What's wrong with just being a catholic?

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tbcrawford said:
I hope I get some helpful feedback here.For some time now I have been concerned about my sisters parish.A lot of Opus Dei members attend and seem to have a great deal of influence on the parish priest.One opus dei couple prepare the altar, conduct benediction and generally organise everything for weekday Masses and morning Sunday Mass.
Recently the priest attended an opus dei retreat joined by some aforesaid parishioners.My sister who suffers severe depression) has been invited (several)times to attend a mass this Friday evening for the celebration of St.Jose Maria Escriva.No disrespect to this recent saint (founder of opus dei)but I understand Escriva had special messages to him from God about the way to live our lives! I understand opus dei has only recently been in communion with the church.It worries me enormously the things i have read about their beliefs and practices.My sister and many others are vulnerable people and i fear this organisation.What is so wrong with just being a catholic?I am proud to be catholic.Responses would be most welcome.
God Bless
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Being Catholic is not only good enough, it’s more than most people can fully live up to, in all honesty. There’s no need to add ‘layers’ to Catholicism by joining ultra-Catholic organizations, IMHO. When I lived in Latin America, a friend of mine invited me to join the Catecumen (sp?) community. By the end of the first Mass of theirs I attended, I concluded that my being Catholic was good enough, and more appropriate for me. I didn’t join.
 
I suspect that a group of active members of your church, who by their activities have developed friendships together. They have also found a community in Opus Day that they value very much (abet a lot of that community was formed in their church activities outside Opus Day). I suspect that they see you and your sister in church, and want to invite you into a more active faith life - and the community that they share.

Perhaps there is something else, but sometimes the simple explanations are the best.
 
tbcrawford said:
Hi tee i thankyou for responding but i would refer you to my earlier posts i think i elaborated quite well.My understanding is Pope John Paul II brought opus dei into communion with the church.
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Your understanding is wrong.

Opus Dei was never “out of communion” with the Church or in any way outside the Church. JPII made their organization a personal prelature– this is a specific form of organization under canon law. It has to do with how it is organized and functions within the Church. It has nothing to do with being in or out of communion with the Church.

Opus Dei has always been a 100% Catholic organization.
tbcrawford said:
Does it not sound/feel odd to other catholics that God would ask for new teachings by Escriva why not the pope himself?
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There are no new teachings that are part of Opus Dei.
tbcrawford said:
I really am concerned this is not from God.Again hope im wrong
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Here are the facts:
  • Opus Dei is an approved organization in the Catholic Church.
  • Its founder has been canonized as a Saint.
  • Opus Dei operates with the full approval of the Church.
  • None of St. Jose Marie’s writings have been found objectionable by the Church.
Your suspicions and conspiracy theories regarding Opus Dei are misplaced.
 
KingAlfred said:
Being Catholic is not only good enough, it’s more than most people can fully live up to, in all honesty. There’s no need to add ‘layers’ to Catholicism by joining ultra-Catholic organizations, IMHO. When I lived in Latin America, a friend of mine invited me to join the Catecumen (sp?) community. By the end of the first Mass of theirs I attended, I concluded that my being Catholic was good enough, and more appropriate for me. I didn’t join.
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I’d just like to clear up a misconception you seem to have. No legitimate Lay Order, Sodality, Society within the Church is adding any unnecessary layers onto Catholicism. Each in its own way is only attempting to help those within them to live out their baptismal vows. Many people need/want/enjoy being in such groups because they offer discipline, community (many parishes are large/and or don’t have a strong sense of community–with no fault to anyone), and spiritual support.

And I wouldn’t say never with regards to getting involved in some such community within the Church for yourself. You never know what might be helpful to you or where God might lead you. I’m reading a dismissive tone in your words that I don’t think you’d have if you had a better understanding of what such communities are for and how they benefit not only their members but the Church at large. 🙂
 
When I investigate Opus Dei with an eye towards joining, I saw people who were so in love with the Church that’s all they wanted to discuss. My experiences with the Charismatic Renewal showed me that when you desire to please God above all else, you get labeled as belonging to a cult.
 
I want to say a great big thankyou to everyone who has been kind enough to reply to me i really appreciate.I guess i can sum myself up as feeling very worried OP are doing something God would NOT approve.I really hope & pray im wrong & i even feel guilty just discussing it.I felt i had to be brave for God though.I truly love God & want to serve Him as best i can with my limited understanding such as it is.I just want to be totally sincere.I still cant help feeling “what’s wrong with just being a catholic?”.

1ke thanks for your knowledgeable reply i have read your posts many times before & i have always found you to be informed.

Della thanks again
.
King Alfred I agree with you thankyou for understanding me!!!

allenthorn thankyou that was very re-assuring!!!

chain i hope you are right it sounds feasable.

KarinaFabian thanks for the good advice will act on it

St.Francis thankyou good advice & you could well be right

tee_eff_em i am sorry you are not being thick its very kind of you to respond at all & im sorry i havent expressed myself better.I just feel insecure about OP as i worry it is not what God would want…but i hope im very wrong.

God Bless you all you are all wonderful people catholics christians & i love you all my brothers & sisters in Christ
 
I can’t understand your feelings, tbcrawford. People can get overly zealous and a bit pushy with it, even with the best of intentions.

I know a very sincere gal who gets herself all worked up over whatever is the latest and greatest thing that comes along. She’s always trying to get people interested in her latest spirituality, bless her. Maybe it’s my personality, but I don’t find it hard to discourage her with good humor and without offending her sensibilities. Your sister should just say no–say it like she means it, and let it go. Like others have said, if that doesn’t do it, then you’ll need to take it to the proper channels within your parish/diocese.

