Opus Dei #5

Yester was August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. A sign of hope for us all that we too will someday be in Heaven.

There were at least 100 men at the morning recollection. The three reflections were "Prayer" and "Meditation" led by the Opus Dei priest and "Time"--proper use thereof--led by an Opus Dei layperson. The three reflections were provocative. Ironically, the night before I had difficulty sleeping as my mind was "in gear", (Normally I sleep "like a rock"). As I've written, "Ironically", since many of the observations made during the morning recollection mirrored the thoughts I pondered the evening before. A friend at Opus Dei suggested that The Holy Spirit was getting me prepped. Who knows; all that I know is that the reflections rounded out my day.

Opus Dei #4

For those of you who have read my previous blogs you'll quickly note that I've been participating in the monthly 3rd Saturday Opus Dei "Morning of Recollections" sporadically for nearly two years. Though I believe I am not called to be an Opus Dei member--numerary nor super numerary, I believe the movement is beneficial to my spiritual development and I plan to continue to support the movement as a cooperator.

I find the emphasis of the movement of encouraging people to recognize what our daily activities potentially afford when accomplished to the best of our ability for God and our neighbor, and of being a consistent Christian throughout each day, regardless of the environment a great aid on my journey of life.

The meditations and examination of consciences offered at the Morning of Recollections are consistently provocative in the positive sense. Last Saturday for example one meditation provided by the priest dealt with "formation". What he reflected on was that the three years Jesus of public life not only showed who Jesus was, provided a platform for Him to preach, perform miracles and complete His mission salvation; it was also a period of formation for the apostles under His tutelage who followed Him. And even after three years of formation under this tutelage, the Gospel illustrates how they continued to falter. This is encouraging to us, that as we are being formed (transformed) we should never give up and if we do, like the apostles we too will succeed in "winning the race".

The meditation by the lay speaker dealt with the virtue of "fortitude" and the difficulty many of us have with this virtue. How many of us remain faithful to our principles when obstacles arise?

In a word after each of these Mornings of Recollection, I am inspired and drawn closer to the Lord, endeavoring to follow Him along the road He wants.

As an aside--two things. What is also inspiring to me is to be in the midst of 75 or so men, the majority between the ages of 25 and 55 years who are striving to be filled/transformed by our Lord. One other thing, I suggest that anyone who believes they may be interested in getting involved with Opus Dei that they read about the movement. I suggest a person read BOTH critical and favorable articles and books on Opus Dei and pray for the guidance of Holy Spirit.

A Look At opus Dei #3

A reader asked me what I noticed at the "Day of Recollection" and what I learned.

This was the second "Day of Recollection" (morning) that I attended and the format was the same for both.

The day began with Mass at 8:0 a.m. in a San Antonio, Texas Catholic church offered by the parish pastor--not the Opus Dei priest. This was the parish's regular Saturday Mass and was attended by the parishioners--men, women and children--as well as those men who were attending the day of recollection.

After Mass, approximately 8:30 a.m., those attending the morning recollection went over to the parish hall for a half hour breakfast (breakfast tacos) and fellowship. Those wishing to contribute dropped in a dollar or two for the breakfast.

At around 9:00 a.m. were asked to remain silent for the remainder of the morning and returned to the church. The Opus Dei priest led a reflection on "Mass Center of Life".

At 9:30 a.m. we returned to parish hall where an Opus Dei layman led a short reflection on Mass, other prayers, etc. in our daily life as Catholic men.

At approximately 9:55 a.m. we returned to the church at which time another Opus Dei layman led an examination of conscience, reflecting primarily on Mass in our life and our life in the Church.

At about 10:00 a.m. the Opus Dei priest led a reflection on the letter 1 Peter dealing with "Royal Priesthood" and what this means for us Catholic laymen. For example: Praying constantly, sacrificing, etc. The priest referring to Paul's letter to the Philippians also noted our need to have Christ reign in our lives and to offer reparation for others as well as for ourselves.

At around 10:30 a.m. the morning recollection was concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Opus Dei priest heard confessions--the Sacrament of Reconciliation--between his reflections and after Benediction for those wishing to receive the Sacrament.

A Look At Opus Dei #2

On Saturday February 16th I attended the monthly Saturday Opus Dei's Day of Recollection. Actually it's a half day "Day of Recollection". These days of recollection on the third Saturday mornings of the month are normally limited to the male members--the female members meet at a different time. I was prompted to attend the day of recollection by the input I received from a reader of this blog.

Opus Dei is Latin for "Work of God" and was established in Spain in 1928 by Saint Josemaria Escriva; today it is based in Rome. It was established for Catholic Laity with the mission "..to spread the message that all Christians are called by God to make Christ known and to seek holiness in and through their daily work, family life and social relations."*

Membership is open to all Catholic laity. It may be opened to non-Catholics but I don't know that at this time.

There are three categories within the Prelature of Opus Dei. A. Those who live a celibate life at a common location (here in San Antonio there are less than a dozen such members). B. Those who live at home with their families. C. Those who support Opus Dei through prayers and/or attend the days of recollection, etc. Those in categories A. & B. are recognized as having a calling/a vocation. The great majority of the participants find themselves in category C,--they are called "Cooperators"--these support the mission of Opus Dei and find the days of recollection, and other spiritual forums an aid on their daily journey of Faith.

There are Opus Dei priests who have been called from the lay faithful of Opus Dei. Total membership is about 85,000 members of which about 98% are lay men and women--the majority of whom are married.

More to follow.

*Quoted from the trifold: "Seeking Holiness In Daily Life--An Introduction to the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei"

Reference "A Look at Opus Dei---#1"

Anonymous, thanks for your inquiry. I will be posting my followup comments, I apologize for the delay. I had a conflict so I didn't get to a second Opus Dei day of recollection as of yet.