www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall What is Opus Dei?

Dear Greg,

With whom?

Alex

Hi, I'm new to this forum but not necessarity to some forum members. I have heard many good things about this forum.

Regarding Opus Dei. I have tried to find out more about the following but to no avail yet. I recall reading that the founder of Opus Dei, Msgr Escriva, travelled to Greece early on in his founding of OD. I often wondered if he was looking into the Zoe movement in the Greek Orthodox Church. I think Zoe was at its zenit of growth and influence at that time. It has since run into many difficulties and has declined significantly.

One reason I think there may have been some cross-fertilization is that I believ in both Zoe and OD there are those called "numeraries" and "supernumeraries."

Zoe was a lay movement for preaching and catechesis with a strong moral base (criticized by some as puritanical - as some think OD to be as well). It was based, in part, on some of the religious orders and movements of the west, I believe.

I would love to know more about any possible linkage between Opus Dei and Zoe.

Maybe some of you know something along these lines?

Gerard Serafin

A Catholic Page for Lovers [praiseofglory.com]

Dear Gerard,

Welcome, Friend!

I don't very much if there ever were any such linkages!

Opus Dei has the approval of the Catholic Church and its founder will be canonized.

They remind me of what the Jesuits originally were.

They emphasize vertical holiness and traditional Latin spirituality which tends to reflect the "we have no time for the Christian East" emphases found elsewhere.

Alex

---"With whom?"

With Opus Dei.

Greg

Dear Greg,

Oh!

Could you give us an insight into the religious life of an "Opus Dei" member?

Or are you under some sort of vows of secrecy that would get you in trouble with the Inquisition if you break them?

One would think that if that were so, you were already in trouble for becoming Orthodox!

Alex

[ 07-02-2002: Message edited by: Orthodox Catholic ]

While it may operate like a Third Order, it is not one.


While this is true, you can take a look at the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, they also have a rule of life, which is very strict, and a prayer rule, which resembles the prayer rules of some Third Orders.

But one may be a member of the BSP and a member of a Third Order because the BSP is a private lay association, as they say on their FAQ page at their web site.

http://www.bspenance.org/

Also, if you go to the Opus Dei web site ( http://www.opusdei.org ) their FAQ page says;

There are no vows in Opus Dei: Members make their commitments within Opus Dei simply on their honor as Christians.

I sent them an email question asking this though. I will post the reply when I get it.


David

[ 07-02-2002: Message edited by: DavidB ]

Dear David,

Thanks for sharing that wonderful website!

I remember while on vacation in Nice that there were about seven Churches of different penitential groups.

St Louis de Montfort developed one and wrote a rule for it in which the penitents followed his example in carrying a rosary in one hand, and a cross in the other.

The rule outlined in the site you recommend can be followed by anyone, no matter under whose "orders" they are, be they wives or others!

Alex

Dear Alex (just addressing thy name brings chills of unworthiness to my being...I speak not in jest)

---"Could you give us an insight into the religious life of an "Opus Dei" member?"

Yes, I did on the first page of this topic, fourth post.

---"Or are you under some sort of vows of secrecy that would get you in trouble with the Inquisition if you break them?"

I'll take my chances.

---"One would think that if that were so, you were already in trouble for becoming Orthodox!"

They feel that becoming Orthodox is punishment enough! "What, you aren't ultra-montane like the rest of us? Ahh!!!! Evil heretic! Don't touch us with your non-celibate, under-developed episcopate, grape-leaves-lovin' hands!!!"

Greg

Dear Greg,

I am as innocent, naive and completely harmless as they get!

Just ask Brendan who would tolerate me for as long as his nerves could take me!

Sorry about anything I said that would lead you to react that way to me!

And sorry that I missed your earlier post - thanks for that outline.

May God bless you in your life in Christ as an Orthodox Christian!

Alex

---"Sorry about anything I said that would lead you to react that way to me!"

Huh? In my book you are the best! Each of your postings on this forum is like a precious jewel. I bet you thought that there was no one else that could be as sappy as you!


Greg

Dear Greg,



Alex

Well I got the reply back, here it is.

Dear David:
Ordinarily a third order helps its members to live the spirituality of the parent order in their secular life. Opus Dei has a spirit of its own which is directed t helping laity acquire sanctity and carry out an effective apostolate in secular life. A person who would try to be part of both, would find himself attempting to live two spirits at once. Thus being part of a third order is not compatible with membership in Opus Dei.
Thank you for writing.
Rev. Bradley Arturi

So I guess the verdict is in, you can not be a member of Opus Dei and of a Third Order but I do not really understand why.

One does not take any Vows in Opus Dei.

And if the spirituallity of the BSP is compatable with a Third Order, why isn't Opus Dei's?


David

[ 07-03-2002: Message edited by: DavidB ]

Dear David,

Speaking on behalf of Opus Dei, if I can be the Devils' Advocate here for a minute , I think I see their point.

The Penitents you mentioned are an off-shoot of the Franciscans and practice basic Franciscan spirituality as a Third Order would, although they are not such.

Opus Dei belongs to itself, so to speak, and practices its own framework of spiritual exercises and has its own orientation (whatever that is, I guess one would have to belong to fully get a sense of it).

Even the spirituality of St Louis de Montfort was linked to the Dominican tradition, especially his focus on the Rosary.

As such, the Catholic Church itself would teach that one could not belong to two different schools of spirituality, which would occur if a member of a Third Order such as that of the Franciscans or Carmelites, tried to become a member of Opus Dei.

Alex

Alex,

Feel free to play Devil's Advocate, I do so at times also, I find it helps in one's understanding of an argument to take the other side at times.

I understand what you are saying but there are Lay Carmelites and Lay Benedictines that are members of the BSP, so in essence don't they "belong to two different schools of spirituality"?


David

Dear David,

Gosh, you are good!

We really have to watch out with you, Big Guy! You are going to give Stuart a run for his money!

The point is I think you've stumped me.

Perhaps, and there is no honourable way for me to get out of the quick-sand you've plopped me into, it can be shown that the BSP is simply a way of life to do penance, rather than a comprehensive explication of Franciscan spirituality, even though it truly does spring from the Franciscan charism.

And therefore other Third Orders can belong to it.

But don't they get enough penitential exercises as it is?

Are they gluttons for punishment?

Alex