The first successor of the founder of Opus Dei was Álvaro del Portillo. He was beatified in Madrid on September 27, 2014. Now, the Church is studying a second miracle that could lead to him being declared a saint.
FRANCESCO RUSSO
Postulator, canonization Alvaro del Portillo
At this time, the Church only needs to recognize that another miracle has occurred through his intercession for him to be proclaimed a saint, if the Pope so decides. So as of September 19, the results of an investigation that took place in the Diocese of León, Mexico regarding an alleged miracle, an extraordinary healing that occurred attributed to the intercession of Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, have been delivered to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
The potential miracle is an extraordinary healing of a Mexican man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident when a horse ran into him while he was driving. When he arrived at the hospital, his condition was very critical.
FRANCESCO RUSSO
Postulator, canonization Alvaro del Portillo
Before the procedure, the surgeon who operated on him told the man's wife, "Look, we're losing him and we don't know whether he will survive and particularly what his condition will be if he survives. Everyone thought he would survive but with severe memory impairments, unable to speak and motor deficiencies. But this was not the case.
The doctors who studied the case closely saw that he might survive with medical intervention. However for him to have recovered completely without any kind of rehabilitation is extraordinary.
Nevertheless, the process of canonization will be long since the first phase, the diocesan phase, has just concluded. The results of the investigation have already been submitted to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, who must now examine whether the legal requirements and procedures have been followed. Afterwards, the case must be analyzed by the Medical Council.
FRANCESCO RUSSO
Postulator, canonization Alvaro del Portillo
There are seven doctors from different specialties assigned by the Dicastery to study this case. At least five of these seven doctors have to give a positive opinion, that is to say that from a scientific point of view, they cannot effectively explain how such a healing occurred.
After the approval of the Medical Council, the process will be studied by theological consultants and, later, by bishops and cardinals of the Dicastery. Ultimately, the last say on whether Blessed Álvaro del Portillo will be declared a saint rests with the Pope.
CA
TR: KG
