Opus Dei

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 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.

Shiró is happiest spending time with people: “I need people, and feeling that they need me makes me want to give the best of myself. No man is an island... We need each other.” This openness led her to start her studies in healthcare, and later move to hospitality and catering in her country, Kenya. She also started a social initiative to help street children. All these experiences confirmed her vocation to Opus Dei as an assistant numerary.

In 2024, the Regional Assemblies of Opus Dei were held, bringing together several thousand people in nearly 70 countries over the course of a year to reflect on the theme "On the Road to the Centenary of the Work." The contributions gathered will help prepare for the Ordinary General Congress of 2025, scheduled for April and May.

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.

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.

Mónica was born in Cochabamba, in a family that represented "the rainbow of Bolivia," since her father was from La Paz and her mother from Santa Cruz. She studied at the German School and later in Buenos Aires, where she graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering from UBA. Subsequently, she studied philosophy and earned a master’s degree in teaching it. She has been involved in development projects and teaching, and tells us that her specialty is "change."

I am Eva Burniol, from the Horta neighbourhood in Barcelona, and I am an assistant numerary. I am 34 years old, and I love the mountains, going for runs... It helps me unwind, it relaxes me... I really enjoy nature... I like reading, writing, going out with friends... Everything related to fashion, I don’t know, keeping up with everything. I never seem to have enough time!

In his 29 January general audience, Pope Francis continued the catechetical cycle on Jesus Christ, our hope, for the Jubilee of 2025, speaking about the annunciation to St. Joseph.

Lidia Via has been working in the Regional Advisory of Opus Dei in Spain since 2019, overseeing activities with young people. In this interview, she talks about the formational activities carried out by the Prelature with young people and the support offered in the process of discerning any vocation to celibacy.