Heloiza, Brazil: "In gastronomy, I've found a way of serving and connecting with others"
Heloiza has been an assistant numerary of Opus Dei for 34 years. She was born in Lorena, but after her father was murdered in a robbery when she was 10 years old, her mother decided to move to São José dos Campos to be closer to her family. Her life has been marked by other painful events, including illness. She loves baking, and during the pandemic she started a business called "By Chef Helô." Her story is one of overcoming adversity.
Enrique, Chile: “This vocation is either crazy or the truth”
Enrique Concha is an interior decorator. In this video, he shares how he discovered his vocation in Opus Dei, explains how faith gives meaning to his daily life and creative work, and talks about freedom and the search for transcendence in the simple moments of each day.
Mercedes and Concha, Spain: "We always had the support we needed to take care of our brothers"
Mercedes and Concha are sisters, and both are assistant numeraries. After many years of working in the administration of Opus Dei centres, they now dedicate themselves to caring for their brothers, who suffer from spastic paraplegia, and to carrying out apostolic activities in places on the Levantine coast, including Gandía and Alzira. This is a conversation between the two sisters.
Andyara, Brazil: "I have learnt to grow through every challenge"
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.
María Ángeles, Spain: "When I look back, I believe I've lived a full life"
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.
Sofia, Guatemala: “In all my important decisions, I’ve felt free and supported”
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.
Anita, Chile: “The Work is still my family”
Ana María Cordero (Anita) was an assistant numerary for many years. After a long period of prayer, she realised that it wasn't her path, but she “always felt the doors were open to return to the means of formation.”
Jillian, Singapore: “I changed the way I see things”
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.”
Mirian, Brazil: "Like a GPS, God is recalculating your path"
Mirian, from Brazil, is 34 years old and is a gynaecologist and obstetrician. She is married and has a three-month-old son. She was an associate of Opus Dei for a time, until, after a period of reflection in which she always felt supported and understood, she saw that her path lay elsewhere.
Francisco, Chile: “Is all this for me, or is it meant to be shared?”
At the age of 40, Francisco (Chile) paused to reflect on his life, pondering whether his life experience and everything he had received was meant to be kept for himself or shared with others. The question led him to discover a path of service and the conviction that every step he had taken had prepared him for the next one.