Supernumerary in Opus Dei

[juhothenero]

Hi, I have been more in contact with the organization and really like it, does anyone have experiences about really being a supernumerary and what’s that like…

 

[Red_Meg]

I’m a supernumerary, and I believe there are one or two more on CAF, plus several cooperators.

I’ll do my best to answer your questions, but if you could get just a tad more specific, it would help a lot…

Margaret

PS This article was probably written fifteen twenty years ago, but it still gives a really nice overview of the supernumerary vocation:
Opus Dei: In Everyday Life.

 

[juhothenero]

I’m a supernumerary, and I believe there are one or two more on CAF, plus several cooperators.

I’ll do my best to answer your questions, but if you could get just a tad more specific, it would help a lot…

Margaret

PS This article was probably written fifteen twenty years ago, but it still gives a really nice overview of the supernumerary vocation:
Opus Dei: In Everyday Life.

I would like to know things like how much and how specifically supernumeraries usually follow the plan of life? I mean even now i have problem doing all prayers i would need, even though i am not a member and i will not be for a little while more and i know there is more requirement to be met later… I am just doing 15 minutes meditation in the morning and evening, rosary, readings and Angelus in the afternoon… and this is keeping me busy…

Where I am located is also hard to find a daily mass. I am not from US but from a Lutheran country and here Catholic church is very small, like 1% of the population and we don’t have much population…

There is one catholic church in my hometown. But there is only one priest, so mass is a rare occasion, just ones a day at 5 and because of my work i have problem going everyday…

so how specifically plan of life need to be followed? I will probably ask from Opus Dei center later on also, but that one is 400 miles away, and i don’t get there too often…

 

[Joan_M]

I would like to know things like how much and how specifically supernumeraries usually follow the plan of life? I mean even now i have problem doing all prayers i would need, even though i am not a member and i will not be for a little while more and i know there is more requirement to be met later… I am just doing 15 minutes meditation in the morning and evening, rosary, readings and Angelus in the afternoon… and this is keeping me busy…

Where I am located is also hard to find a daily mass. I am not from US but from a Lutheran country and here Catholic church is very small, like 1% of the population and we don’t have much population…

There is one catholic church in my hometown. But there is only one priest, so mass is a rare occasion, just ones a day at 5 and because of my work i have problem going everyday…

so how specifically plan of life need to be followed? I will probably ask from Opus Dei center later on also, but that one is 400 miles away, and i don’t get there too often…

We need to follow the Plan of Life as closely as it is possible for us. The impossible cannot be required. If it is not possible to get to Mass every day, then do your best to get there as often as is possible.

Remember, it is not a sin to not fulfill a norm of the Plan of Life, unless you omit it because of contempt. but, the more you can do, the better.

At the start it can be quite daunting - particularly if, like me, you were not that much into daily prayers before meeting with Opus Dei! Not to worry! The elements of the Plan of Life are not dropped on you in one blow - they are introduced to you one at a time. Fifteen minutes meditation is fine for a start, and even for at least a year or more. As you get used to the Plan, you will find it easier and will be able to complete it better.

I also know that, in times of stress or disruption in your life, it can happen that you may sometimes feel like skipping some norms. We are all weak and slip up. This is one of the reasons for the fortnightly fraternal chat. Your director will help you to overcome these trying times.

Welcome to Opus Dei.

 

[Red_Meg]

Thank you, Joan! The head cold I thought was clearing up has decided to make a recurrence in honor of today’s feast day. I’m so glad not to have to put too many coherent sentences together…

Juho-- only two other things pop out at me. What Joan said about the plan of life is spot on. The other thing to understand about the plan of life is that, in some sense, the norms (prayer, Mass, rosary, etc.) aren’t the end goal in themselves. They’re the means to the true end, which is union with God. I know I sometimes fall into this “checklist” attitude with the norms, which is totally the wrong approach, and it’s best to try and keep the other, correct attitude in mind-- not “I have to get this done” rather “This is my chance to get closer to Our Lord.”

