Opus Dei (Latin for 'Work of God') is a personal prelature of the Catholic Church founded in Spain on 2 October 1928 by Josemaría Escrivá. The prelature states that it helps lay and clerical members pursue holiness through everyday occupations and social responsibilities. The Holy See granted final approval in 1950 under Pope Pius XII. In 1982 Pope John Paul II affirmed its status as a personal prelature through the apostolic constitution Ut sit. Catholic Church leaders have voiced institutional support while the organization remains controversial.
Laypeople constitute most members of Opus Dei, and the rest are secular priests governed by a prelate elected by specific members and appointed by the Pope. Because Opus Dei is Latin for "Work of God", members and supporters often refer to the prelature as "the Work". Beyond personal charity and social services, the prelature organizes training in Catholic spirituality applied to daily life. Opus Dei members are located in more than 90 countries. About 70% of members live in their own homes and maintain secular careers while taking part in prelature activities, while the remaining are celibate, of whom the majority live in Opus Dei centers.
