Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace

by Scott Hahn

To conspiracy theorists, Opus Dei is a highly secretive and powerful international organization. To its members, however, Opus Dei is a spiritual path, a way of incorporating the teachings of Jesus into everyday life. In Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace, Scott Hahn, a member of Opus Dei, describes the organizationâ s founding, its mission, and its profound influence on his life.

Hahn recounts the invaluable part Opus Dei played in his conversion from Evangelical Christianity to Catholicism and explains why its teachings remain at the center of his life. Through stories about his job, his marriage, his role as a parent, and his community activities, Hahn shows how Opus Deiâ s spirituality enriches the meaning of daily tasks and transforms ordinary relationships. He offers inspiring insights for reconciling spiritual and material goals, discussing topics ranging from ambition, workaholism, friendship, and sex, to the place of prayer and sacrifice in Christianity today.

Engaging and enlightening, Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace is at once a moving personal story and an inspiring work of contemporary spirituality.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Biography, Christianity

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2005

About the author

Scott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is partly an introduction to the spirituality of Opus Dei and also how Opus Dei was a influence in Scott Hahn's conversion and daily spiritual life. This book is not meant as a in depth introduction to Opus Dei and it's founder St. Josemaría Escrivá, but it does cover the basics. I was a loosely familiar with the charism of Opus Dei and some of the writings of St. Escrivá via the excellent commentary in the Navarre Bible, and through Scott Hahn's book I found that my understanding of Opus Dei was loose indeed. After reading this I found myself wanting to read deeper into St. Josemaría Escrivá writings. The spiritually of Opus Dei was much richer than I had suspected and that divine filiation was a cornerstone of it.

Scott Hahn's books are always easy to read and he is able to explain complex theological ideas in an easy to grasp way. In this book he refrains from the massive punning that is characteristic of some of his other books. I generally love his puns, but I know some are turned off from his use of them and there feel they mar an otherwise serious work. I found it very interesting his description of the founding of Opus Dei and how its founding was many years in genesis. That St. Escrivá vision of this order had no expression until the Second Vatican Council and the creation of personal prelature of which Opus Dei is still the only one. We now mostly take for granted that ordinary life is a path to sanctity, something that was not much emphasized before Vatican II and that it was really St. Josemaría Escrivá who really lead the groundwork for the The Universal Call to Holiness in the Church in Lumen Gentium.

Scott Hahn also details parts of his personal journey and how Opus Dei helped him in both incorporating devotions into his life, but in the times when his wife Kimberly was still not Catholic. Considering that Opus Dei has become such a boogeyman for some and that there are so many media distortions about it, it is rather surprising that Scott Hahn did not mention any of this or answer any of the common misconceptions. I realize he didn't write this as an apologetically work defending Opus Dei, but with such outright confusion considering The Da Vinci Code it is a rather odd oversight.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it gave me much to think on in how work is incorporated into your life and how it can really be a work of God.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a good week for catching up on my reading challenge.

Now, every time I stopped to read this book, I seemed to be in a state of exhaustion--mentally, physically; I read the last third with a splitting headache--and STILL it was vastly inspiring and enjoyable. Maybe it was because of these states that I got more out of the book. It was a comfort in times when I felt overworked, and the ultimate point of the writings in the book is to inspire one to offer all work and suffering for God. POINT TAKEN.

Scott Hahn has again opened my mind to a new world of Catholic knowledge. My mother has always loved St. Josemaria, and over the years I often found her reading The Way. But, I never developed much of an interest myself--until now. Scott Hahn has helped me realize that my mom is a smart lady--actually, no; I already knew that. He just helped me realize that my mom was right all along, and I should have taken note.

Scott Hahn is, as always, funny and well-spoken. While sometimes authors need to dumb things down to reach the readers' level, Hahn somehow manages to lift the reader up to understand what he's written. With his relevant pop culture similes, personal stories, and simply worded explanations, I never feel lost reading his work--and this was true with reading Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace.

This book was a comfort in a few ways. One, that every meaningless task throughout the day can take on infinite value if done well and offered for God. Two, God doesn't ask that we live a life of COMPLETE suffering to reach Heaven. So many times throughout my life I've been told, "to be a saint is to suffer." Now, this is absolutely true and I completely believe it--but it is not the full story; saints love, laugh, and enjoy the company of their friends. It's just when faced with suffering in daily life, saints embrace it and offer up their life everyday. I dunno.

After years of trying to talk myself into accepting a future of stress and personal suffering, this book has given me hope that maybe God's plan for me won't be so bad ahahahahahaha.

