Opus Dei

[jaaraf]

Hi,
I’ve been thinking to learn more about it before joing them too. I contacted Opus Dei in Singapore because there’s none in Indonesia, and one of people there replied me and he told me that he will give me some informations about it and someone will contact me if he/she come to my country.

So I’m waiting for answer about fundamental idea

Coincidentally, Opus Dei is planning to start soon in Indonesia, probably in Surabaya (I’m not so sure if my spelling is right). The Prelate of Opus Dei is currently in our country (I was able to see him yesterday when I flew to Manila. ) and trips to Indonesia at the start will be coming from here.

 

[jaaraf]

Why would a single person join Opus Dei, as opposed to becoming a priest or a nun?

I know that there are people within Opus Dei who live celibate lives and live in Opus Dei centres. Why would a person choose to do this instead of joining a religious Order?

Celibacy in Opus Dei is for an apostolic purpose, that is to attend to the needs of the other members of Opus Dei as well as others without taking any vows. The mentality is very lay as opposed to the religious. No vows are taken. The commitment is more contractual in nature, similar to that of a marriage contract. The numeraries live in the Center so as to facilitate the giving and receiving of formation for the members.

I think simply put it is a defferent kind of spirituality from that of the religious. It’s also a vocation so it depends foremost on God’s call and the person’s free response.

 

[DL82]

Just thought I’d add that the priest who regularly hears confessions at my local parish is an Opus Dei priest, and he is extremely good as a confessor, realistic, and when he preaches his exemplary knowledge of Church doctrines and documents really shows through. I’ve been on a day retreat at their house here in Glasgow and found it to be extremely helpful and relevant. There were more young adults in this group than any other lay organisation I’ve seen, and they also run an outreach program to help disadvantaged kids to get on well at school.

They are a very serious group of people, which I like, but which isn’t to everybody’s taste. I get the feeling an Opus Dei comedy fundraiser night would be a bit of a failure somehow! I’ve heard that some of the older generation of Spanish Opus Dei priests have rather too much affection for the old fascist regime, but that’s no different to a lot of older Spanish Catholics from what I hear, and doesn’t really reflect on their theology.

Like the Franciscans, Opus Dei lay a lot of emphasis on sanctifying our actions in everyday life. Unlike the Franciscans, Opus Dei aren’t big fans of poverty!

That’s just my limited experience and intuitions.

 

[wina]

Coincidentally, Opus Dei is planning to start soon in Indonesia, probably in Surabaya (I’m not so sure if my spelling is right). The Prelate of Opus Dei is currently in our country (I was able to see him yesterday when I flew to Manila. ) and trips to Indonesia at the start will be coming from here.

Well, I’d been informed that there’s a meeting in Singapore August 2 this Saturday, but I’m not able to come as I said that it needs some cost for living there and I know about the cost because I’ve been there a few times.
Hm…Surabaya is quite far from my city it’s about 1 hour to go there by flight. Well, we’ll see God’s will.

 

[baltobetsy]

I get the feeling an Opus Dei comedy fundraiser night would be a bit of a failure somehow!

I think you might be mistaken here! I’ve been close to Opus Dei for more than 30 years and have known my share of witty, even hysterically funny members including priests. It’s just a matter of keeping things in their place. The night of recollection is for silence and prayer, but I assure you that they do their “down time” as well as they do their work and prayer.

Come to think of it, one or two of the priests I know use humor as their way into your heart as they preach. I knew one who would get you rolling on the floor with laughter, completely defenseless, then hit with a zinger. Those were some very effective meditations.

Betsy

 

[WH1988]

Hello.

I attend activities and have spiritual direction on Opus Dei. They are the most loyal people to the Church Magisterium and Tradition that I ever seen in Portugal. Their priests have a wonderful formation and are very orthodox.

The plan of life is not easy to follow (if it was easy, you would not grow in faith), but it’s very rewarding. I started by praying the rosary daily. Later I added 2 weekdays masses and daily meditation.

Now, all my days include Mass, Rosary, Meditation (15m), Angelus, Exam before going to bed, spiritual reading, reading of the Cathecism, Gospel and, because we are on a Pauline year, reading of St. Paul’s letters.

I strongly recommend Opus Dei to anyone!

