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westcoast
Guest
Has anyone here “joined” Opus Dei? How is it? How did you know you should have joined? I’m just looking up stuff on it and find it interesting…
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gwenred
Guest
I am not a member of Opus Dei, but was a “cooperator” for several years. I guess I still am, although where I live now, the closest recollection or retreat I could go to is three hours away, so I have not been active. I love the spirituality, the writings of St.Josemaria Escriva, and their priests are the best for confession. Ignore the lies that are spread by ODAN, and if possible, go to a recollection. You’ll meet members and cooperators (friends) and you’ll be able to see for yourself what they are about, namely doing their best to become saints in the midst of the world.
Peace!
Peace!
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baltobetsy
Guest
One does not just “join” Opus Dei. It is a vocation as much as the vocation to the priesthood or religious life. It’s the same kind of “getting-to-know-you” process that any vocation takes. You go to the activities, start going to a priest of Opus Dei for confession and spiritual direction, and eventually, if it seems right, someone will mention the idea of joining to you. Or you will bring it up and get your questions answered. Then you pray a lot and listen for God.
It is said that your vocation should give you wings. It should fit just right and help you in your quest for heaven. If, after you’ve been around for awhile, Opus Dei appears to be your “wings,” by all means, ask for admission.
I have known Opus Dei for about 30 years. I have received an amazing formation in the teachings of the Church, and fabulous spiritual direction from the priests. The thing that impresses me the most is the good common sense that runs through everything. They teach the straight truth, without being either lax or scrupulous, liberal or conservative. There’s also a wonderful loyalty to the Holy Father and the Church, without trying to be “more Catholic than the Pope.”
Betsy
It is said that your vocation should give you wings. It should fit just right and help you in your quest for heaven. If, after you’ve been around for awhile, Opus Dei appears to be your “wings,” by all means, ask for admission.
I have known Opus Dei for about 30 years. I have received an amazing formation in the teachings of the Church, and fabulous spiritual direction from the priests. The thing that impresses me the most is the good common sense that runs through everything. They teach the straight truth, without being either lax or scrupulous, liberal or conservative. There’s also a wonderful loyalty to the Holy Father and the Church, without trying to be “more Catholic than the Pope.”
Betsy
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Fergal
Guest
Yes! I am a supernumerary member of Opus Dei. How did I know that I should have joined? I suppose (to cut a very long story short) it was the gift of a picture of St Josemaria Escriva given to me by a Diocesean Priest friend of mine whist I was receiving chemotherapy for cancer in 2002 that sowed the initial seed. I knew nothing of St Josemaria and was informed by this Priest friend of mine that he was the Church’s newest saint. St Josemaria kept his eye on me as I went through my therapy.
I then had a very deep desire to go further in my faith looking for Orthodoxy and indeed good solid doctrinal formation. I got all that and much more when Our Blessed Mother of Fatima guided me to Opus Dei in 2003. I became a supernumerary member on February 2007. It has revolutionised my Spiritual life, my family life and my life of work.
It is a long journey. It is not easy to be admitted and they wish to really make sure that you have a vocation. The preparation process will reveal that.
I can of course go into far more detail if you have further questions and would be delighted to answer all you wish to ask.
I then had a very deep desire to go further in my faith looking for Orthodoxy and indeed good solid doctrinal formation. I got all that and much more when Our Blessed Mother of Fatima guided me to Opus Dei in 2003. I became a supernumerary member on February 2007. It has revolutionised my Spiritual life, my family life and my life of work.
It is a long journey. It is not easy to be admitted and they wish to really make sure that you have a vocation. The preparation process will reveal that.
I can of course go into far more detail if you have further questions and would be delighted to answer all you wish to ask.
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Hugo_Abreu
Guest
I have a lot of friends in Opus Dei and I usually spend lot’s of time in of ttheir centre in Lisbon, although I’m not a member I feel very attached to St.Josemaria and to the Work itself.
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KCT
Guest
I’ve always heard very good things about them. --KCT
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Fergal
Guest
I joined Opus Dei two years ago today! Yippee!
I am so moved that it was on the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, so today holds great importance for me.
I am so moved that it was on the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, so today holds great importance for me.
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gwenred
Guest
Congratulations on your special day! And thank you for the work you do as a member in sharing the message that we all should strive to be saints!
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catechumen09
Guest
Hi! First I’d like to say that I’m no expert on this matter by any means, but I did see a documentary on this - no, I did not stay at Holiday Inn last night - and have talked to people about this who are more knowledgeable and may have had direct experience with people who are involved in Opus Dei.
