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.

Thanks to Dora's intercession, we were able to sell some land and a house which had been for sale for many years without being sold.

People who knew Dora and who worked alongside her talk about how they habitually pray to her intercession.

Dora del Hoyo Alonso, whose cause of canonization opened on June 18, 2012, dedicated her life to the work of the home. According to Dora, it was through her own family that she first learned to love caring for the home and to value working hard and well. Her example helped many to value ordinary work as a means of growing closer to God.

I lost my passport with my Canadian and US Visa at the Toronto Airport. After praying to Dora, I called that night the lost and found department at the airport...

I couldn't get through on a helpline one day, so after several attempts I prayed to Dora to help me. After the ninth prayer card I phoned again and immediately got through.

I am writing to report two favors which I received in the last year through the intercession of Dora. Thanks to her, I was able to find and keep the job that I love.

I want to write about a small favor that Dora did for me today. A week ago, I bought a pair of shoes. I had only worn the shoes four times before they broke. I decided to entrust the issue to Dora.

"Housework is something of primary importance. Besides, all work can have the same supernatural quality. There are no great or mean tasks. All are great if they are done with love. Those which are considered great become small when the Christian meaning of life is lost sight of. On the other hand, there are apparently small things that can in fact be very great because of their real effects." (Conversacions with Monsignor Escriva de Balaguer, 109).

Giovanna Costarelli met Dora in 1973 and remained in contact with her for more than 20 years. She describes Dora as a woman with a jovial spirit, a happy person. She also talks about how Dora put into practice the teachings of St. Josemaria, the founder of Opus Dei.