Opus Dei

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I attend the TLM and tend to find great value in the traditional formulations of Catholic doctrine and traditional devotions. I just wanted to get the opinions of some other traditional Catholics as to the overall orthodoxy of Opus Dei and how beneficial you think they’ve been as a force for winning souls for Christ and teaching the authentic Catholic faith.

I’ve been to one Opus Dei “recollection” which involved Mass, confession, mental prayer and reflections, and a talk by a lay member. For my part, I was very drawn to it as the contemplative nature appealed to me, and I found the priest to be very orthodox. I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you very much.
 
I also prefer the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and I like the traditional spirituality of the Roman rite. I would consider myself a conservative Catholic.

Although my parish celebrates the Tridentine Mass every week, I have not met any conservative Catholics. By this I mean I haven’t spoken to anyone who agrees with the prohibition of artifical birth control and who is against abortion in all circumstances etc. The people at my parish are very nice, but I would love to meet other Catholics who believe in all that the Church teaches.

I have looked into Opus Dei because they appear to be very orthodox in their beliefs and practices. However, I have also read many things against Opus Dei by former members and the family of current members. Without judging them, I can say that I have some reservations about Opus Dei.

From what I have read, they are spiritually arrogant and they have a sense of superiority over all other Catholics. I’ve also heard that members have to give large amounts of their wages to Opus Dei; some have said that this causes undue pressure and hardship.

However, I’ve also heard that they do a lot of good. I really don’t know. John Paul II seemed to like and approve of them so they can’t be bad.

I would love to hear what the members of Opus Dei have to say about this organisation. I’m sure that there are some members on this site. I’ve read the ODAN website and I would like to hear some apologetics in favour of Opus Dei.
 
My personal experiences with Opus Dei have been very positive. St Mary of the Angels in the Bucktown area is administered by Opus Dei, and they’ve done in amazing job in transforming a church that had been closed and slated for demolition. They are very big on the sacrament of penance, and some of there priests I know, make it a point during every mass, to mention that Holy Communion is only for Catholics who are in a state of grace, and that they hear confessions 7 days a week so no one has an excuse.
 
Having done more research into Opus Dei, I can say that I would never join this organisation.

Opus Dei provides lay Catholics with an opportunity to have a deep spiritual life while remaining in the secular world. I think that daily Mass, daily Rosary, and daily penance are good things for every Catholic. I also like the fact that Opus Dei is completely loyal to the Magisterium.

However, I would not like to have my life completely controlled. The lifestyle of Opus Dei members is too strict for me. I like to make my own decisions about what I do. I would never give my freedom to an organisation that tells me what books I can read, what films I can watch, how much money I can have etc. Opus Dei exerts a lot of control over it’s members’ affairs. I’m far too independant for that.

If I wanted to make a life long spiritual commitment I would rather be a Priest. The Church certainly needs more priests. Priests probably have more freedom than an Opus Dei member, and they can serve God in a better way.

I would advise any traditionalist who is thinking of becoming a numerary in Opus Dei to become an FSSP or Christ the King Priest instead. Afterall, becoming an Opus Dei member requires just as much commitment.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
Having done more research into Opus Dei, I can say that I would never join this organisation.

Opus Dei provides lay Catholics with an opportunity to have a deep spiritual life while remaining in the secular world. I think that daily Mass, daily Rosary, and daily penance are good things for every Catholic. I also like the fact that Opus Dei is completely loyal to the Magisterium.

However, I would not like to have my life completely controlled. The lifestyle of Opus Dei members is too strict for me. I like to make my own decisions about what I do. I would never give my freedom to an organisation that tells me what books I can read, what films I can watch, how much money I can have etc. Opus Dei exerts a lot of control over it’s members’ affairs. I’m far too independant for that.

If I wanted to make a life long spiritual commitment I would rather be a Priest. The Church certainly needs more priests. Priests probably have more freedom than an Opus Dei member, and they can serve God in a better way.

I would advise any traditionalist who is thinking of becoming a numerary in Opus Dei to become an FSSP or Christ the King Priest instead. Afterall, becoming an Opus Dei member requires just as much commitment.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. The things you mention would also give me serious reservation about joining Opus Dei, however, as I understand it, one can become either a “numerary” or a “supernumerary” member of Opus Dei, the former requiring the life-embracing commitment similar to what a priestly or religious vocation requires of a person.

Perhaps it is only the numeraries who must live under the extreme submission to authority you mention, and who knows, maybe it truly is what God has called them to. Of course I don’t know, this is just speculation and based on a few things I’ve heard about the organization. If anyone can provide correction or more information that would be helpful.
 
If anyone wants to pm me privately, I will tell you my experience with the Opus Dei “girls club”. It’s not positive. I have a couple of other ex-members relay their stories to me, and it was like a carbon copy of what I went through with my dd.

