MANILA, Sept. 28, 2016 – Do you need help in realizing a work of mercy? Do you want to help a loved one be reconciled with God? Is your NGO undergoing financial difficulties in sustaining a project for the poor?
Perhaps this blessed priest can help you.
Two years after the beatification of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo on Sept. 27, 2014, the Office for the Causes of the Saints of the Prelature of Opus Dei in the Philippines continues to receive letters of many favors received attributed to the intercession of this holy priest.
Many acknowledgements of favors deal with health issues and work. There are also many accounts that testify to the effectiveness of the intercession of Blessed Alvaro in reconciling family members and in helping people live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Favors granted
“I received a favor through the inspiration of Blessed Alvaro,” wrote a young man. “After more than six months of praying and offering sacrifices, I finally convinced my mother to go to Confession. Please pray so that she will be regular in daily prayer, Sunday Mass and Confession.”
Another letter related: “My sibling has not been going to Mass for some years. Through Blessed Alvaro’s intercession this sibling finally went to Confession and has been regular in attending Sunday Mass since then.”
A student from Pasig City wrote, “Our school announced that it will be cutting down on scholarships once the K-12 program is implemented. Our class decided to set up a small business as our project for one of our major subjects.
In spite of the difficulties, we were able to raise 430,000 pesos in one month to help fund incoming scholars into our university. I personally believe that this was made possible through the intercession of Blessed Alvaro.”
A president of an NGO wrote of a big favor received from Blessed Alvaro.
“A president of another NGO shared with me a deep concern since his group had fallen short of funds to sustain a program for the benefit of poor farmers.
“We brought up the matter to the board and prayed for help from Blessed Alvaro. After that fateful meeting I received a call from a government entity informing that it had agreed to our proposal to provide the needed resources to complete the program.”
Moved people to works of mercy
Del Portillo, as Prelate of Opus Dei, visited Manila and Cebu in 1987. As he personally saw the glaring gap between the rich and the poor, he reminded his audiences in the Philippines of their duty as Catholics to live charity towards their neighbor.
Pope Francis, on the occasion of the beatification of del Portillo, wrote a letter to the Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria, and pointed out “the Servant of God Alvaro knew the need we have of God’s mercy, and devoted a lot of his own energy to encouraging the people he met to go Confession the sacrament of joy.”
Readers who wish to receive more information on Blessed Alvaro del Portillo may visit www.alvarodelportillo.org or write to ocs.ph@opusdei.org. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas / CBCP News)
