In the second half of 2003, 277 faithful of the Prelature and 17 members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross passed away.
The suffrages stipulated by Saint Josemaría have been offered for these deceased. As we continue to pray for them, let us thank God for the example they left us through their fidelity in striving to transform their professional work and the ordinary circumstances of their lives into an occasion for loving God and serving the Church and all souls. Their love for God constitutes the meaning and value of their lives, whether outstanding in the eyes of others, or whether quite ordinary, as was true in most cases.
In addition to the names of all who have died during this period, we have gathered a few biographical details about some of the deceased, which give an idea of the variety of circumstances and situations in which the faithful of Opus Dei live. For reasons of space, we are not including this data in the other cases, but we must not forget that we have a debt of gratitude towards all of them for the example of fidelity that they have left us. But these brief sketches will help us live the Communion of Saints better with those who have preceded us to heaven.

Begoña de Acha Valle was born in Bilbao, Spain, on April 17, 1925. She belonged to Opus Dei since 1956, and dedicated herself with joy and zeal for souls to all her duties. For years, until her death in Pamplona on July 7, 2003, she accepted with courage and a sense of humor the limitations she was forced to live with as a result of a thrombosis.

Eduardo Amores Jiménez was born in Seville, Spain in 1917. He had twelve children and became a Supernumerary in 1962. He was very faithful in the fulfillment of the norms of piety and in attending the means of formation, even when, during the last years of his life, his health was in a precarious state. He showed great concern to help his friends and companions. Having attained high prestige as a lawyer, he generously devoted time and energy to providing legal counsel to various apostolic instruments of the Prelature. He died on August 20, 2003.

Manuel Botas was born in Ferrol, Spain, on December 22, 1923, and died on October 20, 2003. He met the founder in early 1941 and that same year joined Opus Dei. He was ordained a priest on July 27, 1952. For some years he formed part of the General Council of Opus Dei. In 1953 he moved to Latin America, first to Peru, then to Colombia and finally to Venezuela. When he returned to Spain he became rector of the Basilica of St. Michael in Madrid. He later spent many years in La Coruña, until he returned to Madrid in 1999, where he remained until his death. He died quietly, offering his life for the intentions of the Prelate of Opus Dei and for the expansion of the Work.

Ignez Costa was born in Jau, Brazil on Febrary 7, 1930, and died on July 22, 2003. One of the first Supernumeraries in Brazil, she brought her family and many other people to the means of formation offered by the Prelature. From her youth her health was quite poor, but she impressed everyone by her constant joy, even when it was clear she was tired or suffering severe discomfort. She recalled with emotion the get-together with St. Josemaría during his stay in Brazil in 1974, and his response to the question she asked. Her funeral was attended by a large number of young people.

Elena Fernández del Valle Ancira was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. One of the first Associates in that city, she was noted for her refinement, cheerfulness and good humor. During her final years, although suffering from a serious illness, she did everything possible to bring many people to God. She died on July 1, 2003.

Victoria Gaona Pacheco grew up in Tacambaro, Mexico and joined Opus Dei in 1954. One of the first Numerary Assistants in Mexico, she showed a great spirit of service in sanctifying her work. Her apostolic zeal led her to help many relatives and friends to come close to our Lord in their respective situations. She died on August 28, 2003.

Kojiro Kurino was born in Oita, Japan on September 14, 1971. He pursued his studies in education in Hiroshima. Married and with three children, he joined Opus Dei in 1995. During his last year on earth, he lived in Nagasaki and worked at the Seido School. He died on July 10, 2003, as a result of a beach accident when he tried to save some students in danger of drowning.

Roberto Lacson Jamora was born in the city of Iloilo, the Philippines, on March 1, 1920. He studied in Manila, where he received his degree in industrial engineering. He was left a widower in 1982, and some time later met Opus Dei. A tireless worker, he was very generous with his employees. During the last months of his life he offered his suffering for the intentions of the Pope and the Prelate of Opus Dei. He died of a cardiac attack in Iloilo on November 13, 2003.

