Customer Reviews

Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei

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Whenever I have a question about the Catholic Faith, be it doctrine, dogma, or just Catholic culture I always find myself turning to Dr. Scott Hahn for answers. Whatever the subject, Dr. Hahn seems to have written about it and I feel that I can depend on him for honest answers written in a context that I or anyone else can easily understand. This book written from the perspective of an insider is no exception as the author explains the theology of the supposedly menacing and dark Opus Dei.

As one reads this book it is easy to see the influence of Opus Dei on Dr. Hahn and his previous writings. One of the central tenants of the order is Divine Filiation (God our Father, Christ our Brother, all of us as part of one Holy Family) and that same emphasis is a major part of Dr. Hahn's writings. Other important facets of the order are daily prayers, reading of scripture, and Mass attendance. In other words, Opus Dei is an organization that promotes the living of a Holy life in our daily living. This is indeed an important teaching since we all too often forget about God except on Sunday.

The most important and central point of the teachings of Opus Dei however seems to be that all that we do should be done for and in honor of God. According to Dr. Hahn our work should be done in the absolute best way that we can and then offered to God as a sacrifice such as the sacrifices offered up by the Israelites in the Old Testament. These sacrifices were required to be the best available and thus our work should also be as perfect as possible. This teaching makes sense but would also seem, like the Protestant work ethic, to be a teaching that could be used by employers as an excuse for taking advantage of their workers.

Whether you agree or disagree with the teachings of Opus Dei however this book will certainly enlighten you as to the basics of that personal Prelature. (To find out just what a personal Prelature is you will just have to read the book) Dr. Hahn not only explains the basic teachings of Opus Dei but he also gives us its basic history and explains its organization. This certainly isn't a long book but it seems as if everything of real importance is at least touched upon. As usual Dr. Hahn does this with a clear and easy to grasp writing style that makes what could well be a dull subject into a very interesting book. I would advise anyone who might be curious about Opus Dei to read this book. It's honest, clearly written, and very enlightening.

This extraordinary little book is unlike anything else out there about Opus Dei. There are books that both vilify and support or endorse Opus Dei, but this book is about personal journey, the positive, transformative, life-changing effects that being involved with the work has had upon one man's life. Unlike the fictional Da Vinci Code, which portrays Opus Dei as the ultimate evil, or even the supposedly non-fiction books Their Kingdom Come by Robert Hutchinson or Michael Walsh's Opus Dei: An Investigation into the Powerful, Secretive Society Within the Catholic Church, this book is based upon a true story and personal experience.

In this book, Hahn has an openness and transparency about his personal life seldom seen in authors writing about spiritual matters. Hahn opens up areas of his life for us to see; he shares mistakes he has made and how through the guidance of others he has learnt and grown with the help of the spirituality of Opus Dei.

Dr. Hahn opens up the world of Opus Dei, through his coming into contact with a few men who were devout Catholics - men of faith and of the Word that influenced his spiritual growth in many ways. Hahn reveals the spirit/core/intent of Opus Dei in the order that he came to understand it.

In this compact 155-page book, Hahn provides lively and easily- accessible explanations of key aspects of Opus Dei, such as: "divine filiation", the idea that we are sons and daughters of God, the foundation of Opus Dei's spirituality. Also he explains how ordinary work is a way of imitating Jesus and a way to share in God's creation and the redemption of the world. He also explains Opus Dei as a "personal prelature", and how that works, as well as the role of Opus Dei in the Catholic Church. Dr. Hahn also shows the important role of genuine friendship in spreading Christ's message, and how some of those key friendships helped draw him into the Catholic Church, and Opus Dei.

Dr Hahn states: "Opus Dei was someplace where I could feel at home. What were those reasons?
· First and foremost was its members' apparent devotion to the Bible.
· Second was its warm ecumenism. Opus Dei was the first Catholic institution to welcome non-Catholics to cooperate in its apostolic labors.
· Third was how upright the lives of members were.
· Fourth was how ordinary their lives were. They were not theologians - they were dentists, engineers, journalists - but they were talking and living a theology I found attractive.
· Fifth, they espoused a holy ambition - a devout work ethic.
· Sixth, they practiced hospitality and gave their attention generously to my many questions.
· And seventh, they prayed. They made time for intimate prayer every day - true conversation with God. This gave them a serenity I had rarely encountered." p.4, 5
Those were the reasons that Dr. Hahn was attracted to Opus Dei in the beginning.

