Workshop on the history of Opus Dei
The University of Navarra was the setting for a workshop on the history of Opus Dei, with the participation of academics from various universities. During the event, various topics related to perceptions of the institution were discussed, as well as the individual and collective biographical traits of some of its members.
13 | 06 | 2023
On Friday, June 9, a workshop organized by the Center of programs of study Josemaría Escrivá (CEJE) and the high school St. Josemaría Escrivá Historical Center (ISJE) was held at the University of Navarra. The workshop workshop was divided into three thematic blocks that dealt with some aspects core topic of the history of Opus Dei in different periods and contexts.
The first block analyzed the perceptions that various institutions, individuals and public opinion had about Opus Dei from the late 1930s to the mid-1960s. Professors Jorge García Ocón, Fernando Crovetto and Federico Requena explored different aspects of this historical period, including the relationship between the Marian Congregations and Opus Dei, Mario Cordovani's report about Opus Dei and its founder, and the opinion about Opus Dei in American public opinion in the 1950s.
Along with the United States, Spain and Italy were other scenarios addressed. Inmaculada Alva presented a regional history model for the first years of Opus Dei women in the United States (1949-1953): she explained the difficulties of those first women and how it is more difficult to tell that story because it is less visible or more internal. Santiago Martínez presented some aspects of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross between 1950 and 1965, as well as the clerical associative context in those years. Finally, Alfredo Méndiz summarized the relationship between the Italian FUCI and Opus Dei in its beginnings in that country, highlighting the positive perception that many bishops and the FUCI had of Opus Dei.
The next block, graduate "Protagonists," dealt with individual and collective profiles of some of the men and women of Opus Dei. While Beatriz Comella analyzed the personal and educational profiles of Spanish women in Opus Dei between 1930 and 1962, Mercedes Montero focused on a group of Opus Dei women who reached Chairs universities, in the context of pioneer women teachers in Spain. In addition to these two presentations, Consuelo Flecha spoke about the traits and characteristics of women in Spanish universities between 1940 and 1960.
The last three speakers offered biographical approaches. José Luis González Gullón presented essential elements for the preparation of a biography of Josemaría Escrivá; Carlos Veci analyzed aspects of the life of the pedagogue Víctor García Hoz; and Onésimo Díaz focused on the career of José María Albareda.
The workshop concluded with an intervention on the knowledge dissemination of history at position by Eliana Fucili, who presented a project that seeks to disseminate the activities of research carried out by the CEJE and the ISJE.
