Opus Dei focuses on its I Centenary: «It will not be just a party».»

Opus Dei has launched a short video to “set our sights” on the next centenary of Opus Dei, which will celebrate its first 100 years on October 2, 2028.

“We want to renew our desire to serve God, the Church and society during the 500 days from October 2, 2028 to February 14, 2030,” this video emphasizes, since, although the founder of Opus Dei “saw” the Work on October 2, 1928, The beginning of the work with women dates back to February 14, 1930. 

Three main lines of action: contemplation, friendship and work

As the Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Fernando Ocárizin its letter dated March 19, 2026, During 2027, 2027 and the first year of the centenary, 2028, the faithful of Opus Dei will focus on three central aspects of their vocation: contemplation in the midst of the world, the apostolate of friendship, and work as a means of sanctification. “Three central teachings of St. Josemaría, with the desire to better serve the people around us, the Church and society as a whole,” Ocáriz said in his message.

Thus, next October, contemplation in the midst of the world will be the focus of prayer, work and examination also of all those who form Opus Dei and those who participate in its apostolic work.

“We begin this October, to be contemplatives in the midst of the world to discover that something divine hidden in the most common realities of work, family and civic life. Next year we will continue with the value of friendship to be Christ who passes by and to discover Christ in others, because it is in these bonds that we share the Gospel from heart to heart. And during the centenary we will reflect on work as a place where, united with God, we inspire the transformation of the world according to the heart of Jesus. Sanctify work, sanctify ourselves through work, sanctify others through work”.

These topics emerged as a synthesis of all the messages received as a result of the Regional Assemblies which, over the course of a year, brought together several thousand people in almost 70 countries to prepare for this centennial. 

Gratitude, request for forgiveness and unity

“In addition to deepening and reflecting, we will celebrate all the people who have brought us here and all those who are yet to come, giving thanks to God for the gifts we have received and for all that we continue to learn,” Opus Dei points out in this video. 

A thank you and a request for forgiveness for “we have not managed to foresee and solve every detail, but we continue to work and be together”. 

The call for unity among the members of the Work and of the Work with the Church and the Roman Pontiff has been a constant in these years. 

The new bylaws, not yet confirmed

Since the entry into force of the Motu Proprio Ad charisma tuendum (2022) and the reform of Canon Law in 2023, Opus Dei finds itself in a period of adaptation and redefinition of its “juridical fit”. 

Currently, the bylaws The definitive proposals are still being studied and evaluated with the Holy See after the General Congress of 2025, which led to the proposal of the prelature.