Several people in my department are currently reading the DaVinci Code. So there’s all this talk about Opus Dei around here. Of course as one of two catholics in the department I have been getting some questions. What exactly is Opus Dei?

Opus Dei is what is known as a “personal prelature” of the Pope. This means that unlike a diocese or a parish, Opus Dei has their own Bishops and priests that aren’t connected with a geographical diocese.

At the basic level, Opus Dei is a Lay run organization of people committed to living a spiritual life in the everyday.

John Allen has the best book on Opus Dei and I’d recommend it for further study.