Traditional Catholics.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

Like any movement of Opus Dei's size, I know people have had varying experiences with different members. Personally I find St. Josemaria's spirituality very helpful. I actually lived in an Opus Dei center for a short time as a non-member - living the daily norms and receiving spiritual direction from one of the priests - and I was never once asked to join or put in any uncomfortable position.

[Gabriela]

[quote name='jaime' timestamp='1340690220' post='2448973']
On the other hand, I also have friends who are into Otis Day and they won't shut up about him!
[/quote]

HILARIOUS!

[Gabriela]

I feel very drawn to Opus Dei, and I've read quite a bit about them, but if I have one stich with them it's that they don't seem to offer much for women. Around me, all the centers are for men only. When I go to their website, it is awfully hard to search for places to get involved. It's as if you have to live around the corner from them to know they're there. I can't even find a list of Opus Dei priests in local parishes (though I think they do this so those priests don't get hararseed by DaVinci freaks).

Does anyone know how a woman can get involved in Opus Dei? Especially if she isn't near a center?

[Gabriela]

And BTW: Is it just me, or is Opus Dei kind of "the new Jesuit"? I mean, in the sense of being "God's Marines" and all. I mean no offense to the Jesuits, but I'm new to the Church and I'm having a hard time figuring out all the "charitable" (read: vague) references to Jesuits I hear, which seem to imply that Jesuits have become pretty liberal...

Am I wrong?

[BarbTherese]

[sub]Dont know much about Opus Dei at all, but in every organization including at times in The Church there can be good experiences and quite negative experiences due to a member or two or more, sometimes even the leadership. I dont think this is a reflection on an organization or on Opus Dei per se necessarily, perhaps due to over zealous members who have not mellowed and matured in the organization, or even leadership with its own agenda.[/sub]
[sub]Probably best to do one's own research into the spirituality and rule (if there is a rule) for Opus Dei and then attend a meeting or two (and more even better) and make up one's own mind based on one's own conclusions and experience - and always prayerfully. I am presuming that there is a formation process and not actual commitment until somewhere along that formation process. Ask The Holy Spirit to be your guide and strength, inspiration, always.[/sub]

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1340749358' post='2449204']
I fail to see the link to traditional Catholics.
[/quote]

Yes, apologies. I realise that was the wrong term to use.

[quote name='thedude' timestamp='1340754404' post='2449239']
Like any movement of Opus Dei's size, I know people have had varying experiences with different members. Personally I find St. Josemaria's spirituality very helpful. I actually lived in an Opus Dei center for a short time as a non-member - living the daily norms and receiving spiritual direction from one of the priests - and I was never once asked to join or put in any uncomfortable position.
[/quote]

Thank you for sharing your experience. They do vary.
Growing up hearing only negative comments about Opus Dei made me very wary when I met people who were members. I forced myself to get over the prejudice and establish friendships, and I've never experienced any problems within the relationships.

[quote name='curiousing' timestamp='1340773746' post='2449352']
I feel very drawn to Opus Dei, and I've read quite a bit about them, but if I have one stich with them it's that they don't seem to offer much for women. Around me, all the centers are for men only. When I go to their website, it is awfully hard to search for places to get involved. It's as if you have to live around the corner from them to know they're there. I can't even find a list of Opus Dei priests in local parishes (though I think they do this so those priests don't get hararseed by DaVinci freaks).

Does anyone know how a woman can get involved in Opus Dei? Especially if she isn't near a center?
[/quote]

Yes, I did notice the same thing. The centres I know of cater only for men, and they seem to be granted more involvement than women do.