This book--10/10, would read again and recommend.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable. Excellent in tandem with St. Therese of Lisieux's "The Story of a Soul."

While Hahn acknowledges his book is a mere stepping stone, a primer, for learning about Opus Dei and St. Josemaria Escriva, the insights and inspirations packed within cannot be unfolded in a single reading. Every page makes one ponder the importance of the seemingly ordinary and inconsequential details of life. But it is within the mundane that we can seize our greatest treasures. Every moment is an opportunity to say yes to God. In every patient smile, every resolution to work diligently though unwatched, every movement made to help another, we can find something to offer to God. The romance of life is in the love we show to others; not in grandiose gestures rehearsed many times over or replicated from novels and dramas but in the tiny acts that prove our self-giving. To always give our best, even if the best we can give seems so unheroic, is a path worth knowing, and a path worth following.

[Sara J. (kefuwa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible reading - part primer on Opus Dei entwined with how finding members of this prelature helped Scott Hahn bridge himself over during/after his conversion to the Catholic Church. "Turn up the romance" indeed! Very readable. For all those secular contemplatives out there.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

(First Published in Imprint 2007-14-23 as 'Personal account shines a positive light on the Opus Dei'.)

[Dante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book! It is so rich with insights into Catholic spirituality and theology that I hardly know where to begin. Within these pages, Scott Hahn recounts his first encounter and experience with Opus Dei. It's partly a spiritual memoir, and partly an exposition of what Opus Dei, as an institution and a family, is all about.

I would've filled the pages of this book with markings and notations if it belonged to me. A friend lent it to me a few weeks ago. He invited me to attend Opus Dei recollections and "circle" meetings early this year, and since then I got hooked. I looked forward to attending the recollections every month. It is a source of spiritual strength for me.

The book explains that at the heart of Opus Dei is this truth of "divine filiation" -- we are all God's children. As I've said, this book is packed with so much insights that I'm at a loss where to start. But among all the things that Scott Hahn discussed, this appealed to me the most -- that we can do God's work (opus Dei) here on earth. With our hands, efforts, energies, and activities, we can continue God's work here on earth; we can work hard, we can work well, we can strive for excellence in every area of our lives (in our professional life, in our family life, in our day to day routines, and so on), and we can offer them to God so that He may bless, sanctify, or consecrate our work and our efforts and make them holy, and in the process making us and the people who will be served or touched by our work or service holy. Isn't that an indescribably wonderful and beautiful thing? To think that we can extend God's work here on earth using our own hands! To think that we can save or redeem the world with our ordinary day to day tasks! To think that we have this ability to spread holiness and transformation all around us! So work, no matter how ordinary, tedious, difficult, or seemingly insignificant it may be, is actually a gift, because we can use it as an instrument to sanctify ourselves, other people, and the world. It is similar to the gift possessed by King Midas -- we have the privilege of turning things and people into "gold", but in a supremely good sense.

Because God is perfect, He deserves nothing but the best from us, so we should strive to give excellent work and offer it to Him so that He may bless it.

We can also offer the struggles and the pain we experience in our work to God during the Holy Mass so that they may be united with God's sacrifice of Himself in the Holy Eucharist. Hence, work is not a necessary evil. It is not a punishment from God. It is, rather, a gift that gives us the opportunity to share in Jesus' suffering and sacrifice.

Of course, Opus Dei is founded on Scripture, too, as well as the teachings of the Church Fathers. Thus, it takes seriously this challenge from Scripture of a "universal call to holiness." Its founder, St. Josemaria Escriva, was steeped in Scripture and the writings of the Fathers. He often reminded the faithful that we are all called to become saints, but that we don't have to remove ourselves from the world. We can still become saints wherever we are placed by God. In the midst of the world, at the heart of the "hustle and bustle" of daily life, we can be "contemplatives in action" -- we can be holy and transform the world from within.

I also find this idea of an "apostolate of friendship" very beautiful and appealing. It is a call for discipleship that is based on "handshakes and heart-to-hearts."

And all that is just the tip of the ice berg. There is still much in this book that I cannot now explain. I may have to read it again someday. I highly recommend it!

[Santiago Arizti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me quedé con ganas de leer ahora "Camino", que tengo pero no he leido: Muchas de las frases que subrayé de este libro son citas de "Camino".
Me gustó ver este acercamiento de un punto de vista exterior hacia el catolicismo y luego hacia la Obra.

