Renata, Brazil: "God is calling me in the world, and that's where I find my vocation"
Biomedical scientist Renata Silvestre describes how her vocation is intertwined with her work in advanced cell therapy, battling cancer while living the spirit of Opus Dei in her daily life. In her story, science and faith are both sources of inspiration and reasons for commitment.
Mónica, Bolivia: "Every change in life is a new opportunity to grow"
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."
Ana Cecilia, Brazil: "I discovered that my dream could be multiplied"
From her childhood in Curitiba to her commitment to Opus Dei, Ana Cecília has travelled a path of self-discovery. Through medicine and her relationship with God, she found her purpose: to transform lives and fulfil her dream of motherhood by serving others.
Eva, Spain: "I discovered that my vocation is to turn houses into homes"
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!
Mariana, Argentina: "Following your conscience is the best thing for a healthy institution"
Mariana, originally from Salta (Argentina), studied Social Communication and has worked as a photographer, although she currently works as a gardener. For her, her professional work is a space in which she can meet God in every situation. She also takes care of her mother, who has been bedridden since suffering a stroke two years ago.
Rosaura, Spain: "We went from spiritual energies to the truth of Christ"
Rosaura’s parents’ conversion completely transformed the atmosphere in their home after years of living a New Age spirituality. Her family went from following New Age practices to encountering Christ. Both she and her mother, who passed away in 2024, share their journey back to the Church and their vocation as supernumeraries in Opus Dei.
Tiago, Portugal: "I want to make the most of life"
Tiago is from Porto, works as a mechanical engineer, and loves car competitions. At the age of 20, he lost his grandfather, which let him to start questioning many aspects of his life. A friend, who passed away in an accident that same summer, told him about Opus Dei. Discovering prayer was the beginning of a path that led him to discern his vocation to the Work as a numerary.
Sandra, Spain: "I’d lived 22 years of my life convinced that God didn’t exist"
Sandra had no faith when she first set foot in a centre run by the Work, invited by a friend. Now, fifteen years later, she is an associate and she tells the story of her encounter with God, in whom she discovered the experience of paternity.
Jacinta, USA: "I never felt like people expected me to be a certain way"
When Jacinta moved from Trinidad to Boston for college, she knew what dreams she had for her life. In this video, she describes the long process of discovering God's dreams for her and deciding to become a numerary assistant in Opus Dei.
One by One: Opus Dei Through Personal Stories
No two people are the same, nor are there any identical lives. Opus Dei is every person who embodies its charism, as the Prelate often reminds us. "One by One" is a mosaic of faces from around the world, telling the stories of their lives and their encounters with the Work.