"It is in the simplicity of your ordinary work, in the monotonous details of each day, that you have to find the secret, which is hidden from so many, of something great and new: Love.” Saint Josemaría
"It is in the simplicity of your ordinary work, in the monotonous details of each day, that you have to find the secret, which is hidden from so many, of something great and new: Love.”
Region of East and South Asia
On 20 March 2023, the Prelate of Opus Dei has established the new region of East and South Asia
Opus Dei offers formation activities for men and women in Singapore, namely doctrine classes, days of recollection, retreats, and spiritual direction or confession. These aim to help participants live their faith in their daily lives and find holiness in the midst of the ordinary. Below is the list of activities and contacts:
More than 600 people gathered at St Joseph's Church in Singapore to hear Jack Valero, founder of Catholic Voices and press officer of Opus Dei UK, share how to communicate the faith clearly and charitably.
Fr Michael Chan (1955–2025) was a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei who served in Singapore and the Region of East and South Asia. Known for his serenity, humility, and tireless dedication. He combined a brilliant mind with a gentle pastoral heart. Those who knew him remember his quiet humour, meticulous work, and deep concern for others, qualities that reflected a life wholly given to God and to the people he served.
This article in our local series features personal testimonies of people in the region and how the faith and the Work have impacted their lives. Cuiwen is a supernumerary from Singapore who is a convert to Catholicism. This is the story of her journey towards a true relationship with God and her vocation.
Young people who served as volunteers for the papal Mass in Singapore share their hopes before the Pope’s visit and other attendees’ experiences after.
The Mass of the feast day of St Josemaría Escrivá was held on 26 June 2023, at the 1-year-ago renovated St Joseph's Church (Victoria Street). Fr Ralph Valdes, the vicar of the region of East and South Asia, was the main celebrant. Concelebrating with him were the other priests of Opus Dei who carry out their pastoral duties in the region.
June 26 is the feast of St Josemaria. The Mass of St Josemaria was celebrated in Singapore on June 25 this year. The last one before this year's Mass was held in June 2019, just before the outbreak of the pandemic.
Here is the intention from 2 October 2021 to 2 October 2022, which the Prelate is suggesting to the faithful and friends of Opus Dei.
As we face a global health crisis, we may find ourselves feeling helpless or at a loss about the best ways to respond or react. What difference can one person really make to improve such a complex situation? The example of Joanna from Singapore shows that knowledge of one’s personal circumstances, a network of good friends, and a bit of initiative can go a long way.
On 9 January, anniversary of St. Josemaria's birth, from 10:00 to 15:30 and 16:00 to 19:00 Rome time (UTC + 1), live images will be broadcast from the prelatic church of Our Lady of Peace in Rome, where his mortal remains repose.
Since 1951, on the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth (30 December or the Sunday after Christmas), a special petition is made to the Holy Family of Nazareth for the families of the faithful of the Work.
A review of some milestones on the Opus Dei website in 2025, from the Jubilee Year to the premiere of “One by One,” the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, and new steps on the path to the centenary.
In his 17 December general audience, Pope Leo XIV continued his catechetical cycle on Jesus Christ, our hope, speaking about Easter as the refuge of the restless heart.
A new three-part novena to ask God for graces through the intercession of the Venerable Ernesto Cofiño, a Guatemalan pediatrician and father of a family. He is widely recognized for his extensive work in assisting underprivileged families and children. Dr. Cofiño was declared Venerable on 14 December 2023 by Pope Francis.
The hidden life of Jesus in Nazareth reveals that our ordinary work and daily activities have a deep divine value. They can be a path for close union with God and responding to his call to holiness, by striving to imitate our Lord's entire life.
Thomas became a dad after 40 and soon saw how much it asked of him. In the tired days and small moments, he started to see a deeper kind of love taking shape.
The Prelate is suggesting that the faithful and friends of Opus Dei pray for this intention in a special way, from 2 October 2025 - 2 October 2026. The Regional Monthly Intention is closely aligned.
A powerful story of the sanctity of live, motherhood, the vocation in Opus Dei and God's providence. After six decades, Monica, a supernumerary in Singapore, uncovers a transformative truth about her family... and it all came through her vocation in Opus Dei.
In October, the Opus Dei Information Office in Singapore organised a talk on defending the faith calmly, clearly, and charitably. The event was part of preparations for the centenary of the Work. This article was first published in Catholic News Singapore on 12 November 2025.
Links to Pope Francis' homilies and addresses on his apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore 2 to 13 September 2024.
