Opus Dei

[searching]

Please forgive me if this question seems a little ignorant, as I've said, I am just now beginning to learn about Catholicism. That being said:

Is Opus Dei officially sanctioned by the Church?

I tried reading up a little bit about it, but I am unclear on it. I have only heard mention of it twice, once in a movie (I am sure you can guess which one) and once in a book (no, not the same one as the movie : ).

Anyway, I am just curious about it. As always, thank you for your patients and answers.

P.S. I am very greatful for everybody's kindness and warm reception. I must admit, I was bit apprehensive that I may not have been well recieved at first, especially with the nature of my first post. I can only hope that most Catholics are as accepting as those I have encountered in my short time on this board. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[Resurrexi]

Opus Dei is approved (though there are mixed feelings about it) and its founder has been canonized.

[cmotherofpirl]

We have several OD members here if you want to ask them questions.

[aalpha1989]

It was pretty funny the other day, someone was trying to insult me and told me that I "would make a great member of [i]Opus Dei[/i]"....that's the second best insult i've ever received! (the first was when my history teacher called me john paul II for saying that women are unable become priests....she really didnt like him...)

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I believe Pope John Paul II was a well known fan of Opus Dei. He canonized St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei.

[Nathan]

A philosophy professor of mine is a very dedicated member of Opus Dei. He is awesome.

I can't speak first-hand, but everything I've read and heard about the order (from trustworthy sources, that is) makes me believe that they are completely on-the-level and a wonderful presence in the Church. In any case, as STM said, Opus Dei is fully approved by the Church (Pope John Paul II was a big supporter) and its founder -- Fr. Josemaria Escriva -- was made a saint.




[quote name='aalpha1989' post='1181918' date='Jan 31 2007, 11:14 PM']....that's the second best insult i've ever received! (the first was when my history teacher called me john paul II for saying that women are unable become priests....she really didnt like him...)[/quote]

She should have called you "Catholic." The fact that women are unable to become priests was established some 2,000 years before John Paul.

Edited February 1, 2007 by Nathan

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

i agree with this, but would like to add some reasons why Opus Dei is controversial. Many people are upset, by its "cult" like nature, although this is not in anyway proven, nor do i agree with this opinion. Also Josemaria Escriva was canonized without the use of a devil's advocate, so some people (again not me) think his canonization is doubtful.

[aalpha1989]

[quote name='Nathan' post='1181923' date='Jan 31 2007, 10:23 PM']
She should have called you "Catholic." The fact that women are unable to become priests was established some 2,000 years before John Paul.
[/quote]


I know, and I told her that...I never even mentioned JPII in my arguments, she just didn't like him because of that and a few other reasons...anyway she wasn't really the brightest when it came to Church teaching. she was hired because she was an amazing history teacher.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='SearchingForSomething' post='1181891' date='Jan 31 2007, 07:45 PM']
Please forgive me if this question seems a little ignorant, as I've said, I am just now beginning to learn about Catholicism. That being said:

Is Opus Dei officially sanctioned by the Church?

I tried reading up a little bit about it, but I am unclear on it. I have only heard mention of it twice, once in a movie (I am sure you can guess which one) and once in a book (no, not the same one as the movie : ).

Anyway, I am just curious about it. As always, thank you for your patients and answers.

P.S. I am very greatful for everybody's kindness and warm reception. I must admit, I was bit apprehensive that I may not have been well recieved at first, especially with the nature of my first post. I can only hope that most Catholics are as accepting as those I have encountered in my short time on this board. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
[/quote]i definitely suggest the book by John Allen Jr. entitled [u]Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church[/u]. very well done, I assure you. you can find it on amazon.com [url="http://www.amazon.com/Opus-Dei-Objective-Controversial-Catholic/dp/0385514492"]HERE[/url]

BTW, welcome to phatmass :

[angelusdomini]

Up until my final year in high school, I was educated under the auspices of Opus Dei (in Africa). It was a wonderful experience and I undoubtedly have some of my fondest memories. One of the things, "peculiarities" you may have ran across is their insistence on"segregation" especially whn it comes to spiritual formation. Well, this was also true at my school although where I'm from this isn't uncommon, even public schools (particularly in HS) are either all boys or all girls schools. Our atmosphere was a little different. At my school, everything was run by women. Infact from what I remember the only men at my school were the priest, the gardners/groundskeepers and the watchmen. I never felt a radical feminist/woman power vibe in this arrangement though. It was all very natural. There was a very good balance and I think the advantages this arrangement became became ever more apparent as I grew older and went to HS 9at the same school). In particular I remember when I first began to here the echoes of voices accusing the Catholic Church of being anti-woman, and all I could think of were these lay-women who were my physics and chemistry and history and geography teachers as well as my authority figures- headmistress etc and I just knew then how ridiculous these claims were.

