Opus Dei

Ale is Bolivian, a mother of two, a psychotherapist and a doctor. She has dedicated a large part of her life to social work. Inspired by the teachings of St. Josemaría, she understood early on that poverty is not only material, but also a lack of love and of God. She and her husband decided to dedicate themselves to social rehabilitation programs. When he died in an accident, Ale decided to continue their work, strengthened by her faith.

This social initiative, born around the beatification of Álvaro del Portillo, has involved the help of 3,500 volunteers and served 22,500 meals. But what really matter are the people behind the numbers. Each of them has a story of suffering and hardship.

Aníbal was educated at Valle Grande, an Opus Dei initiative aimed at providing young people in Peru with the skills needed for social and professional integration. In this video, he shares his story and explains how this educational center has helped him succeed.

"It was surreal experience to travel to the heart of the country." Francis Gonzaga, a student from Warrane College in Sydney, reflects on his experience at a volunteer work camp in Alice Springs, Australia.

The students of Los Cerros (a school in Colombia), in collaboration with the Food Bank, have collected more than 9,600 cans of food that will be distributed to vulnerable families in Bogota.

The following stories show how creativity and a passion for doing good can cut through walls and cross over oceans. Although we are confined, our eagerness to help others cannot be.

Marian from Puerto Rico says she grew up in a "bubble": between her family and her school, all her needs were always met. All of that changed after doing some community service at school. Motivated by Saint Josemaria's encouragement to foster a genuine concern for every person, she also wants to help others to see beyond their own immediate needs.

One year ago the first center in Palestine for the specific diagnosis of breast cancer was opened in Bethlehem. Its history is an example of how a spirit of service can cross over borders and reach the world's peripheries.

"But what can I do?" On seeing so many needy people in the streets of Mazatlan (a coastal city in Mexico), Amparo asked herself what she could do to help. Today, more than 15 years later, Amparo’s question has found a clear answer.

How can I help assist those in need? Where do I start? This short documentary shows creative ways in which Catholics from various countries have responded to the needs of those around them.