My dh is a 3rd and 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and I’ve been an officer in the Ladies Auxiliary for many years, so I know about dealing with overly enthusiastic people as well as those who like nothing better than to destroy everything others have worked hard to achieve. Both can be a pain and a bother in their own way, but that’s what turns us into compassionate and caring people–having to learn how to deal with others, especially when they are the hardest to deal with. 😉
 
Oops! :o I meant to write " I can understand your feelings not I can’t understand…"! :eek:
 
I’m not a big fan of Opus Dei, but from what I know they have a good relationship with the Church and are orthodox in their theology. They may not be the right thing for you or your sister, and you can certainly lead a life pleasing to God without becoming part of Opus Dei, but it is a legitimate way to lead a dedicated Catholic life.

John Allen wrote a balanced, fair-minded book about Opus Dei that may answer some of your questions: amazon.com/Opus-Dei-Objective-Controversial-Catholic/dp/0385514492.
 
Since you are caring for your sister and she feels unable to respond to this group. I would suggest you contact the parish priest and let him know that you are not interested at this time in joining. You may also comment to the person(s) who are attempting to get you and your sister to join is to just let them know you are not interested in joining at this time and coming to their masses are sufficent for the both of you right now. If they bother you further with this, then I think the bishop should be contacted since you kindly asked them to stop bothering you.
Steve B.
 
Thankyou SteveB for your kind & thoughtful advice will do!!!
God Bless
 
Peace be with you. I am not familiar with Opus Dei other than the fact that, if I am understanding them correctly, they encourage daily Mass and weekly confession. If this is of any help to you, I have never known of any Catholic organizations who put pressure on people to join. I have been invited to join such organizations as the Legion of Mary,Catholic Daughters, and have also been invited to serve as a volunteer to answer telephones at the rectory or to help with funeral lunches. But no one pressured me–in fact, I volunteered my services.

I understand very well how trying it can be if someone feels that pressure is being put upon them to join a group which they may not understand. This is not the practice of any Catholic organization with which I have ever been associated. In fact, I had quite the opposite experience with certain Protestant churches who tried to make me commit to being a member just because, out of goodwill I had visited them once! Just being a Catholic is fine. I have been helped in my own faith by the organizations within the church that I have freely joined. But not all of them are for everyone. My parish priest who administers our Cathedral in Omaha says that most of the members are those who attend Sunday Mass only, and, as he put it, that is as it should be. Some other members are involved in parish organizations, but many are not. Do not worry. Peace be with you…
 
ML561 thankyou so much for your re-assuring post.I love being a catholic.I love attending daily Mass.I love serving God in any way i can.Perhaps there is no problem with O.D but just wanted to know what others thought as i feel so fulfilled being a practising catholic.Thanks again
God Bless
 
Just as a note here,
This week on EWTN htere have been several programs about the founder of Opus Dei.
I found nothing at all troubling about his teachings or about those members who were interviewed.
However, I will say that his message is both powerful AND very orthodox. This can certainly lead to a type of zealousness that can be, or seem to be, overbearing. Especially if the person is not a “Strong personality”, like your sister who suffers from depression and self esteem issues.

Peace
James
 
tbcrawford said:
I understand opus dei has only recently been in communion with the church.It worries me enormously the things i have read about their beliefs and practices.My sister and many others are vulnerable people and i fear this organisation.What is so wrong with just being a catholic?I am proud to be catholic.Responses would be most welcome.
God Bless
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There is nothing wrong with just being Catholic. 🙂 Absolutely nothing at all. If you or you sister don’t feel moved by the writings of St. Josemaria, that is perfectly okay. It is also fine if you do like them.

Opus Dei was made a personal prelature in 1982 (or there abouts). That does not mean that it was out of communion before that moment. It was in communion, and operated with the sanction of the Church. It just means it was given a certain way of operating with a prelate at the head, and that bishop is not set over only a specific city or geographical area (as would be the case in a typical diocese). His flock is spread out over the world. His priests are secular priests, and the laity involved in the group remain in their geographic parishes, under the authority of their own bishops, but they are also related to the prelate spiritually. The prelate of Opus Dei is appointed by the pope.

All the members I have encountered are clearly striving to be orthodox and very loyal to the pope. They have a tendency to quote St. Josemaria, but that is because they identify with his way of looking at spirituality, and have read lots of his writings, not because they place him above the pope.
 
Thankyou JRKH that makes me very re-assured will tune into EWTN and try to watch some coverage.Hopefully this will enlighten me i really appreciate your time thankyou for your post.

Thankyou Pug your post seems to hit the right note for me.You have explained one of my biggest worries that they (Opus Dei)seem to put Josemaria above the pope.You have allayed my fears well my friend thankyou.The O.D.people "seem"very devout good people and as i have said all along i hoped i was wrong but couldnt help having these nagging doubts/worries/fears they werent legitimate.I feel terrible for thinking ill of these people however i was worried on behalf of God if you can understand me.Im much more comfortable now thankyou.
 
tbcrawford said:
Thankyou Pug your post seems to hit the right note for me.You have explained one of my biggest worries that they (Opus Dei)seem to put Josemaria above the pope.You have allayed my fears well my friend thankyou.The O.D.people "seem"very devout good people and as i have said all along i hoped i was wrong but couldnt help having these nagging doubts/worries/fears they werent legitimate.I feel terrible for thinking ill of these people however i was worried on behalf of God if you can understand me.Im much more comfortable now thankyou.
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You’re welcome, tbcrawford. I do understand. Their structure is different from other things we know, so they are a bit puzzling to get a handle on, at first.
 
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