Guadalupe Ortiz, a laywoman from Spain will be beautified in Madrid on 18th May 2019. A chemist, university teacher and close associate of St. Jose Maria Escriva, she will become the first numerary of Opus Dei to be beautified. She was always known for her strong character, big heart and cheerfulness. Born in Madrid on Dec 12, 1916, Guadalupe was known for her being a courageous and bold child.
Because of her father’s military service, her family moved to Tetouan, North Africa at the age of 10. After six years they returned back to Spain where she completed her higher studies. She enrolled herself to study chemistry in a university where she was one of the five girls in a class of seventy. Ortiz was just 20 years old when she witnessed the death news of her father. Her father who was a colonel in the army was arrested and condemned to death during the Spanish Civil War. Ortiz forgave the persecutors of her father. After the civil war ended in the year, 1939 Ortiz who had moved out of Spain for some time came back and taught in two schools. Years later she experienced a powerful grace of God during a Holy Mass after which she met Fr Jose Maria, the founder of Opus Dei. At the age of 27, she became a numerary of Opus Dei. She was engaged in all the activities of Opus Dei and provided assistance to Fr. Jose Maria in his endeavours. Along with her service in Opus Dei, She managed to continue her academic studies and she obtained a Doctorate in the year 1948.
Ortiz made frequent visits to the blessed sacraments where she engaged in continuous conversation with Christ which marked her true zeal of devotion. Ortiz died on 16th July 1975 owing to sudden respiratory failure. Ortiz will be beautified by Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints on May 18, 2019.
