Opus Dei

[jdc209]

I’m currently discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I have a question. When I’m 18, I want to join Opus Dei. If I do, will that affect my journey to the priesthood? On their Web site, it says that Associates and Numeraries have to be a part of the Prelature for a long time before they are given the sacrament of Holy Orders. Am I going to have to wait a long time before I can become a priest if I join Opus Dei?

 

[Red_Meg]

Hello!

Typically men do not join Opus Dei as numeraries or associates with the intention of becoming a priest. The majority of numerary/associate men remain laymen their entire lives and pursue their normal careers. Only a small number, really just enough priests to provide the necessary pastoral care to other members of the Work, are ordained.

One possibility, however, is that regular diocesan priests can associate themselves with the Prelature by joining the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross. These priests remain incardinated in their dioceses, and continue to carry out whatever assignments their bishops ask of them, but they avail themselves of the spiritual and ascetical formation offered by the Work. One more notable example of this would be Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, Missouri.

Have you had much actual contact with Opus Dei?

Best,

Margaret

 

[jdc209]

Well, I haven’t really had much contact with Opus Dei, other than visiting their Web site or watching videos of St. Josemaria Escriva’s speeches on EWTN. But I do have a genuine interest in Opus Dei.

 

[JReducation]

Usually, if you join an institute, they decide if you have a vocation to the priesthood, not you. You participate in the discernment process, but the final word is from the authorities. The same applies to Opus Dei, religious orders, religious congregations, secular orders and societies of apostolic life. There is a long formation period to become a full member of the institute. Then you begin the formation for the priesthood. But ordination is never guarranteed until the superiors of the institute or the prelature and a council of your peers vote and decide that Christ is calling you to holy orders and that they need you.

Most prelatures, orders and congregations only ordain as many men as they need. The priority is always on the work and life of the institute or prelature, not on priestly ministry. Priestly ministry flows from the life of the prelature. The life of the prelature is to do the ordinary work of God.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF