May 21st, 1944: The first three "porters and readers"

On this date, Bl. Alvaro del Portillo, Don Jose Luis Muzquiz and don Jose Maria Hernandez Garnica received the minor orders* of porter and reader.

From a note by one of those present: "At twelve o'clock, in the episcopal chapel, the first three received the orders of porter and reader. On this occasion we had an extraordinary get-together at Diego de Leon (a center of Opus Dei in Madrid) which we prepared with so much affection, and which was intended to be a homage to the father and our brothers. There was poetry, music, jokes... joy was overflowing; youngsters and not-so-youngsters participated, and it lasted until seven. One of us read some notes that expressed everybody's sentiments. Among other things, it was said that we had celebrated in union with [doña Dolores] (St. Josemaria's mother) and with those who, from the other home (heaven), so much have helped us in this yearning, cherished for so long, to come true. Our father was very excited, and so was everyone else. Afterwards, our father gave us the blessing with the Most Holy Sacrament. The day became a bit grim, as our father was not feeling well and had to go to bed earlier than usual: his face was swollen due to a series of small abscesses and was very tired. Once more, it would be accomplished that wich we have so many times heard him say: that on days of special joy, our Lord would always offer him to participate more of his Cross".

*(Minor orders used to be: porter, reader, exorcist, acolyte).