Opus Dei--why don't all traditional-type Catholics get involved with it?

[Bartolome Casas]

Opus Dei seems to offer everything that traditional-type Catholics are longing for but can't find in their parish.

For the few that perhaps have never heard about Opus Dei, here is their U.S. web site:

http://www.opusdei.us/

The last two popes have been huge supporters of Opus Dei.

The famous Catholic convert, apologist and professor Scott Hahn wrote in his book Rome Sweet Home that he could not find a priest to help him convert to the Catholic Faith until he contacted an Opus Dei priest.

The fact that liberal Catholics and liberals in general hate and demonize Opus Dei should be a major selling point to traditional-type Catholics. There are even web sites dedicated to watching, investigating, and criticizing Opus Dei. Even so, I don't think they've ever found anything really bad about Opus Dei. Dan Brown even demonized and grossly misrepresented Opus Dei in his infamous novel and movie "The Da Vinci Code."

To me, it seems like many Catholics would be a lot happier if they and their children attended Opus Dei activities (assuming they live near an Opus Dei study center or Opus Dei run school).

Yes, places where the Traditional Latin Mass (now officially known as the Extraordinary Form of the Mass) is offered with the approval of the pope and bishops also provides a place that many traditional-type Catholics like. But, in my experience, some of these places have lots of people who fiercely and angrily obsessed with fighting and denouncing liberals in the Church and in society and government. To me, all that negativity is a real bummer, and upsetting.

But contrast, in my experience, the Opus Dei centers have none of this "anti-" orientation. As far as I can see, they are entirely "pro-" in their orientation: Pro-Catholic, Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-Pope, Pro-Blessed Virgin Mary, Pro-Holiness in Everyday Life (their slogan).

So, why aren't YOU involved with Opus Dei?

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by Bartolome Casas

But, in my experience, some of these places have lots of people who [color="red"]fiercely and angrily obsessed with fighting and denouncing liberals in the Church and in society and government[/COLOR]. To me, all that negativity is a real bummer, and upsetting.

But contrast, in my experience, the Opus Dei centers have none of this "anti-" orientation. As far as I can see, they are entirely "pro-" in their orientation: Pro-Catholic, Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-Pope, Pro-Blessed Virgin Mary, Pro-Holiness in Everyday Life (their slogan).

Oh please.

I commend you for your curiosity, but it isn't a good thing to include in your post insulting of trads, especially when you want to dialogue.

[triumphguy]

I'm not a "traditional Catholic" but I did hang out with Opus Dei as a kid, and lived in one of their University residences for a year.

I always felt like I was getting the air sucked out of me when I was around them.

[Melchior_]

Originally Posted by Bartolome Casas

So, why aren't YOU involved with Opus Dei?

Because the local chapter of the Secular Franciscans invited me to come out to their meetings (once their summer break is over), which means it's very well possible my incredibly long/drawn out journey towards secular orders might finally be finishing(!)

Wouldn't make much sense to do both, now would it? Especially after the whole "final promises" thing that Secular Franciscans make.

Also, my current parish is run by a Society of Apostolic Life. Opus Dei would make three different groups I'd be involved with, not even counting the diocese itself.

So for me, it doesn't make sense.

[thewanderer]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Oh please.

I commend you for your curiosity, but it isn't a good thing to include in your post insulting of trads, especially when you want to dialogue.

Is it possible to try to take it the way it was meant? Not as an insult but simply a statement of fact that traditionalist groups within the Catholic Church tend to have people who like to go on and on about all the problems in the "modernist" Church. This can very easily help to develop a negative atmosphere. Which ties into the OP's question. I believe he sees both as offering the same essential core, but one offers it in surrounded by positive thinking and focus while the other often gets mixed up with negative thinking. I mean, I could be mistaken, it is possible the OP intended it as an insult, but I doubt it and I don't see any point in assuming the worst.

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by thewanderer

Is it possible to try to take it the way it was meant? Not as an insult but simply a statement of fact that traditionalist groups within the Catholic Church tend to have people who like to go on and on about all the problems in the "modernist" Church. This can very easily help to develop a negative atmosphere. Which ties into the OP's question. I believe he sees both as offering the same essential core, but one offers it in surrounded by positive thinking and focus while the other often gets mixed up with negative thinking. I mean, I could be mistaken, it is possible the OP intended it as an insult, but I doubt it and I don't see any point in assuming the worst.

If this doesn't seem negative to you, wonderful.

But, in my experience, some of these places have lots of people who fiercely and angrily obsessed with fighting and denouncing liberals in the Church and in society and government. To me, all that negativity is a real bummer, and upsetting.

[Brooklyn]

One of the main reasons "traditional-type Catholics" do not get involved with Opus Dei is they do not support the traditional Mass.

[Bartolome Casas]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Oh please.

I commend you for your curiosity, but it isn't a good thing to include in your post insulting of trads, especially when you want to dialogue.

I apologize. I am not saying that all "trads" are as I described. I am only describing what I MYSELF experienced and felt. To me, to report my experiences and feelings is valid.

Yet, I do see your point.

