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Cooperators (Introduction (

Cooperators

Introduction

5

Commitment to cooperate

Material

The material aspect may be in the form of alms, the dedication of one’s own time or the provision of services for some apostolic work of the Prelature. Besides this, those who so wish can take part in the Christian means of formation provided by the Prelature.

Spiritual

pray daily for the prelature and apostolic work

2

Requirements

Any race

Religion #

Catholic

Non-catholic

Any nation

Any sex

male

female

a

Do not require specific vocation

4

Where

Generally Cooperators come from among the relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbors of the members of Opus Dei, or from among those who have devotion to Saint Josemaría, those who take part in the apostolates of the Prelature, or those who are interested in the educational and social work carried out through the apostolic initiatives of the faithful of Opus Dei.

6a

How to become a cooperator

out of devotion they renew their obligations as Cooperators.

The Vicar of the Prelate in each country can appoint a person as a Cooperator, after that person has been proposed by a member of Opus Dei.

Once the proposal has been approved, the person is informed; they become Cooperators from the day on which they are told of their appointment. That day, a Catholic Cooperator can gain a plenary indulgence, observing the usual conditions established by the Church.

1

The Work is a divine and human family that experiences the same things a natural family experiences when it has been blessed abundantly by the Lord, with many children: there are taller ones and some others shorter, some are darker and some are fairer (...)- And then you find the relatives: some are closer than others. Finally you have the friends of the family (cf. Crónica. VIII-39, page 6). Aside from the numerous members of this family, we have close to us those relatives whom we love so much: The Cooperators

Handsome & Not so

Tall & not so

Darker & fairer skin

Family

Friends

Relatives

Close to relatives

3

Who can be Cooperators

Clergy

Religious communities can also be appointed Cooperators of Opus Dei. The cooperation of these communities (which currently number about 500) consists of daily prayer for the work of the Prelature.

Religious

Layman #

6

Received

Spiritual assistance

Recollection

Circle

Confession

Doctrine

Retreat

Spiritual goods who assist opus dei

These include indulgences

provided they observe the conditions established by the church

can gain specific days of the year

From the Opus Dei Prelature they also receive the spiritual help of the prayers of all its members.

The faithful of Opus Dei pray daily for all those who in one way or another help or have helped the Prelature. On certain occasions the priests of the Prelature offer Mass for the eternal repose of Cooperators who have died.

St Josemaria

say: “I have so many friends who aren’t Catholics. They give us a little of what up till then they thought they needed for themselves; they give it generously for the apostolic works. They give us their time, and a portion of their lives

“We need Cooperators like you, who pray;
Cooperators like you, who smile” once said to a peruvian village,

The Founder of the Work said that it is necessary that the Cooperators be convinced that they have the duty of doing something good for other men, for the Church, knowing that the grace of God will not be lacking; and that each soul has to occupy his place in the struggle between good and evil, convinced that with this active cooperation it will be possible to change the mentality of the world (Crónica VIII-89, page 10). #

Circle

7

Aims

means of formation

deepen our christian doctrine

place our priorities to God

works

desires

aspirations

aptitudes

to grow in love

we cannot love what we do not know

Stir our memory so that some thoughts will arise and strike you so you will be better you life and set out along prayers and of love and in the end so you will be a more worthy soul.

Practice what we learn

draws out specific resolution to start and start again without getting discouraged

it is not enough to know the faith we have to practice it

provide guidance of topic related to catholic doctrine and other current matters related to morals.

help us in our interior life and provide us guidance for the free and responsible fulfilment of our professional, family, as well as social duties.

