Part 2 of Some Frequently Asked Questions about Opus Dei of Balaguer

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Opus Dei of Balaguer (*)

And unexpected but documented answers

A guest document – by Ricardo de Valencia

(*) Opus Dei of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer

PART 2

About the name of Opus Dei

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This document is a work in progress. We will publish it in stages. The parts that have not yet been published are marked in red with the words “Under construction”.

Last update: 2025-Jul-31

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to provide information on some basic formal aspects of Opus Dei of Balaguer — better known simply as “Opus Dei” and called “the Work of God” by its members.

Inevitably, in explaining the most basic questions, it becomes necessary to explain others, because it would not be Christian to fail to point out what we consider to be significant shortcomings or contradictions in the official discourse of Opus Dei as presented to the public.

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DICLAIMER AND NOTES

(1) The general Disclaimer of this site applies here.

(2) The organization of Opus Dei of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, in any of its forms or representatives, has not had any part in the preparation and publication of this document. Nor does the author has or has he ever had any connection with them.

(3) Out of necessity, this document contains many terms and concepts that are specific to the Roman Catholic Church. The Church, as the people of God, is a much more comprehensive concept than simply the Roman Catholic Church, and we regret if the vocabulary used could seem to imply otherwise.

If the reader needs clarification on this last point, we recommend the following documents:

Our Position on the Catholic Faith

Our Position on What is the Church

There IS Salvation Outside the Roman Catholic Church

GENERAL INDEX

FIRST PART — The mess with the Personal Prelature

PART TWO — About the name of Opus Dei

5. What is Opus Dei in its dual legal form?

Under construction

6. Is the name “Work of God” appropriate? What about “the Work”?

7. What is the official name of the Prelature of Opus Dei? And of its Priestly Society?

8. Why is the abbreviation “Opus Dei” misleading?

9. Why is the name of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross misleading?

10. What means “Opus Dei of Balaguer”?

PART THREE — Characteristics of the Church of Opus Dei

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

5. What is Opus Dei in its dual legal form?

Related: The four circles of definition of Opus Dei

The Prelature and the Priestly Society of Opus Dei (officially, “of the Holy Cross”) are united as an inseparable whole, according to the authorities of Opus Dei itself, and as recognized by the Vatican. (1982utsi) (1982stat)

Therefore, if one seeks a juridical form that more accurately represents the reality of Opus Dei, one must consider the united whole of the Prelature and the Priestly Society, and not just the Prelature.

Through the Apostolic Constitution Ut Sit, (1982utsi) Opus Dei was not simply configured as a personal prelature, but was configured as a personal prelature intrinsically united to its priestly society:

«Opus Dei is erected as a personal Prelature, international in ambit, with the name of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, or, in abbreviated form, Opus Dei. The Sacerdotal Society of the Holy Cross is erected as a clerical Association intrinsically united to the Prelature.» (1982utsi)

According to the 1982 statutes of the Prelature:

«... the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross ... is a clerical association proper and intrinsic to the Prelature, with which it constitutes a whole, and from which it cannot be separated.» (1982stat)

In the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, some priests belong to the Prelature and others do not (the diocesan priests), but all are members of Opus Dei (“The Work”), according to Josemaría Escrivá:

«... but I saw clearly that this new foundation, this new association, was superfluous, since the diocesan priests [through the Priestly Society] fitted perfectly into the Work» (1993mase)

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Continue reading Part 3 – Characteristics of the Church of Opus Dei

En Español: Parte 2 de Algunas preguntas frecuentes sobre el Opus Dei de Balaguer - Sobre el nombre del Opus Dei

Originally published on July 25, 2025, feast of Apostle St. James

© Copyright 2025 by The M+G+R Foundation. All rights reserved. However, you may freely reproduce and distribute this document as long as: (1) Appropriate credit is given as to its source; (2) No changes are made in the text without prior written consent; and (3) No charge is made for it.

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