Catholic Curious about Opus Dei...?

[PeteyPete]

I'm a Catholic since birth, but haven't actively participated in the church in over 10 years. The recent problems w/ homosexual priests and pedafile's have left me even more so disillusioned w/ the church and it's inability to tackle moral issues. I'm coming to a point in my life where i'm starting to have questions about my spirtuality, and Catholicism in particular.

I've read a little about Opus Dei and how they represent a more direct interpretation of Catholicism, sans the politics, pedafiles, and parsing of words. Does anyone have any opinion about the Opus Dei sect within the catholic church? I purchased Josemaria Escriva's book "The Way" and plan on reading it next week as an introduction to the basic tenets and methods of understanding Jesus, God, and the Church through the prism of Father Escriva writings.

Anyone have any words of wisdom or ideas on Opus Dei, and it's role within the Catholic Church?

[Snuffington]

Care to ping the orcs?

[Loyalist]

PING

[sinkspur]

You've been outside the Church for ten years, and you're interested in Opus Dei.

That's like saying I can ride a bicycle, but, instead of learning to drive, I'd rather learn to fly a 747.

Opus Dei is very demanding; it is almost like a lay religious order. If you're willing to make that kind of commitment, have at it.

Most of the rest of us do fine by living and working in a regular Catholic parish and committing to work in a few ministries in the parish.

But, you have to decide what's best for you.

[Lady In Blue]

I think that Opus Dei is wonderful! Many years ago when I lived in the Los Angeles area,I used to go to a few of they're "Days of Recollections." Opus Dei priests are some of the very best priests around.Holy, spiritual, and outstanding knowledge of all aspects of the Church.

St Josemaria Escriva:Biography[founder of OPUS DEI]

[Lady In Blue]

OOPS! "they're" s/b their.

[PeteyPete]

Honestly, i know almost nothing about Opus Dei, and this is first news to me to discover how demanding it is....thats why i posed the question in the first place. I've lost a considerable amount of trust in the mainstream catholic church; i have no desire to have my weekly donations go to a legal payoff to some victimized child.

The problems of the Church hit home for me when finding out my Mnsr. was caught w/ an underage girl. I don't know how I can let gays and pedafiles guide my spiritual growth...I want something geniune that hasn't been tainted by immorality and a culture of indifference concerning the problems of the American RC church.

[St.Chuck]

I think "The Way" is an outstanding book. St. JoseMaria's aphorisms are quite profound, and can only lead you to a deeper understanding and love for God.......and it will cause you to reflect and think quite a bit.

[sinkspur]

I want something geniune that hasn't been tainted by immorality and a culture of indifference concerning the problems of the American RC church.

Well, St. Michael the Archangel doesn't do spiritual direction. He's fresh out of openings.

The Church is made up of human beings, all of whom are sinners. Some are more visible sinners than others, but all fall short of the glory of God.

Perhaps you need to trust yourself more to be custodian of your spiritual welfare, and realize that all of us are imperfectly on a journey toward God. Imperfect sinners. All of us. That includes you.

You're free to join Opus Dei, but perhaps you might find a trusted priest (those in your parish, or your diocese, can direct you), to reconnect on your journey.

When those whom you've trusted to lead you fail, instead of quitting, commit yourself to finding another spiritual director whom you can count on (they're out there, believe me). More than that, buttress your own spirituality through reading and meditating on the Scriptures.

All we can do in this life is seek perfection; we're never going to attain it.

[american colleen]

Hey Petey, our faith is not in men!

I dunno about Opus Dei... I think sinkspur is right when he says "That's like saying I can ride a bicycle, but, instead of learning to drive, I'd rather learn to fly a 747". (LOL, sinkspur!)

Here are a couple of good and easy books that I found very helpful (I'd link them, but I think the last time I tried to link a book on Amazon.com it would only bring you to the title page of Amazon and not the book itself) anyhow, look 'em up and check 'em out. "Courage to be Catholic" by George Weigel and "Living the Catholic Faith" by Charles Chaput. Both excellent, IMO. I imagine you have a copy of the Bible and I like having a catechism handy, too.

[pascendi]

There's plenty of tried-and-true dead people that are in much better of a position noe (the Church Triumphant) to help you than ever before.

