In the Footsteps of Blessed Alvaro

Blessed Alvaro liked to “visit” Mary by praying the rosary while walking or traveling to a specific Marian shrine or even simpler places with her image. During the years he lived in Rome, he discovered many lesser-known sanctuaries of popular devotion around the city.

If I want you to imitate me in anything, it is in the love I have for our Lady." (Saint Josemaria Escriva)

For almost 40 years, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo lived and worked side by side with the Founder of Opus Dei, Saint Josemaria Escriva, to lay the groundwork for Opus Dei's apostolic work in many countries around the world. Although they were both from Spain, they spent many of those years together in Rome, Italy, close to the Pope and the Holy See.

Saint Josemaria and Blessed Alvaro liked to “visit” Our Lady by praying the rosary while walking or traveling to a specific Marian shrine, or even simpler places with her image. Over the course of the years they lived in Rome, they discovered many lesser-known sanctuaries of popular devotion around the city. When facing problems or periods of more intense suffering, the saint and the blessed had recourse to Our Lady, often physically seeking out one of her many images.

Blessed Alvaro and Father Joseph Muzquiz in front of Saint Mary Major in Rome, in an undated photo.

Starting in 1978, three years after Saint Josemaria's death, Blessed Alvaro wanted to retrace the paths they had taken to find Mary in Rome. It turned out they had prayed at over 40 Marian sites and churches in and around the city. What follows could serve as a Marian "tour book" for your next visit to the eternal city.

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