JUAN C. PORTAVELLA was born on February 4, 1932, in Vic, Barcelona, Spain. He earned Master’s degrees in Chemistry and Education from the University of Barcelona.
As a young member of Opus Dei, he lived with St. Josemaría Escrivá in Rome while pursuing doctoral studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). He obtained his doctorate in 1958 and was ordained to the priesthood a year later.
Fr. John - as he was to be familiarly called - began his pastoral ministry in Washington, D.C., and Boston in the United States. In 1967, at the request of St. Josemaría, he moved to the Philippines to continue his apostolic work.
Over the decades, he provided spiritual guidance and formation to students, professionals, priests, and seminarians in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Batangas. From 1981 to 1991, he carried out pastoral work in Cebu, and from 1991 to 2011, in Iloilo. He later returned to Manila, where he continued his priestly work and embraced new technologies to reach a wider audience through his writings.
Among his published works are Discovering the Hidden God, Means to Live a Happy and Pure Life, and Adventure and Good Humor, a narrative recounting the early years of Opus Dei in Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo.
During his 59 years of service in the Philippines, Fr. John mentored numerous seminarians and priests, several of whom later became bishops. One of them, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez of Calbayog, was the main celebrant during the funeral Mass, whose testimonial is reproduced below.
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To my mentor and spiritual director REV. FR. JOHN PORTAVELLA:
As I remember and pay tribute to Fr. John Portavella, my heart is filled with deep gratitude to God for the gift of his life and priestly ministry.
My journey with Fr. John began when I was still a seminarian at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Cebu City. He had already been serving in the Philippines for many years, faithfully dedicating his life to God and to the service of souls as a numerary priest of Opus Dei. For me, however, he was more than a priest whom I knew and respected. He became my mentor, my spiritual director, and a trusted guide in my journey toward the priesthood.
Through his guidance, I learned that priesthood is not simply about what we do, the responsibilities we carry or the services we render. Above all, priesthood is about who we are before God—a life of prayer, fidelity, humility and generous self-giving. His example taught me that a priest’s greatest contribution may not always be seen in great achievements, but in the quiet, faithful, and loving way he accompanies others toward God.
Looking back on my own vocation and priestly journey, I realize how blessed I was to have encountered someone who helped shape my spiritual life and strengthen my commitment to the Lord. The seeds planted through his mentorship and spiritual direction have continued to bear fruit throughout the years.
Fr. John, thank you for being part of my journey. Thank you for your faithful priesthood, your spiritual guidance, and your generous presence in the lives of so many people. Your life reminds us that a vocation faithfully lived becomes a gift that continues to touch others long after our earthly journey has ended.
As we commend you to the loving mercy of God, I pray that the Lord whom you served so faithfully will welcome you into His eternal embrace. May Mary, the Mother of Priests, accompany you to the Father’s house, where every faithful servant finds the fullness of life and the joy of eternal communion with God.
Thank you, Fr. John, for helping me become the priest I am today. Your journey has become part of mine and your legacy will continue to live in the lives you have touched.
May you rest in the peace and love of the Lord you served so faithfully.
Your friend and brother,
+ISABELO C. ABARQUEZ
Bishop of Calbayog