Specific apostolate of the members

Although few in number, there should always be some members of the Work in these centres, because we cannot fail to guide their spiritual, educational and financial management in a stable, guaranteed way. Otherwise they would have no apostolic effectiveness, and would lose their raison d’être: because Opus Dei, corporately, does not carry out any activity that is not eminently apostolic.

Autonomy in management

This necessary autonomy in management, which is required by our zeal for souls – non quaero gloriam meam,¹⁵ we are motivated only by the glory of God – will include the spiritual and human formation given in the centre, its internal structure, and the apostolic activities which are organised from it.

It will be necessary, therefore, when setting up one of these centres, to study the legal and technical aspects carefully, in light of the particular circumstances of the moment, so as to forestall interventions from outside that would undermine the autonomy of its management or make it subject to conditions.

For this reason, clear guidelines must be established that also ensure respect for the centre’s internal discipline and its educational work. We cannot allow, for example, cultural or artistic activities, etc., which arise around the centre or are in some way linked to it, to hinder its proper functioning; just as we cannot tolerate a foreign body – even if it is a diamond – in the brain or other vital organ which would hinder its functioning.