On May 12, the liturgy commemorates St. Dominic de la Calzada, a native of Viloria de Rioja (Burgos), a key figure in the expansion and development of the Camino de Santiago. It also commemorates Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, a native of Madrid who spent 40 years with St. Josemaría, founder of Opus Dei, and was his first successor and later bishop.
The saints' calendar today also includes several Roman martyrs, such as Saint Pancrazio and other saints such as Leopold Mandic of Castelnovo, confessor for 40 years in Padua, Cyril, Epiphanius of Salamis, Philip of Agura or German of Constantinople.
Santo Domingo, promoter of the Jacobean Route
Domingo García or Domingo de la Calzada (1019-1109) was born of farmer parents in Viloria de Rioja and died in the town that later acquired his name, Santo Domingo de la Calzada. He tried unsuccessfully to enter the Benedictine monasteries of Valvanera and San Millán de la Cogolla, after which he withdrew to the contemplative life in a forest in the fertile lowlands of the Oja River. There he saw the hardships of the pilgrims, and his constructive concerns were born.
The bishop of Ostia took him on as an assistant, ordained him a priest, and St. Dominic dedicated himself to facilitating the pilgrims' road on their way to Santiago de Compostela. He built a road, promoted a hostel, with a hospital, church and well. The sanctuary would become the cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada in 1106. His faith and enthusiasm infected many people. With the support of King Alfonso VI, he undertook the realization of the works of the Jacobean Route. Miracles were attributed to him.
Blessed Alvaro: fidelity to vocation
Alvaro del Portillo was born in Madrid (Spain) on March 11, 1914, the third of eight children, into a Christian family. He was a doctor of civil engineering and a doctor of philosophy and canon law, a priest and was ordained bishop by St. John Paul II.
His feast day is celebrated on May 12, the date on which he received his First Holy Communion in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Conception in Madrid. He lived his vocation to Opus Dei with full fidelity, through the sanctification of his professional work and the fulfillment of his ordinary duties, and developed a wide apostolic activity.
Blessed Álvaro del Portillo was a consultor to various Dicasteries of the Roman Curia and actively participated in the work of the Vatican Council II. Prior to the conclave in which Pope Leo XIV was elected Pope, the Opus Dei web site recalled some of his words before other conclaves: "Where is PedroWhoever he is: tall or short, fat or thin, of this or that nationality, he is Peter".
"Love the Pope very much."
And more than Blessed AlvaroI know that you commend, persevering unanimously in prayer, the Pope who is to come, faithful to the teachings and example of St. Josemaría in similar circumstances. We want him already," St. Josemaría used to say at the time of the vacancy of the see, referring to the future Supreme Pontiff. Well, we are going to want him too, praying, praying a lot. (Letter, September 29, 1978). "Love the Pope very much with works of faithful service to the Church" (Letter, January 9, 1980).
