Opus Dei--What is your opinion?

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Hello. I had a friend ask me if I had every considered Opus Dei. As a new Catholic, I had heard of it but knew nothing about the organization. I googled it and found pro and con. Some say it was a cult; others, a great organization. Are any of you members? Do they accept new Catholics? What do members do to grow in the faith? Perhaps it is too secret to even talk about but I am curious. Thank you…
 
No direct personal experience, but we have friends that belong. Like any group of human beings, there will be conflicts and issues. But the core tenets of the organization are fantastic. John Paul II was impressed enough to canonize the founder and give special status to the whole group (personal prelature). That’s quite an endorsement!
 
I think they are one of those groups which have more influence over policy than their numbers, or indeed their views, justify. I have never known a parishioner mention them nor have I heard any member of my extended family throughout the UK and Ireland ever comment on them. However, their published views exhibit the same old tired conservatism that continues to chunter away on the fringes of the Church , tolerated only because of support from the centre which as usual is out of touch with most Catholics.
 
opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&p=7017

This link from the official Opus Dei website addresses the stereotypes against Opus Dei, most of which sprang from The Da Vinci Code. From there, you can learn more about them from this site. When researching Catholic religious communities, your best bet is to find their official website, do some background reading, and get in contact with a member if you are interested. From there, a conversation or a visit to the community will give you a good, open sense of what they do, of what they are all about. It is easy to be misled about these things by people who mean no harm, but are simply repeating something they heard from who knows where. Best to get the information firsthand. Enjoy the reading 🙂

In Christ and Our Blessed Mother,
Frank
 
I greatly admire the group! We could use more conservatism in the midst of the Catholic faith 🙂
 
gallowglass said:
I think they are one of those groups which have more influence over policy than their numbers, or indeed their views, justify. I have never known a parishioner mention them nor have I heard any member of my extended family throughout the UK and Ireland ever comment on them. However, their published views exhibit the same old tired conservatism that continues to chunter away on the fringes of the Church , tolerated only because of support from the centre which as usual is out of touch with most Catholics.
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But hurling labels at groups doesn’t illuminate anything if you don’t define your label. “Conservative” to some people means that a guy likes Latin, incense and cassocks. To another, it means to actually believe in the Creeds without demoting anything to “useful myth.”

In my limited experience, Opus Dei is the latter. They have the audacity to imagine that being catholic should be about becoming more like Christ rather than agitating to make Him more like us… 😉
 
manualman said:
But hurling labels at groups doesn’t illuminate anything if you don’t define your label. “Conservative” to some people means that a guy likes Latin, incense and cassocks. To another, it means to actually believe in the Creeds without demoting anything to “useful myth.”

In my limited experience, Opus Dei is the latter. They have the audacity to imagine that being catholic should be about becoming more like Christ rather than agitating to make Him more like us… 😉
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Well Said!👍
 
I know people associated with Opus Dei, and I have an extremely high opinion of the organization. So much so, in fact, that I’m presently reading the written works of St. Josemaria Escriva (the Opus Dei founder).

As for the belief that it’s a secret, arch-conservative Catholic cult: That’s really a bunch of bunk. That is, unless you believe that sanctifying the secular world by incorporating your work and family life into your worship of God is too conservative. Or unless you believe that only those called to Holy Orders are also called to become Saints. Or unless you believe that it’s not necessary for one to discipline his or her life in order to approximate a life that one lives according to God’s direction and with His grace.

Pax,
OA

PS: You might want to read Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei by Scott Hahn.
 
gallowglass said:
I think they are one of those groups which have more influence over policy than their numbers, or indeed their views, justify. I have never known a parishioner mention them nor have I heard any member of my extended family throughout the UK and Ireland ever comment on them. However, their published views exhibit the same old tired conservatism that continues to chunter away on the fringes of the Church , tolerated only because of support from the centre which as usual is out of touch with most Catholics.
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What published views are those, which you find repugnant?

And to what “centre” do you refer that is “out of touch with most Catholics?”

Do “most Catholics” include those that go to Mass weekly (or more often), confession regularly, and participate in the catechism of the parish youth and converts?

Pax,
OA
 
I find St Josemaria’s writings very helpful. There are quite a few people at my parish that are members at one level or another (there is a center about 10 miles away). I have been to a couple of Masses celebrated by Opus Dei priests and found them quite reverant wit excellent homilies. They celebrate the OF of the Mass.
 
Orleans_Attny said:
I know people associated with Opus Dei, and I have an extremely high opinion of the organization. So much so, in fact, that I’m presently reading the written works of St. Josemaria Escriva (the Opus Dei founder).

