Opus Dei vs Legion of Mary vs Associates of the Order of Malta

[ZellieFan]

I’m considering becoming active in one of the above lay apostolates. Can anyone list pros and cons to getting involved with each? I know there is a lot of negative press about Opus Dei but I have attended recollections in the past and have never felt pressured to join. I’m looking to meet regularly with others and develop my spirituality. I’m not sure the Associates of the Order of Malta has that feature but I figured I would throw that on there anyway. Thanks!

 

[AKDee]

Subscribing, because I, too, am curious about this.

 

[Bookcat]

Opus Dei is quite faithful to the Church and the Church is quite approving of Opus Dei -their founder was made a Saint too!

I am not a member but have known those who are and have confessors etc in the past who were members of Opus Dei.

It is a* vocation* though…

 

[rfournier103]

 

[Dempsey1919]

The best thing to do is to read about these groups and then pray about it.

God has a specific plan for you; do your best to discover this plan and then follow it.

I know more about Opus Dei than the others you’ve mentioned. Opus Dei is a vocation just like the priesthood or religious life. It isn’t like a club that you join. God calls people to Opus Dei. That said, everyone is free to benefit from the activities of Opus Dei without necessarily being a member. You should read some of the writings of the Founder, Saint Josemaria Escriva:

escrivaworks.org

I’d recommend that you begin with this homily:

The Christian Vocation
escrivaworks.org/book/christ_is_passing_by-chapter-1.htm

It seems like you’re looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life and grow in holiness. Start praying about your vocation and then start reading. The Holy Spirit will guide you.

God Bless,

Dempsey1919

 

[Boy_Wonder]

I’m considering becoming active in one of the above lay apostolates. Can anyone list pros and cons to getting involved with each? I know there is a lot of negative press about Opus Dei but I have attended recollections in the past and have never felt pressured to join. I’m looking to meet regularly with others and develop my spirituality. I’m not sure the Associates of the Order of Malta has that feature but I figured I would throw that on there anyway. Thanks!

Opus Dei is specifically designed for the laity. It has the added benefit of not being chock full of kooks and conspiracy theorists. Go with Opus Dei. You’ll get a wonderful foundation and solid spiritual direction.

 

[ZellieFan]

The best thing to do is to read about these groups and then pray about it.

God has a specific plan for you; do your best to discover this plan and then follow it.

I know more about Opus Dei than the others you’ve mentioned. Opus Dei is a vocation just like the priesthood or religious life. It isn’t like a club that you join. God calls people to Opus Dei. That said, everyone is free to benefit from the activities of Opus Dei without necessarily being a member. You should read some of the writings of the Founder, Saint Josemaria Escriva:

escrivaworks.org

I’d recommend that you begin with this homily:

The Christian Vocation
escrivaworks.org/book/christ_is_passing_by-chapter-1.htm

It seems like you’re looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life and grow in holiness. Start praying about your vocation and then start reading. The Holy Spirit will guide you.

God Bless,

Dempsey1919

Well, my “permanent” vocation is unfulfilled (as I feel called to marriage but it hasn’t happened yet). I pray regularly about my permanent vocation.

However, I think as a single person, my life is valuable and I want to perform more acts of service to others as well as deepen my faith. Although I enjoyed attending recollections, I never felt the call to join as a full-on member. I attended LoM meetings but the weekly commitment was difficult for me.

I know least about Malta (and perhaps they prefer it that way!). I have access to a calendar of their local events but I don’t want to be seen as “stalking” them LOL. However, I have no way of knowing anything about them. I did try to send an e-mail to them about auxiliary membership but I never got a response.

 

[ZellieFan]

Opus Dei is specifically designed for the laity. It has the added benefit of not being chock full of kooks and conspiracy theorists. Go with Opus Dei. You’ll get a wonderful foundation and solid spiritual direction.

Who would be chock full of kooks/conspiracy theorists? LOL.

 

[Edward_H]

Well, my “permanent” vocation is unfulfilled (as I feel called to marriage but it hasn’t happened yet). I pray regularly about my permanent vocation.

However, I think as a single person, my life is valuable and I want to perform more acts of service to others as well as deepen my faith. Although I enjoyed attending recollections, I never felt the call to join as a full-on member. I attended LoM meetings but the weekly commitment was difficult for me.

I know least about Malta (and perhaps they prefer it that way!). I have access to a calendar of their local events but I don’t want to be seen as “stalking” them LOL. However, I have no way of knowing anything about them. I did try to send an e-mail to them about auxiliary membership but I never got a response.

I only know about Opus Dei. Opus Dei “exists” to provide formation to help people sanctify their ordinary day, for most of us that means non clerical or religious life. Most members of Opus Dei are either married or have concluded they are called to married life. Some members remain unmarried, and also continue to work in the world.

Most unmarried members of Opus Dei (called numerary members) have a full time profession…doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant, teacher, scientist, etc. They work in the day in the world, and normally at night they also work for “the Work”, giving classes or spiritual direction, preparing materials for Opus Dei, etc. They live a very “generous” life of self-donation for God.

Supernumerary members typically get married, and also work in the world, using the formation they have received to sanctify their family and work life.

The two principal aims of Opus Dei are to help Catholics, really all people, to become saints and to bring souls to Christ. The formation given by Opus Dei helps people “convert” their ordinary work (really all moments of life) into an intimate conversation with God.