Opus Dei: Leadership and Vision in Today's Catholic Church [Hardcover]

Vittorio Messori (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 1997

Holiness, and thus great happiness as well, may be found in the ordinary tasks of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Well-known Italian Catholic journalist Messori, who collaborated with John Paul II on Crossing the Threshold of Hope (Knopf, 1994), here examines Opus Dei ("Work of God") as an outsider. Founded in 1928 by Jose Maria Escriva, a Spanish priest beatified amid controversy in 1992, Opus Dei was officially recognized by the church first as a secular institute in 1947 and in 1982 as the only "Personal Prelature" (similar to a nonterritorial diocese). Strictly faithful to the tradition and teaching of the church, it operates in 90 countries with nearly 80,000 members, of whom 1600 are priests. It has been criticized as a powerful cult within the church, notably by Michael Walsh in Opus Dei (HarperSanFrancisco, 1992). Yet in this short book, whose conversational style emphasizes Opus Dei's spiritual aspects, Messori answers critics throughout and finds nothing sinister. An examination from within Opus Dei is Pedro Rodriguez's Opus Dei in the Church (Scepter, 1994), and more information may be found on Opus Dei's web site . Recommended for Catholic collections as a marginal purchase.?Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A one-sided defense of the most controversial organization in the Catholic Church by Italian journalist Messori, whose interviews with John Paul II form the text of the pope's bestselling Crossing the Threshold of Hope. Opus Dei, founded in Spain in 1928 by a young priest, Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, now boasts over 80,000 members worldwide and the special favor of the pope. The organization provides a system of spiritual guidance to help members, mainly married laypeople known as supernumeraries, practice an unobtrusive Christian idealism in everyday secular, including professional, settings. Opus Dei priests are drawn only from the male numeraries, the group's inner circle whose members take a vow of celibacy. Messori describes the outstanding University of Navarre and the various student hostels and colleges that are open to people of all religions or none at all. Despite his claim to objectivity, Messori unabashedly idealizes the organization and its founder. Rather than following up in true journalistic fashion on the firsthand accounts of people who claim to have been harmed by Opus Dei, Messori is content to rebut criticisms merely by quoting statements of official policy and Opus Dei spokesmen, one of whom has written the introduction to this book. Messori writes off any criticism of Opus Dei as coming from malcontents and unorthodox Catholics, ignoring the fact that many devout believers, including bishops, have voiced concern about the organization's recruiting methods, its treatment of women, and the use of spiritual direction as a means of mind control (see Maria del Carmen Tapia, Beyond the Threshold, p. 788). Messori's text is poorly translated into cumbersome and at times incoherent English (e.g., ``Many have not forgiven Opus Dei for its opposition, or fealty to the Church.'') Messori's uncritical approach serves only to reinforce the authoritarian image of Opus Dei and raises more questions than it answers. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing, Inc. (September 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895264501
• ISBN-13: 978-0895264503
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,572,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A Sane, Dispassionate Analysis..., December 8, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Waynesboro, Virginia (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opus Dei: Leadership and Vision in Today's Catholic Church (Hardcover)

I found this to be a fascinating book simply because it manages to circumvent, while yet explaining, much of the the hysteria often associated with writings critical of Opus Dei. The author is a highly respected Italian journalist who is NOT a member of "the Work". He looks at the roots of the movement in the 1920's and shows how its theology of the laity both pre-dated and clearly influenced the Second Vatican Council's "universal call to holiness." One is struck by the inspired founder and his vision of a lay-spirituality that is as fresh as it is ancient. Further, one is reminded of the zealous excesses of the early Jesuits or Franciscans and how a movement of this type reaches a maturation only after several decades. If you want to know why Opus Dei's membership continued to grow while that of almost all religious orders was declining during the turbulent 60's and 70's, read this book. Clearly, a chord has been struck in the hearts of tens of thousands of Catholics on every continent who are seeking a deeper life in Christ.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Much-needed in today's confusion re: Opus Dei, November 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Opus Dei: Leadership and Vision in Today's Catholic Church (Hardcover)

What a refreshing thing to see Opus Dei as it really is and as I, and other thousands have seen it to be. I have known many members of Opus Dei and am grateful to have known them, and to continue in their friendship. The spirit of Opus Dei, one of a happy Christian life and finding God in everything human, is one that is a beacon of hope in today's confused society. Though there have been so many criticisms against it, Messouri's book outlines quite well the most "frequently asked questions" about Opus Dei. It happily presents a picture of Opus Dei as it really is, regardless of all this talk about the "secret society" and "dark legend." The fact that he can write so candidly about it is because of its very natural openness and eagerness to help others find what they have discovered-- the divine in ordinary life! I'm very glad that Messouri did such a good job portraying the truth of Opus Dei and I think, rather than being "idealistic" in a derogatory sense,as one commentor described it, it IS idealistic in as much as it is the ideal that we all strive for-- to find meaning in our lives by finding God there. If you try to complicate things, inevitably you lose the simple wisdom found in the spirit of Opus Dei. A healthy dose of common sense for those who want to see Opus Dei as it is.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to a misunderstood and maligned group, December 11, 2004

By 

Ed the Scot (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opus Dei: Leadership and Vision in Today's Catholic Church (Hardcover)

This is a very informative and interesting overview of Opus Dei by the journalist who coauthored "Crossing the Threshold of Hope". The author is perceptive and unbiased and writes well of an organization that has been unjustly maligned as a dark, secretive, quasi religious order dedicated to the advancement of theoracy or fascism or something - a number of charges are made against Opus Dei. Messori presents the essential spiritual simplicity of "the Work" and shows convincingly that it is precisely this simple, spiritual nature that condemns it to attacks from a secular world.

I cannot think of a better introduction to Opus Dei.