Founded on October 2, 1928, Opus Dei, formally known as the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, occupies a unique and often debated position within the Roman Catholic Church. The organization was established by Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, a young Spanish priest who claimed to have received a divine revelation during a spiritual retreat in Madrid. This vision centered on the "universal call to holiness," the theological concept that sanctity is not reserved for clergy or monastics but is achievable for every layperson through the sanctification of professional work and ordinary daily duties. In the context of 1920s Catholicism, which often emphasized a separation be-tween the sacred and the secular, Escrivá’s message was both revolutionary and profoundly traditional.

As we look at the institution from the vantage point of 2025, Opus Dei has grown from a handful of followers in Spain to a global entity with nearly 100,000 members. Its history is inextricably linked to the sociopolitical movements of the twentieth century, including the Spanish Civil War and the Second Vatican Council. The organization has achieved the highest levels of ecclesiastical recognition, notably becoming the Church’s first and only personal prelature in 1982. This status allowed it to operate as a global diocese without borders, reporting directly to the Pope.

However, this growth has been accompanied by significant controversy. Critics have frequently pointed to the group’s perceived secrecy, its rigorous internal disciplines such as cor-poral mortification, and its alleged influence within political and financial spheres. From the "technocrats" of the Franco era to the fictionalized depictions in popular media, Opus Dei has faced a constant battle over its public image.