Priestly Society of the Holy Cross

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Seal of the Prelature of Opus Dei and the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross

The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is an association of clergy within the Roman Catholic Church "intrinsically united" to Opus Dei.

Contents

[edit] Foundation and mission

The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross was canonically established by St. Josemaría on 14 February 1943. He was always concerned that his message of sanctification of ordinary work be transmitted also to the secular clergy. He even said that he was willing to leave Opus Dei as Abraham left his son Isaac to be able to help the clergy. Thus, on that day, according to him, he received an illumination from God on how to continue serving both the laity and the diocesan clergy.

St. Josemaría, founder of Opus Dei and the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross

During Mass at the center of the Women of Opus Dei, he was shown the seal of Opus Dei and of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross: a cross embracing the world. He was also shown the juridical solution to put the two together. The priests will be part of a society united to Opus Dei but the diocesan priests will continue to be priests of their dioceses, and thus there will be no conflict with the bishops.

The first priests of the Priestly Society were the numerary members of Opus Dei, who as such are automatically members of the Society. The first three priests ordained as members of the Society are: Álvaro del Portillo, José Luis Muzquiz and José Hernández de Garnica.

Aside from the above explanation for its founding, Fr. John McCloskey explains the general need for this type of association, which St. Josemaría also saw:

As many priests can testify, loneliness can be the most difficult Cross to embrace. However, there are remedies for loneliness, and priests are free to seek for that help upon which their happiness largely relies. Diocesan priests can certainly establish their own support groups for prayer, socializing, exercise, and relaxation. But normally that is not enough. In #29 of the DLMP, the document, echoing the Second Vatican Council (Prebyterorum ordinis, #8) and the Code of Canon Law (C 550, n. 2), highly praises “those associations which support priestly fraternity, sanctity in the exercise of their ministry, and communion with the Bishop and with the entire Church”. [1]

[edit] Establishment by Pope John Paul II

John Paul II ordaining the first Bishop-prelate of Opus Dei, Álvaro del Portillo.

According to the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit by John Paul II: “From its beginnings, this (Opus Dei) has in fact striven, not only to illuminate with new lights the mission of the laity in the Church and in society, but also to put it into practice; it has also endeavored to put into practice the teaching of the universal call to sanctity, and to promote at all levels of society the sanctification of ordinary work, and by means of ordinary work. Furthermore, through the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, it has helped diocesan priests to live this teaching, in the exercise of their sacred ministry.”

Through this document, John Paul II, aside from making the Opus Dei as a personal prelature, also elected the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross “as a priestly Association intrinsically united to the Prelature.” [2]

[edit] Composition

It is made up first of all of the clergy of the prelature who are automatically members. Secondly, it is made up of diocesan priests, deacons, and bishops. Some Opus Dei members also serve as bishops in various dioceses throughout the world, including the United States, Europe, South America, and Africa. The prelate of Opus Dei is the president of the society.

These diocesan clergy of the Priestly Society are not incardinated into the presbyterate of the prelature. They depend solely on their bishop and just receives spiritual help from the Society to fulfill their priestly duties well.

[edit] Formation

The priests are given the same formation as the laymen of Opus Dei. St. Josemaría always said that he has “the same cooking pot” for his children: classes on doctrine, ascetical formation, spiritual direction, recollections, retreats, etc.

[edit] Membership

The present Bishop-Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Javier Echevarria, and the President General of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross.

There are around 2000 priests, bishops and deacons around the world who are members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross.

Here are some of the prominent members of the Society:

Founder:

Prelates of Opus Dei:

Cardinals:

Bishops:

[edit] Basic references

[edit] External links

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