Any info on Opus Dei?

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blue_skies_1

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Hi everyone,

I have a question about the Catholic group ‘Opus Dei’. I wasn’t sure where to post this but decided on Traditional Catholicism as I think they’re a traditional group.
Basically, I’m confused. There are such mixed messages about the group, even among Catholics, with some people claiming they’re a cult. And yet the founder St Josemaria Escriva was made a saint and Opus Dei is an approved part of the Church.
I’ve had some contact with them myself and I must say, it’s been positive. I was lacking in friendships with any strong Catholics, prayed about this and to my surprise… the answer to my prayers seemed to come through meeting some members of what they call The Work.
They’ve helped me to pray much more and deepen my spiritual life. I like the people I’ve met who are members or involved - my instincts don’t say ‘cult’ or ‘weirdo’ to me. I’ve been on a retreat and found it enjoyable and helpful for me. Their priests are great in confession. My life seems to be moving in a more positive direction as a result of my chance encounter with Opus Dei.
But still, part of me mistrusts them. They’re accused of being elitist and highly wealthy, apparently members have to give them quite a lot of their income - why is this?
Are they ‘pretending’ to be my friend to draw me in, or is it genuine? I just don’t know. I hear that as part of their recruitment process, they share information about people they’ve formed friendships with, who could become members, and work out strategies. Is there any truth to this? Am I misunderstanding?
I understand they practise some moderate forms of corporal mortification - cilice etc. Well, I have no particular problem with that and I know it’s not just Opus Dei who practise this. But I’ve read that St Josemaria Escriva practised it to the point where he bled heavily - and that this is held up as a great thing by Opus Dei members. Isn’t this strange, a bit unhealthy really?
Also I’m concerned that if I keep going to meditations, retreats etc I might come under pressure to join, or even be rejected if I decline to join. I don’t want that to happen. It would be hurtful. I’m happy with continuing to go to things, it helps me be a better Christian but I don’t want to join.
Has anyone had any contact with them? Any members here? Positive/negative experiences?
Also I’m considering living in one of their student residences for a time. In many ways I think this could be great but I’m worried about being put under pressure if I live there. Am I just being paranoid? They seem like such nice people!
 
i had an experience briefly with opus dei, i met with a priest in their lexington avenue headquarters. he showed me around, showed me the chapel etc… there was nothing secretive going on, he invited me to attend a reflection etc…

overall i found though there was so much emphasis put on my education levels, and finances that i needed a more spiritual view on my spiritual direction. i also found their headquarters almost offensively oppulent when there are so many starving in the world.
 
ChristIsLord said:
i had an experience briefly with opus dei, i met with a priest in their lexington avenue headquarters. he showed me around, showed me the chapel etc… there was nothing secretive going on, he invited me to attend a reflection etc…

overall i found though there was so much emphasis put on my education levels, and finances that i needed a more spiritual view on my spiritual direction. i also found their headquarters almost offensively oppulent when there are so many starving in the world.
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Thanks for this response. You say they were particularly interested in your educational levels and finances, may I ask what they said or did that gave you that impression?
I know what you mean about the headquarters, I have also had this impression. But then again, being prosperous isn’t necessarily a sign of being unchristian. I’ve also come across charitable work they do helping the disadvantaged in the community and was impressed - so it seems they put some of that money to good use.
I must admit though, they seem very wealthy and it does leave a funny (I won’t say bad) taste in my mouth.
 
I also wonder sometimes… would I really know if I was being brainwashed, manipulated? I think of myself as an intelligent person but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
 
blue_skies said:
I also wonder sometimes… would I really know if I was being brainwashed, manipulative? I think of myself as an intelligent person but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
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You are very right for example look at this article on
groupthink

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

Anyone can fall into that trap no matter how intelligent they might be.

