Spirituality of Opus Dei
Opus Dei's spirituality has influenced the daily life of laymen and laywomen since 1928.
Opus Dei is a hierarchical organization spread worldwide that comprises mostly laymen and laywomen, and a few priests. They do not change their current status when become members. In contrast to religious people, they do not profess any kind of vows, but strive to draw close to God in their ordinary activities.
Sanctifying work is the main Opus Dei's message. [1] It encompasses profissional competence,[2] working ethically [3] and helping others.[4],[5]
This stems from the so-called divine filiation. According to Opus Dei's official web site, divine filiation leads the Christian faithful to a deep awareness of their being children of God, fosters confidence in divine providence, simplicity in their dialogue with God, resulting in a truly Christian love for the world and for all human realities created by God, and a sense of calm and optimism.[6] Opus Dei also emphasizes the necessity of the so-called unity of life, which is closely related to divine filiation. Unity of life means uniting spiritual. life with professional, social, and family life; behaving according to one's faith in every circunstance in life.[7]
Divine Filiation
(to be written)
Unity of Life
(to be written)
The Theological Virtues
According to (Catechism, 1813) the theological virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity and are related directly to God (Catechism, 1812). There are three theological virtues, namely: faith, hope, charity.
Faith is the theological virtue by which one believes in God and believes all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for his belief, because he is truth itself. (Catechism, 1814)
(Add citations of speeches of the founder, of books, ... about how a OD's member should "live by faith")
How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope. (The Way, 582)
God is the same as always. It is men of faith that are needed: and then, there will be a renewal of the wonders we read of in the Gospel.
Ecce non est abbreviata manus Domini, God's arm, his power, has not grown weaker! (The Way, 586)
Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. (Catechism, 1817)
(The same for hope)
Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. (Catechism, 1822)
(The same for charity)
Let your heart overflow in effusions of Love and gratitude as you consider how God's grace each day saves you from the snares that the enemy has set in your path. (The Way, 434)
'Timor Domini sanctus. The fear of God is holy.' Fear which is the veneration of a son for his Father; never a servile fear, for your Father-God is not a tyrant. (The Way, 435)
When you have finished your work, do your brother's, helping him, for Christ's sake, so tactfully and so naturally that no one — not even he — will realise that you are doing more than what in justice you ought. (The Way, 440)
Don't make negative criticism: if you can't praise, say nothing. (The Way, 443)
This, indeed, is virtue befitting a son of God!
(What are the theological virtues? how a Opus Dei member is invited to live the theological virtues? Is is different from other people? ) (Catechism: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P66.HTM)
Evangelical counsels
(What are the evangelical counsels? how is a OD member invited to live the counsels? Is is similar to
people of consecrated life? How?)
(The Code of Canon Law, canons 599-601)
References
- ↑ Josemaria Escriva. Work (number 702). The Forge. Retrieved on 2008-10-25.
- ↑ Josemaria Escriva. Work (number 681). The Forge. Retrieved on 2008-10-25.
- ↑ Josemaria Escriva. Work (number 695). The Forge. Retrieved on 2008-10-25.
- ↑ Josemaria Escriva. Chariy (number 440). The Way. Retrieved on 2008-10-25.
- ↑ Josemaria Escriva. Work (number 684). The Forge. Retrieved on 2008-10-25.
- ↑ Opus Dei Official Web Site. Message. Retrieved on 2008-10-11.
- ↑ Josemaria Escriva. Chapter 15: Study (number 353). The Way. Retrieved on 2008-10-11.