Opus Dei--why don't all traditional-type Catholics get involved with it?

[TimothyH]

I’d guess it allows a hierarchical structure to have more flexibility, say, than a geographical diocese, so that it can permeate all over the place. The prelate (of the personal prelature) is appointed by the pope and the laity of Opus Dei remain in their particular geographical diocese, but they are also in Opus Dei. The goal is I assume to facilitate Opus Dei to carry out its particular mission of encouraging holiness in everyday life, etc., a worldwide sort of mission.

The prelate of Opus Dei is elected by the General Congress, not appointed by the Pope. The Pope confirms the election, but he does not select the person himself.

Chapter 2 – Concerning Central Government

130S1

The Prelate, who is called “Father” internally and whose office is for life, is selected without condition by the electoral General Congress which is called for that purpose; however, the election requires the confirmation of the Roman Pontiff

-Tim-

 

[Pug]

The prelate of Opus Dei is elected by the General Congress, not appointed by the Pope. The Pope confirms the election, but he does not select the person himself.
Chapter 2 – Concerning Central Government

130S1

The Prelate, who is called “Father” internally and whose office is for life, is selected without condition by the electoral General Congress which is called for that purpose; however, the election requires the confirmation of the Roman Pontiff-Tim-

It is beyond my competence to say anything other than that the word “appoint” seems suitable for a prelate of a personal prelature in general in simple parlance, since that word is used on the Opus Dei site when describing prelatures. I had no wish to misguide.

The prelate, who may be a bishop, is appointed by the Pope, and governs the prelature with power of governance or jurisdiction.

Please view the entire quote on the site, though, since as I said, they say this in reference to a personal prelature in general. Perhaps the word is not suited the the Opus Dei prelature specifically.

 

[Cat]

You know, I always thought that to join Opus Dei you need to have a vocation to the prelature, not like a Priestly vocation, but rather a lay vocation. A calling, in other words, to the lifestyle the Opus Dei lives.

So that’s why not all traditional Catholics get involved. There are many organisations in the Church, many orders, many societies.

OP, I think this is the best answer. Different strokes for different folks.

We can’t do everything, as much as we would like to. We are constrained by human limitations, especially time and energy, and of course by the responsibilities that most of us have toward our families, jobs, homes, communities, schools, etc. For many of us, adding one more thing would topple the stack!

I think we all need to be careful to be charitable and assume the best of others. Just because someone isn’t involved with something that is meaningful to us personally doesn’t imply rancor towards us or our involvements. E.g., just because someone isn’t involved in figure skating doesn’t mean that they dislike or disapprove of figure skating, right?!

 

[OraLabora]

OP, I think this is the best answer. Different strokes for different folks.

We can’t do everything, as much as we would like to. We are constrained by human limitations, especially time and energy, and of course by the responsibilities that most of us have toward our families, jobs, homes, communities, schools, etc. For many of us, adding one more thing would topple the stack!

I think we all need to be careful to be charitable and assume the best of others. Just because someone isn’t involved with something that is meaningful to us personally doesn’t imply rancor towards us or our involvements. E.g., just because someone isn’t involved in figure skating doesn’t mean that they dislike or disapprove of figure skating, right?!

I agree it’s actually the correct answer. For instance I am a Benedictine oblate. Not only would Opus Dei spirituality be foreign to me but my oblate promise forbids me from joining other societies, orders, etc.

You have to discern your charism and stick to it.

 

[Melchior_1]

I agree it’s actually the correct answer. For instance I am a Benedictine oblate. Not only would Opus Dei spirituality be foreign to me but my oblate promise forbids me from joining other societies, orders, etc.

You have to discern your charism and stick to it.

This, but especially the bolded.

 

[TimothyH]

It is beyond my competence to say anything other than that the word “appoint” seems suitable for a prelate of a personal prelature in general in simple parlance, since that word is used on the Opus Dei site when describing prelatures. I had no wish to misguide.
Please view the entire quote on the site, though, since as I said, they say this in reference to a personal prelature in general. Perhaps the word is not suited the the Opus Dei prelature specifically.

No, you are right. I think it is semantics. The Holy Father probably does “Appoint” in an official act once the person is elected.

I’m sorry if my post was terse or brusque. I had not intended it that way.

-Tim-

 

[Rich_C]

This, but especially the bolded.

This. I pray about it and I think God wants me to be a layman – not Opus Dei, a 3rd order or secular religious, nor a deacon – and exhibit the kind of humility and obedience that comes with the territory. To have a good flock the Lord needs more than good shepards, He needs good sheep.

 

[Melchior_1]

This. I pray about it and I think God wants me to be a layman – not Opus Dei, a 3rd order or secular religious, nor a deacon – and exhibit the kind of humility and obedience that comes with the territory. To have a good flock the Lord needs more than good shepards, He needs good sheep.

So very true. As much as I think that Lay Apostates and Secular Orders are very much under promoted within the Church, there’s also very much a need for laymen to step up and be exactly what you described.

The shepherd may have went after that one missing sheep, but he could do so because the other ninety nine stayed behind.

 

[Pug]

No, you are right. I think it is semantics. The Holy Father probably does “Appoint” in an official act once the person is elected.

