Family member is in Opus Dei, should I worry?

[prochrist1]

I recently learned someone in my GF’s family, someone close to her is in Opus Dei. for years I’ve known this person myself but never new she was in that organization although she is always serious and is know in her family as someone really really strict and a disciplinarian of sorts

Have other protestants here have to deal with someone in Opus Dei or been affiliated with them, I’m starting to do some research myself as I don’t want to jump into any conclusions

 

[LilyM]

Well, if you want solid information (and what you see on the web isn’t always reliable, especially when it comes to Opus Dei) - why not ask her directly?

Not in an accusatory way, just neutral questions. ‘I’ve heard of Opus Dei but don’t know a lot about it - what exactly does being a member involve? What sorts of activities do you do? What’s a typical day/week/month like for an Opus Dei member?’ and the like.

Another good way to get a feel for the organisation might be to read the writings of its founder, Saint Josemaria Escriva. Your friend quite likely has them or knows where you can borrow them from.

I know one of his books is called ‘The Way’, and he wrote at least one other (can’t remember the name of it at the moment).

 

[Cristiano]

You should be concerned only if you are concerned about serious orthodox Catholics.

 

[jmcrae]

I have only ever met one member of the Opus Dei, but he was the most amazing person - so calm, so collected, so balanced - he was so beautiful.

I don’t think you have anything to worry about.

 

[JanetF]

Opus Dei = devout catholic…nothing to worry about. Don’t believe everything you read in the media (or the DaVinci code).

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Yes, you have a great deal to worry about. Opus Dei has been with holding the true secret of Christ and Christianity for centuries ever sense paganism was crushed during the later parts of the Roman Empire.

There is a secret sect out there called the Priory of Sion that you can contact for more information on all of this. Just be careful who you let in on this information because it is uber-secretive…

Nah I think you will be fine. Do some honest research on it and talk to your GF about it.

God bless you

 

[Catholic1954]

I recently learned someone in my GF’s family, someone close to her is in Opus Dei. for years I’ve known this person myself but never new she was in that organization although she is always serious and is know in her family as someone really really strict and a disciplinarian of sorts

Have other protestants here have to deal with someone in Opus Dei or been affiliated with them, I’m starting to do some research myself as I don’t want to jump into any conclusions

Don’t believe everything you read in a Dan Brown novel. Opus Dei is an excellent organization and I’m sure your friend would love to share all about it with you, if you would ask her.

 

[Red_Meg]

Yes, you have a great deal to worry about. Opus Dei has been with holding the true secret of Christ and Christianity for centuries ever sense paganism was crushed during the later parts of the Roman Empire.

There is a secret sect out there called the Priory of Sion that you can contact for more information on all of this. Just be careful who you let in on this information because it is uber-secretive…

Nah I think you will be fine. Do some honest research on it and talk to your GF about it.

God bless you

Aww, man, you beat me to it!!! I was trying to come up with some way-too-clever play on words involving an albino assassin monk, and just got stuck…

There are members and cooperators of Opus Dei here on CAF that would be happy to address any questions you might have. I’m a supernumerary myself. But, of course, after I answer all your questions, I’ll have to kill you…

Best,

Margaret

 

[dianaiad]

I recently learned someone in my GF’s family, someone close to her is in Opus Dei. for years I’ve known this person myself but never new she was in that organization although she is always serious and is know in her family as someone really really strict and a disciplinarian of sorts

Have other protestants here have to deal with someone in Opus Dei or been affiliated with them, I’m starting to do some research myself as I don’t want to jump into any conclusions

I looked at their website here a bit ago…they look like serious minded and fairly orthodox Catholics to me.

Come to think of it, since they do have a website, why don’t you go look for yourself?

 

[ricmat]

I recently learned someone in my GF’s family, someone close to her is in Opus Dei. for years I’ve known this person myself but never new she was in that organization although she is always serious and is know in her family as someone really really strict and a disciplinarian of sorts

Have other protestants here have to deal with someone in Opus Dei or been affiliated with them, I’m starting to do some research myself as I don’t want to jump into any conclusions

I’m not a member, but I’ve got some of the founder’s books. St. Josemaria Escriva founded Opus Dei as a way for “regular working people” to get Christ into their lives.

