On March 19, 1944, Guadalupe joined Opus Dei as a numerary, committing to celibacy and complete availability for the work of the prelature. Numeraries normally live in an Opus Dei center. However, she did not go to live at a center, but settled into an apartment with her mother, who needed care due to her advanced age.
During her first years as an Opus Dei member, Guadalupe worked primarily in the Christian formation of young people in Madrid and Bilbao. She was later sent to Mexico to begin the apostolic work of Opus Dei there.
In 1956, she settled in Rome, where she worked with St. Josemaría in the administration of Opus Dei. After two years, because of health reasons, she moved back to Spain, where she again took up teaching and scientific research. She then finished her doctoral thesis in chemistry.
Martinez de la Hoz said that what stood out about Guadalupe was "her smile, her good humor, her laughter...She was a woman who preferred to not dwell on the negative, and who completely trusted in God."
The priest emphasized that what really brought Guadalupe to sanctity was her patience as a chemistry professor.
At the same time, she continued to work in Christian formation in Opus Dei. In all her actions, she reflected her strong desire to love God in her work, her friendship and with a deep joy that radiated peace and serenity, he said.
Guadalupe died of heart disease in Pamplona, Spain on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1975. She was 59 years old and at the time of her death held a reputation of sanctity. Favors attributed to her intercession were quickly reported.
Her beatification cause was begun in the Archdiocese of Madrid in 2001, and was sent on to Rome in 2006.
This article was originally published by our sister agency, ACI Prensa. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
This article was originally published Aug. 15, 2018.