Traditional Catholics.

[Spem in alium]

[i][Just as a precursor: I'm aware that this post could possibly offend people, and if it does I apologise. Causing offence is not my intention; I merely want to ask a genuine question.][/i]

I have a few friends who are conservative Catholics (more specifically, Opus Dei). They're all wonderful people and I love being able to share my faith with them and to be enriched by their spiritual lives.

In the past (and more frequently in recent times) I've heard a fair bit of criticism about Opus Dei from people around. My father is very skeptical of Opus Dei (even though he has friends and employees who are members) and talks about how members of Opus Dei will try to "convert" less conservative Catholics. He also said that they will befriend other Catholics in order to push them to become members of Opus Dei, and warned that we shouldn't get too close to members. One of his friends who is Opus Dei often invites him to events, and in the past he's sometimes declined for the very reason that he doesn't want to be "roped in". When he found out one of my closest friends is Opus Dei, he kind of freaked out.

Does what my father says bear any weight of truth? I have never experienced anything like this with my friends, and after researching Opus Dei a bit I actually appreciate some of the doctrine (particularly that about the call to sainthood and the holiness in ordinary life). Because of what my father and other people have said, I grew up believing Opus Dei and traditional Catholicism in general were to be avoided and regarded as "scary" things. Now that I have friends who are traditional and conservative Catholics, I can't really reconcile that skepticism or criticism with the generally wonderful expression and witness of faith they demonstrate.

Any thoughts? Again, I apologise if this offends in any way.

Edited June 26, 2012 by Spem in alium

[Jaime]

I have friends who are Opus Dei and the have never once tried to "rope me in". And if they had invited me, it's not like a cult. For some it helps build their foundation of faith. If it's not your father's cup of tea, that's fine. Some people like to be Carmelite hermits. Some like Turkey Bingo. There's a billion of us out there and as long as we obey the teachings of the Church, we have plenty of avenues to explore our faith. Opus Dei is just one.


On the other hand, I also have friends who are into Otis Day and they won't shut up about him!

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='jaime' timestamp='1340690220' post='2448973']
I have friends who are Opus Dei and the have never once tried to "rope me in". And if they had invited me, it's not like a cult. For some it helps build their foundation of faith. If it's not your father's cup of tea, that's fine. Some people like to be Carmelite hermits. Some like Turkey Bingo. There's a billion of us out there and as long as we obey the teachings of the Church, we have plenty of avenues to explore our faith. Opus Dei is just one.


On the other hand, I also have friends who are into Otis Day and they won't shut up about him!
[/quote]

Thanks jaime So do you think such criticism could be the result of misunderstanding?

I respect my father's view, but I'm not very sure as to why he's so critical. His views are very contradictory to my experiences, and it would be interesting to know why he's so against conservative Catholicism.

Aha, Otis Day. Haven't heard that guy in ages.

[Groo the Wanderer]

i think he has not made the effort to find out for himself what Opus Dei is all about. He should actually go to an event and see. The worst that could happen is that he leaves early.

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='Spem in alium' timestamp='1340690852' post='2448974']
Thanks jaime So do you think such criticism could be the result of misunderstanding?

I respect my father's view, but I'm not very sure as to why he's so critical. His views are very contradictory to my experiences, and it would be interesting to know why he's so against conservative Catholicism.

Aha, Otis Day. Haven't heard that guy in ages.
[/quote]

It could well be he's had bad experiences in the past. Maybe his first experience of Opus Dei was a negative one and it's coloured his view - for many people it can be difficult to get over experiences like that. I can relate to that.

[Amppax]

Could you tell us what sort of problem he has with them?

[brianthephysicist]

I'm sorry, but what is Opus Dei?

[To Jesus Through Mary]

[quote name='Spem in alium' timestamp='1340689114' post='2448970']
members of Opus Dei will try to "convert" less conservative Catholics.
[/quote]

If by convert less conservative Catholics, you mean light the fire under the a** under lukewarm Catholics, maybe. If a cafeteria Catholic is around me long enough I hope they would say the same thing.

