"Either we learn to find our Lord in ordinary, everyday life, or else we shall never find Him.”(Saint Josemaría)
Inma Alva, a historian investigating Opus Dei's beginnings, talks about the first women members: “What stands out is their capacity for great undertakings, their passion, and their enormous faith in the face of difficulties.”
Encarnita Ortega was born in 1920 in Galicia (Spain). At age 20, she met Saint Josemaría and discovered her vocation to Opus Dei: from that point on, she began to put her professional and human talents at the service of God. She worked for several years in the government of Opus Dei in Rome, alongside the Founder himself. Upon returning to Spain, she directed training initiatives for women and took an active role in activities related to fashion and culture. She died in Pamplona in 1995, with a reputation for holiness.
Seeking the intercession of men and women who have died with a reputation for holiness is a common practice in the Catholic Church. Examples of favors received through the intercession of Encarnita follow.
In February 2014, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the Decree of Validity for the Process and the Positio is now being drawn up.
In 1941 she attended a retreat preached by St. Josemaria Escrivá in Alaquas (Valencia) and received from God the grace of a vocation to Opus Dei.
On March 14th, 1946, Dora del Hoyo became the first to join Opus Dei as an assistant numerary. She has inspired thousands of women all over the world to dedicate themselves to spreading the universal call to holiness through their professional work of caring for the home.