There is also a "brother" school near us for boys also run by OD and it operates basically the same way only in reverse. But we had several occasions during the year when both schools would get together for various functions.

I am also very grateful to God for the formation He provided for me through OD, it is only now as an adult that I have trully come to appreciate the great gift I received at the school. I remember from my early years in primary school that some of the questions in our Reigious Ed. bks were from the Baltimore Catechism (this is in hindsight off course because I never actually heard this name until coming to the U.S.). They formed us for first Holy Communion and Confirmation. They also enrolled us (those whose parents permitted) in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. It was also at this school that I was first introduced to a trully beautiful chapel with a large painting of Our Lady Queen of the Angels behind the tabernacle which was in the front at the very center. I also remember it being impressed upon us to read the Bible seriously at least 5 min. a day from a young age and us going rather deeply into God's plan for our salvation and how it is revealed in SS esp. in the NT. and how that was forshadowed in the OT e.g. the comparison/contrast/explanation between the passover and the Last Supper (fourth grade). I also remember us going through the entire four gospels with notes especially on the Miracles of Our Lord and the parables. It was very orthodox.

It was also my first intro. to the use of Latin in Church, in fact, we said benediction entirely in Latin. It just so happens that our chaplains had been professionals before becoming priests. I don't know I liked that, it made them seem normal when we were growing up. One of our longest chaplains was/is a former OB/GYN so in HS when we were learning Doctrine and came to sanctity of life issues, those were very interesting classes. The priests were always seen in cassock. All in all, I had a great exposure in religion and culture through them and I am forever grateful to them. I keep them and OD in my prayers often. Also, if you get a chance you should really listen to St. Jose Maria speak, he is simply electric. I remember once seeing him on tape saying how he was "in love" with Jesus, that simply took my breath away and made me ask, "really? Is that possible?"

Any of you reading this who might be tempted to think that I turned out to be this wonderfully well adjusted faithful daughter of the Church. Do not permit yourselves to fall into such an illusion. I must admit that I at one point blatantly disobedient and profoundly lost daughter of the church. It is now in hindsight that the profundity of my sin and offense to God because through OD, He had revealed His love for me and His truth in as complete a way as I was able to absorb at the time, and yet...and yet... I would turn from Him that Is Love. This is a sad realisation and a very humbling admission. For I was not the victim of poor catechesis or scandalous example... But even in all that God's mercy towards me is made even more apparent. I have reflected on this some sinse my "turn-back" and I think (although this will be only partially why) I went to this school and was exposed in such a convincing and irresistable way, to the truth, so that I would have a point of reference to turn towards when I was ready to come home. I feel as though God knew what a stubborn case He had so He primed me in my younger days (Kind of like infant baptism) that I would have things to draw from on my journey back. I would know that the true Church is the Catholic Church and it was on the whole- unmarred by negative experiences. So that I may not be lost on my quest home and end up somewhere else as others who after a return to an authentic life of faith- end up outside the visible bounds of the Church for one reason or another. This is trully one of God's great works of mercy in me and I thank Him as often as I remember that OD was an integral part of it.

Here is a link to the [url="http://www.opusdei.com/"]Opus Dei[/url] website for more info.

P.S. despite the above, I am not a member of Opus Dei.

Pax et bonum.

Edited February 5, 2007 by Angelus_Domini

[Cam42]

[quote name='SearchingForSomething' post='1181891' date='Jan 31 2007, 09:45 PM']
Please forgive me if this question seems a little ignorant, as I've said, I am just now beginning to learn about Catholicism. That being said:

Is Opus Dei officially sanctioned by the Church?

I tried reading up a little bit about it, but I am unclear on it. I have only heard mention of it twice, once in a movie (I am sure you can guess which one) and once in a book (no, not the same one as the movie : ).

Anyway, I am just curious about it. As always, thank you for your patients and answers.

P.S. I am very greatful for everybody's kindness and warm reception. I must admit, I was bit apprehensive that I may not have been well recieved at first, especially with the nature of my first post. I can only hope that most Catholics are as accepting as those I have encountered in my short time on this board. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
[/quote]

I am a member of Opus Dei. I posted this response on June 26, 2006.....

[quote]Opus Dei is about spreading the universal call to holiness. One of the basic responsibilities of ALL Christians is to spread the Good News. Opus Dei encourages its members and all Christians to take this responsibility seriously and provides a sort of "framework" in which to do so. The work people do in service to the Gospel message is called "apostolate". In Opus Dei, the members' apostolate is a "directed apostolate." Opus Dei emphasizes that members are ordinary Catholics.

Apostolate is simply the activity one carries out in the service of the Gospel. It is being an apostle. While there may be some technical difference I'm not aware of, it is also known as "evangelization," and I use the terms interchangeably. Around Opus Dei you are more likely to hear the word "apostolate", but as far as I'm concerned, "evangelization" means the same thing.

