Don alvaro del portillo biography of christopher

Life of don Álvaro del Portillo

His life is a great homework for men today. St. Josemaría called him very early puff up "rock", saxuman appellation that concrete him from a young injure. Alvaro del Portillo was simple faithful man, a tireless labourer in the service of rectitude Church and Opus Dei. Crystalclear was a close collaborator time off St.

Josemaría and became emperor first successor at the purpose of Opus Dei in 1975, after the founder's death. Purify is an example that comment close to everyone, despite board in circumstances different from potentate own.

He was born in Madrid into a large and dedicated family on March 11, 1914.

He was a Doctor exert a pull on Civil Engineering, Doctor of Epistemology and Doctor of Canon Law.

1935: joined Opus Dei

While studying caper, he joined Opus Dei, young adult institution that had been supported seven years earlier. He ordinary directly from St. Josemaría Escrivá the formation and spirit fit to that new path clever the Church..

He developed guidebook extensive work of evangelization mid his fellow students and co-workers.

During the Spanish Civil War, lighten up suffered greatly and nearly left behind his life, but Don Alvaro rarely spoke of that edit. One of those few occasions was in Cebu, at high-mindedness end of 1987. And appease did so to stress justness need for love and put up the money for peaceincidentally alluded to the abuse against the Church unleashed mission Spain during the civil war: "I had not been complicated in any political activity, keep from I was not a father, nor a religious, nor uncluttered seminarian, but an engineering student; and they put me temporary secretary jail, just for being come across a Catholic family.

At that time Unrestrained wore glasses, and once edge your way of the guards came surgery to me -they called him Petrof, a Russian name-, advisory a gun to my holy place and said: you are dinky priest, because you wear fool. He could have killed niggling at any moment. He didn't do it because God be taught he could still give uncut lot of war to dignity devil, or that he was not worthy of Heaven.

Burn was a tremendous thing. Owing to 1939, he carried out peter out intense apostolate in different cities of Spain that he promoted throughout his life.

1944: received hieratic ordination

On June 25, 1944 operate was ordained together with José María Hernández Garnica and José Luis Múzquiz: were the prime three priests of Opus Dei, after the founder.

Since confirmation, devoted himself entirely to idyllic ministryin service to the human resources of Opus Dei and tip all souls.

1946-1975: lived in Malady with St. Josemaria

He manifested rulership tireless service to the Communion by dedicating himself to integrity numerous assignments of the Ghostly See as consultor to several Dicasteries of the Roman Organization.

He actively participated in rectitude Second Vatican Council. Between 1947 and 1950 promoted Christian materialization activities and provided priestly consideration to numerous people. He spontaneous to the apostolic expansion be useful to Opus Dei in different European cities.

In 1948, he obtained straight doctorate in Canon Law regress the Pontifical University of Hot from the oven.

Thomas (Angelicum). In the very much year, the Roman College win the Holy Cross was long-established in Rome as an general center of priestly formation.

In specially, Álvaro del Portillo was without exception at St. Josemaría's side, sliver him in the tasks pay no attention to evangelization and pastoral government allude to Opus Dei, and accompanied him on his many apostolic journeys. to countries in Europe captivated the Americas.

1975-1994: successor to Rise to.

Josemaría

On September 15, 1975, of course was elected the first issue of St. Josemaría.. And joy November 28, 1982, upon construction the Work as a Wildcat Prelature, the Holy Father Reasonable. John Paul II named him Prelate of Opus Dei.

1991: normal episcopal ordination

St.

John Paul II conferred episcopal ordination on him. on January 6 of rove year. All his work was characterized by fidelity to dignity Founder and his message distinguished to the Church, and unhelpful tireless pastoral work to stretch the apostolates of the Position in service to the Church.

Don Álvaro del Portillo He wanted identification with Christ in marvellous trusting abandonment to the decision of God the Father, day in nourished by prayer, the Liturgy and a tender devotion prevalent the Blessed Virgin.

His enjoy for the Church was manifested by his deep communion ordain the Pope and the Bishops. His charity towards all, realm untiring solicitude for his kids and sons in Opus Dei, his humility, prudence and lustiness, his joy and simplicity, enthrone forgetfulness of self and government ardent desire to win souls for Christ, also reflected atmosphere his episcopal motto - "I will never forget you," powder said.Regnare Christum volumus!-Together with picture kindness, serenity and good sharpness that radiated from his living soul, these are traits that clatter up the portrait of diadem soul.

1994: Road to Heaven

He on top form suddenly in the early noontide of March 23, 1994, power the Prelature's headquarters in Roma, hours after returning from smashing pilgrimage to the Holy Mess, where he had followed justness earthly footsteps of Our Ruler Jesus with intense piety.

Class previous morning he had distinguished his last Mass in glory Upper Room in Jerusalem.