

In his February 10 morning Mass, Pope Francis urged those present to realize that at Mass they enter into "the mystery of God . . . It is to really live once more the Passion and the redeeming Death of the Lord. It is a theophany."

The Prelate points to Don Alvaro's love for the Holy Cross, in the context of a new anniversary of the 14th of February.

A 30 min. documentary on the life of Alvaro del Portillo, whom Saint Josemaria called "Saxum," Rock, because of his great faithfulness.

In this Rome Reports video, Bishop Javier Echevarría speaks about working alongside Alvaro del Portillo for over 40 years, and the virtues we can learn from his life of self-giving.

Enrique, an interior architect in Chile, met the founder of Opus Dei in 1974. He speaks about love for freedom in the Work and how its message is very relevant for today's world.