 

[juhothenero]

Hello.

I attend activities and have spiritual direction on Opus Dei. They are the most loyal people to the Church Magisterium and Tradition that I ever seen in Portugal. Their priests have a wonderful formation and are very orthodox.

The plan of life is not easy to follow (if it was easy, you would not grow in faith), but it’s very rewarding. I started by praying the rosary daily. Later I added 2 weekdays masses and daily meditation.

Now, all my days include Mass, Rosary, Meditation (15m), Angelus, Exam before going to bed, spiritual reading, reading of the Cathecism, Gospel and, because we are on a Pauline year, reading of St. Paul’s letters.

I strongly recommend Opus Dei to anyone!

Hi, can somebody tell me what is the plan of life and what it includes exactly

 

[WH1988]

I can’t tell you what exactly would the “plan of life” consist of, since I’m not your spiritual director. The plan of life is just the name that is usually given to the list of prayers, mortifications and devotions sugested for you by your spiritual director.

 

[wina]

Well, I’m still waiting someone from Singapore to give me some info about it.

Jaaraf, do you know when exactly Opus Dei will start in Indonesia??

 

[DL82]

Hi,
I’ve been thinking to learn more about it before joing them too. I contacted Opus Dei in Singapore because there’s none in Indonesia, and one of people there replied me and he told me that he will give me some informations about it and someone will contact me if he/she come to my country.

So I’m waiting for answer about fundamental idea

One piece of advice, you should think twice about joining a religious community that is not actively a ‘community’ in the place you are living. How often would you be able to meet with the other brothers and sisters if you had to travel to Singapore every time? What kind of support, spiritual, emotional and practical, would the Singapore branch be able to give you at such a distance? These are all valid questions to ask yourself and to pray about.

 

[Fergal]

One piece of advice, you should think twice about joining a religious community that is not actively a ‘community’ in the place you are living. How often would you be able to meet with the other brothers and sisters if you had to travel to Singapore every time? What kind of support, spiritual, emotional and practical, would the Singapore branch be able to give you at such a distance? These are all valid questions to ask yourself and to pray about.

But did you stop to think that this person might just be the way to have Opus Dei established in their country? It was one person who established Opus Dei in Ireland, in England, Russia etc…

If this person is chosen by God then they will receive all the formation they will need to be successful.

 

[wina]

One piece of advice, you should think twice about joining a religious community that is not actively a ‘community’ in the place you are living. How often would you be able to meet with the other brothers and sisters if you had to travel to Singapore every time? What kind of support, spiritual, emotional and practical, would the Singapore branch be able to give you at such a distance? These are all valid questions to ask yourself and to pray about.

DL82, thank you for your advice. That’s why I want to learn more about it before I decide to join in. And yes, all those questions are valid and I’ve discerned about God’s will in my life for my spiritual journey.

 

[wina]

But did you stop to think that this person might just be the way to have Opus Dei established in their country? It was one person who established Opus Dei in Ireland, in England, Russia etc…

If this person is chosen by God then they will receive all the formation they will need to be successful.

Thanks Fergal, honestly, I’m still confused about God’s call for my spiritual journey. I’ve contacted a few spiritual communities, some replied me and gave some good informations about them. But I haven’t decided anything yet, I just think and feel that God has prepared greater plan for me and He is preparing myself to be ready. I think prayer I need the most

 

[jaaraf]

Well, I’m still waiting someone from Singapore to give me some info about it.

Jaaraf, do you know when exactly Opus Dei will start in Indonesia??

Sorry, I don’t know when exactly Opus Dei will start in Indonesia. Usually the apostolate with the men starts first then the women start apostolic activities. I think in a year or two, since I have already heard that there are people already tapped to begin Opus Dei there including some members of Indonesian descent.
You can read more about the Prelate of Opus Dei’s visit to the Philippines here.

 

[wina]

Sorry, I don’t know when exactly Opus Dei will start in Indonesia. Usually the apostolate with the men starts first then the women start apostolic activities. I think in a year or two, since I have already heard that there are people already tapped to begin Opus Dei there including some members of Indonesian descent.
You can read more about the Prelate of Opus Dei’s visit to the Philippines here.

Thanks Jaaraf