Testimonies and Other Writings The following is the work of the individual author and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Opus Dei Awareness Network, Inc. Cult-Like
Reverence for Escriva I
lived in a residence hall in Mexico City thirty something years
ago when "el Padre" came to visit Mexico. There was such
a frenzy, a cult-like reverence for Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer
y Albas. People wanted to touch him, or have any little memento
from him. He went to Guadalajara for a visit, and he fell in love
with a colonial era painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe that hung
in the home of rich benefactors. Much to their dismay, after "el
Padre" visited their home, they were informed that he wanted
to hang the very image that had been in their family for centuries
in his bedroom at Viale Bruno Buozzi in Rome. There were negotiations
back and forth. The family resisted. Finally, they were told that
"el Padre" had dreamt that he would die contemplating
the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They could no longer resist,
gave in, and handed the painting over. Except, the painting was
part of the historical patrimony of Mexico and could not leave the
country. Opus Dei has never had problems being secretive when it
will work out for their advantage. I clearly remember that day when
Alfonso Monroy and Guillermo Tellez were driven to the Mexico City
International Airport with the canvas all rolled up and hidden in
their lugagge. They succesfully broke the laws of Mexico. And these
two guys were, in my estimation, the nicest men I had ever met in
that residence hall. They could not refuse orders...besides, they
were doing it for "el Padre". Posted December 18, 2003 |