8

Circle are given and practical points

b

they are made up of three parts: a brief commentary of a passage of the Gospel, a talk and an examination of conscience. They end with a get-together in which some of the following topics are discussed: news from the apostolic undertakings, special events related to the Work, anecdotes from the apostolate of those present in the Circle, apostolic plans for the month and intentions to keep in mind.

c

The Circle is given in a practical manner. In order to benefit more from it and to help us go deeper into the topic explained in the talk, it may be helpful for us to take some brief notes on some specific resolutions which we should always make or on some ideas which we may consider calmly later in our personal prayer.

d

The matters to be explained during the classes are based on the doctrine of the Church and the spirituality of Opus Dei (the rich and profound theological truth of the universal call to sanctity). Thus, we attend them with a desire to learn and there are no interruptions to discuss personal opinions. If we were to have some point that needs further clarification or development we may ask after the Circle, privately, from the person who gave it.

a

The classes are held in a family atmosphere, without any special formality, knowing that we are in God's presence because where two or three are gathered together in mv name. I am there in the midst of them

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Final points

a

Find each day a few minutes of accompanied solitude (cf. Friends of God, no. 180) devoted to speak with God.

c

Finally, try to bring persons who may understand us to the means of formation and see to it that there be more Cooperators who join the Circles.

b

As a sign of gratitude for the formation we receive, we may pray and mortify ourselves for the Prelate of Opus Dei, and for the apostolic undertakings promoted by the Work.

Cooperators

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Profession

Yedik Almasbekovich Mamrainov (Kazakstan, Gardener)

Although I received no religious instruction, the birdsong and the beauty of the rivers and mountains of my homeland led me to believe in the existence of a Creator, and I wanted to know more about religion. One day an Opus Dei centre opened near my house, and that was my chance to deepen my knowledge. There I could find information, ask questions, read ... And I learned to pray. Within a few years, though not a Christian, I decided to become a Cooperator, for I shared the ideals of those who were teaching young people what I would have liked to learn in my youth: how to know get to know God and live a noble life, of work, understanding and respect for others, and healthy entertainment... After a few years I was baptised. The message of St Josemaría helps me sanctify my work, which takes place largely in a garden among the flowers: when I am watering or fertilising, I think about how the Lord cares for me, and when the flowers are opening and thriving, I pray for the spiritual growth of all men.

Christoph Flaspöhler (Germany, Banker)

I’ve known Opus Dei for over thirty years, and I became a Cooperator last year. I’m a social worker and what I try to do is to give encouragement to the sick. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1991 and was told I had seven years to live. The illness has worsened over the years and now it is a great effort just to take a few steps; recently, I lost the ability to read or write. However, despite the medical prognosis, I have lived almost twenty years since I was diagnosed. I don’t think I have a vocation to Opus Dei, but I do feel connected to the Work, as if I were part of the family. I am greatly helped by the doctrine of the sanctification of ordinary life: everything I do, although it m

Józef Morawski (Poland, Shoemaker)

I repair shoes. I came across Opus Dei thanks to my daughter Agnieszka. It was she who told me that I could bring God into my shoe repairs and that helped me do my job better. Because of my illness I had to reduce my professional commitment (three days a week I have to go to hospital for dialysis, while waiting to receive a kidney transplant). Above all, I co-operate by offering the difficulties of the illness and the dialysis sessions, and the rosaries I pray while taking the long walks the doctors have prescribed.

Father Rheal Forest (Canada, Priest)

Since 2004, a dozen young people from an Opus Dei residence have participated in a social service project in one of my parishes. I help with my prayers and other contributions, and each year I provide accommodation for these groups. I attend recollections organised for priests near Montreal, where loyalty to the Pope and the teachings of the Church is taught, and constant encouragement is given to balance work and piety, making everything a prayer to glorify God. Through Opus Dei my priesthood has been strengthened. I have also witnessed these young people willingly working eight hours a day. When they stop or get exhausted, they usually have a book in their hands: they strive not to waste time.

Maria Jones (England, House wife)

I’ve heard that Cooperators are like the relatives and friends of the faithful of Opus Dei, and that is exactly what I want to be. In regard to spiritual help, I benefit from and share in the formation offered by the Prelature, and on my part, I join my prayers and other contributions with those of other Cooperators to help the Work.

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Initiative

Banilad Study Center

PAREF Schools

CITE

Relationship

Not-incorporated