(BTW, I am NOT referring to Opus Dei in this pos, just generally speakingt)
 
blue_skies said:
Thanks for this response. You say they were particularly interested in your educational levels and finances, may I ask what they said or did that gave you that impression?
I know what you mean about the headquarters, I have also had this impression. But then again, being prosperous isn’t necessarily a sign of being unchristian. I’ve also come across charitable work they do helping the disadvantaged in the community and was impressed - so it seems they put some of that money to good use.
I must admit though, they seem very wealthy and it does leave a funny (I won’t say bad) taste in my mouth.
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the priest who i met with simply asked me many questions outright about my education levels and financial levels. i know the financial responsibility that is put on opus dei members can be huge so i wasn’t surprised. but at my level of spirituality i needed someone to guide me more in spirituality and to get connected to god. that is something i didn’t feel was going to happen at opus dei.

i’ve volunteered at soup kitchens and other catholic charities and typically you’re working out of a building two violations from being condmened. with the money opus dei takes in they can be doing a heck of a lot more for the poor. the headquarters was seemingly covered floor to cieling in mahagony and italian marble. my wifes italian grandmother would’ve called it “a bit much”

it wasn’t for me, that and the priest never called me back LOL…
 
ChristIsLord said:
the priest who i met with simply asked me many questions outright about my education levels and financial levels. i know the financial responsibility that is put on opus dei members can be huge so i wasn’t surprised. but at my level of spirituality i needed someone to guide me more in spirituality and to get connected to god. that is something i didn’t feel was going to happen at opus dei.

i’ve volunteered at soup kitchens and other catholic charities and typically you’re working out of a building two violations from being condmened. with the money opus dei takes in they can be doing a heck of a lot more for the poor. the headquarters was seemingly covered floor to cieling in mahagony and italian marble. my wifes italian grandmother would’ve called it “a bit much”

it wasn’t for me, that and the priest never called me back LOL…
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:eek: I’m shocked to hear they would do that so blatantly. They didn’t with me, but on the other hand it was obvious from how I met them that I have a fairly high level of education, employment prospects etc.
Yes, I know what you mean. It is ‘a bit much’. One thing I would say in their defence though, is that not every Catholic group is called to do the same thing in the same way. It seems to me that Opus Dei is mainly about teaching the faith to others, and living out a Catholic faith whilst doing your job etc. Not that they don’t care about the poor, but this is less their ‘thing’ than for some other Catholic groups.

Still, I’m uneasy. Maybe it’s time for me to distance myself a little from this group… but with how much they’ve helped me, I would feel bad about turning my back. 😦

I do hope by the way that this didn’t contribute to your leaving the faith. I know it’s not the topic in hand, but I was sad to read what is in your signature.
 
Juama said:
You are very right for example look at this article on
groupthink

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

Anyone can fall into that trap no matter how intelligent they might be.

(BTW, I am NOT referring to Opus Dei in this pos, just generally speakingt)
Click to expand...
Thank you Juama. I’ve had a look at the articles you sent me a link to and they were interesting, I’m still finding it difficult to make a judgement about this though.
 
***Opus Dei should offer the Traditional Latin Mass if they really want to do good for the Church. *** I heard when the new Mass was promulgated SAINT Josemaria Escriva immediately received permission to keep celebrating in the old rite. Saint Josemaria had it right. Why O.D. did not follow their founder on this point I have no ideal

Sorry, Opus Dei is a little too liberal for my tastes.
 
Tradycja said:
***Opus Dei should offer the Traditional Latin Mass if they really want to do good for the Church. *** I heard when the new Mass was promulgated SAINT Josemaria Escriva immediately received permission to keep celebrating in the old rite. Saint Josemaria had it right. Why O.D. did not follow their founder on this point I have no ideal

Sorry, Opus Dei is a little too liberal for my tastes.
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Actually, there are photos of Msgr Escriva con-celebrating the pauline mass. So that is not entirely acurate. That he used to celebrate the classical use is a fact. The point of Opus Dei is also not about the liturgy 😉
 
Juama said:
Additionally, here is a balanced video on Opus Dei (gives both sides of the story)

youtube.com/watch?v=E9oL–dspUc
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Having just watched the documentary, there is an inaccuracy (albeit a not so major one). The Navarre Bible that is published is not ‘their own’ per se. It contains the RSV-1CE text together with the Nova Vulgata, as well as spiritual commentary. Other saints are quoted in the commentary, but there is a large proportion from their founder. Documents from various councils are also quoted. Aside from the RSV-1CE, the Confraternity Version is also used by them. Both of these are of a much higher quality that common modern translations. They have also been approved for lectionary use. As such “…have their own special bible with their own theological interpretation” doen’t hold much water really.

This doesnt affect the other points raised, but I’d personally take it with a pinch of salt.
 
I had a spiritual director who is Opus Dei. He was a great guy who really helped me bring balance to my Famliy and work life. I have realtives who are also part of Opus Dei. None of them have ever pressured me to join. Thumbs up.