Members of Opus Dei are encouraged to carry out their apostolate by continually looking for opportunities to impart the spirit of Opus Dei to their friends, family, and colleagues through conversations, doctrine classes, study clubs, retreats, evenings of recollection, etc.

Before being formally admitted to Opus Dei, prospective members are instructed that:

1. they must commit themselves to strive for personal holiness according to the spirit and practice of Opus Dei;
2. they will be under the jurisdiction of the directors of the Work and should obey them in all that pertains to the aims of the prelature, its government, spirit, and apostolate;
3. they should assiduously try to live the plan of life in its fullness, especially daily mental prayer, the Holy Rosary, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion;
4. the spirit of Opus Dei encourages them to lead a life of intense work;
5. they should try to fulfill all the obligations that come with the type of membership (i.e., numerary, associate, supernumerary);
6. they should try to carry out an active apostolate under the supervision of the directors of Opus Dei which is primarily aimed at spreading the universal call to holiness;
7. they must provide for their own economic support; and
8. they should generously contribute financially to the apostolic works of Opus Dei according to their personal circumstances.

In return, members have the right to receive appropriate means of formation and the ministerial care of priests of the Prelature.

The Founder used to say that the vocation to Opus Dei is the vocation to be a "contemplative in the middle of the world", and as any Catholic can see, the practices in the plan of life will certainly foster a contemplative spirit.

There are three types of members in the men's branch: Numeraries, associates and supernumeraries. The vocation is the same for all 3 types. The distinction is in their availabilty to direct and assist in the apostolic activities of the prelature.

Supernumeraries are the third type of member. And that is what I am. We are the least available to Opus Dei. Supernumeraries may be married or unmarried. They live wherever they want. Most of the members are supernumeraries, and it is they who carry out the real apostolate in Opus Dei. It is in the supernumeraries that "the rubber hits the road," so to speak, because, as St. Josemaría used to say, the real apostolate of Opus Dei isn't the schools, the hospitals, etc. The real apostolate of Opus Dei is the apostolate carried out by its members among their colleagues, their friends, and their families.

Members of Opus Dei are encouraged to be active members of the parish in which they reside. Nevertheless, members of Opus Dei commit to assist the apostolates of Opus Dei and therefore often give more of their time and energy to Opus Dei than to their parish. This is the relationship members of Opus Dei have with their parish. It's the same as any other Catholic. They're subject to the pastor and local bishop in everything other Catholics are subject to them in. The jurisdiction Opus Dei has over them is in addition to any authority the local priest or bishop has, not in place of it, and extends only to those things that are the proper aim of the prelature: their personal spiritual direction and the apostolic aims of the prelature.

Opus Dei members are encouraged to see their professional work as a means of sanctification. They're taught that they must do it to the best of theirr ability if they're going to offer it to the Lord as prayer. Naturally those who are particularly gifted may reach the top of their profession. The prestige they attain can be a genuine help in their apostolate.

Imagine for a moment that you're an atheist. If you were to work with some Catholic who seemed like a nice enough guy, but wasn't particularly good at his work, you probably wouldn't take anything he says about Christianity very seriously. In the Work, members try to remember that their professional reputation can be either a great help or a great hindrance to their apostolic activity.

It is the explicit desire in Opus Dei to help people of all social classes and conditions, especially intellectuals and those at the top of their professions, to accept the teachings of Christ and to sanctify their work so that they may influence civil society according to the will of God.

I have never heard anyone in Opus Dei give a political position as part of any kind of Opus Dei activity. That isn't to say that I never discussed politics with other members of the Work. To ensure that Opus Dei never even gives the appearance of promoting one political position over another, the priests of Opus Dei are expressly forbidden to discuss politics. Of course, members of Opus Dei, including priests, are fully entitled to speak out, even in activities of Opus Dei, on issues like abortion and stem cell research - issues which have clear moral implications and where the Church has given clear guidance on what constitutes acceptable behavior for Catholics.

Numeraries are the most available of the three vocations. They live celibacy and give all their free time and money to the Work. As a general rule, they live in centers of the Work. They receive an intense formation in the philosophy and theology of the Church. Most of them hold regular secular jobs, but for some of them their professional work is to direct the apostolic activities of Opus Dei or to hold an internal position in the governance of the prelature. For most of those who hold internal positions, this is a temporary situation. The numeraries are the primary givers of spiritual direction to the rest of the membership, and the intense formation they receive prepares them for this role. They are at the disposal of the prelature and are ready to move wherever the prelature needs them.

