Silik Foundation

Today is the Feast of the Assumption, where we celebrate the "the most glorious Mother of Christ, our Savior and God and the giver of life and immortality, has been endowed with life by him, she has received an eternal incorruptibility of the body together with him who has raised her up from the tomb and has taken her up to himself in a way known only to him."

I would like to share my experiences when I attended one of the Theology classes organized by the Opus Dei. My eye doctor invited me to attend their Theology Class every 2nd Thursday of the Month in a hotel mostly for men. The women have their own Theology Class. They don't often meet each other except for solemn occasions like the Fiesta Mass of their Founder, St. Josemaria Escriva.

So there, I went with my cousin to a hotel named Lispher's Inn in Matina because they held classes and seminars there. When we entered in the hotel, we asked in what function room do they often have classes. We didn't see signs that inscribed there as "Opus Dei" or people wouldn't tell anyone that they are from "Opus Dei" and the "rooms are over there for those who are members of Opus Dei." No! The lady just told me to follow that old man because he knows where it is. So the old man guided me to the function room where they often have Theology classes. When we entered the room, I saw professionals and well-off men conversing each other on things they themselves can relate to or understand. We felt awkward in the first place. I only realized that it is very hard in the Philippines for the Opus Dei to gain their influence towards Catholics, rich or poor. Only those who are professionals and the rich can get privileges given to them from the Opus Dei. But I hope that the message of St. Josemaria will reach everyone, rich or poor, here in this country. Only very few are active here in Davao and they don't have a building where will they permanently meet for their monthly classes and seminars. 

 So we waited for few minutes for the priest who is going to be our preacher for today's Theology Class. They would not request any local priest here to give them lessons for their Class. They will request an Opus Dei priest from Cebu or Manila to give them 2 days of lessons. One day for men, another for women. After minutes of waiting, the priest arrived and gave us a talk on the Assumption. For an hour we understood everything that he said. The priest gave us a simple explanation on the dogma, its history and its theological basis on it. He asked us questions to help our mind think critically and explain it logically. My cousin said that he really wanted to attend another class because he shared us the topic clearly. 

After the class, I introduced myself to the priest and we left the hotel full of contentment. If God gave me another time to attend, why wouldn't I?