-Jon
 
Jon_S said:
I had a spiritual director who is Opus Dei. He was a great guy who really helped me bring balance to my Famliy and work life. I have realtives who are also part of Opus Dei. None of them have ever pressured me to join. Thumbs up.

-Jon
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Ok… thank you. This is reassuring to hear.
 
Haven’t heard anything on Opus Dei, but there are two very good articles in “The Catholic News & Herald”, the February 13th and February 20. These articles put forth the Pope’s stand on the Holocaust. A bishop with the Society of St Pius X made the statement that it never happened, just days before his excommunication was lifted.

This is a sad day, our Holy Father is trying to heal relationships with the Catholics and Jews and this has certainly been a blow. Hopefully, Pope Benedict can rectify this situation. he is ordering this bishop to publically withdraw his statement, and will refuse him full communion with Rome until he does.

Sad sad sad day…😦
 
I have not made up my mind on Opus Dei one way or the other. I see much good, and trust that it is from God, but I also have a few concerns. For one, IMHO, they seem to place far too much emphasis on the separation of sexes. I have a couple of good female friends who were both very hurt when a young man, after becoming involved with Opus Dei, severed all contact without a word of explanation. (There was never romantic involvement in either case…just friendships that were abruptly severed). I, as a male, also find that any girls involved with Opus Dei are impossible to get to know on any level. This could just be a trait of the local centre…I don’t know. I can certainly agree with other posters that there is a very strong emphasis on education and success. I am 95% certain that the Opus Dei guys I know would have shown no interest in me whatsoever if I wasn’t a university student with decent grades…and the interest they do show often feels forced to me. In their defense, that may simply be the vocation of the Opus Dei centre in this region. Again, I really don’t know what to think. They certainly do promote devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist and to Our Lady, and preach sound doctrine.

BTW - the local Opus Dei centre celebrates the OF mass, but in Latin, with reception of Holy Communion kneeling at the altar rail. (I’ve been invited to a few of their private masses),
 
John Allen from The National Catholic Reporter has written a book entitled *Opus Dei *here is a link to an interview with him about Opus Dei
cceia.org/resources/transcripts/5285.html

Scott Hahn is a member of Opus Dei and he too has written a book *Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace **My Spiritual Journey In Opus Dei *. The entry for Dr Hahn in Wikipedia says In Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace, he narrated the influence of Opus Dei in his conversion, and what made him feel that Opus Dei was his specific calling within the Catholic Church: (1) its members’ devotion to the Bible, (2) its ecumenism, since Opus Dei was the first Catholic institution to welcome non-Catholics as cooperators, (3) the upright lives of its members, (4) they were ordinary people, who lived theology, (5) holy ambition: “a devout work ethic”, (6) the practice of hospitality in answering his questions, (7) prayer: “They made time for intimate prayer every day.”

This is the personal blog of Fr John Wauck a member of Opus Dei. It looks as if it hasn’t been updated since 1968 but in it he answers questions about the discipline etc
davincicode-opusdei.com/?p=64

This is Wikipedia link to Opus Dei. Bear in mind that Wikipedia is not peer reviewed and anyone can put anything in an article and anyone can alter material in an article.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opus_Dei

Even if you decide not to become a member or cooperator in Opus Dei I would highly recommend for spiritual reading In Conversation With God, 5 or 7 Vols by Fr Francis Fernandez a priest of the Prelature. These hand size books contain daily mediations on the scripture of the liturgical year.

I would also recommend you read *The Seven Daily Habits of Holy Apostolic People *by Fr C John McClosky a priest of the Prelature. catholicity.com/mccloskey/sevenhabits.html

Two habits which are the beginning for all of the others which others have mentioned are 1. The Heroic Minute – get up as soon as you wake up and 2. Serviam – when you get out of bed genuflect and say to God ‘Serviam’ –I will serve You. Lucifer said Non Serviam to God.

