Family member is in Opus Dei, should I worry?

[StrawberryJam]

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.

Cillice. Sp? Or Cilice?

Yes, I forgot that part does really bother me. Life here is hard enough for most people. Suffering is not in lack if one does not deliberately do this.

They tone it down with denial of sugar or cream in coffee, but the cilice and whip, well…
I guess they don’t suffer much everyday anyway to engage in that.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Cillice. Sp? Or Cilice?

Yes, I forgot that part does really bother me. Life here is hard enough for most people. Suffering is not in lack if one does not deliberately do this.

They tone it down with denial of sugar or cream in coffee, but the cilice and whip, well…
I guess they don’t suffer much everyday anyway to engage in that.

The suffering is not as horrific as it sounds. The ‘‘spikes’’ are blunted, and it is more about discomfort than pain. As I understand it the cilice is worn only for a few hours a day.

I could be wrong though, if I am someone please correct me.

 

[StrawberryJam]

The suffering is not as horrific as it sounds. The ‘‘spikes’’ are blunted, and it is more about discomfort than pain. As I understand it the cilice is worn only for a few hours a day.

I could be wrong though, if I am someone please correct me.

I’m sorry, I did not mean to imply the Cilice or Cillice? Is like a horror show at the movies.


I’m going out on a limb here, and guessing it is like a really tight fitting undergarment.

I’m still very impressed with the saint, and his idea. The problem I have is not even scriptural since Paul of Tarsus makes the case for corporal mortification anyway.

It’s a matter of a possibility they have gone a tad, a wee tad overboard. I don’t know, but it bothers me.

 

[LilyM]

I’m sorry, I did not mean to imply the Cilice or Cillice? Is like a horror show at the movies.


I’m going out on a limb here, and guessing it is like a really tight fitting undergarment.

I’m still very impressed with the saint, and his idea. The problem I have is not even scriptural since Paul of Tarsus makes the case for corporal mortification anyway.

It’s a matter of a possibility they have gone a tad, a wee tad overboard. I don’t know, but it bothers me.

No more ‘a tad, a wee bit overboard’ than Christ Himself went when He fasted for forty days. A feat which some saints such as St Francis have done in imitation of Him. I’d imagine the level of physical discomfort from such extreme fasting would make the cilice, as I understand it to be used (for instance, being worn only for short periods of time rather than constantly), insignificant by comparison.

 

[StrawberryJam]

No more ‘a tad, a wee bit overboard’ than Christ Himself went when He fasted for forty days. A feat which some saints such as St Francis have done in imitation of Him. I’d imagine the level of physical discomfort from such extreme fasting would make the cilice, as I understand it to be used (for instance, being worn only for short periods of time rather than constantly), insignificant by comparison.

True. More like what one would feel simply flossing their teeth in the morning and night.

No one (only human) can ever be the perfect sacrifice anyway.

 

[prochrist1]

Opus Dei has some issues where I come from (South America) they tend to be very right wing and their involvement in politics has given them a shady image over there

Is it also true some members need to give them all their earnings?

 

[Jehoshua]

From what im aware members are not required to hand over all earnings to the organisation. They are however strongly encouraged to go on a spiritual retreat once a year to help focus their spiritual mission.

Im guessing that the sahdy image of involvement with right wing governments is more to do with the fact that opus dei members often do well in their fields and gain high positions. Such a reputation in europe arose due to many opus dei members holding prominent positions in the franco regime, however this was only due to the fact that Opus dei members seek to excel in their work as part of their spiritual quest. A survey of Spanish Opus dei found no more or less support for Franco then among the general spanish public.

In regards to south america a similar scenario most likely occured for opus dei to gain that reputation.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

No more ‘a tad, a wee bit overboard’ than Christ Himself went when He fasted for forty days. A feat which some saints such as St Francis have done in imitation of Him. I’d imagine the level of physical discomfort from such extreme fasting would make the cilice, as I understand it to be used (for instance, being worn only for short periods of time rather than constantly), insignificant by comparison.

Also remember that these mortifications are completely voluntary. No one is forcing them to wear a cilice, go without cream or sugar, wash in cold water, whatever. Christ calls us to deny ourselves for God. For some people simply getting through their daily lives without complaining is difficult. For others, it is appropriate for them to take on more. Think of it like an athletic or a musician. For a beginner, a 20-minute practice is plenty. As you become more skilled, perhaps training a couple of hours a day is a bare minimum. The same is true in our spiritual advancement. Many of us can barely get our morning and evening prayers said, others can get to daily Mass, say a rosary and other prayers on a regular basis.

The Opus Dei also have levels of commitment. Some folks, while they have regular, secular jobs, are also full-time Opus Dei in the sense that they live in community with other members (they are not married) and devote most of their time to Opus Dei. Others are ordinary people living in the world who may attend a special conference or event every month or two and possibly have an Opus Dei priest as their confessor.

The OP should definitely ask the person and find out directly what it means for that person to be in Opus Dei.

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

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”

This sounds totally bogus.

The entire point of Opus Dei is to be in the world and to share the love of Jesus. Opus Dei is designed for those who want to serve Jesus more fully in their daily lives at home and in the work place.

These things you are saying make me wonder if you are being honest with us.

 

[ricko]

Here is the website…

opusdei.org/

Opus Dei is a Catholic institution founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Its mission is to spread the message that work and the circumstances of everyday life are occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society.

Sounds like a diabolical organization for sure.

 

[manualman]

The world is a complex place. You simply cannot take an organization of millions and judge it by what you see in a few of its members. You need to step back and look at the big picture.

Opus Dei as an organization seeks to help its members completely abandon themselves to Christ. As St. Paul said “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Folks, this isn’t easy. And in a culture that celebrates luxury and self indulgence, it should be no wonder that it appears ‘weird’ to many.

Many point to mortification and say “AHA, freakiness! I knew it.” Such people don’t seem to be aware that fasting is ONE form of mortification. And Jesus did it and endorsed it. Is HE freakish? (YES, by today’s standards!) Hairshirts and such forms of mortification have a LONG history in the lives of the saints. It is a way of training yourself to live for Christ, not your own fleshly passions and desires.

Many point to the ‘insider’ reputation Opus Dei has in politics and power. The explanation about seeking excellence surely plays A part. There is, also, the human weakness of implicitly trusting those already close to you over those who aren’t. Opus Dei is an enviable network of able, hardworking people. When one Opus Dei person achieves a position of power in business or government, who is he going to appoint to positions that report to him: some unknown guy or someone he already knows to an extent and who he believes to be moral, upstanding and dilligent? This latter factor plays a part like it does in ANY social or professional network. (And Opus Dei does a better job keeping it under control than the Legionnaries of Christ do - also known, slightly deservingly, as the ‘Millionaires of Christ…’)

In short, Opus Dei is scary to this culture because they haven’t compromised the gospel to make it harmonious with a “Me, Me, Me culture.” And because they are made up of fallen humans, there are actual legitimate complaints made here and there too.