May I suggest the following:

First and Foremost, St. Louis De Monfort: The Secret of the Rosary and True Devotion to Mary

Thomas Kempis: Imitation of Christ

A book that can be found on the net called Begone Satan

Anything that you can find on Anne Catherine Emmerich; her cause for beatification, I hear, has recently been brought forward. She is particularly good for gaining a clear grasp of the errors of the post-conciliar Church.

Venerable Mary of Agreda: Mystical City of God

Pascendi Dominici Gregis, the encyclical by Pope St. Pius X... this is a must read.

St. Alphonsus Ligouri: Preparation for Death

A little book called Read Me or Rue it about Purgatory

Then go read Matthew Chapters 5 through 7, the Sermont on the Mount, and then read Canticle of Canticles.

Then find yourself a good Tridentine Mass to go to in your area, and go there. Stick your fingers in your ears and devote your entire life the Blessed Virgin and ignore the those who wish to distract you from eternal salvation.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Try a Traditional Mass. The first time I walked into one it was like encountering an entirely different religion. Reconnect with the basics of the Faith (even if you prefer and stay Novus Ordo) and learn your own personal ways of connecting with God. Associating with an Order (there are many) is something which can be done at a later time and the choice will be a natural outgrowth of your spiritual inclinations.

Other than that, sinkspur made some good points on this thread. **cough, cough** :-)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

There's no room in Christianity for secret societies.

Become a Presbyterian.

[8mmMauser]

I can't believe it. I agree with many of sinkspur's points, too. I urge pascendi's reading list, too, especially Pascendi itself which I keep at my side.

Much unpublished or weakly published info on the life of St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort would powerfully support the suggestion of Canticle_of_Deborah and me.

Try it. You may be surprised to find your old church is still around.

He fought many of the same battles way back then that we fight today.

[lrslattery]

You should attend a few "Evenings of Recollection" which would allow you to gain some insight into the apostulate of Opus Dei. You should know that Opus Dei is a personal prelature of the Holy Father and that the apostulate is faithful to the teachings of Christ and His Church and loyal to the Holy Father.

I attend the "Evenings of Recollection" each month even though I am not a member of Opus Dei. You will find the talks meaningful and uplifting and a tremendous help to your spiritual journey.

[Conservative til I die]

PeteyPete, I can understand you having questions and concerns and being disillusioned, but here's my question to you, and don't take this the wrong way: It seems that you believe the Catholic Church (as a historical institution) holds the truth. If that's what you believe, should it matter if there are some bad apples? And if so, is it better to leave than to stay and fight the good fight? This is just some very general food for thought.

[pegleg]

I've lost a considerable amount of trust in the mainstream catholic church; i have no desire to have my weekly donations go to a legal payoff to some victimized child…. I don't know how I can let gays and pedafiles guide my spiritual growth...I want something geniune that hasn't been tainted by immorality and a culture of indifference concerning the problems of the American RC church.

Cardinal George said it better than I can.

"We Catholics are sinners and, at this moment, we are especially shamed by the terrible sins of some priests and bishops; but the Church remains holy in her gifts from her Lord. If her moral teaching were honored in our conduct, there would be no sexual abuse of anyone, no rape or betrayal of marriage, no sexual promiscuity parading as freedom, no fraud in business or government, no false accusations or lies, published or unpublished. What the Church, which condemns all these sins, offers constantly is Christ’s forgiveness of sinners."

Link here Chicago Cardinal responds to Sun-Times gay attack on Vatican

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Type in Opus Dei on the search engine in the Religion Forum. You will find one or two posts. Read them as well.

[dsc]

I was having some trouble a while back, and wasn't getting either the spiritual guidance or temporal assistance (introduction to a doctor) that I needed from the priest nearest my home.

I prayed that God would send me a priest.

He did.

There are "bad apples," yes, but does one bad apple *really* spoil the barrel? Only 2 to 3% of priests have been accused, and the numbers of offenses seem already to have peaked and to be trending downward rapidly.

A priest who destroys a parishoner's faith is committing spiritual murder; but if you let him do it, you're committing spiritual suicide.

Come on back. Opus Dei, or just a good, orthodox parish with a good priest. Whatever. Just come on back.