Get a copy of Christ is Passing By and read it. It’s a book of sermons by St. Escriva oriented around the liturgical year. BTW - if you are not from a liturgical based church, then it might have less impact on you, but nonetheless…

He also wrote “The Way” which is a bunch of quotes extracted from his various correspondences which are presented in a sort of “proverbs” format.

 

[Jehoshua]

You have nothing to worry about.

The mission of Opus day is about keeping the faith and sanctifying everything they do in everyday life. To some this may appear a contradiction of terms, which may explain some of the misinformation disseminated about the group in that they see them as threatening in bringing spirituality into an increasingly secular everyday world.

The Dan Brown novels are good stories. But they are not based on fact, despite the claims it makes on the Priory of Zion (a nonexistent organisation). You should not make your decision on Opus Dei based on a fictional, sensationalised and ultimately anti-catholic novel (DaVinci code).

 

[prochrist1]

From what I gathered so far yes its a form of extreme catholic beliefs that one apparently can earn to be come a saint, thus avoiding purgatory and going straight to heaven this is achieved by denouncing everything that affects your relationship with God.

My GF tried it out for a while she told me, and she didn’t want to continue as they basically wanted her to be cut out sort of speak from the world she also mentioned you need to do what they call “mortifications” where one must punish one self, this to me is sounding what budhist believe in “nirvana”

 

[Jehoshua]

The mortifications of the flesh are an optional part of Opus Dei and can not be forced or imposed upon anyone. Now before anyone compares it with the flagellation scene in the movie form of the DaVinci code, the main form of mortification is wearing a cilice or a hairshirt, which do not draw blood and only induce mild discomfort.

I would not call them extreme, they simply seek communion with god in every moment of their lives. In that they are simply devout catholics. Any devout christian seeks to maintain a healthy relationship with God, so forsaking the sinful things in their everday life does not make them some evil religious cult. They simply seek to live a life according to the gospels and according to God in their everyday lives, this is which every christian should aspire too, regardless of their differences.

 

[LDNCatholic]

From what I gathered so far yes its a form of extreme catholic beliefs that one apparently can earn to be come a saint, thus avoiding purgatory and going straight to heaven this is achieved by denouncing everything that affects your relationship with God.

My GF tried it out for a while she told me, and she didn’t want to continue as they basically wanted her to be cut out sort of speak from the world she also mentioned you need to do what they call “mortifications” where one must punish one self, this to me is sounding what budhist believe in “nirvana”

I thought Opus Dei preached sanctity in daily life.

Mortification of the flesh is not what you think it is.

Tell me. Where did you get your information? If you say ‘‘the Da Vinci Code’’ I will have to inform the Opus Dei Albino Assassin monks to take you down.

 

[1ke]

From what I gathered so far yes its a form of extreme catholic beliefs

Um, no, it is not an “form of extreme catholic beliefs.” It is a personal prelature (a canonical designation) that is Catholic. If one were going to apply an adjective, it would be “orthodox.” Not “extreme.” Orthodox meaning “no heresy.” Their founder is a Catholic Saint.

that one apparently can earn to be come a saint, thus avoiding purgatory and going straight to heaven

(1) There is no teaching in the Catholic faith or in Opus Dei’s spirituality regarding earning anything. Grace is a free and unmerited gift.

(2) As for whether one will undergo purgation prior to entering Heaven, the Church teaches it is certainly possible. Nothing uniquely Opus Dei there. The Church grants plenary indulgences, and certainly the Bible and the Church call us to perfection, call us to holiness. That is, after all, what Sainthood means-- they are the holy ones. This teaching is neither new, nor novel, and certainly not something that is out of step with Catholic teaching. If Opus Dei is teaching that we can-- and should-- all strive to become Saints then, well, they are rather Pauline in that regard as St. Paul taught the same thing.

this is achieved by denouncing everything that affects your relationship with God.

And did not Christ teach the same thing?

So far, what you have described is (a) Christ’s preaching in the Gospel and (b) Paul’s preaching in his epistles.

