Mark, 52, works in finance as a portfolio manager and is the father of three daughters. He first encountered Opus Dei in the 1990s, when a friend invited him to a centre in Singapore. At the time, he considered himself a Sunday Catholic, but he was struck by the peace, order, and spiritual depth he found there. The doctrinal classes and practical talks appealed to him, yet he hesitated to commit.
For years, career, family life, and the pursuit of success kept him from taking the next step. He also carried a misconception that one had to be perfect to join Opus Dei. He admired the life of the members he saw but felt it wasn’t for him so he stayed on the sidelines.
That changed when he went on a retreat a few years ago. This time, he realised he had run out of excuses. God had been calling him for years, and he finally understood that God does not call the perfect but helps the called to be perfect. With that clarity, Mark asked to join Opus Dei as a supernumerary.
The change was mostly interior. Practices that once seemed difficult, daily Mass, the rosary, and moments of prayer, became a source of joy. Dedicating more time to God also didn’t take away from his family or hobbies; instead, he found time multiplied, allowing him to be more present as a husband, father, and friend. It especially inspired him to draw the people around him closer to God.
Even in the pressure-filled world of finance, Mark now lives his vocation by grounding himself in prayer and drawing strength from the sacraments. Looking back, he is grateful for the friends and mentors who supported him over the years.
His message to anyone hesitating is simple:
Be courageous. Don’t wait. You don’t have to be perfect. God is already waiting for you to say yes, so just do it.