Opus Dei

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dumspirospero

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I am discerning whether or not to join Opus Dei…I have read all the online info about them…but I am looking for personal experiences with Opus Dei or stories about friends or loved ones who have been a part of Opus Dei…are they a good organization to join? Will they fulfill my spiritual needs? Any info highly appreciated.
 
Before you think about joining Opus Dei, you might want to read the Da Vinci Code. The book brings to light many of the horrible things that Opus Dei has done… and the scary part is the book is all true.

I’M KIDDING!!! :eek:
On a more serious note: Nope, I have no personal experience with Opus Dei. They seem like a lovely organization though.
 
You might like to have a look at this website: interbit.com/blogger/OpusDeiFAQ.html

If you speak to one of the Opus Dei priests and tell them that you are discerning whether to join or not you might be able to get some ‘hands on’ experience before you decide one way or another.

Depending whether you are a man or a woman go to one of the university residences and have a talk with the person in charge and you might be able to meet some members of Opus Dei.
 
Thanks everyone who has responded…any other thoughts from anyone???
 
The Davinci code is garbage. I and my 2 brothers, one brothers wife are all cooperators in Opus Dei. It is a fantastic organisation. From nothing we have 13/15 of my immediate family practising the faith. 1 is studying the faith and on the way. And the other is getting there slowly. All thanks to opus Dei. Spiritually we are extremely happy. Parents inspired by Opus Dei have starte schools , colleges etc and so the kids are getting a top education, and receiving tremendous spiritual and doctrinal formation at the same time. The benefits are too many to list. Several other people have returned or coverted to the faith as a result of the influence of Opus Dei amongst my family and our friends. The priest are all extremely holy and knowledgeable. And they make themselves available to you. No backstepping.
Needless to say, " I strongly recommend Opus Dei."
 
Hey John…please check your Private Messages…I am interested on how I go about joining Opus Dei…please offer advice.
John Russell Jr:
The Davinci code is garbage. I and my 2 brothers, one brothers wife are all cooperators in Opus Dei. It is a fantastic organisation. From nothing we have 13/15 of my immediate family practising the faith. 1 is studying the faith and on the way. And the other is getting there slowly. All thanks to opus Dei. Spiritually we are extremely happy. Parents inspired by Opus Dei have starte schools , colleges etc and so the kids are getting a top education, and receiving tremendous spiritual and doctrinal formation at the same time. The benefits are too many to list. Several other people have returned or coverted to the faith as a result of the influence of Opus Dei amongst my family and our friends. The priest are all extremely holy and knowledgeable. And they make themselves available to you. No backstepping.
Needless to say, " I strongly recommend Opus Dei."
Click to expand...
 
I am totally confused about this organisation. On another board, somebody told me to check out Opus Dei. Since we are on opposing sides of discussions, I checked out the website, and told this person that I have nothing but admiration for these people.

After saying this, I went back into google, only to find tons of critisisms. One particular site describes it as a cult… and from the way they put it, it does sound like such.

odan.org/

I’m afraid that perhaps I may not have taken a close enough look before I defended Opus Dei. Although I do admire what their website tells about, as well as what seems to be an unconditional love of God, I’m almost thinking that the laity may have gone a bit too far in their testimony of that love.

I’ve read the links that were provided on this site about threads on Opus Dei but it is after reading those that I made my discovery of the other google links describing it as a cult.

I’m more confused than ever now… plus I feel like I have to make an about-face on my previous statement to a forum adversary (atheist) … a lesson in humility?
 
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yinekka:
You might like to have a look at this website: interbit.com/blogger/OpusDeiFAQ.html

If you speak to one of the Opus Dei priests and tell them that you are discerning whether to join or not you might be able to get some ‘hands on’ experience before you decide one way or another.

Depending whether you are a man or a woman go to one of the university residences and have a talk with the person in charge and you might be able to meet some members of Opus Dei.
Click to expand...
Yinekka,
Thank you…I was just about to recommend what you have to Rich… Opus Dei priests are the best!..and the same site at that!
Then why should I be surprised…:whistle: 🙂
P.S. Dumspirospero, I’m a Cooperator listen to John
 
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Loboto-Me:
I am totally confused about this organisation. On another board, somebody told me to check out Opus Dei. Since we are on opposing sides of discussions, I checked out the website, and told this person that I have nothing but admiration for these people.

After saying this, I went back into google, only to find tons of critisisms. One particular site describes it as a cult… and from the way they put it, it does sound like such.

odan.org/

I’m afraid that perhaps I may not have taken a close enough look before I defended Opus Dei. Although I do admire what their website tells about, as well as what seems to be an unconditional love of God, I’m almost thinking that the laity may have gone a bit too far in their testimony of that love.

I’ve read the links that were provided on this site about threads on Opus Dei but it is after reading those that I made my discovery of the other google links describing it as a cult.

I’m more confused than ever now… plus I feel like I have to make an about-face on my previous statement to a forum adversary (atheist) … a lesson in humility?
Click to expand...
Do you believe everything you read? Do you trust us here at CA?
Then don’t let this site you have mentioned disturb you…😉
 
By and large, I trust the catholic websites much more than others… but I also am “believing what I’m reading” here, so how can I dissern which is the truth?

