Don Alvaro in times of pandemic

Last night God put in my heart an urgency to write this letter and that is why I got up early today, and here I am writing it. It all started with my son: he had acute asthma and was not responding to any treatment.

Two years ago, my son Jacobo was going through his twelfth hospitalization in his first year of life in Bogota. He had acute asthma, which did not respond to any treatment and was overwhelming him. With my husband, moved by a call from our hearts, we decided to go with our four children to Cartagena, a city at sea level in Colombia, trusting that, with this change in climate, God could work a miracle and improve my son’s health.

MY SON WAS GOING THROUGH HIS TWELFTH HOSPITALIZATION IN HIS FIRST YEAR OF LIFE IN BOGOTA

In addition to the challenges that this move implied in general, it was especially difficult on the financial level. One of the issues that overwhelmed us the most was that we had bought our house just a year previously, and we were paying the mortgage, for which we were already making a very significant effort. As we now had to start paying rent in Cartagena (an expensive city), we put our house on offer: sale, rent, exchange ... any option would interest us, even at a loss. But no client appeared. We then had to go into debt with my family.

I must say that even though the debt was getting larger and larger, God never abandoned us and worked many miracles that can be the subject of other stories. But the one I am writing about concerns the favours that were granted to us by Blessed Alvaro del Portillo.

WE NEVER FAILED TO ENTRUST THIS INTENTION TO BLESSED ALVARO

We decided to put the sale of our house in his hands. Every night we asked him for this intention.

The truth is that a full year passed, Jacobo had made a substantial improvement, but the house had not been sold or leased, despite the fact that many clients visited it and that we were close to closing the deal many times. However, we never failed to entrust this intention to Blessed Alvaro.

One day, with my husband we decided that, if a deal with the house was not achieved the following Wednesday, we would return to Bogotá, because we really could not continue taking on so many expenses. The problem was that to return to the house – the only solution that we saw viable – was a complicated matter, since it is on a mountain-side and this would be really risky for Jacobo’s health. Added to this was the fact that, with the debts we had acquired, we could not really continue to pay the mortgage.

However, we thought that if God wanted us to return, it would always be for the best. The omnia in bonum of Saint Paul, which Saint Josemaría used to repeat, did not let us down in all this adventure, in which we were always united, with a family that is truly a gift from God.

The appointed day arrived, no deal was completed, and we decided to organize our things to return. That very day my husband was called from his old job to ask him to return. We couldn't go home immediately (due to my son's health issue), so a friend, as if out of the blue, lent us his house.

WE WERE ALWAYS UNITED, WITH A FAMILY THAT IS TRULY A GIFT FROM GOD

And once in Bogotá, a family appeared. In a few weeks, they would want to rent the house (for the full monthly value of the mortgage payment). They also signed a promise for a later purchase.

My husband and I immediately understood this favour: God wanted us back and would allow this financial arrangement only at the right time. We were able to find a beautiful house for rent in the town of Cajica (on the outskirts of Bogota) and Jacobo never got sick again. This is another miracle of God.

***

My husband and I have been very blessed and we have been paying off our debts little by little. Nevertheless, financial fears reappeared: I was concerned about the salary of two assistants who depend on me, as they support their families. So I told them to pray for a favour and that same day I started the novena again to Blessed Alvaro: not only for peace and serenity of mind, but for the financial solution.

THE DAY I STARTED THE NOVENA, I WAS CALLED

The favour didn't wait 24 hours. The day I started the novena I was called because they needed my legal services in a public body. Although financially it was not very significant, I saw the hand of Blessed Alvaro at that moment, and we gave thanks. Only one day passed and they called me from two other bodies. At my request, one of these also decided to hire my two assistants. I could not understand such blessings from heaven!

In the last days of the novena I was contacted by another company for a consultancy. This, in the middle of the pandemic, where unemployment concerns abound! This is undoubtedly God's response through Don Alvaro. With these blessings, not only will I be able to pay my debts, but I hope to continue helping more people who are in so much need right now.

J. A. – Colombia

Picture: Jeshoots - Unsplash