I’m sorry if my post was terse or brusque. I had not intended it that way.

-Tim-

No worries!

 

[perro_sarnoso]

Opus Dei seems to offer everything that traditional-type Catholics are longing for but can’t find in their parish.

For the few that perhaps have never heard about Opus Dei, here is their U.S. web site:

opusdei.us/

The last two popes have been huge supporters of Opus Dei.

The famous Catholic convert, apologist and professor Scott Hahn wrote in his book Rome Sweet Home that he could not find a priest to help him convert to the Catholic Faith until he contacted an Opus Dei priest.

The fact that liberal Catholics and liberals in general hate and demonize Opus Dei should be a major selling point to traditional-type Catholics. There are even web sites dedicated to watching, investigating, and criticizing Opus Dei. Even so, I don’t think they’ve ever found anything really bad about Opus Dei. Dan Brown even demonized and grossly misrepresented Opus Dei in his infamous novel and movie “The Da Vinci Code.”

To me, it seems like many Catholics would be a lot happier if they and their children attended Opus Dei activities (assuming they live near an Opus Dei study center or Opus Dei run school).

Yes, places where the Traditional Latin Mass (now officially known as the Extraordinary Form of the Mass) is offered with the approval of the pope and bishops also provides a place that many traditional-type Catholics like. But, in my experience, some of these places have lots of people who fiercely and angrily obsessed with fighting and denouncing liberals in the Church and in society and government. To me, all that negativity is a real bummer, and upsetting.

But contrast, in my experience, the Opus Dei centers have none of this “anti-” orientation. As far as I can see, they are entirely “pro-” in their orientation: Pro-Catholic, Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-Pope, Pro-Blessed Virgin Mary, Pro-Holiness in Everyday Life (their slogan).

So, why aren’t YOU involved with Opus Dei?

The Holy Spirit moves each one of us Catholics differently.

Some are involved with the John XXIII movement- while others are in the Legion of Mary and still others in Opus Dei.

Different movements within the Catholic Church but, the Spirit is the same.

 

[LoyalViews]

I agree it’s actually the correct answer. For instance I am a Benedictine oblate. Not only would Opus Dei spirituality be foreign to me but my oblate promise forbids me from joining other societies, orders, etc.

You have to discern your charism and stick to it.

Exactly.

Some are called to be Dominicans, some are called to be Franciscan. Some are called to be a Benedictine! And some, are just called to be laymen.

OP, I think this is the best answer. Different strokes for different folks.

We can’t do everything, as much as we would like to. We are constrained by human limitations, especially time and energy, and of course by the responsibilities that most of us have toward our families, jobs, homes, communities, schools, etc. For many of us, adding one more thing would topple the stack!

I think we all need to be careful to be charitable and assume the best of others. Just because someone isn’t involved with something that is meaningful to us personally doesn’t imply rancor towards us or our involvements. E.g., just because someone isn’t involved in figure skating doesn’t mean that they dislike or disapprove of figure skating, right?!

Another good one!

Just because someone isn’t Opus Dei doesn’t mean they don’t support their work. We are called to all different kinds of Charisms, and the Holy Mother Church has all those to offer us!

 

[floresco]

And the EF and the Latin OF still have some Greek (Kyrie Eleison, Sabaoth) in the text.

“Sabaoth” is not Greek in origin, but Hebrew.

 

[ProVobis]

“Sabaoth” is not Greek in origin, but Hebrew.

You’re right. I have problems with linguistical transliterations.

 

[Rich_C]

Exactly.

Some are called to be Dominicans, some are called to be Franciscan. Some are called to be a Benedictine! And some, are just called to be laymen.

I would say most. Sometimes I think the act of being a good layman is the most neglected spirituality today. Ideally the traditional Catholic lifestyle should help us recover it.

 

[LoyalViews]

I would say most. Sometimes I think the act of being a good layman is the most neglected spirituality today. Ideally the traditional Catholic lifestyle should help us recover it.

Most, some, a few, many

 

[manualman]

The Jesuits have better assassins. Everybody knows that!

 

[LoyalViews]

The Jesuits have better assassins. Everybody knows that!

Thread=derailed.

 

[Cran]

I had a bit of spiritual direction within the Opus Dei and attended some of the meetings… the direction was ok. The meetings were not beneficial to me, the topics covered were below my own education in theology and presented in like manner I talk to the first graders I teach.

So I saw no reason to get further involved, at least not here. If I should move, I might take a look at it again if there is an Opus Dei-center, but as I am happy with my spiritual progress, director (Who is a Jesuit from the university I attend. Go figure.) and local TLM, I actually doubt I really would. The Opus Dei has nothing special that attracts me, while I do not doubt many people profit greatly from being involved there.

This is strictly related to my own, local experience!

 

[manualman]

Thread=derailed.

Go ahead and have a chuckle once in a while. You might like it!

 

[LoyalViews]

Go ahead and have a chuckle once in a while. You might like it!

BUT LAUGHING IS A SIN!

he stick his nose up, shrieks a humph, and walks away from this conversation pretending he won’t be coming back but I actually will