Luli, Argentina: "The Work helped me develop my own personality, never to shrink it"
Luli is 38 years old and originally from Corrientes, Argentina. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a deep relationship with people, highlighting her passion for listening, sharing and learning from the experiences of others. This facet of her life, which was not so prominent before, has become one of the most enriching aspects of her vocation to the Work as an assistant numerary.
María José de los Ángeles, Spain: "I've learned to find meaning in every difficult decision, and I'm grateful"
María José was an associate of Opus Dei for 20 years and about 5 years ago, at the age of 35, she left the Work. "Even though it was a very painful decision, it was definitely one where I was supported, and absolutely one where I was free," she says. "It’s beautiful to think that every vocation has a mission that transcends time."
Mariana, Argentina: "I met Opus Dei through someone who is no longer in the Work"
Mariana is from the province of Buenos Aires, but over the course of 13 years, she lived in three European countries: "I met a lot of people with very different mentalities and ways of being," she says. "This allowed me to learn about other ways of life and to expand my perspective." Her own choice of life as an assistant numerary in Opus Dei has allowed her to meet more people and give many others a place in her heart.
Pedro, Argentina: "I was a numerary and I wouldn't change anything about my journey"
Pedro is an architect specialising in NGOs. He is currently studying for a master's degree in Urban Economics. He will marry Ine next May. The path of his vocational discernment brought him closer to Opus Dei, an institution to which he belonged for a few years, and which he remembers with gratitude: "I don't regret being who I am today, and I am who I am today because of the whole journey I've been on," he says.
Lidia, Bolivia: "I asked to join the Work and they said no"
My name is Juana Lidia Quispe Maita. I am from the community of Copachilaia. From my community, you can see Lake Titicaca, which is 4000 metres above sea level, and I am an assistant numerary of Opus Dei. I am here for a while looking after my mother, who is alone. I accompany her, take care of her, and help her with whatever she needs. And from time to time I go to the city.
Carmen, Spain: "We want our children to be open"
Carmen is a supply chain manager at a supermarket and lives with her family in Madrid. "What I've learned from working has helped me to raise my children." She and her husband, try to instil in them an attitude of solidarity and acceptance, which is why they participate in a family volunteering programme run out of Tajamar, the school where they study: "We want our children to be open to all realities, in every sphere, to learn respect and hospitality."
Bishop Philippe Jourdan: “Christian unity depends on rediscovering fraternity”
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Bishop Philippe Jourdan, a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and the bishop of Tallinn, answers our questions and talks about the Catholic Church in Estonia and the growing importance of Christian fraternity.
Estefania: “There are many kinds of hope”
Estefanía is a pediatrician at a public hospital in Chile. In her work, she ensures that children with non-oncological terminal illnesses receive the best possible quality of life. This goes beyond managing physical symptoms and includes emotional and spiritual support for the patients and their families.
Meeting God on our Dairy Farm
Héctor, a 23-year-old supernumerary, is a dairy producer and cattle farmer. He talks about his work and how he strives for excellence in order to glorify God.
The Man with the Backpack
Henri d’Anselme, famously known as "the man with the backpack" was in Brussels last April, and naturally he took the opportunity to visit the cathedral.