The other thing that jumps out at me, though, is your distance from the center. During the initial period of formation in Opus Dei (18 months) you pretty much need to have regular access to the center. The classes are quite intense as there is a lot of material to cover. To make a really free decision (very important in the Work) you need to make a really informed decision, which is part of the reason for all the classes. I’ve never really heard of anyone being able to request admission to Opus Dei who didn’t have some way to get to the center every few weeks.

You would want to consult with someone at the center to get more guidance on this matter. I know here in the US, there are many more people that would like to become supernumeraries, but cannot simply because they live hundreds of miles from the closest center. The response of these people has been amazingly generous-- frequently they will become Cooperators of the Work, and live out the plan of life as best they can in their circumstances, and get all the formation they can, either from a supernumerary in the area or when a priest occasionally travels from the center to provide them pastoral care. These cooperators are laying the groundwork for future centers in their area by their fervent prayer and generosity. I am convinced their fidelity will bear tremendous fruits in the future.

This is not intended to discourage you in any way-- I just want you to not be shocked if this suggestion is made when you do get to the center. It would not be a reflection on you or your character at all, but simply a practical matter of distance.

I’m pretty beat and not convinced I’m making total sense so I’ll call it quits for now. Best of luck, and keep praying for the grace to see and correspond to God’s will for you.

Margaret

PS And Happy Feast Day-- the 80th anniversary of Opus Dei’s founding.

 

[juhothenero]

Actually I have been thinking about the distance too, for me i could get there once a month with quite an ease, since in this country the distance is what you have to get used to, but weekly visits or such are not of course possible…

I am not sure if the center has found ways to cope with distances, as I said this country is a land of distance, so here we are pretty much used to everything being far away, maybe those people in the center has noticed. I will have to move south anyway after a couple of years, so it would be possible to be a cooperator in the first stage if that is what God wants and then I suppose it is possible to change the status, is it?

This availability is a big problem with me, and what degree is life as a supernumerary controlled by Opus Dei activities involving a center of Opus Dei…

But I suppose God won’t call us humans to do impossible things, so if it is not possible to be a supernumerary at the moment then my call is not for that…

Another issue maybe i didn’t say yet is that I am a soon to be catholic, not yet, but quite soon, so i need sometime to cool of and study catholicism, I just want to get more information because the more i pray the stronger feeling i get for Opus Dei, even i have heard all bad and good things about… so don’t know… anyway thanks for advice…

 

[wina]

Hi, May someone explain to me what is supernumerary in Opus Dei?
I’ve been thinking to join in it but the problem is that the nearest location is in Singapore which is impossible and someone from there told me that someone from Indonesia will contact me and she did and she lives in the same city as me. But the problem is that the meeting usually is far from my office and when I asked whether there is weekend meeting, she said no, only Saturday but it’s only for men (actually ex-patriate using English). Hm… so I wonder why do they set meeting on the weekend only for men? anyone can explain?
I explained to her that I can only join the meeting on the weekend because of my work. But I do like doing something to keep my spirituality and ofcourse to make it grow too because I know that there are a lot of temptation that can make my spirituality goes down. I’d been there before. But Praise the Lord that He loves me and I realize it soon.
I’m still looking for the right thing to join in but some which I’m interested are always not in my country.

 

[Red_Meg]

But the problem is that the meeting usually is far from my office and when I asked whether there is weekend meeting, she said no, only Saturday but it’s only for men (actually ex-patriate using English). Hm… so I wonder why do they set meeting on the weekend only for men? anyone can explain?

Hi Wina,

If I understand correctly, the problem for you is that the only activity offered for women is during the week? Is that correct?

The only thing I can think is that since there’s only one woman available to run activities in your area, and since she’s most likely a married woman with children, she had to make just one choice of when to get together with the other interested ladies in your area. My best guess would be that at some point in the past, she got in touch with the other ladies nearby you, and they decided together on a day and time that worked best for them. The supernumerary very likely cannot spare still more time on the weekend. I know personally I never, ever would schedule something like that for the weekend, simply because family demands are so overwhelming then-- you wouldn’t believe what my calendar looks like most Saturdays. I’m guessing this supernumerary is in the same boat.