Well, I am not perfect. In my mind, making a legitimate point. I have been involved with "trads" who fiercely oppose or criticize even the Vatican II Council, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. To me, that road is really unpleasant.

But I do KNOW there are trad mass places where such sentiment is completely absent. I've always heard that FSSP and ICKSP places are good, for example. I guess I am mainly thinking about SSPX as places with lots of angry, unpset people. But I'm sure that is an overgeneralization.

In sum, I officially retract my negative comments about "trads," and only wish to suggest Opus Dei to Catholics who feel lost in a sea of liberal priests and nuns at their parish. That WAS my original intention in posting.

[Bartolome Casas]

Originally Posted by thewanderer

Is it possible to try to take it the way it was meant? Not as an insult but simply a statement of fact that traditionalist groups within the Catholic Church tend to have people who like to go on and on about all the problems in the "modernist" Church. This can very easily help to develop a negative atmosphere. Which ties into the OP's question. I believe he sees both as offering the same essential core, but one offers it in surrounded by positive thinking and focus while the other often gets mixed up with negative thinking. I mean, I could be mistaken, it is possible the OP intended it as an insult, but I doubt it and I don't see any point in assuming the worst.

Thank you. THAT is exactly what I meant! I am the OP.

[Mrs Sally]

The Church is big and has many, many different groups all striving toward holiness through their individual charism/focus. Most people only join one, at most two, of these groups to match their own inclinations. I personally am very drawn to Opus Dei and to Legion of Mary, but do not belong to either.

[Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by Bartolome Casas

I apologize. I am not saying that all "trads" are as I described. I am only describing what I MYSELF experienced and felt. To me, to report my experiences and feelings is valid.

Yet, I do see your point.

Well, I am not perfect. In my mind, making a legitimate point. I have been involved with "trads" who fiercely oppose or criticize even the Vatican II Council, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. To me, that road is really unpleasant.

But I do KNOW there are trad mass places where such sentiment is completely absent. I've always heard that FSSP places are good, for example. I guess I am mainly thinking about SSPX as places with lots of angry, unpset people. But I'm sure that is an overgeneralization.

In sum, I officially retract my negative comments about "trads," and only wish to suggest Opus Dei to Catholics who feel lost in a sea of liberal priests and nuns at their parish. That WAS my original intention in posting.

Again, you're not going to attract traditional Catholics without the traditional Mass. That is why you will not find them in Opus Dei.

[CesarAugustus]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

One of the main reasons "traditional-type Catholics" do not get involved with Opus Dei is they do not support the traditional Mass.

Also some of them, tend to be accommodating to secular or worldy trends. Usually with the connections to right wing politics, but sadly, also things like this:

A Prelate the last year said that the Church opposses gay marriage because society is not ready for that. (WHAT? so when society is "ready" is going to be allowed?) Too PC. I know not everyone in the OD is like that, but to me, it seemed like the typical neocon attitude, trying to be conservative in some things, and slowly adapting to liberal change in others.

The other criticism I have read from Trads, is that Opus Dei is too controlling of people.

Blessings!

[Bartolome Casas]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

Again, you're not going to attract traditional Catholics without the traditional Mass. That is why you will not find them in Opus Dei.

Okay. I get it. I see your point. For some, the EF/TLM is central and foundational. Okay. Good point.

[Pug]

Originally Posted by Bartolome Casas

Opus Dei seems to offer everything that traditional-type Catholics are longing for but can't find in their parish.

The simplest answer is that many people don't have a center near them. Being involved requires a lot of driving, unless the extent of involvement is to pray for the work. Furthermore, Opus Dei is one of the least advertised things I've ever encountered. So you could be sitting right on top of it and never know it is there.

Also, I've noticed that they celebrate mass according to the OF, profoundly reverent though it is. Perhaps this is not a draw for those who prefer attending the EF.

[Dale_M]

Originally Posted by Bartolome Casas

The fact that liberal Catholics and liberals in general hate and demonize Opus Dei should be a major selling point to traditional-type Catholics. There are even web sites dedicated to watching, investigating, and criticizing Opus Dei. Even so, I don't think they've ever found anything really bad about Opus Dei. Dan Brown even demonized and grossly misrepresented Opus Dei in his infamous novel and movie "The Da Vinci Code."

erm.... that logic of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" is something the Devil would approve of. It is the philosophy which encouraged the United States to befriend Saddam Hussein and supply him with arms, even after he launched poison gas attacks on his own citizens. Simply because two persons or groups have a common foe doesn't mean that those two persons (or groups) should dismiss any qualms about each other.

As for Opus Dei, I agree that they have gotten an unfair knock in popular culture, and even in news reporting (although it has gotten better.) I once worked closely for a couple months with an Opus Dei priest and he encouraged me in a couple practices associated with them. He was a good man and what he encouraged was sound. However, it was only years later that I found out he was with Opus Dei.

I don't know why he didn't mention his affiliation. This was long ago, well before any of the negative portrayals in the public media. But I have heard enough allegations of secrecy and dissembling to make me wonder if Opus Dei doesn't create its own problems.