We begin our new local series featuring personal testimonies of people in the region on how the faith and the Work has impacted their lives. Eugene is a supernumerary from Singapore who came into contact with Opus Dei while studying in Australia. This is his story, which all began with a simple invitation.
Kenneth met Denny, supernumerary working as a medical doctor, during a casual business engagement. From day one, Denny took interest in the personal life of Kenneth, asking the latter how the latter cares for the family and carries out his professional work. The friendly and sincere conversations Denny had with Kenneth helped the latter rediscover the importance of the Catholic faith.
Andrea is a mother of four who lives in Kuala Lumpur. She started helping a friend to raise funds for an NGO involved in palliative care and has not turned back since...
Andyara shares her inspiring life story, from her childhood in Campinas to her experience in Lebanon and the challenges of illness and war. In this video, she tells us how her love of literature, her faith in Opus Dei and her courage in the face of adversity have led her to a life full of adventure, learning and profound growth.
Much of our apostolate consists of sharing our serene joy with the hearts of those who are troubled and without hope.
On Christmas day, Pope Leo XIV spoke about Christ, who is our peace, and imparted the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing.
“We have a great mission: to transmit true peace, which is Jesus Christ.” With these words, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz invites us to live Christmas by sharing the immense and extraordinary message of the Gospel: the love of God who becomes small in order to come very close to each person.
A married couple’s dream for retirement turned into a service to their community in New Hampshire (United States).
In his 10 December general audience, Pope Leo XIV continued his catechetical cycle on Jesus Christ, our hope, speaking about the Resurrection as the final answer to the question of death.
Sofía Villalba, a 26-year-old Guatemalan, shares her experience of vocational discernment with honesty and gratitude. From a very young age, she felt a desire to dedicate herself to God and, after a period of searching and reflection, she requested admission as a numerary of Opus Dei, during her second year of university. Despite her enthusiasm and sincere effort to live this vocation, over time she realized that it wasn’t the path for her.
Jillian is 26 years old. The joy she saw in others drew her to discover her own vocation in Opus Dei. "I see the world through new eyes, finding God in my daily work and simple acts of love."
Mark first encountered Opus Dei in the 1990s but hesitated to say yes to God for decades, convinced he wasn’t ready. A retreat finally helped him realise that God does not call the perfect but helps the called to grow in holiness. Today, as a husband, father, and portfolio manager, he finds joy in prayer, strength in his work, and more presence with his family and those around him.
At a talk in Singapore, entitled "Opus Dei: A History" on 21 July 2025, historian Fr José Luis González Gullón traced how Opus Dei grew from Madrid to the world with rare photos and fresh insights.
His Eminence, Cardinal Archbishop William Goh reflected on the universal call to holiness at a mass in honour of Saint Josemaria in Singapore
The HeArt of Living Seminar was held on 30 September in Singapore at SFX Major Seminary in Upper Bukit Timah with about 50 cooperators and friends in attendance. The aim of the event was to elaborate on the human and divine aspects of life and how a complementary mix of both makes life meaningful.
In the month of the 40th anniversary of Opus Dei in Singapore, Joel Martinez shares with us snippets of what the very first year was like.
Desmond and Eric share a common interest in poetry and writing. What started out as a mere professional dealing has blossomed into a trusting and beautiful friendship.
Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam was among the few places where the anniversary Mass of St Josemaria on June 26 could be held in public during the pandemic.
Remarks by the Vietnamese cardinal, speaking about Josemaría Escrivá during an international congress titled “The Greatness of Ordinary Life” in January 2002.
Teia is an associate of Opus Dei who finds God in the middle of her work, surrounded by fields, crops, and heavy machinery.
Apostolic letter of Pope Francis on the meaning and significance of the Nativity scene. Given in Greccio, at the Shrine of the Nativity, on 1 December 2019.
María Ángeles discovered Opus Dei by chance, when a teacher at the school in her hometown told her about the opportunity to live in a Study and Work Centre (CET). There she discovered three things: how to balance study and work, how to make better use of her time and live her faith in everything, and how God was calling her to Opus Dei.
The Prelate of Opus Dei encourages us to contemplate the humility of the Child Jesus during the Christmas season, welcoming everyone with a merciful heart and assisting those in need with specific deeds, as a sign of hope and peace for the world.
10 December is the feast of Our Lady of Loreto, established by Pope Francis. Saint Josemaría considered himself especially indebted to Our Lady of Loreto for a very serious need that he placed under Our Lady's mantle on 15 August 1951.
On 4 August 2020, the explosion in Beirut shattered a nation and reduced Michelle’s home to rubble. Five years later, the Pope’s visit brought renewed hope and reconciliation to a people who “always find the courage to rise again.”