As far as Opus Dei goes, don't buy into all the hype. They are just normal people trying to work out their salvation. Read St Jose Maria Escriva, their founder. Read their website. Talk to your good friends about it. If they are living it out, they haven't tried to pull you into a back alley and brain wash ya, odds are they are ok. Just a form of spirituality that got a lot of bad press because they are solid and stand for truth. The Divinci Code is so 7 years ago

[Luigi]

[quote name='brianthephysicist' timestamp='1340718455' post='2449029']
I'm sorry, but what is Opus Dei?
[/quote]

[url="http://www.opusdei.org/"]http://www.opusdei.org/[/url] Opus Dei is a Catholic institution founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Its mission is to spread the message that work and the circumstances of everyday life are occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society

[Lil Red]

John Allen wrote a fairly balanced book about Opus Dei
http://www.amazon.com/Opus-Dei-Objective-Controversial-Catholic/dp/0385514506

[To Jesus Through Mary]

[quote name='To Jesus Through Mary' timestamp='1340719735' post='2449031']St Jose Maria Escriva, their founder.
[/quote]

Hey and today is his feast day!! WOOT!

[sixpence]

There be dragons is a movie about him which I enjoyed

[Spem in alium]

Thanks everyone

[quote name='Groo the Wanderer' timestamp='1340704142' post='2448989']
i think he has not made the effort to find out for himself what Opus Dei is all about. He should actually go to an event and see. The worst that could happen is that he leaves early.
[/quote]

That's probably true. Though from what he has described (and I may be mixed up here), he spent some time in an Opus Dei community. I think he's just listened to a lot of the criticism and accepted it as fact.

[quote name='EmilyAnn' timestamp='1340705205' post='2448996']
It could well be he's had bad experiences in the past. Maybe his first experience of Opus Dei was a negative one and it's coloured his view - for many people it can be difficult to get over experiences like that. I can relate to that.
[/quote]

Yes, if that is the case then I can understand.

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1340714470' post='2449012']
Could you tell us what sort of problem he has with them?
[/quote]

I actually don't know why he's got this aversion. He avoids Opus Dei to the extent that he may even be scared of it. He was even invited to a Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva and turned it down because he had another commitment, but also said something like "I'm relieved not to be going". I can understand if he's had a negative experience, but sometimes he just seems a bit closed-minded. Maybe I could ask him about it,

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='To Jesus Through Mary' timestamp='1340719735' post='2449031']
If by convert less conservative Catholics, you mean light the fire under the a** under lukewarm Catholics, maybe. If a cafeteria Catholic is around me long enough I hope they would say the same thing.

As far as Opus Dei goes, don't buy into all the hype. They are just normal people trying to work out their salvation. Read St Jose Maria Escriva, their founder. Read their website. Talk to your good friends about it. If they are living it out, they haven't tried to pull you into a back alley and brain wash ya, odds are they are ok. Just a form of spirituality that got a lot of bad press because they are solid and stand for truth. The Divinci Code is so 7 years ago
[/quote]

Haha, that's what I mean It's kind of weird to hear Opus Dei get such criticism and then experience the opposite with my friends. My friends who are Opus Dei have really encouraged me to become more firm in my faith. I'll do what you suggest

[quote name='Luigi' timestamp='1340720111' post='2449034']
[url="http://www.opusdei.org/"]http://www.opusdei.org/[/url] Opus Dei is a Catholic institution founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Its mission is to spread the message that work and the circumstances of everyday life are occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society
[/quote]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1340721476' post='2449039']
John Allen wrote a fairly balanced book about Opus Dei
[url="http://www.amazon.com/Opus-Dei-Objective-Controversial-Catholic/dp/0385514506"]http://www.amazon.co...c/dp/0385514506[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks for the info. and links, guys I'll check them out!

[Papist]

I fail to see the link to traditional Catholics.