[quote name='BarbaraTherese' timestamp='1340780458' post='2449362']
[sub]Dont know much about Opus Dei at all, but in every organization including at times in The Church there can be good experiences and quite negative experiences due to a member or two or more, sometimes even the leadership. I dont think this is a reflection on an organization or on Opus Dei per se necessarily, perhaps due to over zealous members who have not mellowed and matured in the organization, or even leadership with its own agenda.[/sub]
[sub]Probably best to do one's own research into the spirituality and rule (if there is a rule) for Opus Dei and then attend a meeting or two (and more even better) and make up one's own mind based on one's own conclusions and experience - and always prayerfully. I am presuming that there is a formation process and not actual commitment until somewhere along that formation process. Ask The Holy Spirit to be your guide and strength, inspiration, always.[/sub]
[/quote]

Thank you Research is the best way. I just didn't want to base any judgement on purely negative criticism that I hadn't verified for myself. I will do as you suggest.

[Ash Wednesday]

I would think anything that was founded by a saint and was elevated to status of personal prelature by a pope (and likely future saint) is probably OK! I'm not a member of Opus Dei and likely wouldn't be a good fit myself, but I have great respect for its purpose and mission.



If I'm honest with myself and my spiritual fitness, I'm more of a Turkey Bingo kind of girl.

Edited June 27, 2012 by Ash Wednesday

[Amppax]

Well, I just bought Dr. Hahn's book on Opus Dei. It keeps coming up in my life, I'm going to start actually looking into it.

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' timestamp='1340822049' post='2449507']
I would think anything that was founded by a saint and was elevated to status of personal prelature by a pope (and likely future saint) is probably OK! I'm not a member of Opus Dei and likely wouldn't be a good fit myself, but I have great respect for its purpose and mission.



If I'm honest with myself and my spiritual fitness, I'm more of a Turkey Bingo kind of girl.
[/quote]

Good point

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1340846748' post='2449748']
Well, I just bought Dr. Hahn's book on Opus Dei. It keeps coming up in my life, I'm going to start actually looking into it.
[/quote]

Yeah, I was interested in reading that too. Scott Hahn is a great writer

Edited June 28, 2012 by Spem in alium

[Amppax]

[quote name='Spem in alium' timestamp='1340847861' post='2449758']
Yeah, I was interested in reading that too. Scott Hahn is a great writer
[/quote]

I've spent a good deal of time with his family, and some with him, and he is a really great person.

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1340848086' post='2449761']
I've spent a good deal of time with his family, and some with him, and he is a really great person.
[/quote]

Oh wow, that's awesome! I bet he's a fantastic guy. I've read a bit of his work for my Theology courses - some writing on covenants and part of the commentary on the Gospel of Luke from the Ignatius Study Bible. I loved his writing, because not only could I read and understand what he was saying with relative ease, but it was also remarkably profound and deep. It would be good to read more of his work when I get the chance.

Edited June 28, 2012 by Spem in alium

[Amppax]

[quote name='Spem in alium' timestamp='1340848894' post='2449765']
Wow, that's awesome! :D I've read a bit of his work for my Theology courses - some writing on covenants and part of the commentary on the Gospel of Luke from the Ignatius Study Bible. I loved his writing, because not only could I read and understand what he was saying with relative ease, but it was also remarkably profound and deep. It would be good to read more of his work.
[/quote]

I go to Franciscan, and two of his sons are there currently and he teaches there. I'm friends with one of his sons, so I've gotten to know the family a bit.

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1340849083' post='2449766']
I go to Franciscan, and two of his sons are there currently and he teaches there. I'm friends with one of his sons, so I've gotten to know the family a bit.
[/quote]

That's just amazing Has he ever taught you?
I've heard a lot of good things about that university. When I applied to study overseas I was hoping that it would be one of the places offered, but unfortunately not.

[Amppax]

[quote name='Spem in alium' timestamp='1340850072' post='2449770']
That's just amazing Has he ever taught you?
I've heard a lot of good things about that university. When I applied to study overseas I was hoping that it would be one of the places offered, but unfortunately not.
[/quote]

Haven't had him for class yet. I was actually enrolled in one of his clarseed in the fall, but it didn't work with my schedule. Hopefully at some point though.

[Spem in alium]

That's a shame. I hope you get him as a teacher eventually. Bet he'd be a great professor!