Dora and My Family

Minette is from Canada. "One day at an Opus Dei Centre in Vancouver, I found a prayer card (similar to St. Josemaria's prayer card that I am familiar with), but with a different picture - a picture of a lady named 'Dora'. I read it, and certain phrases struck me... 'work at the same tasks as the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nazareth' and 'spread all around me the family warmth... cheerful, selfless work...'."

One day at an Opus Dei Centre in Vancouver I found a prayer card (similar to St. Josemaria's prayer card that I am familiar with), but with a different picture - a picture of a lady named "Dora".

It was the first time I saw this card, so I read it, and found myself actually praying it as certain phrases struck me... "work at the same tasks as the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nazareth" and "spread all around me the family warmth... cheerful, selfless work...".

These phrases touched me and inspired me to do the same in my own very home - as a wife - as a wife to a man who was longing to have a child. I continued reading the prayer card and for the part that says "here grant your request" I asked Dora to help us have a child (of course only if that's what God willed for us too).

Then later I asked a person of Opus Dei who this lady "Dora" was and she told me all about her wonderful life.

Three months later we found out we were pregnant.

I told my sister who is studying in Rome about being pregnant and, without hesitation, immediately she suggested to pray to "Dora". To my surprise, I asked her, "You know about Dora too?" So from then on we prayed to Dora for the safeguarding of my pregnancy.

As the pregnancy progressed, we experienced a couple of minor incidents needing to bed rest each time. We continued to pray to Dora as my blood pressure went up moderately. More prayers were said to Dora, then due to high blood pressure I continued needing hospitalization. We prayed all throughout the process until eventually I needed to be induced.

My husband and I continued to pray to Dora and on April 23, 2012, our first baby Alexander Xavier was born. A healthy, smiley and beautiful baby boy!

In thanksgiving, my husband, baby and I went to the Prelatic Church in Rome in March 2013 to thank Dora personally for her intercession. It brought a lot of joy to our family to give Alexander an opportunity kiss the tomb of his intercessor before he turns 1 year old.

Thank you, Dora!

Minette L. de los Reyes, Canada.