Montserrat Grases
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Montserrat Grases (Barcelona, Spain, July 10, 1941- Barcelona, March 26, 1959) was a Spanish Opus Dei member and is a candidate for Beatification in the Roman Catholic Church.
[edit] Life and Faith
Montserrat Grases was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1941. Montse, as she was known by everyone, grew up in a devout Catholic family. After graduating from high school, she continued her studies at the Barcelona Women’s Professional School. A very pious and devout girl, she felt in 1957 that God was calling her to Opus Dei, a Catholic religious organization which promotes the idea that holiness can be found in ordinary life and work. After seeking counsel, she asked for admission to Opus Dei as a numerary member.
In June of 1958, she was diagnosed with bone cancer in her leg. The cancer caused intense pain, which she reportedly bore with serenity and heroic fortitude. As a result, she continued bringing many friends and schoolmates closer to God during her illness. She died on Holy Thursday, March 26, 1959. According to witnesses, she died looking at a picture of the Virgin Mary. Her last words were, "How much I love you! When are you coming for me?"[citation needed]
[edit] Cause for Canonization
The process for her cause of canonization was opened in Barcelona on December 19, 1962 — four years after her death — and was closed on March 26, 1968, the 9th anniversary of her death. On February 22, 1974, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued the decree on writings, and on May 15, 1992, the decree of validity of the process. Between June 10 and October 28 of 1993, a diocesan investigation took place to add new documents to the process. The Positio was submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in December of 1999, to be studied for a proposal to the Vatican to authorize a declaration on her life and virtues.