Associates are the next type of member, in order of availability. Associates are similar to numeraries, in that they live celibacy, but they typically do not live in centers of the work. Their personal circumstances do not permit them to be as available to Opus Dei as a numerary. Perhaps they have an elderly parent they have to take care of, or they run a family business that would interfere with their ability to move to another city. There are a whole host of reasons they would be less available than a numerary. Associates also are involved in giving spiritual direction to other members of the prelature and to non-members, too. The prelate may also ask associates to become priests. They also remain free to say no. I am currently discerning this vocation, incidentally.

There is another type of member in the women's branch called "numerary assistant". Numerary assistants attend to the domestic needs of the centers of Opus Dei, both for the men and for the women. They run Opus Dei's conference centers. They do all the cooking and cleaning. They take care of the chapels (actually, they're called oratories). St. Josemaría used to call the work they do the "apostolate of apostolates" because it is they who imbue the centers with the family spirit that characterizes Opus Dei, and their work frees up the other members to devote more time to giving formation.

Numeraries are completely at the disposal of Opus Dei. They are ready to move to another city, or even another country, according to the needs of the prelature. Many people who understand this level of commitment for a priest or nun see this as more appropriate for members of a religious order than for "ordinary lay people." But there is no reason a lay person can't be as committed to the particular apostolate of an organization as a religious!

I will dispose of some "myths."

Women numeraries are supposed to sleep on a board, and male numeraries to take a cold shower in the morning, offering up these mortifications for the prelate. While these practices have been common in the contemplative orders, most ordinary lay people don't do them. (As an aside, before you recoil in horror, I know for a fact that the Discalced Carmelites in Port Tobacco, Maryland, did these same mortifications as recently as the early 1980's. So Opus Dei is NOT the only institution in the Church that still practices corporal mortification.)

All members of Opus Dei are bound to obey the directors in all that relates to the spirit of the Work, including their spiritual life and apostolate. Many people feel this smacks of the obedience required of members of religious orders. But how can ANY organization, continue to function if its members, employees, or subordinates are not required to submit to authority? In my job I'll get fired if I don't follow my superior's instructions. Still, members of Opus Dei, like all Christians, must refuse to obey if they are given an instruction that is immoral!

The cilice is a chain or strap with small spikes in it. Numeraries and associates wear it around their thigh for 2 hours a day. It has also been described as a wire mesh, with the ends of the wires pointing inward. Sometimes the points are filed down.

The discipline is a cord with knots in it. Once a week numeraries and associates use it to strike themselves with.

Jesus invites all Christians to help him carry the cross. It's true that for most of us there are plenty of crosses in our daily lives, and we don't need to invent new ones. Nevertheless, it's a good and longstanding Christian practice to deny ourselves some simple pleasures in order to fortify our will, remind ourselves of the passing nature of this world's goods, unite ourselves to the sufferings of the Lord in his passion, and to offer atonement for our sins. This is the purpose of the ancient practice of fasting and abstaining from meat, for example.

It's interesting that many people understand the need to deny themselves sweets and excessive amounts of food and to get up early in the morning, regardless of the weather, to run miles and miles, enduring great physical pain. They will submit to painful operations and medical treatments, even to the point of injecting poisons (chemotherapy, botox) into their bodies. They do all these things to preserve or restore their physical health, or even just their beauty. Yet they recoil at the idea of doing things that cause far less physical discomfort if the motivation is spiritual in nature. These are the people who don't understand and are horrified at the practice of corporal mortification.

While supernumeraries are not encouraged to use them, there are some that do. They must receive permission, as well, from the prelature.[/quote]

[Chiquitunga]

All my experience with Opus Dei thus far has been good. I've been on retreat at their center, [url="http://shellbourne.org/"]Shellbourne[/url] in Valparaiso, IN and it was very nice. ( [url="http://www.castlewoodfdn.org/fototour.html"]http://www.castlewoodfdn.org/fototour.html[/url] )

There's an [url="http://www.opusdei.us/art.php?p=17269"]interview on Opus Dei's site of a woman[/url] who works there - [url="http://www.opusdei.org/"]http://www.opusdei.org/[/url]

A neighbor of mine is a supernumerary. She is a stay at home mom with 6 kids and prays a lot and attends daily Mass. I don't really understand the mixed feelings about Opus Dei, though I understand it's not everyone's spirituality (simply why there are many many such organizations in the Church). At my home my mom has had several of their Circle meetings, and basically all it is is extremely nice Catholic moms coming together to learn more about the faith and how to offer their work at home to God. They are all very faithful Catholics.

If I were called to be a lay person in the world, I don't think I would be in Opus Dei, (I'd be more like a 3rd order Carmelite or something), but I still, think they're a great organization.

Just one of the great things they've done for the Chicago Archdiocese is save and restore a church, [url="http://www.smachicago.org/"]St. Mary of the Angels[/url], that was going to be torn down. It's incredible inside!