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Opus Dei

Opus Dei

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Opus Dei [Lat.,=work of God], Roman Catholic organization, particularly influential in Spain, officially the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei. Opus Dei was founded in 1928 by a wealthy lawyer turned priest, José María Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás, who objected to the liberal, secular atmosphere at the Univ. of Madrid. As a Catholic institution, it emphasizes that ordinary Christians can achieve holiness and change society for the better through how they live their everyday lives. Opus Dei gained national importance in Spain after the civil war, when it received support from goverment of Francisco Franco . In the 1950s and 60s it replaced the Falange as the most important conservative political and religious force in Spain. Its influence there, however, has waned since the early 1970s.

Receiving increased support from the Vatican since the late 1970s, the organization has grown to more than 85,000 members in more than 80 countries. In 1950 the Vatican recognized it as a secular institute; in 1982 it was given the status of "personal prelature." Its membership is now, therefore, considered a separate diocese with its own bishop.

Believing that a Catholic can lead a holy life without taking religious vows, lay members pledge to serve God in worldly vocations; roughly a third of the members live communally and celibately in Opus Dei centers. The movement seeks to promote traditional Catholic values and teaching and to oppose liberalism and immorality, and is noted for its emphasis on preaching to government officials, professionals, intellectuals, and business executives. Opus Dei has been controversial among some Catholics because of its secretive nature, its emphasis on discipline, its conservatism, and its historical association with the Franco regime in Spain. This controversy became pronounced in 1992 when the Vatican, under John Paul II, beatified Escrivá; Escrivá was canonized in 2002.

Bibliography: See M. del C. Tapia, Beyond the Threshold (1997); J. L. Allen, Opus Dei (2005).

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Opus Dei

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Opus Dei (Lat., ‘work of God’). Either the divine office, especially as sung in choir; or (and now more commonly) a Roman Catholic religious association founded in Madrid in 1928 by José Maria Escrivá de Balaguer, known more fully as the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross and the Work of God. Its status since 1982 has been that of a personal prelature, its superior exercising over members a similar authority to that of a bishop, though not on a territorial basis. It has evoked criticism of its authoritarian style and control. Its founder was declared blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1992, despite widespread criticism in the Church of the style and speed with which this was done.
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JOHN BOWKER. "Opus Dei." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Opus Dei." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-OpusDei.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Opus Dei." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-OpusDei.html

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Opus Dei

The Oxford Companion to Irish History | 2007 | Copyright

Opus Dei, a Catholic lay organization founded in Spain in 1928 by José Mariá Escrivá de Balaguer to ‘spread to all sectors of society an awareness of the universal call to holiness and apostolate in and through everyday work’. Introduced into Ireland by Joseph Madurga in 1947, it received papal approval in 1950 and was made a personal prelature in 1982. Members give time to prayer, go on a yearly retreat, and engage in apostolic work, the latter usually on their own initiative. In Ireland, the organization is particularly active in education and youth work. Theologically conservative, it is noted for its obedience to the Holy See.

Thomas O'Connor
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Opus Dei

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | | Copyright

Opus Dei (Lat., ‘the work of God’). A Benedictine designation for the Divine Office.

Opus Dei is also the name of a RC organization devoted to fostering the application of Christian principles to daily living in all walks of life. It was founded in 1928 in Madrid by the St Josemaría Escrivá (1902–75), who also set up a branch for women (1930) and in 1943 the Society of the Holy Cross for priests. In 1982 the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei was established, giving the organization considerable independence of local bishops. It maintains a number of educational establishments, notably the University of Pamplona.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Opus Dei." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Opus Dei." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-OpusDei.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Opus Dei." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-OpusDei.html

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Opus Dei

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Opus Dei International Roman Catholic organization of 75,000 laymen and 1000 priests, known for its highly conservative political and religious influence. It was founded (1928) in Spain by Escrivá de Balaguer (1902–75). Its members seek to put into practice Christian values through their chosen professions. Pope John Paul II beatified de Balaguer in 1992.
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Opus Dei

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Opus Dei See ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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