Dr. Hahn also gives a number of different definitions of what Opus Dei is throughout the book. He states that one of his favorite definitions of what Opus Dei is, came from a prayer card in the 1980's. He states: "Opus Dei is `a way of sanctification in the daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian's ordinary duties.' It's not just a method or prayer, or an institution in the Church, or a theological school. It's `a way' and that way is wide enough to accommodate everyone whose days are filled with honest work - at home with the kids, in a factory or an office, in the mines, or on the farm, or on the battlefield." p.5 One of the latter definitions we are give by Hahn is: "The spiritual life of Opus Dei is rich in devotional customs. I've heard its spirituality described as `Trinitarian,' `eucharistic,' `christocentric,' and ` Marian.' It is all of those things - with a healthy dose of angelology thrown in - and it can be all those things because it boils down to divine filiation, a life of childhood. `This unity of life built on the presence of God our Father, can and ought to be a daily reality,' in the words of the founder." p.110 Basically he says we are called to be children of God, and if we live that first and foremost the other things will fall into place.

Dr. Hahn states that he did not write this book to hold himself up as a model or to explain the specifics of Opus Dei. What he did was want to share how he has journeyed, and his journey overlaps with so many other believers. In that goal he did an excellent job.

Dr. Scott Hahn is a professor of theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He is also an internationally renowned Catholic lecturer and apologist, and author. He has published numerous books including The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth and Lord Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession, Understanding Our Father and Letter & Spirit. You may be familiar with many myths and legends surrounding the movement of Opus Dei; this book will give you firsthand insight into how much good the organization can help produce in a person's life.

Even if you do not agree with Dr. Hahn's conclusions, this book will give you fresh insight and true and deeper understanding of a growing movement within the Roman Catholic Church. The book's firsthand perspective, filled with personal stories, is warm, charming and hard to put down once you begin.

Five BIG Stars!! Dr. Scott Hahn, the awesome Christian author and idealogue, reveals the theology and inner workings of the supposedly 'mysterious' Opus Dei organization by showing it's impact on his life. Dr. Hahn, a former Protestant minister and a Catholic convert, is the author of numerous religious books and recordings, a college theology professor, and makes frequent theological teaching appearances on the worldwide Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). This is not a hard-hitting investigative or historical book, but a quick but deep religious examination of Opus Dei's "biblical theology and biblical spirituality". Opus Dei is directly translated as "God's Work".

The Opus Dei depicted here is a rather benign, "ordinary" organization of very dedicated and religious men and women who are focused on quietly living a daily holy life and doing their daily work, indeed all activities, in honor of God. But even more, it is "a way" to seek sainthood for everyone: beyond organization or a prayer ritual. It appears to be made up mostly of ordinary workers we would find anywhere: engineers, bus drivers, lay teachers, shift workers doing their daily jobs among us, but with a singular purpose behind the ordinary work: its all for God. To Dr. Hahn, Opus Dei is a beacon leading to the deep Christian life that he sought to live. The members are prone to carrying small bibles for daily readings and reference, to carving out a daily period for prayer, amid the bustle of life, and daily Mass. All of which he claims has resulted in extraordinary graces from God being dispensed on individuals and the Opus Dei organization. Dr. Hahn cites eight reasons for feeling welcomed into the group, among which are devotion to the bible, ecumenism with non-Catholics, the upright lives of the members, a devout work ethic, and intimate daily prayer to God.

Apart from it's deep religious trappings, this book can be read to get at the truth of this quiet religious organization, founded by Saint Josemaria Escriva', beyond what was incorrectly presented by the fictional bestselling book "The Da Vinci Code" and the eponymous movie. Opus Dei includes priests, religious, and lay persons of both sexes and apparently is open to anyone within the faith (Catholics and non-Catholics) with a deep desire to lead a daily holy life. Terms like "lights" and "daily filiation" abound to give us a deeper view into the thinking and experiences of the founder.

This book also includes actual prayers of St. Josemaria to allow one to see the mental mindset of Opus Dei members when praying or to use on our own. And Dr. Hahn reveals the "secret" of Opus Dei. Even so, the members swimming the deep spiritual waters of Opus Dei have been the subject of suspicion, claims of elitism, and controversy from those within and outside of the Catholic Church. Judge for yourself. Highly recommended, with a heavy religious slant. Five DISCURSIVE Stars!!!

(Hardcover, 156 pages)

If you are looking for an autobiography such as what you'll read in Dr. Scott Hahn's "Rome Sweet Home," (coauthored with his wife, Kimberly) you will not find it in "Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei." Rather, the content is an explanation of charism of the personal prelature, Opus Dei.

If you take out the appendicies, the added margin space due to indentations and subtitles, the extended quotations, and the endnotes, the book would consist of less than 100 pages of material. The material is very good, but upon finishing the book, I felt as if I had been shorted for the money I spent to acquire a copy for myself.

I did enjoy Dr. Hahn's explanation of the healthy anticlericalism St. Josemaría Escrivá espoused, which teaches how sanctity is accessible to every baptized soul.. that God's vocation for each soul is inseparable from his call for that soul to attain holiness. Like Russell Shaw in his "Catholic Laity in the Mission of the Church," Opus Dei focuses upon the real - and often neglected - baptismal priesthood of every Catholic, which is the indispensable foundation for living our ordinary lives in extraordinary ways.

