Opus Dei

May 12 is the feast of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo. Here is the English text of the Collect for the Mass.

"I want to thank God and Guadalupe for showing me that miracles not only happen to other people, but can also happen to me."

Guadalupe did not have much experience to lean on at a time where women were just beginning to embark on new adventures professionally. In this context, Guadalupe undertook the task of directing Zurbarán, the first women’s university residence of Opus Dei in the world. Guadalupe did not exactly know what she was doing, but she rolled up her sleeves and got down to work.

"The adventure of holiness begins with a yes to God" (John Paul II). Sometimes life surprises us in unimaginable ways. This certainly happened to Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri. An unexpected turn of events allowed her to meet Saint Josemaría Escriva in 1944, marking a turning point in her life. God changed her plans and invited her to collaborate in a project that would occupy her heart, mind and soul for the rest of her life.

A constant throughout Guadalupe's life was her passion for chemistry and scientific research. At the time she began her chemistry studies in 1933, there were very few women in universities, and almost none in the sciences. Starting in 1944, although her commitment to Opus Dei would lead her to dedicate a lot of her time and talents to imparting Christian formation, she never stopped researching chemistry and studying with scientific curiosity.

On 18 May 2019, Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri will be beatified by the Catholic Church. Here is a one-minute summary of her life.

In 1950, Guadalupe Ortiz moved to Mexico to start Opus Dei's apostolic work there, leaving behind everything she had ever known. In five years, her heart was won over by a new land and its people.

This app provides help to prepare for and participate digitally in Guadalupe's beatification ceremony on May 18th.

Made up of twelve panels available in English with the main milestones in her life, it could be set up in schools or parishes.

In preparation for the beatification of Guadalupe Ortiz de Landazuri, we recently organised a seminar for our friends and co-operators. The theme was ‘Christian Witness in Society: Is it Possible?’ The idea was to reflect on and discuss the life of this ordinary woman, and how she lived both the Christian and human virtues in an extraordinary way.