Romana

On September 20, Cardinal Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid, presided over the closing session of the diocesan phase of the process of canonization of the married couple Tomas Alvira (1906-1992) and Paquita Dominguez (1912-1994). During the ceremony the boxes containing the documentary evidence gathered by the diocesan tribunal were sealed; this material will be sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, where it will be carefully studied and the writing of the Positio will eventually be initiated. At the ceremony, eight children of the Alvira’s were present along with friends and relatives of the couple and dozens of persons with devotion to these Servants of God. The biographical sketch outlined by the postulator of the cause, Rev. José Carlos Martin de la Hoz, emphasized the persevering effort by Tomas and Paquita—Supernumerary faithful of Opus Dei—to live the Christian virtues to a heroic degree and to sanctify themselves through their professional and family duties.