After reciting the Regina Coeli, the pope asked for a round of applause for Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri, who had been beatified in Madrid the day before.
POPE FRANCIS
'An applause for the new Blessed! All together!'
Pope Francis briefly explained the message of this woman, the first lay-woman of Opus Dei to be declared Blessed.
POPE FRANCIS
'She joyfully served her brothers and sisters by combining the teaching and the proclamation of the Gospel. Her witness is an example for Christian women engaged in social activities and scientific research.”
The beatification ceremony was held in Madrid, in an old bullfighting stadium. Cardinal Angelo Becciu celebrated the beatification ceremony on behalf of the pope.
CARD. ANGELO BECCIU
Prefect, Congregation for the Causes of Saints
'The new Blessed communicates to us, today's Christians, that it is possible to harmonize prayer and action, contemplation and work, according to a lifestyle that leads us to trust in God and to feel that we are an expression of His will, which must be lived out at all times'.
The ceremony was attended by the Cardinal of Madrid, Carlos Osoro; the President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez; and the Prelate of Opus Dei, Fernando Ocáriz.
FERNANDO OCÁRIZ
Prelate of Opus Dei
'For the intercession of Blessed Guadalupe I commend our intention to always be good children of the Church; and may the Prelature of Opus Dei, as St. Josemaría wanted, always serve the Church as the Church wants to be served.”
Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri was one of the very first women in Opus Dei. She was enthusiastic about St. Josemaria's suggestion not to limit her relationship with God solely to prayer in a chapel. This is because he advocated work and rest as good opportunities to help people and encounter God.
Guadalupe studied chemistry and worked in Spain, Mexico, and Italy. She was a cheerful and committed woman who always knew how to make herself available to those who needed her.