That being said, stay in touch with this supernumerary, and make sure she knows of your interest in getting formation and what the problems with your schedule are. While there may not be a good solution right now, people’s situations change all the time. For all we know, an older supernumerary with grown children may move into your town six weeks from now and be thrilled to do something on the weekends. So don’t give up-- just be patient if you can!

Margaret

Margaret

 

[Red_Meg]

Another issue maybe i didn’t say yet is that I am a soon to be catholic, not yet, but quite soon, so i need sometime to cool of and study catholicism, I just want to get more information because the more i pray the stronger feeling i get for Opus Dei, even i have heard all bad and good things about… so don’t know… anyway thanks for advice…

Wow! That puts a whole new perspective on things!

That is terrific that you are becoming Catholic. I’m always so impressed by people who discover the faith as adults, and make this totally free decision to take the leap and join the church. That’s great.

But, yeah, it would probably be good to take a little time just to get used to being Catholic-- showing up at the center the day after your entry into the Church, announcing you want to become a supernumerary might be a bit much.

That being said, if you explain your situation at the center whenever you can get there, I’m sure you’ll be welcomed with open arms. At the very least I’m sure you could have some time to meet with someone one-on-one, if you want to throw “harder” questions at them regarding the Faith, or get some good book recommendations or sit in on some doctrine classes. There are actually a large number of members of the Work who are converts themselves, so we’re always happy to meet another one.

So-- may I ask what religion you are coming from?

Margaret

 

[wina]

Hi Wina,

If I understand correctly, the problem for you is that the only activity offered for women is during the week? Is that correct?

Actually yes, but it’s not only for women but for men too but for the weekend is only for men.

The only thing I can think is that since there’s only one woman available to run activities in your area, and since she’s most likely a married woman with children, she had to make just one choice of when to get together with the other interested ladies in your area. My best guess would be that at some point in the past, she got in touch with the other ladies nearby you, and they decided together on a day and time that worked best for them. The supernumerary very likely cannot spare still more time on the weekend. I know personally I never, ever would schedule something like that for the weekend, simply because family demands are so overwhelming then-- you wouldn’t believe what my calendar looks like most Saturdays. I’m guessing this supernumerary is in the same boat.

No, she is not the one who run the activities, there is someone’s else and she told me that usually someone from Singapore will set the schedule for running the activities.

That being said, stay in touch with this supernumerary, and make sure she knows of your interest in getting formation and what the problems with your schedule are. While there may not be a good solution right now, people’s situations change all the time. For all we know, an older supernumerary with grown children may move into your town six weeks from now and be thrilled to do something on the weekends. So don’t give up-- just be patient if you can!

Margaret

Margaret

Yes, she told me to get in touch with her and she will give some pamflet or bulletin or something like that. Yes, I won’t give up, honestly I didn’t think that someone from here will contact me as member in Singapore told me that I would be contacted. And I got information from CAF but I forgot the name, he said that Opun Dei will be in my country soon and she told me the same thing too although it’s not the same city as me but at least it’s easier for me to get in touch with them. When the time is right, then God will guide me.

 

[juhothenero]

Wow! That puts a whole new perspective on things!

That is terrific that you are becoming Catholic. I’m always so impressed by people who discover the faith as adults, and make this totally free decision to take the leap and join the church. That’s great.

But, yeah, it would probably be good to take a little time just to get used to being Catholic-- showing up at the center the day after your entry into the Church, announcing you want to become a supernumerary might be a bit much.

That being said, if you explain your situation at the center whenever you can get there, I’m sure you’ll be welcomed with open arms. At the very least I’m sure you could have some time to meet with someone one-on-one, if you want to throw “harder” questions at them regarding the Faith, or get some good book recommendations or sit in on some doctrine classes. There are actually a large number of members of the Work who are converts themselves, so we’re always happy to meet another one.

