Number of articles: 4580

What commitments are made by a person who is incorporated in Opus Dei?

Incorporation in the prelature of Opus Dei is essentially united to the personal vocation of that individual.

How long have personal prelatures existed in the Church?

Although similar personal hierarchical structures already existed (such as military vicariates), the juridical figure of the personal prelature is the result of an apostolic desire of the Second Vatican Council that later took form in the present Code of Canon Law. The first to be erected was the prelature of Opus Dei, in the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit of John Paul II, on November 28, 1982.

How is the prelature of Opus Dei governed? Who directs it?

Like any prelature, the government of Opus Dei is the responsibility of its prelate and his vicars, who are assisted by councils made up of other faithful, many of them lay persons, both men and women. The lay faithful also play a decisive role in the organizational tasks and in the formational activity of Opus Dei.

How many personal prelatures are there at present? Why aren’t there more?

The only personal prelature currently existing is Opus Dei. The fact that others have not yet been erected is due to the newness of personal prelatures, which have to offer guarantees of ecclesial solidity and be harmoniously inserted into the dioceses in which they operate. Besides, there are other ecclesiastical circumscriptions, such as the military ordinariates, with the same type of configuration, that is to say, one that is both personal and that complements the dioceses.

What is the difference between an ordinary Catholic who tries to practice his faith, although he may not always succeed, and someone in Opus Dei?

How does the diocese benefit from the work of the faithful of Opus Dei?

The work and entire life of the members of Opus Dei, to the extent to which they are loyal to their vocation, constitutes a part of the spiritual and apostolic good of the diocese.

Opus Dei and the dioceses

At the institutional level, what is Opus Dei’s relationship with the dioceses? Is its pastoral work carried out in accord with religious institutions and other ecclesial entities?

Do the laity belong to the prelature, or only the priests?

Both belong equally to the prelature.

What was Opus Dei before it became a prelature? How did the 1950 statutes differ from the present ones?

From its foundation on October 2, 1928, Opus Dei was already in essence, although in an embryonic state, the same as we see it today: a part of the Church, made up of faithful and structured hierarchically around a head who was at first the founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, a priest.

How do personal prelatures resemble and how do they differ from dioceses, religious orders and movements?

One should keep in mind that all ecclesial realities share in the life and purpose of the one Church. Therefore, all are called to live in the same ecclesial communion and to foster mutual affection.