Leonídia de Lopes Ferraz was born on February 11, 1934, in Prado, Portugal. One of the first Portuguese Associates, she studied education and worked as a high school teacher. Through her work she showed her concern for the human and Christian formation of her students and their families. She died at her home from cancer on October 3, 2003.

Juan Antonio Massó Tarruella was born on June 17, 1932, in Barcelona, where he studied business management. In 1951 he joined Opus Dei and was ordained a priest in 1965. In 1967, at the request of St. Josemaría, he moved to Australia to help in the development of the apostolic work in that country, which had begun four years earlier. Thanks to his big heart, his joyful and optimistic character, and his interior life, he carried out a personal apostolate of friendship that left a deep furrow. He died on December 14, 2003, suffering from cancer, at the hospital of the University of Navarre.

José Morell González was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, on August 6, 1962. He joined Opus Dei in 1979, and moved to the Dominican Republic to help with the activities of the Work in that country. His tenacious and self-sacrificing apostolic spirit led him to spend many hours speaking with young people. He dedicated part of his time to organizing social projects to raise living standards in rural areas. He died suddenly on September 27, 2003, while looking after a retreat.

Carlos Morlán Alonso was born in Bilbao, Spain on December 23, 1931, and died, after a long illness, on October 12, 2003. He met the Work in Valladolid and became a member in 1951. After pursuing law and theology studies, he was ordained a priest on March 19, 1964. In the mid-eighties he was diagnosed with a paralyzing illness that he bore with great abandonment in our Lord’s hands. He offered his suffering for souls, and had a great devotion to our Lady.

Bibiano Olaizola Sarría was born in Algorta, Spain, on October 1, 1918. A doctor, he was married and had six children. He was a Supernumerary of Opus Dei since 1956. In striving to carry out his profession very well, he relied on the help of Jesus, Mary and the guardian angels. He was greatly appreciated for the availability with which he looked after every kind of sick person. His apostolic zeal led him to bring many family members to the apostolic activities of Opus Dei. He died in San Sebastian on September 5, 2003.

Luiz Augusto Pinto Lima died on July 11, 2003. He was born on August 25, 1916, and became a Supernumerary in 1963, one of the first in Brazil. He had twelve children, a number of whom are in the Work. He worked enthusiastically, with very few resources, on the project of the Sitio da Aroeira conference center. During the final days of his life he gave everyone a clear example of faith, cheerfulness, love for the Cross and apostolic zeal.

Edwin Rodrigues was born on March 25, 1950, in Nairobi, Kenya. He studied electrical engineering and physics in his native city and joined Opus Dei in 1967. He gave classes in physics at Strathmore College. Around the middle of 2002 he was diagnosed with myeloma. He reacted with great serenity, and cheerfully abandoned himself in God’s hands. His good humor was always contagious. He died on October 10, 2003.

Montserrat Sendrós Casanovas was born in Barcelona on September 4, 1938. A member of Opus Dei since 1966, she worked for the greater part of her life in tasks of government and formation. She died in Barcelona on July 24, 2003, as a consequence of a serous illness that she bore with courage and serenity.

Juan Vicente Sepúlveda Lozano was born on January 10, 1937, and died suddenly in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on December 21, 2003. He joined Opus Dei in 1954 and was ordained a priest in 1960. In all the tasks entrusted to him he showed great priestly zeal. During the final years of his life he was a university chaplain. The Bishop of Aguascalientes asked to preside at the funeral Mass celebrated in the Cathedral.

Margarita Trillo Torres was born on August 1, 1948 in Villagarcia de Arosa, Spain. She joined Opus Dei during her years as a student in Pamplona. Following her studies she dedicated herself to domestic tasks in centers of the Work. Optimistic and cheerful right to the end of her life, she died as a result of a grave sickness on October 2, 2003, in Madrid.