So-- may I ask what religion you are coming from?

Margaret

Sorry i have been in a retreat study Catholicism all weekend, so didn’t have time to come online… I am a Lutheran actually even at the current moment. I know some to be specific 3 members of the 15 Opus Dei members there are in this country and I know one priest from Spain who initially gave me the boost to become Catholic last spring time. I was actually in San Sebastian studying in a school that is apparently funded and run by Opus Dei, that is the university of Navarra for a short period of time. There I went to mass and that was it for me, i knew i have to become Catholic. I had prayed before that for Jesus to show me the right way, being from a Lutheran country (Finland) is not always easy to find out about Catholics, who are generally thought to be the forces of evil…

Anyway my situation is quite known in the center, also I have been told by them that I still need to figure out if Opus Dei is my way, I also have told them not to hurry on my case, they have said there has to be a long period of thinking about the issue…

I have actually just found out that in this country since there are only two supernumeraries of Opus Dei, lots of supporters and 10 numeraries (hence the center) and 3 priests of Opus Dei (There is not enough priests here that is why i think from 15 members of the Opus Dei family 20% are priests, which i don’t think corresponds to the rest of the Opus Dei very well) there is actually possibility of being supernumerary without living close to center, that is because otherwise is hard to have any supernumeraries here (a country of distance as i said).

I have got from Opus Dei people i know the Way by St. Escriva and read as well as some other books of St. Escriva de Balaguer… I have read also read friends of God to half way, plus some other theological books (I studied theology and philosophy quite extensively before i decided to join catholic church for about 8 years so my conversion was strangely fast and slow at the same time, maybe the reality just hit me in Spain even I had studied different aspects of it for many years by now).

On my prayer i do rosary daily plus 15 minutes of meditation morning and evening 10 minutes of spiritual reading and 5 minutes of Bible and Angelus , examination of conscience and daily mass when i can (which is not often). This was instructed to me by Opus Dei priest i know. Not that it means anything (the fact that i post it might mean i am hypocrite), just want to say so i know something about what Opus Dei members do and trying to do my best even i am sure i won’t be a member for a long time to come…

I actually found very good things from article Reg Meg earlier posted, thanks for that, i started also giving some hours of my work to God and half an hour Chinese language study in the evening to offer to God… thanks a lot…

Also I am going to the center next Saturday so gotta see what will happen…

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Hi there
Welcome to the church. I suggest you do what has been said. I’d get involved with Opus Dei and maybe become a cooperator once you know Opus Dei a lot more and understand what’s involved. I’ve been a cooperator since 1990. You can always move on to a numerary or supernumerary later if that’s Gods call for you.
I used to be too focused on the norms and one day my spiritual director said to me," be a slave to God, and not to the norms". We need to have this spirit of freedom with God. We do the norms out of a motive of love for God with a spirit of complete freedom. This is not an excuse for being lazy in the spiritual life though. I wish you all the best as you enter the church and highly recommend Opus Dei. I have seen a great deal of good come from Opus Dei here. I couldn’t guess at how many souls have or will be saved because of it here in Oz. It must be many thousands by now. It’s been a tremendous help directly or indirectly to a great deal of people I know. Pray for guidance and help on every doubt and obstacle. God has a way of removing them.

 

[DL82]

Another issue maybe i didn’t say yet is that I am a soon to be catholic, not yet, but quite soon, so i need sometime to cool of and study catholicism, I just want to get more information because the more i pray the stronger feeling i get for Opus Dei, even i have heard all bad and good things about… so don’t know… anyway thanks for advice…

I am also a recent convert, and as far as I am aware, there is a 3 year ban on newly received converts entering religious orders, including lay orders. Opus Dei may have some exemption because it is a personal prelature and not an order, but I’m not sure. You’d need to find that out.

