I think I’ve met a saint

Joaquín Romero Salord , a technical architect and member of Opus Dei, had multiple sclerosis from the age of 22. This disease, which he jokingly called “my unexpected guest,” accompanied him until his death. He passed away shortly after celebrating his fiftieth birthday in 2018. I met him two years earlier, during the wonderful two years I spent in Barcelona, ​​encouraged by some friends who told me he was a saint. I admit I thought it was an exaggeration, as is often said of so many good people, but perhaps it wasn’t so extreme. I went to bring him Communion, as he tried to receive it daily. During these trips, I was usually accompanied by a student. I remember the joy with which we always returned, healthily infected by the optimism and encouragement that Joaquín gave us. On one occasion, Joaquín was asked what he would say to God when he arrived in Heaven. He replied that he would thank Him for everything he had received. A madman, in human eyes, in love with Jesus Christ, who radiates joy no matter what. May those who prophesied that Joachim would become a saint soon be proven right.

Talking with God

On March 7th, Father Francisco Fernández-Carvajal passed away at the age of 88. He was an Andalusian priest who has helped, and will continue to help, millions of people talk to God. It is something that, in one way or another, we all seek. Christ always has something to tell us. And everything He wants to tell us is, fundamentally, in the Gospels. But it helps us a great deal when the meaning of each message, each parable, each miracle is discussed and explained to us. It also helps when we are shown how to relate it to our daily rights and duties, so that our intention pleases God. Fernández-Carvajal was known primarily for publishing, in several volumes, a collection of more than five hundred meditations, covering every day of the calendar. He also has other titles as interesting as, for example, a Life of Jesus. He never addressed himself to specialists but to mothers, employees, people of all kinds That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see his books even in the Huancavelica mountain range in Peru. Twenty years ago, he had already sold more than two million of these incredibly useful books. It’s only right to be grateful.