Mission
& Characteristics:
Saint Josemaría
Escrivá founded Opus Dei to help people live by the Gospel in their
daily activities and make Christ present in every endeavor. Opus
Dei focuses on work and daily life as an occasion for spiritual
growth and an opportunity to contribute to a better world. It also
emphasizes divine filiation, unity of life, prayer and sacrifice,
charity, apostolate, and fidelity to the Pope.
Activities:
The chief activity of people in Opus Dei is personal effort to grow
in holiness, be apostolic, and improve society. In support of these
efforts, Opus Dei provides spiritual direction, prayer and study
circles, evenings of recollection, retreats, classes, and workshops.
Such activities take place in an Opus Dei center, or in a church,
office or private home. People in Opus Dei also join with each other
and non-members in organizing various educational, charitable, or
cultural activities, such as are described on the other pages of
this site.
Relationship
to the Church:
Opus Dei is a personal Prelature, which is a hierarchical structure
of the Church established by the Holy See. Personal Prelatures exist
to carry out specific missions in the Church, so their membership
is determined not by geography, as in the case of a diocese, but
by personal incorporation into the Prelature. The faithful of the
Prelature continue to belong to their local dioceses, while receiving
spiritual formation from the Prelature and participating in its
mission. Opus Dei is established in 60 countries and is governed
world-wide by a Prelate in Rome, Bishop Javier Echevarría.
Membership:
Anyone, including non-Catholics, may attend spiritual activities
or participate in service initiatives; and those who wish to assist
in some way may become Cooperators. Catholics who have been involved
in Opus Dei activities may join if they have a vocation to a lifelong
commitment to Opus Dei. Approximately 85,000 men and women are in
Opus Dei, with around 3,000 in the U.S. Roughly 75% are married.
Some laypersons in Opus Dei commit themselves to celibacy. Around
1,750 are priests, drawn from the laity in Opus Dei.
Related
Links: