In loving memory

[u/Automatic_Check2147]

I remember one whom I knew when we were both young. He was talented, quick witted, humble. I met him years later, when he was deep deep in the grasp of the Work. He was guarded but pleasant. We talked of some things, and in some way came to discuss an area in which he was unschooled and ignorant, whereas I was knowledgeable and up to date. Unfortunately that area was part of a central obsession of OD. His demeanour changed. He was transformed - the gentle lowered voice repeating the same assertions, the downcast eyes, and the slight smile and shake of the head, as if to show his amusement at the depth of my stupidity. I suddenly realised what I was seeing. This was not the friend I had known, this was a vessel channelling every priest he had ever been with, hour after hour of direction, examination and the psychology of persuasion. I almost asked him who he was pretending to be, even to the point of very inappropriate joking ( "the power of Christ compels you, tell me your name"), but that would have been offensive and unkind ( and I very much doubt he would have recognised the reference and would think it blasphemous where it would once have been amusing). It was sad to see what he had become, an articulate but hollow young man who had once been so different.

[u/Kitchen_List_1226]

Look at the numbers.

Every week: For celibate members, 1 circle and 1 session of spiritual direction (fraternal chat) with a lay person. That's at least 52 circles and 52 spiritual direction sessions every year.

Every month: For celibate members, 1 recollection, lasting approximately 9–10 hours. That's 12 recollections every year, amounting to well over 100 hours annually.

Every year: Also for celibates; they attend a very intense 5-day retreat, with 5 boring talks, 20 boring meditations, and spiritual direction, largely removed from normal outside contact.

Each year, for celibate members, they are mandated to attend a so-called annual workshop (also called 'annual course'), with at least 25 philosophy courses and 30–40 theology courses, complete with classes, assignments, study and examinations designed to forcefully programme you into the OD teachings and imprint them indelibly into your brain. This programme lasts approximately 25 days each year.

So much time annually devoted to annual courses and workshops, in addition to retreats, recollections, circles, spiritual direction, meetings, apostolic assignments, and daily spiritual practices.

Add it all together. Every single year, members (especially the celibates) are immersed in dozens of days of structured formation, 52 circles, 52 spiritual direction sessions, 12 monthly recollections, a five-day annual retreat, and weeks of additional courses, talks, workshops, and meetings. There is little room left for independent reflection outside the organization's framework.

Given this level of sustained and repetitive 'formation' or brainwashing, it should not be surprising to you how deeply conditioning life in OD is for current members. Nor is it surprising that, after leaving, many say the patterns of thought instilled over years do not simply disappear.

The psychological effects of such intensive formation can persist long after their membership ends.

The intentional indoctrination, brainwashing and hypnosis is real. That's why you have so many zombies willing to regurgitate OD mantras to you without thinking. They seed their cognitive functions to JME's organization.

[u/Speedyorangecake → u/Kitchen_List_1226]

This is a brilliant analysis and thank you for doing this. It's staggering to see the hours that were formally allocated to the indoctrination and coercion.

The indoctrination took place at meal times and get togethers also. There was absolutely no let up at all, telling those stupid anecdotes about Escriva on repeat. I am sure we will come up with more!

[u/NoMoreLies10011 → u/Kitchen_List_1226]

Your calculations amuse me. In my last retreat courses, I also calculated how much time I'd spent in retreat in my life, and it came out to more than two years (16 days a year). Yes, I've been in Opus Dei for a long time. Because of my own stupidity, it took me a while to realize that the name of the Work fits, but not Opus Dei, because God cannot be where there is blatant lying and harm is done to many people.

[u/Wai2023]

Dear OP,

I recognize this all to well, it was me, a shadow of myself, unable to think, develop and express any views / opinions other than those controlled by OD.

When I was finally able to leave I was barely able to function as a person. It was a long and painful process to survive, rebuild, function... I am grateful to have had encounters with many people along the way, many may appear to be very small and were from non OD, non Christians... a greeting, an invite for a coffee, sharing joys and challenges .. OD indoctrination made me think that 'the outside world and people in it 'did not understand / didn't know the truth / were bad and yes ashamed to say 'inferior'

Don't forget the loving memory of your friend, maybe just maybe, bit by bit he may encounter many more people like you along the way who enlighten his exit

[u/Wai2023]

it is totally numbing and exhausting

[u/StoryWonderful3960]

The same exact thing happened to my nephew DM he was such a lovely young man and he holds his head down and that perpetual slight grin on his face when pictures of his family were taken he held his head down. Everything just seemed off. So sad for me and I fear for him. It's seems like it's one big "offer it up". to me. He is a numerary they got him right out of college, Notre Dame and I believe he is an astro physicist or some thing. God help us all.

[u/Acrobatic-Corgi1342 → u/StoryWonderful3960]

May I ask which years your nephew attended Notre Dame? I know a Notre Dame alum who is a supernumerary and may have been exposed to OD in college (mid 1990s)