Opus Dei

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!

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 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."

Anna studied nursing and is currently working in the Clinical Directorate of the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital (Rome): “In a way, my ‘patients’ now include the doctors, nurses, and administrative staff working with me.”

In the Prelature of Opus Dei, junior candidates are people between fourteen and a half and sixteen and a half years old who, seeking to respond to a call from the Lord, have expressed their desire to join the Prelature when they reach the required age.

Priests incardinated in the Prelature of Opus Dei: a mission of service dedicated to fostering the holiness and apostolate of the other members of the Work and of those who participate in the activities of Opus Dei.

On the anniversary of the Prelate of Opus Dei's election, we reflect on fatherhood and filiation in this family.

Christian families are places where everyone lives and works for the others. Some missteps that can undermine this spirit, and ways to reawaken it.

Open, bright, cheerful homes: this is what God wants. This is the first instalment of reflections on family life within the centres of Opus Dei.