My GF tried it out for a while she told me, and she didn’t want to continue as they basically wanted her to be cut out sort of speak from the world

We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. St. JoseMarie was a very scholarly saint who knew his scriptures.

she also mentioned you need to do what they call “mortifications” where one must punish one self,

St. Paul speaks in his epistles about mortification. And, he physically mortified himself. And, he urges us to do so too.

An acquaintance of mine in Opus Dei practices mortification-- he sometimes drinks his coffee without sugar (the bitterness reminding him of Christ’s sacrifice) and as another mortification he often works 5-10 minutes into his lunch time at work instead of taking the full hour and offers up that time as a mortification.

Big, scary stuff there… not.

this to me is sounding what budhist believe in “nirvana”

Sounds to me like you completely misunderstand Catholic teaching if you believe that the Church (or St. Paul for that matter) taught anything resembling Buddhism.

 

[lumenorientale]

From what I gathered so far yes its a form of extreme catholic beliefs that one apparently can earn to be come a saint, thus avoiding purgatory and going straight to heaven this is achieved by denouncing everything that affects your relationship with God.

My GF tried it out for a while she told me, and she didn’t want to continue as they basically wanted her to be cut out sort of speak from the world she also mentioned you need to do what they call “mortifications” where one must punish one self, this to me is sounding what budhist believe in “nirvana”

:ehh:

I’m not a member of Opus Dei, but from what I gather, and the large amount of reading I’ve done about this group, there is nothing whatsoever that it is some “extremist sect.” They are merely catholics who are trying to bring God into their daily life, their work, their part of the world. Opus Dei means “work of God,” which can have a double edged meaning: one, doing the God’s work in the world, and two, turning your work into something Godly. So if you are business man, be a holy businessman and offer your work as a prayer to the Lord. No big harm here.

Mortifications are merely a form of self denial–something that I think lacking in our society. It means making sacrifices, giving up things, to train yourself, much like an athlete, to serve God more thoroughly. It could be as small as giving up t.v. on fridays, or something as serious as a hair shirt (not whipping yourself, like in that movie). All optional, but very much recommended.

Anyway, I guess it sort of demystifies things for all those conspiracy theorists out there. Read a little more about it–but not anything Dan Brown writes, for heaven’s sake. Try reading the Way, by Escriva. That should help clear things up.

 

[GeorgeSword]

I’ve been meaning to read The Way. You say whipping yourself isn’t part of mortification, though. Isn’t mortification by those very means one of the 9 Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic?

 

[LilyM]

I’ve been meaning to read The Way. You say whipping yourself isn’t part of mortification, though. Isn’t mortification by those very means one of the 9 Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic?

The Nine Ways of Prayer are like nine methods of getting from JFK airport to the Empire State Building in New York. Did St Dominic use all of them? Yes.

Do we have to use all of them? Of course not. Do we have to use ANY of them - can we instead come up with new ways of praying of our own? Absolutely.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I’ve heard about this saint a few months ago. I have researched their website and followed by setting my search engine to pick up all things Opus Dei.

I was intrigued with the idea and concept Josemaria Escriva had, and his spiritual vision.

I see nothing sinister about it, but I do see there are some folks who are very bitter former members of this prelature. It’s hard to tell if they simply could not cut it, and then ranted or if they really never understood the concept to begin with and were engaged in it too young? Or not mature enough?

I can’t tell yet. But, I can see they strive to attend Mass everyday, say the Rosary daily, and do other spiritual things in and while they go about their ordinary lives. They also seem to know the scriptures well.

 

[GeorgeSword]

The Nine Ways of Prayer are like nine methods of getting from JFK airport to the Empire State Building in New York. Did St Dominic use all of them? Yes.

Do we have to use all of them? Of course not. Do we have to use ANY of them - can we instead come up with new ways of praying of our own? Absolutely.

Of course, I understand that, I was just pointing out that some people, perhaps in Opus Dei, do practice such things. I also understand that most members of Opus Dei wear spiked bracelets on their thighs for one hour a day. Overall though, they seem to be pretty good folk.