What leads an ordinary person to join Opus Dei? What do they find there that makes them dedicate their life—or a part of it—to a specific way of living the faith? These are some of the questions answered in the recent book ” Opus Dei Unfiltered: Why I Joined the Work ,” by Jack Valero. The book brings together some twenty first-person accounts from men and women of very different ages, professions, and countries.

I remembered this book on the occasion of October 2nd, the anniversary of the day that, by divine inspiration, Saint Josemaría founded Opus Dei in 1928. For those of us who are part of Opus Dei, on that day we give many thanks to God for the message that the Work spreads: that it is possible to be holy in ordinary life, in the circumstances of each day, for people of every race and condition.

With these reflections, I intend to answer the question of why I joined Opus Dei, and to comment on how the spirit of service has significantly influenced my life. Naturally, I like to remember the day I decided to become a member of the Work.

I was studying for my baccalaureate in Seville. In my class, there were several students who participated in the training programs offered at a center run by Opus Dei, which was also attended by other baccalaureate students from different schools. Julio, one of my classmates, asked me to help him with math, which he was struggling with.

To help Julio, we began studying together and dedicating several hours a week to a sort of private tutoring. From then on, I started attending the Opus Dei center, where Julio and other companions went for formation sessions. During those hours we spent studying mathematics, Julio taught me how to pray. In the mid-afternoon, we would take a break for a snack of chocolate and bread. Afterward, we would go into an oratory in a small room with stools, as there wasn’t enough space for pews. In silence, we listened to passages from The Way, which we discussed with the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

At the Almonte University Residence Hall

Upon finishing high school and beginning university, Julio moved to the Almonte Residence Hall, which was opening that year. There, I continued attending the meditations and other formation sessions I had been receiving in my final years at the Institute. I continued to have spiritual direction and to live according to the rules of piety that Julio had taught me. At the same time, I was coming to know the spirit of Opus Dei, which I naturally incorporated into my life.

We had a great time. We studied hard and played a lot of sports, which in those years consisted solely of playing football. Little by little, I came to understand the spirit of Opus Dei and at the same time drew closer to God. In addition to praying and reciting the rosary, I began attending Mass every day. Julio had suggested I consider whether I had a vocation to Opus Dei during my final year of high school. Although I felt very comfortable in that joyful atmosphere, I wasn’t entirely sure.

I will never forget the day Julio told me that being in Opus Dei consisted fundamentally of loving God above all things and others for God’s sake. Afterwards, I went to the oratory, presided over by an image of Our Lady of the Kings, and there I told the Lord that I was ready to be in Opus Dei.

In university residences

In the following years, I was fortunate enough to complete my university studies while living in a university residence hall. The first few years were at the Almonte Residence Hall in Seville , and the final years, during my specialization, at the Albayzín Residence Hall in Granada ; both residence halls were affiliated with Opus Dei .

I remember those years with great fondness. I was struck by the cheerful and welcoming atmosphere, the cleanliness, the order, and the attention to detail. Besides studying diligently, there were many opportunities to acquire the attitudes and values ​​that I have come to realize throughout my life are essential for a fulfilling life. The informal gatherings, the cultural and sporting activities, and above all, the camaraderie, helped me in many ways. I met people from different regions and countries, made many friends, and had enriching conversations with professors, writers, businesspeople, and even a bullfighter.

I would like to highlight the spirit of service, the trusting and friendly treatment that existed, the concern for one another, the eagerness to help those in need; for example, caring for those who became ill or the relationships with the parents of other residents. It is very difficult for me to summarize in a few words what those years have meant for my life. Surely the simplest explanation is that for me, the residence hall is like a big family.

The spirit of service

I recall some words of Saint Josemaría that impressed me : “The greatest ambition of the children of God in Opus Dei (…) must always be to serve . ^” Because in the Gospel we find the words of the Lord: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” or “I am among you as one who serves.”

The spirit of service is an expression of love, of affection, of feeling the needs of others as our own. How powerfully Saint Josemaría explained it: “ I don’t mind repeating it many times. Affection is needed by all people, and we need it in Opus Dei as well.”

In that loving family environment, I learned to seize every opportunity to help others. In other words, to be of service, because that’s what helping is. This attitude of service has been a constant throughout my life.

We desire to serve others, Saint Josemaría said, knowing that in doing so we serve Jesus Christ: “ Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Therefore, it is good for each of us to reflect: “Only my willingness to help my neighbor, to show them love, makes me sensitive to God. Only service to my neighbor opens my eyes to what God does for me and how much He loves me.”

From my early years in Opus Dei, I loved these words: “Service. How I love this word!” Saint Josemaría would say, adding: “Let us entrust to the Lord our decision to learn to serve, because only by serving will we be able to know and love Christ, and make him known and help others to love him more.”

A way of understanding life

The spirit of service in Opus Dei is a way of understanding life and work. Serving others is not only a moral obligation. It is a way of living, working, and contributing to the betterment of society. This conviction is especially relevant in a world that needs to rediscover the value of the individual and the social purpose of professional activity.

From this perspective, the purpose of work is to serve. The spirit of service begins with a specific way of looking at others. Every person has an inherent dignity that does not depend on their social standing, economic means, productivity, or influence.

This consideration has practical consequences. It means listening before deciding, understanding before judging, and ensuring that our actions take into account people’s real needs.

During my years as a university professor, I have dedicated myself to studying services because, in the development of these activities, people are key. Customer satisfaction with a service depends on the attitude and professionalism of the people providing it. Therefore, authentic service requires moving beyond a purely instrumental view of human relationships. People are not simply resources, consumers, users, or means to achieve results.

To truly serve, we must recognize that we are not the center of everything. This means embracing the virtue of humility, which allows us to accept that we need others, that we can make mistakes, and that we always have something to learn. It also helps us acknowledge the merit of others and share in successes without taking all the credit.

In the professional sphere, humility is manifested in the willingness to listen to those with less experience, accept constructive criticism, acknowledge mistakes, and rectify them when necessary.

Serving is also a way to draw closer to God

In the spirituality of Opus Dei, service has a deeper root than mere social utility. Jesus Christ presents love of neighbor as an essential expression of love for God. The Gospel repeatedly shows his concern for specific people, especially those who suffer, are abandoned, or need help. In this way, we discover that our lives can have a deeper meaning when we put our abilities at the service of others.

Work acquires its fullest meaning when, in addition to helping us grow, it becomes a way to serve others. Work done well is also a form of service. A professional who acts with competence, honesty, and responsibility not only develops their career but also adds value to those who depend on their work.

This way of understanding life has consequences for our families, our businesses, and all our relationships. Listening, helping, sharing knowledge, recognizing the work of others, and keeping our commitments are concrete ways of living this spirit.

From this perspective, serving is also a way of loving God. Caring for others, especially those most in need of our help, is part of the spiritual life and is not separate from our daily responsibilities.

The spirit of service ultimately invites us to change the question that guides our work: not only to think about what we can achieve, but also about what we can contribute.

Because professional and personal life takes on a deeper dimension when our abilities become an opportunity to improve the lives of others.

I have often reflected on a phrase by Saint Josemaría that has become the goal of my life: “Giving oneself to others is so effective that the Lord rewards it with a humility full of joy .”

José Miguel Ponce