Michael Collins, a former member of Opus Dei used to have a website on which he answered questions about Opus Dei. I just checked and the website is closed. Blue Skies, I have the questions and answers so if you would like me to send you the answers to the following questions just get a yahoo email address or something and send me a private message and I will send you the answers to these questions.
  1. Who are you, what makes you so knowlegeable about Opus Dei, and why should I trust what you say?
  2. What is Opus Dei?
  3. What’s Opus Dei all about?
  4. What is “apostolate”?
  5. What does membership in Opus Dei entail?
  6. I’ve heard people in Opus Dei refer to “the plan of life.” What’s that?
  7. What’s a supernumerary? Is it a really good numerary? And what’s a numerary?
  8. Why are the men’s branch and the women’s branch separate?
  9. Why does Opus Dei refer to its chapels as “oratories?”
  10. Are Opus Dei and “the Work” the same thing?
  11. What relationship does a member of Opus Dei have with the parish he or she lives in?
  12. I’ve heard that members of Opus Dei are forbidden to confess to a non-Opus Dei priest. Is that true?
  13. What’s “fraternal correction?”
  14. Why do Opus Dei priests say Mass in Latin in centers of the Work?
  15. Isn’t Opus Dei only for the “professional elite?”
  16. What are the “norms?”
  17. I’ve heard that Opus Dei supported Franco and Hitler. Is that true?
  18. What is an “annual course?”
  19. Why do Opus Dei members have so many kids?
  20. You mean Opus Dei prohibits its members from using birth control?!
  21. I heard Opus Dei spent over $1,000,000 getting Escrivá canonized. What’s with that?
  22. Do members of Opus Dei take vows?
  23. What is a “circle”?
  24. What is a “cooperator”?
  25. Who can attend the apostolic activities offered by Opus Dei?
  26. What are some of the apostolic activities offered by Opus Dei?
  27. Where can I find all the technical “nits and grits” about Opus Dei?
  28. Where can I get a copy of the statutes?
  29. What is a “corporate work of apostolate” of Opus Dei?
  30. What corporate works of apostolate does Opus Dei run in the United States?
  31. Why do Opus Dei spiritual directors read the mail of numeraries?
  32. Do members of Opus Dei have to confess their sins publicly?
  33. How do you respond to charges that members of the Work make friends only so they can get them to join Opus Dei?
  34. What are the cilice and discipline? What are they for? Who uses them?
  35. Does Opus Dei keep records of what people discuss in spiritual direction?
  36. Is all work “equally sanctifiable?”
  37. Why do I need spiritual direction?
  38. What distinguishes a supernumerary member of the Work from other lay Catholics who are trying to sanctify their ordinary lives and to bring other souls to Christ?
  39. Can a member of a third order join Opus Dei?
  40. Why do you call the prelate of Opus Dei “the Father” and St. Josemaría “our Father”?
  41. Is Mel Gibson a member of Opus Dei?
  42. What is the “Preces”?
  43. Why is Opus Dei so secretive?
  44. How does one join Opus Dei?
  45. Does Opus Dei pressure people to join?
  46. What about the children of members? Are they pressured to join?
  47. “The Da Vinci Code” says some pretty negative things about Opus Dei. What about that?
  48. Do members of the Work have to have books approved by their spiritual director before reading them?
  49. What about all the horror stories about life in Opus Dei?
  50. What is a supernumerary or associate priest?
 
twf said:
I have not made up my mind on Opus Dei one way or the other. I see much good, and trust that it is from God, but I also have a few concerns. For one, IMHO, they seem to place far too much emphasis on the separation of sexes. I have a couple of good female friends who were both very hurt when a young man, after becoming involved with Opus Dei, severed all contact without a word of explanation. (There was never romantic involvement in either case…just friendships that were abruptly severed). I, as a male, also find that any girls involved with Opus Dei are impossible to get to know on any level. This could just be a trait of the local centre…I don’t know. I can certainly agree with other posters that there is a very strong emphasis on education and success. I am 95% certain that the Opus Dei guys I know would have shown no interest in me whatsoever if I wasn’t a university student with decent grades…and the interest they do show often feels forced to me. In their defense, that may simply be the vocation of the Opus Dei centre in this region. Again, I really don’t know what to think. They certainly do promote devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist and to Our Lady, and preach sound doctrine.

BTW - the local Opus Dei centre celebrates the OF mass, but in Latin, with reception of Holy Communion kneeling at the altar rail. (I’ve been invited to a few of their private masses),
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Yes, I agree with you twf… There’s a lot of good there, things that I don’t want to in any way discount, but the separation of the sexes is very, almost bizzarely, rigid & there’s always for me, the uncomfortable feeling that the friendships might be slightly forced. I just don’t know.:confused:
I’m really tempted to live in one of their student halls next year though… I think it could be just the atmosphere I need.
 
In my experience, any movement or association that shows great interest in mostly financed or educated people is a red flag. It usually means one thing: corruption.
 
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