Opus Dei

Opus Dei — Ordinary people, living their faith, doing good in the world. Opus Dei is part of the Catholic Church. Its mission is very simple: to help ordinary people find God in their everyday lives and make a positive difference in the world.

Members and friends of Opus Dei are students, parents, professionals, and workers of all kinds — approachable, real, open people. They try to live their faith naturally, with integrity and joy, in their families, workplaces, and communities.

Opus Dei encourages:

● Personal growth — developing talents, character, and responsibility
● Responsible work — doing one’s work well and ethically well
● Service to others — contributing to society, especially through care for those in need
● A deep spiritual life — rooted in prayer, the sacraments, and freedom

The idea is not to withdraw from the world, but to bring faith into everyday life — to serve, build up society, and make it a bit brighter wherever we are. In short, Opus Dei helps people become better Christians and better citizens — ordinary men and women who work, love, and serve with purpose.

What is the relationship of Our Lady Church with Opus Dei?

Our Lady Church in Amsterdam is entrusted by the bishop to the priests of Opus Dei. This means the parish is part of the Archdiocese of Amsterdam and serves the local Catholic community like any other parish, but the pastoral care is provided by priests who belong to Opus Dei.

The parish offers the sacraments, catechesis, and community life under the guidance of the local bishop, while the Opus Dei priests bring the spirituality of Opus Dei to their ministry — encouraging people to: find God in daily life, sanctify their ordinary work and family life, grow in personal freedom and responsibility, seek holiness in the middle of the world.

Being part of Opus Dei is a personal vocation that someone freely chooses if God calls them — it is not connected to parish membership or participation.

Recollections and Retreats

At Our Lady Church, we offer monthly recollections — a short time of prayer and reflection that includes a preached meditation, time before the Blessed Sacrament, and the opportunity for Confession. These “mini-retreats” help us pause and refocus on God in the midst of daily life.

– The recollection for women takes place on Friday morning during the first full week of each month starting at 10AM.

For longer spiritual retreats, please visit soka.nl

These activities are offered in the spirit of Opus Dei and are open to everyone — you do not need to be a member to participate.