Mónica met Opus Dei in the 1980s, shortly after the Work arrived in Bolivia in 1979. She attended the Lurivai Club for the first time, where they offered formation for young people and activities for mothers. "It was all completely new to me, because I had no Catholic upbringing," she recalls. Initially, her impression was strange: "I had met people who were too joyful and had nothing." However, her experience at the club allowed her to discover the Catholic faith in a natural way, "they taught us through their lives, and above all, by example."
From the beginning, she was drawn to the spirituality of Opus Dei, which showed her that it is possible to find "a God who is close, who is by your side, who accompanies you, who is a loving Father." She learned that work could be a form of service: "This idea of serving with your work, serving in your work, changing the world through work…"
This idea of serving with your work, serving in your work, changing the world through work…
Mónica’s family played a key role in her vocation. Her mother passed away when she was five years old, and her father took on both roles. She says of him that "he let us make our own decisions and raised us in freedom and responsibility." When she decided to become a numerary, her father repeatedly asked her if she was sure, and she answered yes: "Opus Dei is my life, a life project I’ve chosen, and with it, I seek to sanctify myself every day."
However, she had to face crises, such as when her father lost his job and she had to decide whether to stay in Argentina. "It was a very big moment of crisis, because I was 19 and no longer had the financial support of my parents." She is grateful that during those times, she always found support in Opus Dei.
Mónica emphasizes that her formation in the Work taught her to treat others with equality: "I learned to see everyone as children of God. I also learned to feel very much like a daughter of God."