Read everything you can about this group before you get any of your children involved with them.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
Having done more research into Opus Dei, I can say that I would never join this organisation.

However, I would not like to have my life completely controlled. .
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I agree.

Visit a center and you’ll see what dempsey means. Also they are fanatical about St. Jose Maria Escriva. It truly creeped me out. My friend and I honestly thought the women who lived at the center seemed “programmed”. I don’t want to sound uncharitable, but I do not know how else to put it.
 
Well, I’ve seen some interesting positive testimonies on Opus Dei Blogs. As for the authority thing, I think it must have to do with obedience which seems like a forgotten virtue nowadays.
 
Opus Dei is a cult simple as that, if the shoe fits…

I met with an Opus Dei Priest awhile back, he asked me my education levels and how much money I made, he was very interested in what I made financially and what I did for a living. When he found out I was married his interest wained quite a bit, but he still invited me back. I was really turned off by the oppulence of their headquaters in Murray Hill. Not a dime was spared I can tell you that.

I would avoid them like the plague, the demands on its members seems very cult like if you ask me.
 
lukewarm said:
Opus Dei is a cult simple as that, if the shoe fits…
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Do you have any sources I can look up as part of my research? I am interested in joining Opus Dei. I don’t know much about them but I am wary of cult-like organizations. I pray this isn’t one of them because they sound so perfect for me.
lukewarm said:
I met with an Opus Dei Priest awhile back, he asked me my education levels and how much money I made, he was very interested in what I made financially and what I did for a living. When he found out I was married his interest wained quite a bit, but he still invited me back.
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Perhaps this was just the vibe you got from one priest. Are they all like that? Reminds of an episode of Monk I saw once with Howie Mandel as a cult leader.
lukewarm said:
I was really turned off by the oppulence of their headquaters in Murray Hill. Not a dime was spared I can tell you that.
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I am going to do my best to research this place. Thanks for the tips.
 
Hey, wait a minute.

Opus Dei is like an Army, that’s what it is. It’s not a light commitment. Some people think that because they don’t take vows that it should be like the best of both worlds, you get the community and soldiarity of a religious order but you get to do what you like in the rest of your life.

Not true. Opus Dei spirituality is very strong. It is not a cult. I have friends that are in Opus Dei (numenaries) and the priest that introduced me to the faith is an Opus Dei priest. They are all very orthodox and good people.

Basically, some people do not like it because its not fun and yes, it is controlling. I went on a humanitarian trip with 10 other guys to Nicaragua to dig latrines with an Opus Dei group and some aspects of it annoyed me. I did not like how we were not allowed to just ‘chill’ and drink beer and relax after digging ditches for 8 hours. Some aspects were tightly controlled. That’s the down side. On the good side, they have a very, very strong spirituality- how do you think they live without the fun? We started the day with prayer, said the angelus and read Deus Caritas Est during lunch, then prayed more after work, ate, prayed and read from The Way, then we did an examination of conscience, and went to bed.

Programmed? Well, I’m sure lots of secular-progressives out there would call most of us programmed because we don’t “make up our own minds”.

However, it wasn’t supposed to be a vacation. Opus Dei means Work of God. That’s the mentality that the members have, that they are supposed to work for the good of God and not themselves. Opus Dei is not a fun organization, I will dispassionately declare that to you. They are very rigid in some respects, but again, it’s like the Army, and those who join up are not doing so to ‘fulfill themselves’- it’s about a vocation (not vacation!), and they do not just let anyone join.

Basically the purpose of Opus Dei is two fold, firstly, to help people integrate work and their secular lives with their spiritual life, and the second is a bit more covert, to spread the influence of the Church in the higher professional echelons.

Opus Dei is a good organization.
 
However, I would not like to have my life completely controlled. The lifestyle of Opus Dei members is too strict for me. I like to make my own decisions about what I do. I would never give my freedom to an organisation that tells me what books I can read, what films I can watch, how much money I can have etc. Opus Dei exerts a lot of control over it’s members’ affairs. I’m far too independant for that.
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My sister is a “card carrying member”. I am just a cooperator. Your statements above don’t reflect anything I or my family have experienced. In fact, my sister’s comment was a bewildered “huuuuuuuuuuhh?” While they might have frowned on the DaVinci code (most Catholics did), I’ve never heard boo about any other movies and the money thing has never come into play. My sister is on the, what you probably call, poor side and there are others that are more than comfortable. I’ve never heard that one before and neither has she.

BTW, if you think you’re independent, you haven’t seen us. Also, the laity do not make a life long spiritual committment. They renew it every year. While they don’t want them to jump in an out of it, they are free to leave their commitment.

There are a lot of stories floating out there about Opus Dei. I would suggest contacting an Opus Dei priest and asking them about things you’ve heard. They are more than willing to clear up any misconceptions. And, btw, you do not have to be a member to participate in things like the recollections, retreats, etc. Membership is for those who want to go the extra mile to help the work.
 
marymonde said:
I agree.

