Opus Dei

"I still have a very vivid memory of the visit of Pope Paul VI to the Centro ELIS on its opening day," said Alvaro del Portillo. "The Pope stayed well beyond the time planned for the visit, he celebrated Mass, and attentively visited the various parts of the Centro."

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.

A new article in the series on family education offers some ideas on how to help children manage their freedom.

In a get-together in Nairobi in 1989, Blessed Alvaro suggested that the best service we can render the poor is to give them the skills needed to find a job.

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.

The Prelate invites us to pray with Blessed Alvaro: "Thank you, forgive me, help me more." He suggests that we ask especially for peace in the world and for the upcoming Synod on the family.

Pope Francis encouraged the 15,000 pilgrims in Rome for the beatification of Alvaro del Portillo to go to the new Blessed's intercession for help "to respond generously to God’s call to holiness and apostolate in ordinary life, in the service of the Church and all mankind."

Short videos on the events in Rome from 29 September to 2 October.

Entire EWTN broadcast of beatification ceremony for Alvaro del Portillo, with Solemn Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Integral recording with music and without commentary. (Entrance of Cardinal Amato with other celebrants begins at minute 22).