Opus Dei

With the presence of Benedict XVI, Pope Francis beatified Paul VI, who held fast "with farsightedness and wisdom – and at times alone – to the helm of the barque of Peter, while never losing his joy and his trust in the Lord."

The miracle that opened the way to his beatification was the cure of a Florida mother's child still in the womb. Saint Josemaria described him as a person "who loves so much, who is so concerned for the humblest."

For the beatification of Paul VI, the Prelate of Opus Dei has issued a brief statement.

Favors received through Blessed Alvaro's intercession

Pope Francis will beatify Paul VI on Sunday October 19. On November 21, 1965, Paul VI officially opened Centro ELIS, a social initiative located in one of Rome's poorest districts. In his address Paul VI said that education and training were the most important way of improving the lives of young unemployed people from poor families.

In this documentary, aired on a Kenyan TV station before Don Alvaro's beatification, we are introduced to his life, his teachings, and the miracle by which he became Blessed.

A bottle and a man come to my mind every time I hear the name "Alvaro". The bottle, known to many in Kenya but few out there, is a rich blend between malt beer and fruit produced by EABL. It is non-alcoholic and comes in pineapple and pear crisp flavour.

My name is Edith Katama. I was introduced to Opus Dei in the early 1980’s when we were in exile in Kenya as a family. By the time we returned to Uganda in 1986, I was a member of Opus Dei and the only member in Uganda.

April 4th 1989. Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, Prelate of Opus Dei, had just been accorded the honours of an elder in the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, amidst thunderous applause from the more than two thousand people present. He was very moved, and began his speech by saying: “Now I am one of you”

On October 4, Pope Francis presided over a prayer vigil for the Synod on the Family, and urged couples to be open to the gift of life.