First centers of Opus Dei opened in Croatia and Slovenia

In 2003 new centers of Opus Dei were opened in nine countries: Argentina, Chile, the Czech Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Croatia, and Slovenia. The centers in Croatia and Slovenia were the countries’ first.

Slovenia: The center is located in one of the buildings in the background.

For some time Opus Dei priests and laity have been making periodic trips to Zagreb from nearby cities such as Vienna or Trieste, to provide activities of spiritual formation. In July 2003, a center of the Prelature was established in the capital of Croatia, the Kulturni Centar Medvescak, situated in the neighborhood of the same name in the central part of the city.

Some of the chief activities for young men carried out at Medvescak are social activities for the needy, which consist in providing small services and companionship to the poor. “The families that we visit are very grateful for the little that we can do for them,” says Vuko Brigljevi, secretary of the center, “although we all realize that we ourselves are the ones who benefit most.” Classes of Christian formation, language classes, and sports activities are also provided at Medvescak. Other programs that the cultural center plans to begin offering to students are a computer course and a discussion club for book enthusiasts.

An activity at Kulturni Centar Medvescak.

Another center of Opus Dei has been set up in one of the down town areas of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on Congress Square across from the National Library. It began its activities in July of 2003. Like Medvescak, it offers activities for high school and college students and young professionals, such as conferences and courses of Christian formation and sports activities.