This Mother of Eleven is on the Road to Sainthood

Amparo Portilla Crespo was born in Valencia, Spain, on May 26, 1925.  She was the oldest of four siblings and would grow up to be the mother of eleven children. She would also become a national leader in Apostolic work. Along with her husband, Frederick Romero, they developed and helped implement programs to help families in parishes, schools, and other institutions throughout Spain.

During 1937, when the Spanish Civil War was raging, Amparo's father was put in prison and executed. She was only twelve, and this loss was a traumatic experience in her young life. She summoned the strength she needed to get through this time of heartache from her deep faith and her special devotion to the Blessed Virgin. When the Civil war ended, Amparo returned to school, earned the necessary credentials, and became a catechist.

Awarded the Daughter of Mary Medal

In 1943, Amparo was awarded the Daughter of Mary medal from Sagrado Corazon High School. She received this medal because she chose as her motto, "Aparta Madre de mi, lo que me se separa de Ti." Which means, "Away Mother from me, what separates me from you." She followed the message of the motto her entire life.

Amparo and Frederick Romero married in 1950 and moved to Madrid. The couple represented Catholic marriage as God would have wanted. They loved each other dearly and had eleven children together. Amparo was a loving, selfless and caring mom and was always smiling and upbeat. Her example influenced many as to how to live a Christian life.

Amparo has a great devotion to Our Lady of the Forsaken  (Virgen de los Desamparados) 

She managed to go to Mass almost every day, which was not easy when her children were young and at home. She taught them to be kind to the poor, elderly, sick, and those in need. The rosary was part of the family routine, and Amparo had a great devotion to Our Lady of the Forsaken. She also tried to take the family on pilgrimages to as many Marian shrines as she could.

Amparo was involved in many Catholic causes, but the most prolific was Family Apostolic Work.  This became the Christian Family Movement which spread all over Spain and was featured on some television programs in which Amparo would promote family values and the importance of family.

In 1994, Amparo was feeling very tired, and the fatigue would not subside. She finally goes to see her doctor. It was discovered that she had lung cancer. She did not despair but instead accepts the diagnosis as God's will. She offers up her suffering for her children.

Amparo goes into the hospital, and they operate, removing her right lung. Things seemed to be progressing well, but after ten days, a bronchopleural fistula developed. This required another surgery, and her right side was left open for daily treatments. Amparo's treatments are an everyday event. Always displaying a smile, she endures chemotherapy, radiation treatments, radiosurgery, eight bronchoscopes, and tests for brain cancer.

After 556 consecutive days of treatments, she passed away. The date was May 10, 1996. She was born in May and died in May. She also had received her First Holy Communion on May 6, all in Mary's month.. Mary's devoted servant, Amparo, was quite happy when she realized this would happen.

Many people began asking for her intercession in their lives upon her death, and many comments started to pour in about answered prayers. On April 24, 2021, Pope Francis, citing Amparo's legacy of faith and love, declared her a woman of "Heroic Virtue," She now bears the title of Venerable in her journey to sainthood. Beatification is her next step.

Venerable Amparo Portilla Crespo, please pray for us and for all families, everywhere.

Copyright©Larry Peterson 2021