Questions and Answers 

What is Opus Dei?

It means working according to the spirit of Jesus Christ: working well, with quality, in accordance with justice and respect for the law, with the goal of loving God and serving others.  This is one of the most characteristic aspects of the spirit of Opus Dei.

The members of Opus Dei are adult Catholics, men and women from any culture, nationality, social condition, single or married, who perceive that God is calling them to serve Him fully in the midst of the world, and to respond freely to this call.  Incorporation into Opus Dei is always a commitment of love in response to a divine vocation.  Also forming part of Opus Dei are some priests who belong to the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, which is intrinsically united to the Prelature of Opus Dei.  Currently more than 85,000 persons belong to Opus Dei.

In addition, close to Opus Dei there are many more persons who, without belonging to the Prelature, benefit from the formation that Opus Dei provides, and help in sustaining its apostolic labor.  In sum, Opus Dei seeks to bring as many people close to God as possible.

What do the persons of Opus Dei do?

In the first place, the members of Opus Dei dedicate themselves to the same things as everyone else: work, taking care of their families, and participating in everything good that life provides.  In addition, they seek to share their faith in their own environment, as a natural and spontaneous expression of their Christian commitment.  The apostolate ennobles the bonds of friendship because a good Christian works to be a good friend, sincere and loyal.

As a fruit of the desire to contribute to the solution of the problems of their environment and to help those most in need, some members of Opus Dei, along with many other persons, promote educational and charitable initiatives: schools, hospitals, professional education centers, Universities, etc.  They are highly varied institutions, which share the personality proper to the country and culture in which they arise.  An example of this type of initiative is the University of Navarra.

What concrete activities does Opus Dei carry out?

Opus Dei offers means of formation to those who seek to deepen their understanding of the Faith: classes, talks, retreats, spiritual direction, etc., in order to present the teachings of the Gospel and the Magisterium of the Church and aid in living them out.  These activities are organized at times and places which are compatible with the carrying out of family, professional and social duties by those who attend.

What relationship does Opus Dei have with other institutions of the Church?

The Prelature of Opus Dei as such, and each one of its faithful in particular, work to live in union with the Pope, bishops, priests, religious and in general with all Christians.  The founder of Opus Dei affirmed that Opus Dei exists exclusively to serve the Church, and the faithful of the Prelature should foster unity amongst all believers.