Opus Dei

[jaaraf]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I will go to the recommended websites and read the recommended books.

In other readings, it says that people are asked to turn over their entire salary (whether single or married, living in one of their Centers or living independently). If this is true, doesn’t that seem suspect? It sounds like total mind control, indeed control over every aspect of a person’s life. I’m just learning about this, so please let me know how you see this and what is true/untrue.

Only the celibate members (numeraries, assistant numeraries and associates) of Opus Dei turn in their entire salary. Afterwards, they are free to ask for whatever they think they need personally. This isn’t as much of a shock though… A lot of married couples have the same arrangement. Even my father still asks money from my mother whenever he needs to buy something… The supernumeraries support the work financially depending on their means.

BTW, if you’re wondering I’m an associate of Opus Dei.

 

[jaaraf]

No you don’t have to have a lot of money to become a member. One can be sought out by being intellectually gifted. I was a director of an English language academy in Pamplona Spain and they would ask me for the names of the top ten students in the 12th grade to invite to their summer programs.

 Also there is a built in dislike of religious orders.  I asked a friend (now an Opus Dei priest)   to go one Sunday to Mass at a Trappist monestary in the south of Navarra.  He was very hostile to having  any religious contact with non Opus Dei sources.  I wanted to see the ancient building and hear the chant.

Hmmm… A lot of members of the Work I know of were ordinary, struggling students. Given the fact that members have studies in theology and philosophy in their seminars, a minimum of intellectual capacity to learn should be sought out in possible vocations.
I personally do not dislike religious orders… I went to a Catholic high school run by a congregation of nuns and went to a university run by priests of the Society of the Divine Word (one of the members of which is a cousin of my mother’s). I shall be eternally indebted to them for my education.
It’s just that I was never attracted to nor am I attracted to now by the spirituality of the religious life. Maybe your friend gave you that impression in a more forceful manner.
I still occasionally attend Holy Mass celebrated in a church attached to a convent. I sometimes do my prayer at the chapel of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master which is near my parish church. To further prove the point, during a seminar for associates of Opus Dei, we decided to spend one afternoon strolling through the beautiful grounds of a famous retreat house of the Dominican fathers-Calaruega. I love the magnificence of that place!

 

[jaaraf]

You guys are funny!!

you said it!

 

[Neil_Anthony]

They knew it was because of the money they made and they foresaw my occupation as being a stumbling block. I refused to believe them, however, and I went to the EOR anyways. Looking back, I do see how their attitudes changed towards me once they found out what I did for a living.

It isn’t an organization just for white collar workers, in fact I’ve heard that in Madrid they have a monthly recollection for taxi drivers who work odd shifts. On the other hand, they do have a focus on pursuing excellence in one’s work and offering it up to God. I don’t think you should assume that your job was the reason you stopped getting emails from them.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

In other readings, it says that people are asked to turn over their entire salary (whether single or married, living in one of their Centers or living independently). If this is true, doesn’t that seem suspect? It sounds like total mind control, indeed control over every aspect of a person’s life. I’m just learning about this, so please let me know how you see this and what is true/untrue.

Hi Truism,

Opus Dei has a type of member they call “numerary” which you could compare, in **some **ways, with a Brother or Sister religious in who lives in monasteries with orders like the dominicans or franciscans. These people live lives of celibacy, and live in Opus Dei centers where their room, board, and all expenses are provided for them. In turn, like many religious who work outside of their monasteries, they give their income to the community. Considered that way, its not that unusual.

Most of the members of Opus Dei, however, are married people who just give what feel they can afford, much like when you give donations at church. You don’t even have to be a member to attend their recollections etc.

I also read that book by John Allen and I think it’s a good investigation by a very impartial person if you want to learn more. A lot of people out there dislike Opus Dei just because it’s very loyal to the Pope, and you know how a lot of Catholics aren’t so big on certain church teachings!