12/05/2026
We invite you to join us in celebrating the feast of Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, whose life and vision continue to inspire CITE Technical Institute.
Solemn Eucharistic Celebration
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: CITE Technical Institute, Inc.
Blessed Alvaro del Portillo was the first prelate of Opus Dei and a beacon of inspiration for many social projects in the Philippines. He is well-known for his guiding aspiration: "Thank you. Forgive me. Help me more."
Beatified in 2014, Blessed Alvaro’s beatification confirmed his intercessory power, offering strength to those who pray in his name.
As the first successor and close collaborator of St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, Blessed Alvaro led the institution from 1975 to 1994. His leadership sparked a global movement, including significant outreach to the Philippines.
In 1987, Blessed Alvaro visited the Philippines, where he addressed audiences in Manila and Cebu, urging Catholics to bridge the divide between the rich and the poor. He also praised the Filipino people for their deep Christian faith and highlighted the unique role they play in sharing God’s love worldwide.
His visit served as the catalyst for the establishment of various training schools and organizations in Batangas, Rizal, Iloilo, Manila, and Cebu. These institutions, including CITE Technical Institute, Inc., founded in 1990, are dedicated to serving the less fortunate.
While the Philippines is one of the countries Blessed Alvaro inspired, his influence extended across 30 countries, including efforts in sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
Blessed Alvaro passed away on March 23, 1994, in Rome, shortly after visiting the Holy Land and celebrating his final Mass at the Cenacle, traditionally regarded as the site of the Last Supper.
The miracle leading to Blessed Alvaro’s beatification was the instantaneous healing of Chilean newborn Jose Ignacio Ureta Wilson in 2003. The infant had suffered a cardiac arrest lasting more than 30 minutes, followed by a massive hemorrhage. After being declared dead by the medical team, his heart suddenly began to beat again, marking an extraordinary recovery.
