Blessed Álvaro del Portillo
CHANCELLOR (1975-1994)
Álvaro del Portillo was born on 11 March in 1914 in Madrid, third of 8 children.
He studied as a public works assistant (3 years so that he could help his family financially) at the same time as Civil Engineering, in which he obtained a doctorate a few years later.
In 1935 he joined Opus Dei (which was founded by St. Josemaría Escrivá 6 years previously) and on 25 June 1944 he was ordained a priest by the bishop of Madrid, Mons. Leopoldo Eijo y Garay. In 1946 he moved to Rome where he continued to be the main collaborator with the founder of Opus Dei , until the latter's death in 1975.
He was a consultant for different departments of the Holy See, such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Congregation for the Clergy, Congregation for the Causes of Saints and the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. He worked on the Vatican II Council, first as head of the ante-preparatory Commission on the Laity and then as secretary to the Commission on the Discipline of the Clergy, and also as a consultant to other commissions.
In 1975, he was chosen to succeed St. Josemaría. When Opus Dei was elevated to the status of a personal prelature, the Holy Father named him prelate. In 1990, he was named a bishop by John Paul II, who consecrated him on January 6, 1991. He died in Rome on March 23, 1994.
He always had a great love for Africa, which led him to promote the implementation of numerous social and educational initiatives, such as Monkole Hospital (Kinshasa, Congo) and the Niger Foundation (Enugu, Nigeria).
On 27 September 2014 he was beatified in Madrid, his native city.
PHOTO GALLERY
With St Josemaría
Don Álvaro del Portillo accompanied the founder of the University on all his visits to the University campus in Pamplona. In 1972, he attended together with St Josemaría the award ceremony of Honorary Doctors for Juan de Contreras y López de Ayala, Erich Letterer and Paul Ourliac.
Chancellor
In 1975, upon the death of St. Josemaría and elected as his successor, Don Álvaro assumed the post of Chancellor of the University. The first act he presided over as Chancellor was a tribute to St. Josemaría, celebrated on June 12, 1976.
Visits to the Clinica
Whenever Don Alvaro traveled to Pamplona, he visited the University of Navarra Clinic. He also did so in January 1985, when he came to greet the children admitted to Pediatrics.
New Honorary Doctors (honoris causa)
Don Álvaro del Portillo as Chancellor presided over two ceremonies of investiture of honorary degrees; the 1st in 1989.
Big events
In 1989, Don Alvaro traveled to Pamplona for the investiture ceremony of Honorary Doctors. In addition, he held two gatherings at the Sports Center, which were attended by numerous students and staff from the University.
Always near
In 1990, Don Alvaro attended the Theology Symposium, and during his stay at the University he greeted students and staff, and their families.
Final ceremony in the University
On 29 January 1994, D. Álvaro del Portillo presided over the ceremony of honorary doctors. This was his last ceremony as chancellor of the university. He died two months later on 23 March 1994.