As for the belief that it’s a secret, arch-conservative Catholic cult: That’s really a bunch of bunk. That is, unless you believe that sanctifying the secular world by incorporating your work and family life into your worship of God is too conservative. Or unless you believe that only those called to Holy Orders are also called to become Saints. Or unless you believe that it’s not necessary for one to discipline his or her life in order to approximate a life that one lives according to God’s direction and with His grace.

Pax,
OA

PS: You might want to read Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei by Scott Hahn.
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What does it mean to be associated with Opus Dei? How were your acquaintances recruited and what are their duties to the organization? Are they active-duty members? Do they live in community?

For what purpose does OD exist? Well, the publishing department exists to glorify the group’s founder. The PR department exists to manage the group’s image on an ongoing basis. The marketing department exists to recruit new members. The legal department exists to defend against former members.

What some may describe as “…sanctifying the secular world…”, others may describe as “…aligning oneself with the secular world…”.

*Júdica me, Deus, et discérne causam meam de gente non sancta. *
 
Mrs_Sally said:
I find St Josemaria’s writings very helpful. There are quite a few people at my parish that are members at one level or another (there is a center about 10 miles away). I have been to a couple of Masses celebrated by Opus Dei priests and found them quite reverant wit excellent homilies. They celebrate the OF of the Mass.
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The more I read the more interested I become. However, I am still fuzzy on the structure. Are there physical centers for meeting/Mass? Do they have meetings, seminars, etc? I read Scott’s preface to his book which just generated more questions. Surely there is a OD member floating around here somewhere. Scott indicated in the preface that there are 85,000 members. But, maybe they like to fly under the radar.
 
I went to a very good retreat 10 or 15 years ago at a center that seemed to be owned by Opus Dei. Some Opus Dei activities take place at regular (non-OD) churches; a local parish has an OD “Evening of Recollection” once a month, that is sort of a mini-retreat (strong emphasis on leading a holy life no matter what your state of life). My parish is blessed to have an OD priest visit twice a week for confessions. OD priests, in my experience, are more likely than most priests to offer advice during confession.

Overall, I have a positive impression of Opus Dei, but my experience with the organization is limited. Catholic Answers has a “Friends of Opus Dei” group you could check out.
Justin_Mee said:
The more I read the more interested I become. However, I am still fuzzy on the structure. Are there physical centers for meeting/Mass? Do they have meetings, seminars, etc? I read Scott’s preface to his book which just generated more questions. Surely there is a OD member floating around here somewhere. Scott indicated in the preface that there are 85,000 members. But, maybe they like to fly under the radar.
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from what i know about opus dei their main philospophical grounding is the following.

That we should give all our lives to God and make all our actions a testament and offering to God. This is sanctifying everday life and work which is the basis of escriva’s teachings. It does not mean debasing oneself to somehow compromise with the secular world, it means following the example of Christ in every action, was Christ any less God when he was a carpenter?

By striving to emulate the Lord in every action Opus Dei becomes a sign of contradiction in a world where faith is often seperated from everyday life and where the “dictatorship of relativism” and secularism is ever-present. This is perhaps the reason for the attacks against the group, as it is out of order to many, in a world which continually seeks to relegate religion to a backcloset.

Opus Dei has a remarkable mission, the sanctification of EVERY aspect of our lives, though acting to emulate Christ through work, thought and deed. I’m not a member of Opus Dei, but Im certain the world would be a better place if more people were apart of this organisation.
 
MikeDunphy said:
I went to a very good retreat 10 or 15 years ago at a center that seemed to be owned by Opus Dei. Some Opus Dei activities take place at regular (non-OD) churches; a local parish has an OD “Evening of Recollection” once a month, that is sort of a mini-retreat (strong emphasis on leading a holy life no matter what your state of life). My parish is blessed to have an OD priest visit twice a week for confessions. OD priests, in my experience, are more likely than most priests to offer advice during confession.

Overall, I have a positive impression of Opus Dei, but my experience with the organization is limited. Catholic Answers has a “Friends of Opus Dei” group you could check out.
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Thanks. The link should point me in the right direction.
 
I checked in to Opus Dei a few months ago. I noticed some great things and I noticed some questionable things.

They have ‘evenings of recollection’ at two local parishes and everyone is welcome. I get a monthly newsletter from the local study center that has classes that are offered at the center that everyone is also welcome to attend. The director emails me every so often to see how I’m doing as well.