It appears to me that there’re both good and not-so-good perceptions of Opus Dei. A lot of people see it as a cult-like organization. But I think the important thing to keep in mind is that it has approval from the Church, which should be enough, in any case.
I have asked about Opus Dei elsewhere (also Catholic) and I’ve gotten mixed responses regarding this. It’s nice to see people who are involved and truly enjoy it, though.
Anyway, just thought I’d share my $0.02.
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Tom317
Guest
What caused you to leave?
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baltobetsy
Guest
A careful reading of her quote indicates that she lives too far away to attend now.
Betsy
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gwenred
Guest
Exactly. If I could reasonably (timewise) get to a recollection, I would, and if anybody knows of an active ladies group in Dallas, please let me know. I wouldn’t be able to go regularly, but I do have family there and might occasionally be able to go. Thanks!
Unless you are asking why I moved away, which was to marry a wonderful man who lived in another part of the country! It was a trade-off – wonderful husband now
but no Opus Dei contacts here 
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Doc2004
Guest
Hello I’m not a joined member ,but I’ve been to two meetings
after a friend reccomend it to me, which was after i found out
that our Bishop was a member , i asked what that was , than found out , are you and where. Peace Doc.
after a friend reccomend it to me, which was after i found out
that our Bishop was a member , i asked what that was , than found out , are you and where. Peace Doc.
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Tom317
Guest
I agree, she lives in a place that does not make it easy, I read that, as you did. However, if “you” read her first post you will see she does not say distance is the reason.
My question was not an attack, I was merely curious why a person would become a Cooperator and then stop being a Cooperator. Even in her follow-up post she does not make it seem like she is itching to attend meetings, etc., which makes me feel there are other reasons for her “leaving” and I am curious what those reasons might be. They could be of a personal nature and none of my business, I was simply wondering, not attacking.
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baltobetsy
Guest
The University of Dallas has a lot of Opus Dei members nearby. I’d recommend going to www.opusdei.com to click on “contact us” and ask about a center in Dallas. They reply quickly. You should be able to call the women’s center and get connected to things you could attend.
Betsy
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Red_Meg
Guest
Hello!
I am also a supernumerary member of Opus Dei. I sort of “hung around” the Work for about seven years before knowing for certain I had a vocation.
The actual story behind how I finally figured out the vocation thing is a bit lengthy, and I’m leaving to take my kids to see the new Harry Potter movie in a few minutes. I can post later if you are interested. Meanwhile, I’ll just second Betsy’s comments-- a vocation gives you wings. It’s an enormous help and support to me raising a large family. And I’ve met the most diverse, delightful, fun-loving bunch of people in and through Opus Dei.
TTFN,
Margaret
I am also a supernumerary member of Opus Dei. I sort of “hung around” the Work for about seven years before knowing for certain I had a vocation.
The actual story behind how I finally figured out the vocation thing is a bit lengthy, and I’m leaving to take my kids to see the new Harry Potter movie in a few minutes. I can post later if you are interested. Meanwhile, I’ll just second Betsy’s comments-- a vocation gives you wings. It’s an enormous help and support to me raising a large family. And I’ve met the most diverse, delightful, fun-loving bunch of people in and through Opus Dei.
TTFN,
Margaret
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Tom317
Guest
I say this with all due respect, I am a bit surprised a supernumerary is taking her kids to see HP. I guess the negative comments from the then Cardinal Ratzinger (obviously now our Pope) and Rome’s chief exorcist just doesn’t mean much to Catholics. I suppose obedience does not matter when it comes to personal opinions of the Holy Father, etc., only obedience to binding teachings, etc…oh well.
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gwenred
Guest
Hi, Tom,
I do not really consider that I am NOT a cooperator, I just don’t really have a way to participate, so I am not actively involved with them at all right now - it’s hard to “cooperate” when you have no venue of participation. I never expected my post to be read and re-read so closely. If recollections were being held somewhere that I could get to regularly, I would be there! And if I ever have another opportunity to attend an Opus Dei retreat, I definitely will be there too. Hope that helps clarify
Gwen
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Tom317
Guest
It does clarify, thank you, sorry if I read your post too sharply.Hi, Tom,
I do not really consider that I am NOT a cooperator, I just don’t really have a way to participate, so I am not actively involved with them at all right now - it’s hard to “cooperate” when you have no venue of participation. I never expected my post to be read and re-read so closely. If recollections were being held somewhere that I could get to regularly, I would be there! And if I ever have another opportunity to attend an Opus Dei retreat, I definitely will be there too. Hope that helps clarify
Gwen
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gwenred
Guest
Not a problem - you’ve actually inspired me to look around a bit harder for a retreat I might get to next spring. It’s been too long!
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