When I first worked on the English edition of the Blessed Álvaro del Portillo graphic novel, it felt less like a stand-alone project and more like the start of a much larger mission. Today, that mission takes an exciting step forward with two new English editions in this illustrated series by Fr. Rafael Arias Villalta and artist Juan Juvančič: the lives of Blessed Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri (translated by Ximena Ovalle) and Pedro Ballester (translated by Jack Valero).

While my initial intent was to inspire others, the reality is that the process worked the other way around. As I managed the practical details of putting these books together—the cover design, editing, and proofreading—it was I who ended up learning from them. In the middle of the daily publishing grind, these figures stepped off the page and into my own life, quietly teaching me what it means to live out faith today.

Pedro Ballester

My personal connection to the second book began in January 2025, when I attended a conference at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross titled 'Communicating Holiness and the Causes of Canonization.' Immediately, the idea of a comic book on the life of Pedro Ballester for young readers came to mind. When I pitched the concept to the author, I was delighted to learn that the project was already underway.

As I prepared the book for publication and immersed myself in his life, I realized Pedro was no stoic storybook figure. He had defects, he had struggles, and when the agonizing physical pain of his advanced pelvic cancer became overwhelming, he cried and got angry. Yet, this is exactly what made his bravery so exceptional: it was human, yet anchored in his love for the Cross. Even while suffering enormously, his focus never turned inward. He welcomed a steady stream of visitors, pouring whatever energy he had left into making each person feel valued, important, and deeply loved.

One specific moment in the comic book that struck me was a visit from a friend a few weeks before he died in 2018. The friend asked Pedro if he was happy. From his hospice bed, knowing his condition was nearing its end, he replied simply: "I have never been happier."

Reading those words transformed Pedro from a project on my desk into a close friend. I found myself frequently turning to him, convinced that he understands the unpolished details of my own daily trials. Even though he was years younger than me when he passed, his profound faith gave him a mature, quiet strength. In the most literal sense, he has become my Kuya in Heaven—an older brother helping me forward.

Blessed Guadalupe

Following Pedro's story, this growing personal mission brought me an opportunity I had been eagerly looking forward to: finally featuring a female figure in the series. That moment arrived with Blessed Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri. And as the first female layperson in Opus Dei to be beatified, I humbly offer this comic book as a fitting tribute.

So many adventures fill the comic book—from pioneering the first women's residences in Spain and Mexico to launching educational and agricultural programs for the poorest neighborhoods. She even helped start a domestic science school designed to elevate household management to professional standards.

Even while battling a lifelong heart condition, she earned her doctorate, taught for decades, and carried on with contagious optimism. By offering her daily duties to God, she proved that sanctity could be found right in the middle of classrooms, laboratories, and ordinary household tasks.

In all this, Blessed Guadalupe beautifully revealed the feminine genius: her deep receptivity to God's will, her spiritual maternity in guiding others, her sensitivity to human needs, and her joyful generosity in service.

Yet, she was completely transparent about the effort it took. In a letter she wrote from Mexico in 1954, Guadalupe revealed her inner struggle and determination: "I want to be faithful, I want to be useful, and I want to be holy. But the reality is that I still have a long way to go ... But I'm not discouraged and with God's help and your support and everyone's, I hope I'll win through in the end."

Blessed Guadalupe's blend of extraordinary leadership and everyday humanity makes her deeply relatable. Her life beautifully united science, education, and person-centered service—a path that felt intensely familiar, as I have also spent years in chemistry laboratories, teaching classrooms, and managing the logistics of Opus Dei centers.

Because of this shared journey, she has become far more than a professional mentor; she is truly an Ate—an older sister showing me how to serve God with purpose through each of these disciplines.

Big Lessons, Ordinary Lives

There is a profound lesson woven into both of these illustrated books. They remind us that fidelity to a mission in life is not an impossible feat reserved for the perfect—it is lived out in small, quiet acts of love. As St. Josemaría wrote in The Way: "Many great things depend on whether you and I live our lives as God wants."

For Guadalupe and Pedro, this meant giving themselves completely to their daily duties, making real connections with people, and bravely stepping into greater responsibilities. It is in these same struggles—so familiar to us in the middle of layout and design adjustments, emails, and daily deadlines—that God performs His great works.

Their stories shatter the stereotype of the distant, flawless saint. They were ordinary people navigating a modern world, facing the same daily challenges we encounter—searching for meaning, balancing work, and trying to find a deeper connection with God.

By sharing their journeys, my hope is that readers will see a reflection of their own challenges, discover their joyful purpose, and realize that a life of deep, transformative love is entirely within reach.