Opus Dei

At Caesarea, Peter did not understand that following Jesus entails self-giving and sacrifice. On Mount Tabor, however, he began to grasp that Christ’s glory passes through suffering and that the cross is not the end, but the passage to the resurrection.

This is the prayer to ask God for favors through the intercession of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo. You can download the prayer card, which includes a brief biography, as a pdf or as an audio file.

In this pastoral letter, the Prelate of Opus Dei invites us to reflect on some key aspects of joy, following the teachings of Saint Josemaria.

Some reflections that can assist our prayer during the 22nd week of Ordinary Time.

On 14 February, Pope Francis was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome due to a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract. The Holy See Press Office publishes updates on the Pope's health twice a day.

“As the eyes of a maid watch the hands of her mistress, even so our eyes look upon the Lord our God until he have mercy on us. Have pity on us, O Lord!” With such words, the Book of Psalms speaks about trusting in God’s mercy. No matter how harshly we may have been denounced for guilty deeds, no matter how shameful the deeds were, no matter how low we has fallen, we should never despair.

I write today with immense joy and gratitude to report a favor received through the intercession of Blessed Álvaro del Portillo. My wife developed an umbilical hernia some time ago, following the birth of our sixth child.

"Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences."

María José is a lawyer who lives with her husband and son in Madrid. Since the return of the Taliban regime to Afghanistan in August 2021, she has been helping women from that country to find asylum in Spain. There were only a few of them at the beginning, but now they've formed a network that supports 110 families. "Prayer helps me understand the things that happen and God's calls," she says. Her faith inspires her commitment to improving the world around her through her work.

The road we travel with God involves both times of prosperity and moments of greater difficulty of tiredness. Fidelity to a plan of life is not about "perfect execution," but rather remaining in God's love and finding our rest in Him.