Alexia González-Barros

Although she did not found an institute, Alexia's "life and work" lies in her testimony of faith in the face of illness. In February 1985, at the age of 13, she was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a particularly aggressive form of bone cancer located in her spine. The disease progressed rapidly, leaving her paralyzed in a short time. During the ten months that followed, Alexia underwent four major surgical operations as well as heavy chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Despite intense pain and progressive paralysis, she edified those around her, the doctors, and the nursing staff with her serenity, her constant joy, and her strength of soul. She offered all her sufferings for the Church, for the Pope, and for those who recommended themselves to her prayers. She died on December 5, 1985, at the University of Navarre Clinic in Pamplona, at the age of 14. Her last words were "More" and "Yes."

Alexia's reputation for holiness spread rapidly after her death. Many of the faithful began to ask for her intercession. Her cause for beatification was officially opened in the Archdiocese of Madrid on April 14, 1993. The diocesan phase closed on June 1, 1994, and the file was transmitted to Rome. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints validated the diocesan phase on November 11, 1994.

On July 5, 2018, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, thus granting her the title of Venerable.

The cause of Alexia González-Barros is currently underway at the Vatican. For her to be declared blessed, a miracle attributed to her intercession must be officially recognized by the Church.

Her mortal remains, initially buried in a cemetery in the suburbs of Madrid (Aravaca), were transferred in April 2004 to the church of San Martín de Tours, located in the heart of Madrid. Her tomb has become a discreet but constant place of pilgrimage there, where many anonymous faithful come to leave flowers and pray.

Alexia's spirituality is deeply marked by the spirit of Opus Dei, which teaches the pursuit of holiness through the ordinary realities of daily life. She had a particular devotion to her guardian angel, whom she had affectionately nicknamed "Hugo." Her favorite prayer, which she often repeated before the tabernacle, summarizes her total abandonment to the divine will: "Jesus, I want to be healed, but if you do not want it, I want what you want."\n\nHer legacy has been the subject of several biographies and film productions. In 2008, the fictional film Camino, directed by Javier Fesser, was inspired by her life but sparked intense controversy due to its perceived distorted and caricatured representation of her family and Opus Dei. In response, an official documentary film titled Alexia, directed by Pedro Delgado, was released in 2011 to restore historical truth with the support of her family. In December 2025, a new documentary titled Flores para Alexia highlighted the silent and continuous devotion surrounding her tomb in Madrid.