It did strike me, however, that the local study center does not identify itself as an Opus Dei study center. It says its a study center who’s spiritual activities are taken care of by Opus Dei, but they make it appear as if it is a separate entity. Seems sneaky to me. Most of their classes seem to be geared towards young men and white collar men. I imagine they want younger men who will become priests for them or can bring in some money along with the white collar guys. There’s one class every month for guys, regardless of age or social status, but there’s definitely an aim there. It’s like they are targeting high school/college aged men, and white collar guys, but anyone is free to try to join if they want to. While I understand it, it makes me feel as if I’m not as important to the prelature as the other guys. And I’m not just imagining this; their website even says “(Name) Study Center’s work with students and professional men provides guidance and encouragement…” Well, I’m neither a student or a “professional,” so where do I fit in with Opus Dei?
 
damooster said:
I checked in to Opus Dei a few months ago. I noticed some great things and I noticed some questionable things.

They have ‘evenings of recollection’ at two local parishes and everyone is welcome. I get a monthly newsletter from the local study center that has classes that are offered at the center that everyone is also welcome to attend. The director emails me every so often to see how I’m doing as well.

It did strike me, however, that the local study center does not identify itself as an Opus Dei study center. It says its a study center who’s spiritual activities are taken care of by Opus Dei, but they make it appear as if it is a separate entity. Seems sneaky to me. Most of their classes seem to be geared towards young men and white collar men. I imagine they want younger men who will become priests for them or can bring in some money along with the white collar guys. There’s one class every month for guys, regardless of age or social status, but there’s definitely an aim there. It’s like they are targeting high school/college aged men, and white collar guys, but anyone is free to try to join if they want to. While I understand it, it makes me feel as if I’m not as important to the prelature as the other guys. And I’m not just imagining this; their website even says “(Name) Study Center’s work with students and professional men provides guidance and encouragement…” Well, I’m neither a student or a “professional,” so where do I fit in with Opus Dei?
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It seems to me like you should ask one of the members or a spiritual director, which will be ever more insightful than speculating.

Pax,
OA
 
Justin_Mee said:
The more I read the more interested I become. However, I am still fuzzy on the structure. Are there physical centers for meeting/Mass? Do they have meetings, seminars, etc? I read Scott’s preface to his book which just generated more questions. Surely there is a OD member floating around here somewhere. Scott indicated in the preface that there are 85,000 members. But, maybe they like to fly under the radar.
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There are physical centers that usually are for retreats and training. Some lay members, who have promised celibacy, also live in the centers. Most lay members are ordinary married (or planning to be married), working people who want to sanctify their lives and offer even their ordinary work to Christ.

The priests are committed to Opus Dei, but also work in regular parishes alongside non-OD diocesan priests.

I would reccommend a biography of St Josemaria because you’ll see how the group started and how it was built up over time. Also, farther up the thread someone posted the link to their official site.
 
Talking with someone at that center (the director?) would be the most helpful to nswer your specific questions about your situation.

The sense I get in general is that, at the time of the founding, people in professional “white collar” type jobs *seemed *more suseptiable to falling away from the faith. Also, St. Josemaria happened to be at a university at the time of the founding so students and those working toward or just beginning their professional careers were the people around him. I do know that he gave retreats and speeches for migrant farm workers in Latin America and many other “blue collar” groups during his life time (the one he gave to the farmers was filmed and is on you-tube now (in Spanish)). I don’t think it is at all fair to say that Opus Dei is only or even mostly for “white collar” people.
damooster said:
I checked in to Opus Dei a few months ago. I noticed some great things and I noticed some questionable things.

They have ‘evenings of recollection’ at two local parishes and everyone is welcome. I get a monthly newsletter from the local study center that has classes that are offered at the center that everyone is also welcome to attend. The director emails me every so often to see how I’m doing as well.

It did strike me, however, that the local study center does not identify itself as an Opus Dei study center. It says its a study center who’s spiritual activities are taken care of by Opus Dei, but they make it appear as if it is a separate entity. Seems sneaky to me. Most of their classes seem to be geared towards young men and white collar men. I imagine they want younger men who will become priests for them or can bring in some money along with the white collar guys. There’s one class every month for guys, regardless of age or social status, but there’s definitely an aim there. It’s like they are targeting high school/college aged men, and white collar guys, but anyone is free to try to join if they want to. While I understand it, it makes me feel as if I’m not as important to the prelature as the other guys. And I’m not just imagining this; their website even says “(Name) Study Center’s work with students and professional men provides guidance and encouragement…” Well, I’m neither a student or a “professional,” so where do I fit in with Opus Dei?
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