Today, May 12, the Church celebrates the liturgical feast of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo (1914–1994). This date was not chosen at random; it coincides with the anniversary of his First Holy Communion, the moment when, as he used to say, the Lord began to take possession of his heart.

To understand “Don Alvaro,” as he is affectionately known, one must analyze the figure of a man who achieved the difficult synthesis between intellectual brilliance and a humility that made him almost invisible so that only God would shine.

A Life of Service: From the World to the Rock of Opus Dei

Alvaro del Portillo was, above all, a man of exceptional training. A Doctor in Civil Engineering, Philosophy, and Canon Law, his analytical and structured mind was the instrument Providence used to give juridical shape to the spirit of Opus Dei.

However, his greatest title was Saxum (Rock). Saint Josemaría Escrivá, seeing his unshakable fidelity, his serenity in the face of trials, and his capacity for work, found in him the firmest support for the expansion of the Work.

• Heroic Fidelity: After the founder’s death in 1975, Alvaro took the helm. His analysis of the situation was clear: he did not come to innovate, but to be the first continuator. His mission was to ensure that the original charism remained intact while the institution grew across five continents.

• Social Impact: Under his leadership, countless social and human development initiatives were launched, especially in Africa and Latin America, such as the Monkole Hospital Center (Congo) or the University of the Holy Cross in Rome.

Spiritual Depth: The “Saxum” and the Permanent Smile

What made Alvaro del Portillo a profound figure was not his external achievements, but his inner peace. Those who lived with him noted that “his mere presence gave peace.”

1. Union with the Cross: He lived through moments of great suffering, including ideological persecutions and health problems, yet always with a joy that was not a result of temperament, but of prayer.

2. The Church as the Center: His love for the Pope and the hierarchy was absolute. He actively collaborated in the Second Vatican Council, serving as secretary of the commission that drafted the decree Presbyterorum Ordinis on the life and ministry of priests.

3. Analytical Humility: He had the ability to break down complex problems with the precision of an engineer, but he always ended on a note of supernatural hope: “Thank you, forgive me, help me more,” was his constant aspiration.

A Legacy of Peace for Today

Blessed Alvaro teaches us that holiness is not necessarily doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. His figure is a balm for a fragmented world; he demonstrated that one can be firm in convictions (being a rock) without losing tenderness and closeness to every person.

On this May 12, his memory invites us to seek that “unity of life” where professional work, family relationships, and faith are not separate compartments, but a single fabric of love for God and service to others.

“Lord, thank you for everything. Forgive me for everything. Help me more.” — Blessed Alvaro del Portillo