Would you have any other websites wihich “apologises” Opus Dei? I would like to be able to refute the cult things… I’m disturbed about the encouragement not to tell the families, so much reminds me about Jehovah’s Witnesses (although I will admit with a better background in the TRUTH 😉 )
 
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Loboto-Me:
By and large, I trust the catholic websites much more than others… but I also am “believing what I’m reading” here, so how can I dissern which is the truth?

Would you have any other websites wihich “apologises” Opus Dei? I would like to be able to refute the cult things… I’m disturbed about the encouragement not to tell the families, so much reminds me about Jehovah’s Witnesses (although I will admit with a better background in the TRUTH 😉 )
Click to expand...
The one already posted does an excellent job
interbit.com/blogger/OpusDeiFAQ.html

I happened on it as I happened on the (odan) one you did… Fortunately I was already involed. One of my sons happened on a Jack Chick site once too…:whistle: Good thing he told me about it…
 
Check out the link. And rest assured Opus Dei shows not even one of these single signs of cult activity. There are 15, then 5 more signs of a cult looked at. Opus Dei is 100% orthodox Catholicism, if they have persecuted and crucified the master, then what can the loyal followers of Christ expect. When you read the points in the link, then rest assured none apply to Opus Dei.
catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=2&art_id=27443
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Loboto-Me:
By and large, I trust the catholic websites much more than others… but I also am “believing what I’m reading” here, so how can I dissern which is the truth?

Would you have any other websites wihich “apologises” Opus Dei? I would like to be able to refute the cult things… I’m disturbed about the encouragement not to tell the families, so much reminds me about Jehovah’s Witnesses (although I will admit with a better background in the TRUTH 😉 )
Click to expand...
 
👍
John Russell Jr:
Check out the link. And rest assured Opus Dei shows not even one of these single signs of cult activity. There are 15, then 5 more signs of a cult looked at. Opus Dei is 100% orthodox Catholicism, if they have persecuted and crucified the master, then what can the loyal followers of Christ expect. When you read the points in the link, then rest assured none apply to Opus Dei.
catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=2&art_id=27443
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for the links! I feel that we need as much information as possible these days to make informed choices. When I see critisism about something, I like to see the other side.

Any information is much appreciated!
Thank you
 
Can someone who is not a cooperator go to the circle meetings, or do you have to promise money to receive spiritual direction and go to any activities? (I went to a circle, but the leader indicated that you can’t/shouldn’t really keep going without filling out a paper to be a cooperator? This is a once a month type circle). Also, it has been indicated to me that spiritual direction is only if you are a cooperator, but it was a cooperator that told me that.

And yes, I’ve have read all of Matt’s page about it and the main Opus Dei page.

Oh, is it possible to get spiritual direction from a priest, rather than a lay member? Or are they too busy? It seems that if I join the circle and become a cooperator, then spiritual direction would be provided by the circle leader (a supernumenary).
 
If you’re reading this now, Fox News (Gretta) is doing a report on Opus Dei (fact versus fiction) in a couple minutes
 
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Pug:
Can someone who is not a cooperator go to the circle meetings, or do you have to promise money to receive spiritual direction and go to any activities? (I went to a circle, but the leader indicated that you can’t/shouldn’t really keep going without filling out a paper to be a cooperator? This is a once a month type circle). Also, it has been indicated to me that spiritual direction is only if you are a cooperator, but it was a cooperator that told me that.

And yes, I’ve have read all of Matt’s page about it and the main Opus Dei page.

Oh, is it possible to get spiritual direction from a priest, rather than a lay member? Or are they too busy? It seems that if I join the circle and become a cooperator, then spiritual direction would be provided by the circle leader (a supernumenary).
Click to expand...
As far as I know you aren’t supposed to attend a “Circle” unless you are a Cooperator. And, as far as Spiritual Direction goes, I’m sure if you asked for it, it could be arranged.
 
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Pug:
Can someone who is not a cooperator go to the circle meetings, or do you have to promise money to receive spiritual direction and go to any activities? (I went to a circle, but the leader indicated that you can’t/shouldn’t really keep going without filling out a paper to be a cooperator? This is a once a month type circle). Also, it has been indicated to me that spiritual direction is only if you are a cooperator, but it was a cooperator that told me that.

And yes, I’ve have read all of Matt’s page about it and the main Opus Dei page.

Oh, is it possible to get spiritual direction from a priest, rather than a lay member? Or are they too busy? It seems that if I join the circle and become a cooperator, then spiritual direction would be provided by the circle leader (a supernumenary).
Click to expand...
You can go to a circle, to check it out. But it’s a cooperators circle. So to keep going you eventually have to become a cooperator.
You can usually get spiritual direction from a priest. I suppose it would depend on availability, workload etc. I have been seeing a priest for 15-16 yrs. You can also get direction from members. Or both. You don’t have to pay for spiritual direction. That may well be the sin of simony? You don’t have to be involved in Opus Dei to get spiritual direction.
If you become a cooperator you are expected to contribute to the apostolate in some ways eg. time, work, any assistance, money etc. With the money you are not expected to starve your family etc. It’s the same principles as with collections at Mass. What you can afford etc. If 1000 people give $20/ mth then that adds up to a lot. Just donate what you can afford. Be generous with the Lord, and He will be generous with you.
Opus Dei has the same mission as the Church- saving souls.
 
Thanks John and Annunciata for the replies! I took home a form to become a cooperator last month, and haven’t yet figured out what to do.:hmmm:
 
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