We often see clericalism raise its head in the Church today in the form of "lay ministers" who feel as if to be of importance, they must do those things traditionally reserved to the clergy within the liturgy such as distributing the body and blood of Christ as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Rather, the laity are called to be nourished in the liturgy so as to go forth and live their priesthood in the day-to-day, mundane activities that fill our everyday lives. Due to our union with Christ, we are able to "offer" not only our sufferings, but our works as well to God, thus transforming them into an opus dei - a work of God.

The main benefit I found in this book was a revitalization of my own desire to increase in personal holiness, and at the end of the day, that in itself is worth the price of the book.

This was a very interesting approach to explaining the charism of Opus Dei. We have all come to expect the personal touch that Dr. Hahn gives in all his books, and this is no exception. While not as "objective" as John Allen's treatment, Dr. Hahn gives insights that only an insider can provide. Dr. Hahn's vast knowledge and love for Sacred Scripture helped to explain St. Josemaria's biblical vision for the Work, divine filiation, and "the call to universal sanctification". This biblical connection is often overlooked in other treatments.

Even though this book does not address with any real depth the history of Opus Dei or controversial accusations against Opus Dei, Dr. Hahn provides us with the spiritual core of the Work, the very heart of the matter. What Dr. Hahn writes is alone enough to cast a long shadow of doubt on the portrait unfairly constructed by Maria Del Carmen Tapia, Michael Walsh, Robert Hutchison and others like them.

However, for a well-rounded knowledge of Opus Dei and its founder, John Allen's book is probably the best out there. To gain an historical insight into the founder, I would suggest for further reading, Uncommon Faith: The Early Years of Opus Dei, 1928-1943 by John F. Coverdale (whose historical work specialized in the Spanish Civil War and that time period). Of course, no one speaks better for St. Josemaria and the Work than St. Josemaria, himself.

I have been a Cooperator of Opus Dei for roughly two years now and have read, or at least, tried to read, many books on the spirit of Opus Dei. None of them come close to Scott Hahn's book. If you are looking for a great, short spiritual read, this is it.

I have enjoyed many of Dr. Hahn's book and feel confident in his theological interpretations. He has really helped me personally grow in my faith. I was excited to see this book because 1) I didn't realize Dr. Hahn was Opus Dei and 2) I thought if anyone could address some of the controversial aspects of the group, he would do an excellent job.

On the upside, his book is so inspiring, written with passion and love. In fact, his presentation of the group's beliefs are more inspiring than the founder's own words in my opinion! It made me more curious about Opus Dei,and more accepting of the group. However, I was disappointed that Dr. Hahn never addresses the really controversial aspects of the movement, particularly it's treatment of women and self-flagellation. In addition, he doesn't give as personal an account as one might expect given the title. It is more a descriptive book than an auto-biography.

I really loved Scott Hahn's "Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace" because he offers many helpful insights...including the practical help of providing copies of various prayers (I copied them and keep them in my place of daily prayer at home). I have only read one, maybe two of his other books so I am not a Scott Hahn "groupie" but I was very impressed that his writing is personal but also very clear and compelling.

I paid full price--something I almost never do and I did it twice!

I bought the first copy for myself when picking up a different Hahn book Christmas gift for my sister-in-law. Started reading it and picked up another copy for my sister-in-law at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception bookstore. It was just that good. I figured if Opus Dei was being attacked as vehemently as it has been in the recent past--there must be something good there. When I saw that Dr. Hahn had written a book about it, I had to buy it and read it immediately. The book gives an very good explanation of Opus Dei and the scriptural reasons for it. The title of the book had a double meaning to me. I regarded it at first that Opus Dei was an ordinary work/group that brought about extraordinary graces to its members. What I found out is that, that's true--but the ordinary work--the work you and I do everyday is what brings about extraordinary graces--IF we do our work as a prayer and offering to God. I enjoy my job, but I will approach my first day back to work from Christmas in a different light. I'm currently prayerfully considering whether I am being called to the Work.

Of the writings of Scott Hahn that I have read, in my view, this book is the best because it opens up a practical spirituality for living the faith day to day in our ordinary job and family circumstances. Hahn speaks from personal experience as a member of Opus Dei for many years. He captures succinctly the spirit of Opus Dei as focused on our identity as sons and daughters of God who, even as lay people, are also priests by virtue of our common baptism. He captures how the founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, called us to find God in the most ordinary tasks and jobs performed with the desire to present the best to God. Here is a holy formula to transform our daily lives and to renew and expand the Catholic Church. The book is short and can be comfortably read in one sitting. It may change your entire outlook on your daily routine.