A post in dominic-cooray.blogspot
THE OPUS DEI story in Singapore began in 1982 with the arrival of four laymen and two priests from the Philippines. The first Opus Dei centre here was established in October that year and the next centre, for women, the following year.
Today, there are four Opus Dei centres in Singapore – two male and two female –with 10 to 12 numeraries, mostly Singaporeans, living in each. It is not easy to put a number on the size of Opus Dei here because in addition to the numeraries “the associates, supernumeraries and Cooperators are also part of the family,” explained Gerry Faigal, who came to Singapore with the first Opus Dei group from the Philippines.
Co-operators are those who assist the educational and social undertakings promoted by Opus Dei through their prayer, work or donation. Opus Dei Cooperators include Catholics, other Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others.
| Opus Dei is a family, and like all families, the members of Opus Dei move in different circles but also, like all families, they try “to eat together, have excursions together, pray together,” Father Michael Chan said. As an Opus Dei priest, Father Michael’s role in the institution is “to do what the layman cannot do,” he said, namely to celebrate the sacraments, provide spiritual direction, carry out faith formation classes, preaching, and conducting retreats. He is also required to carry out assignments given to him by the Opus Dei regional vicar, and participates in archdiocesan priestly meetings. “(To be an Opus Dei member) is a matter of divine vocation; you discover it through prayer,” said Father Michael, who discerned his vocation during post-graduate studies in England. Each member who joins Opus Dei has made an informed and free choice, he affirmed. | |  |
| | Father Michael Chan joined Opus Dei in February 1983 as a layman. |
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