Visit a center and you’ll see what dempsey means. Also they are fanatical about St. Jose Maria Escriva. It truly creeped me out. My friend and I honestly thought the women who lived at the center seemed “programmed”. I don’t want to sound uncharitable, but I do not know how else to put it.
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Uh, kind of like the Franciscans are fanatical about St. Francis or the Domincans are fanatical about St. Dominic?

I will say this about Opus Dei. It is very European and very orderly. I sometimes think this is why people have a difficulty with them. I’ve never felt called to be a “card carrying” member but I have no trouble benefitting from their spirituality. Like every order, it’s not for everyone. That said, just because it doesn’t draw someone, it doesn’t mean it’s wrong, bad, etc. 🤷
 
lukewarm said:
Opus Dei is a cult simple as that, if the shoe fits…

I met with an Opus Dei Priest awhile back, he asked me my education levels and how much money I made, he was very interested in what I made financially and what I did for a living. When he found out I was married his interest wained quite a bit, but he still invited me back. I was really turned off by the oppulence of their headquaters in Murray Hill. Not a dime was spared I can tell you that.

I would avoid them like the plague, the demands on its members seems very cult like if you ask me.
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Their members are very generous, I can say that. Again, their members don’t make a vow of poverty. Yes, their centers are nice and this is where they hold their retreats. I’ve even seen some chalices with jewels people have donated to them imbedded inside (only the best touching Our Lord).

This is something some may not know. They take later vocations and their priests all have had some sort of profession. For their apostolate, they feel this better helps them to identify with those who are trying to sanctify their lives through their everday life.

Neither my husband nor I have ever been asked about our education levels or income. That would sound out of the norm. Our careers, however, have been discussed.
 
bear06 said:
Uh, kind of like the Franciscans are fanatical about St. Francis or the Domincans are fanatical about St. Dominic?:
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Uh…No. Nothing like that, I assure you. I witnessed several members reaction to Escriva with my own eyes at one of the centers, as did a friend of mine. We were on our knees praying for these women when we got out of there. Trust me, it was far from normal.
bear06 said:
I will say this about Opus Dei. It is very European and very orderly. I sometimes think this is why people have a difficulty with them. :
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Cults are very orderly as well. It’s not a clear cut virtue in my book. It can go either way. The group being very European and “orderly” was the farthest thing from my mind after my experience with them, and trust me, that wasn’t my difficulty with them, as nice as your explanation may sound.
 
I’m a supernumerary of Opus Dei. I think there are a few others floating about the Forums (I always wonder, is it really Fora?) 🙂

Anyway, I’ll try my best to answer any questions anyone has…

Margaret
 
Red_Meg said:
I’m a supernumerary of Opus Dei. I think there are a few others floating about the Forums (I always wonder, is it really Fora?) 🙂

Anyway, I’ll try my best to answer any questions anyone has…

Margaret
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This will add sanity to the conversation. Do we really want that?😉

I’d say you should start with the things already brought up. Do you think that Msgr. Escriva has now, somehow, become elevated to a god-like status? Do they tell you how much money you can have? Do they tell you what movies you can or cannot attend?

Thanks for taking the time.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
Having done more research into Opus Dei, I can say that I would never join this organisation.

Opus Dei provides lay Catholics with an opportunity to have a deep spiritual life while remaining in the secular world. I think that daily Mass, daily Rosary, and daily penance are good things for every Catholic. I also like the fact that Opus Dei is completely loyal to the Magisterium.

However, I would not like to have my life completely controlled. The lifestyle of Opus Dei members is too strict for me. I like to make my own decisions about what I do. I would never give my freedom to an organisation that tells me what books I can read, what films I can watch, how much money I can have etc. Opus Dei exerts a lot of control over it’s members’ affairs. I’m far too independant for that.

If I wanted to make a life long spiritual commitment I would rather be a Priest. The Church certainly needs more priests. Priests probably have more freedom than an Opus Dei member, and they can serve God in a better way.

I would advise any traditionalist who is thinking of becoming a numerary in Opus Dei to become an FSSP or Christ the King Priest instead. Afterall, becoming an Opus Dei member requires just as much commitment.
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Please check again your statement which I underlined.
If life under Opus Dei is “completely controlled” (which is not true), do you honestly believe that priestly life in not ‘completely controlled’?

Even Numeraries never take a vow. Priests take at least 2 vows, some 3. They all take the vow of obedience. For one who has taken a vow of obedience but takes umbrage on being ‘controlled’, there is something not consistent here. Jesuits might not accept such postulant.

So if a ‘controlled’ life is not attractive to you, neither can you be a good Priest, nor even an accolite.
 
Just to weigh in about people talking about cults and things: just remember that highly organised groups which are not dangerous will look like cults. Heck, the word “cult” has been hijacked; Opus Dei in my book is a cult, but a good one!!
 
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