Fr. Jose Luis Muzquiz was one of the first priests of Opus Dei. Its founder, St. Josemaria Escriva, gave him a special assignment: To give Opus Dei a presence in Asia and the United States, where he eventually passed away in 1983.
His cause of canonization started in 2011 and its diocesan phase was completed in the month of May. American Cardinal Sean O'Malley presided over its closing ceremony.
CARD. SEAN O'MALLEY
Archbishop of Boston
'Although the process is just beginning, even reflecting on the holiness of life of this great priest, it's a benefit to all of us. And we pray that this cause will advance quickly and many others will be continued to be touched by the testimony of his life and his holiness.â?
In an improvised speech, Cardinal O'Malley thanked Opus Dei members for their help in the archdiocese of Boston, its education and evangelization efforts. He also talked about the influence the late priest had on others.
CARD. SEAN O'MALLEY
Archbishop of Boston
'The Church exists to make saints, so we can always do with the formality and the decoration of a canonization. But, just out of curiosity, how many of you knew father Joseph? Isn't that wonderful that in our Church today we are canonizing people whose lives are so immediately connected to our own?â?
FR. RICHARD RIEMAN
First Opus Dei member in the USA
'When I was a kid everybody wanted to Confess on Saturday night. One guy said 'Hey, there is a priest here from Spain at the University of Chicago. He doesn't speak too much English but he is a wonderful priest'. So I called him, I went the next morning, he heard my Confession and then he said Mass. When I saw him saying the Mass I said: there is something here... I mean, this guy is very close to our Lord.â?
Now that the diocesan phase of his cause has been concluded, the information will be sent to Rome. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints will look into it, before the cause moves to the next step.
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