[Curmudgeon66 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read other books by Scott Hahn, and sometimes on Monday evenings I listen to him on EWTN. An interesting guy, with an interesting story about his conversion from Protestantism to the Catholic faith. But what about this book? I had trouble reading it, and I can't put my finger on why. I bought this and started it over a year ago, but just couldn't get through it. I recently decided to try again, and this time I made it through. I learned a bit, but I found it a bit too much of his faith journey, which I had already read, and not quite as much about understanding Opus Dei itself.
I heard Scott say on a tv show or radio somewhere, that because he does so many lectures and from his college teaching he has so many class lecture notes, that when it is time to write a book, he just puts his notes together and has a book. I think that is what he did here, and while it is an interesting recap of how Opus Dei influenced him, and how he came to understand the organization from his personal perspective, it is not a book about Opus Dei, and for that I was disappointed.

[Wangũi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of Scott Hahn's books: a lovely and insightful read- don't I just love how he puns his titles: A Way With The World...( no others come to mind at the moment)and his wonderful use of Bible texts! And I think the best part of the whole book was when he says he 'got' The Work: that he had to tone down on the apologetics and turn up the romance with his wife Kimberly- and eventually he won her over to the Catholic Faith: and for me who is still in the process of 'getting' The Work it helped me further understand...well not quite...go deeper into the elements of The Work. So I would recommend it both to members of The Work as it helps you appreciate all you have and also to people interested in knowing more about The Work.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years, when I've been aware of something of Opus Dei, a glancing blow, I have been drawn to what I became aware of. This book was on the Used Book table at our local bookstore. Scott Hahn. Very good. Opus Dei. Very good again. What a combination! And so, after reading this book which explains Opus Dei with more clarity, I am very drawn to its spirituality because, among other things, it is so real, so natural. Live life as it is, but live it for the glory of God in everything we do.
I finished the book and am immediately beginning to reread it.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opus Dei is divine filiation, it is a spiritual journey that betters the lives it touches. It is part of the author's life and this was his journey, of how he became a better husband, father,son and friend. Anyone can follow Opus Dei man or woman. The basic criteria have changed little since St.Josemaria founded Opus Dei. Scott Hahn's books are informative and usually detailed. I enjoyed this one as well.

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book that gives a good description of the spirituality of Opus Dei. Scott Hahn takes us with him into a his personal story, his conversion and what he came to understand and to believe. This is not a book about Opus Dei. It is a personal story, but a story in which we can come to see the spirituality of Opus Dei and learn about it.
It is a great book! I would recommend it to any person who wants to grow in spiritual life.

[Fer de Uña · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2,5) Si uno busca un libro sobre el Opus Dei, los hay mejores. Claro que si uno se interesa en el desarrollo de Scott en él, el libro cumple. Pero la historia de conversión de Scott es mucho más interesante en Roma, dulce hogar. Los diferentes aspectos de la espiritualidad del Opus Dei se describen de forma correcta y amena, pero esperaba más del libro.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clear and informative book about Opus Dei. Anyone who may have any misconceptions about the Work would walk away with something closer to the truth. No crazy albino munks lol.
Scott Hahn will continue to be on of my favorite writers on the Catholic faith.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting learning about how beautiful and practical Opus Dei is. How do you be a joyous and loving Christian in the secular world? Divine filiation... simplicity... humility... work... sacrifice... service... prayer.

[Sskous]

I'm intrigued to learn about Scott Hahn's relationship with Opus Dei. I admire Hahn's work very much, so this will prove interesting.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and provides interesting information about Opus Dei - I learned a lot.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, practical introduction to a famous but mostly-misunderstood movement in the Catholic Church. It actually made me want to become a member of The Work!

[Angela9600 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hahn's insights are good but it wasn't as gripping as I anticipated.

[Tom Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those looking to make the hum drumness of life something special and holy.

[Elaine]

Is it by faith alone that one is saved??? Is it by works??? Does one need both. This book's answers makes sense to me.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast & easy read. Solid intro to Opus Dei and it's spirituality. Worth reading if you have a spiritual interest, probably not worth it for reasons other than spiritual growth.

[Sue]

I gave up. I'm sure it's a decent book but I can't focus on this right now. For Scott Hahn, one needs to be free from distraction :0)

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2006, who knew Scott Hahn was an Opus Dei member?! I love Scott Hahn, so this speaks well for Opus Dei. :-)

This book was accessible Scott Hahn, which is to say that I had to push myself to get through it but I was able to finish. The theology is mixed with personal stories from his life, which made it more accessible to me. I love catholic theology, but don't have a brain for some of the hardcore stuff.

