John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution Ut Sit (extract and edited version):
With very great hope, the Church directs its attention and maternal care to Opus Dei, which—by divine inspiration—the Servant of God Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer founded in Madrid on October 2, 1928, so that it may always be an apt and effective instrument of the salvific mission which the Church carries out for the life of the world.
From its beginnings, this Institution has in fact striven, not only to illuminate with new lights the mission of the laity in the Church and in society, but also to put it into practice.
It has also endeavored to put into practice the teaching of the universal call to sanctity, and to promote at all levels of society the sanctification of ordinary work, and by means of ordinary work.
Furthermore, through the Sacerdotal Society of the Holy Cross, it has helped diocesan priests to live this teaching, in the exercise of their sacred ministry.
Opus Dei has spread and works in a large number of dioceses throughout the world. It is an apostolic organism made up of priests and laity, both men and women, which is at the same time organic and undivided. This means it is an institution endowed with a unity of spirit, of aims, of government and of formation.
Since Opus Dei has grown, with the help of divine grace, it has become necessary to give it a juridical configuration which is suited to its specific characteristics.
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