 

[juhothenero]

Hi there
Welcome to the church. I suggest you do what has been said. I’d get involved with Opus Dei and maybe become a cooperator once you know Opus Dei a lot more and understand what’s involved. I’ve been a cooperator since 1990. You can always move on to a numerary or supernumerary later if that’s Gods call for you.
I used to be too focused on the norms and one day my spiritual director said to me," be a slave to God, and not to the norms". We need to have this spirit of freedom with God. We do the norms out of a motive of love for God with a spirit of complete freedom. This is not an excuse for being lazy in the spiritual life though. I wish you all the best as you enter the church and highly recommend Opus Dei. I have seen a great deal of good come from Opus Dei here. I couldn’t guess at how many souls have or will be saved because of it here in Oz. It must be many thousands by now. It’s been a tremendous help directly or indirectly to a great deal of people I know. Pray for guidance and help on every doubt and obstacle. God has a way of removing them.

I was thinking of cooperator in the beginning and then maybe forward but gotta see. Over here they have said it is very possible to be supernumerary even so far of the center, i think they need more of those people and are praying for God to find them more, but then again who knows i am supposed to be one or not, that is up to God not me…

I have actually got a lot of growth in doing what i have done so far. I just explained it so that to say i am not entirely unaware of what Opus Dei people do. Also their priests i know have helped a lot. Sometimes i do force myself to do according to those forms but that is more because i would otherwise be lazy then other occasion, if i have had something really urgent to do and cannot do all those things I’ve said I been leaving them out or doing thing like spiritual reading or praying on a bus so to get not to waste time but also not to obsess overly…

In here is strange, i have no unbiased sources of information since the only priest at work in my town is Neochatecumenal way priest and other priest i know is Opus Dei, also i know one monk from Dominican order but have never actually seen him, I think in the whole country there are very few regular parish priests, maybe that is because they don’t actually get payed for being here. Well anyway this has some small problems like the fact that they are all tending more towards their own kind.

 

[juhothenero]

I am also a recent convert, and as far as I am aware, there is a 3 year ban on newly received converts entering religious orders, including lay orders. Opus Dei may have some exemption because it is a personal prelature and not an order, but I’m not sure. You’d need to find that out.

This is not for Opus Dei at least since I know one Finnish citizen who joined Opus Dei directly after becoming a catholic. He was interested in catholicism because of its values and some how ended up finding Opus Dei asked them for guidance and was teached into catholic faith by Opus Dei priest. Then straight after he joined Opus Dei and very little after he went on to become numerary, now he is in London i think in the Opus Dei center…

It is actually also not true for Neochatecumenal way they accept people who are not even catholic at least in here…

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

I was thinking of cooperator in the beginning and then maybe forward but gotta see. Over here they have said it is very possible to be supernumerary even so far of the center, i think they need more of those people and are praying for God to find them more, but then again who knows i am supposed to be one or not, that is up to God not me…

I have actually got a lot of growth in doing what i have done so far. I just explained it so that to say i am not entirely unaware of what Opus Dei people do. Also their priests i know have helped a lot. Sometimes i do force myself to do according to those forms but that is more because i would otherwise be lazy then other occasion, if i have had something really urgent to do and cannot do all those things I’ve said I been leaving them out or doing thing like spiritual reading or praying on a bus so to get not to waste time but also not to obsess overly…

In here is strange, i have no unbiased sources of information since the only priest at work in my town is Neochatecumenal way priest and other priest i know is Opus Dei, also i know one monk from Dominican order but have never actually seen him, I think in the whole country there are very few regular parish priests, maybe that is because they don’t actually get payed for being here. Well anyway this has some small problems like the fact that they are all tending more towards their own kind.

Hi, I forgot to mention something you may not know yet. If you can’t find time to do all your norms everyday and you did try then ask our Lord to consider them done and He will. My spiritual director who is an Ops Dei priest told me this.

 

[juhothenero]

Hi, I forgot to mention something you may not know yet. If you can’t find time to do all your norms everyday and you did try then ask our Lord to consider them done and He will. My spiritual director who is an Ops Dei priest told me this.

Thanks a lot for this small peace of information