"We are a family that is never separated"

Msgr. Francisco Ugarte, regional Vicar of Opus Dei in Mexico, celebrated the Mass in Guadalajara for the eternal rest of the eleven women of Opus Dei who died in a recent accident.

The Mass on September 15 was celebrated in the Church of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, in Guadalajara. During his homily, Fr. Francisco read from the letter that the Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarría, sent on September 14 to his daughters in Mexico, after receiving news of the accident.

“I have to tell you that, in the face of so much sorrow, I don’t know how to begin. But I want to accept God’s will; may each word, each letter of what I am writing be a suffrage with the whole Work for the eternal rest of these beloved daughters. I ask the Blessed Trinity to grant them a very rich Heaven, and we will not forget to remember them each day.”

Msgr. Ugarte also read a paragraph in which the Prelate stressed the family spirit found in the Work: “When I first read the names, and even now, my eyes filled with tears. This isn’t being sentimental, but rather the reality that we are a wonderful family, closely united, and therefore this painful happening is so difficult to accept. I don't want to speak any more about the accident, but rather to dwell on their souls, so that also now they may sense that we are never separated, and this tragic event may lead us to strengthen the fraternity we need to live.”

In the Mass he asked for the eternal rest of the eleven women who died: Idelfonsa Monroy, Cuca Arellano, Ana Pau Mendoza, Sara Orozco, Loli de la Torre, Elena Cornejo, Cata Lara, Flora Almeida, Mica Bracamontes, Lety Rivera and Lupe Navarrete.

Prayers were also offered for the recovery of the four people who are gravely injured: Oli Mungía, Angie Gómez, Raquel Gutiérrez and Nery García.

Many family members and friends of the deceased attended the Mass, filling the Church to overflowing.

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Mexico City, 14 September 2016.

Yesterday, in a tragic accident, ten women of Opus Dei died and another five were seriously injured. The driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling also died and some people in the other vehicle that was involved were injured.

The accident occurred while traveling on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos, near Guadalajara.

In these moments of great sorrow, we would be grateful for your prayers for all the deceased: Idelfonsa Monroy, Cuca Arellano, Ana Pau Mendoza, Sara Orozco, Loli de la Torre, Elena Cornejo, Cata Lara, Flora Almeida, Mica Bracamontes and Lety Rivera. We also ask that you remember in your prayers their families and friends, so that they may find solace and peace in confronting such an unexpected and painful loss.

We also wish to ask readers of this website for your prayers for the five seriously injured women: Oli Mungía, Angie Gómez, Lupe Navarrete, Raquel Gutiérrez and Nery García, all of whom are in very serious condition.

In a letter from the Prelate of Opus Dei to his daughters in Mexico, Bishop Echevarría wrote: “When I first read the names, and even now, my eyes filled with tears. This isn’t being sentimental, but rather the reality that we are a wonderful family, closely united, and therefore this painful happening is so difficult to accept.”

And he added, “These daughters, now with their memory, will help us to fulfill this resolution: let us love the Cross more, even when we don’t understand the designs of Providence.”

The remains will be transported to Guadalajara and the funerals will be held today and tomorrow at the Church of Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, in Zapopan.

(Update: 15 September)

Yesterday, September 14, the Masses for the eternal rest of the deceased numerary women began.

The coffins with the mortal remains arrived at the Church of Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, in the city of Guadalajara, about 12 noon.

Owing to the large number of people trying to pay their final respects, the decision was made to form two groups: one in the chapel on the lower floor and another in the chapel for the crypts.

At 7.30 pm, the first Mass was celebrated, presided by Fr. Rodrigo Martinez Aceves, Vicar of Opus Dei in Guadalajara, and Fr. Arellano, brother of Cuca, one of the deceased.

Following this Mass, a number of other Masses were celebrated by other priests who had arrived. Many of those arriving at the vigil wake brought something to eat and drink for the family members of the deceased, who spent the night there. In a spontaneous way, some of them took up a collection to assist with the funeral costs.

Several of those present remarked that in the midst of their sorrow, they were comforted to know that all these women were well prepared for their encounter with our Lord, since only a few hours earlier they had been able to gain the jubilee indulgence for the Holy Year of Mercy in the Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos.