Opus Dei, also referred to as “the Work”, is an institution in the Catholic Church. Opus Dei, is Latin for “Work of God”. It’s sole mission is to spread the Christian message that every person is called to holiness and that work, family life, and the ordinary events of each day are opportunities for drawing close to Christ and of making him known to others. It is made up of a prelate, a clergy of its own, and laity, both women and men.
“It is in the midst of the most material things of the earth that we must sanctify ourselves, serving God and all mankind” – St. Josemaría Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei.
The first invitations to begin the apostolic work of Opus Dei in Nigeria came from three Nigerian Bishops – Bishop James Moynagh of Calabar, Bishop William Fidel of Ondo and Bishop Richard Finn of Ibadan. The three Bishops had met St. Josemaría Escrivá in Rome during the Second Vatican Council.
On the 20th day of October 1965, Jeremy J. White, a history teacher at Strathmore College, Kenya and Fr. Joseph Gabiola, the Chaplain of Strathmore College, came to Lagos and on the 21st day of October 1965, they moved to Ibadan where the first centre of Opus Dei was established. Soon after their arrival, Fr. Gerard Gutierrez arrived in April 1966 while Fr. Louis Muñoz and Prof. Albert Alos arrived in August and October of 1967 respectively, to help in the expansion of Opus Dei in the country.
Besides their personal witness, the faithful of Opus Dei, with the cooperators, and many other people, moved by the Gospel message of helping those in need, work together, to set up and run educational, charitable and cultural undertakings with the clear aim of rendering a service to society.
Some of these initiatives entrust their Christian orientation to the Opus Dei prelature, through the appropriate means of doctrinal and spiritual formation, as well pastoral care for those who wish.