While reading this book, I was attracted to the holiness, authenticity and all-in spirituality of Opus Dei. They bestow such dignity on the ordinary work of daily life by sanctifying it for God! "The Work" seems to me like it could also be called the Theology of Work (similar to the theology of the body, which uses the body to understand profound theological truths). I appreciated the insight into the daily prayers, weekly and annual activities of Opus Dei members. It seems old-fashioned and yet ever new. Just like the gospel - ever ancient and ever new.

Reading this book turned my mind to holiness and sanctified my work, hobbies and passions as I offered them to God in meaningful ways. It was deeply moving and effective spiritual writing to ponder. I put this book aside for a while and I could feel a shift when I returned to it.

I especially appreciated the section on Friendship. Who am I currently interacting with??? I also found the notion of secularity (focusing on the good in nature, the world and non-believers) vs. secularism (excluding God) very interesting. I have never encountered that idea before. And I loved the idea of "turning up the romance" in your home and in your spiritual life. How inspiring!

Personal note: In this season of life, I am struggling with post-covid effects as well as the general isolation and frustrations caused by shutdowns. I find my mind and manners failing me. I see my housework as The Work set before me, but I also see myself failing at it constantly. And failing to be cheerful. It can be discouraging. I love the excellence sought by Opus Dei, but in this season, I seem to be growing more in humility than excellence as I repeatedly hit physical and social limitations. Part of me thinks that this is not the right season for an Opus Dei spirituality. But then I remember that St. Josemaria formed Opus Dei in the midst of the Spanish Civil War. This was his saintly answer to those turbulent and uncertain times. Looking at it in that light, the struggle becomes more meaningful but also somehow harder.

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estuve 10 años en un colegio del Opus Dei y tengo un recuerdo maravilloso de todos esos años.
Sabía alguna cosa de la creación de la orden y sobretodo la idea ,que siempre me pareció mágica, de que se puede uno santificar con el trabajo de día a día.
Y luego algunas cosas que te van quedando porque te las van repitiendo a lo largo de los años. Pero a pesar de estar encantado en el colegio y de que la idea me parecía maravillosa no me interesé mucho en el Opus Dei. También había una sección nocturna, para aquellos que querían estudiar pero que como trabajaban tenían que estudiar por la tarde/noche. Era gratis y me pareció otra vez una idea estupenda.
Ahora a través de Scott Hahn me he enterado bien de lo que pretendió San José Maria, su pensamiento y sus inspiraciones. Me ha gustado mucho lo de "DIVINE FILIATION"
Que tenemos que no perder de vista y vivir diariamente sabiendo que somos hijos de Dios y que es una maravilla. Y que eso es lo único importante. Y que a partir de ahí viene todo lo demás.
En definitiva, que me ha gustado mucho y que quizá podía haberme interesado más en todos los años que pasé en un colegio del Opus.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read for me in developing and deepening my relationship not only with God but also with my neighbor and myself. The book focuses entirely on offering whatever one is going through/doing as a prayer to God. It’s a common mistake to think that you need to be someone or somewhere else to achieve happiness and union with God but this book breaks that and tells a beautiful story of how God meets us exactly where we are and loves us just as much as He would at any stage of our lives. This book simply makes sense and is a great read for all.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Hahn discusses the spiritual pathway of Opus Dei, describing the organization's founding, its mission, and its profound influence on his life. Hahn recounts the invaluable part Opus Dei played in his conversion from Evangelical Christianity to Catholicism and explains why its teachings remain at the center of his life.

This was a very engaging and interesting book which challenges popular conceptions and beliefs about Opus Dei and reveals it as a tradition that enriches everyday work with spiritual nobility.

[Alessandra Anyzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esse livro é meu primeiro contato com a Opus Dei, é minha mente explodiu com ele. Várias questões em aberto na minha prática da fé católica foram respondidas, e com muito embasamento: há vários trechos da Bíblia citados ou referenciados nessa apresentação.
O principal é ver sentido na lógica por traz dessa instituição. Muitos trechos foram grifados, a ponto de que eu facilmente transformaria em um handbook para consultar de tempos em tempos.
Certamente relerei trechos, e daria de presente para amigos cristãos (católicos ou não) abertos a conhecer essa vertente encantadora da nossa religião.

[Pablo Galiana]

Ofrece al lector una introducción personal a la teología bíblica y también al espíritu del Opus Dei. La perspectiva de un laico casado que habla de grandes temas como la filiación divina, la santificación del trabajo y de la vida ordinaria, el apostolado o la secularidad, resulta atractiva. Es útil para todos.