Opus Dei in the United States

Opus Dei began its work in the United States in 1949, with the arrival of Fr. Joseph Muzquiz, one of the first three priests ordained for Opus Dei. Father Muzquiz died in Boston in 1983, and his cause of canonization formally opened in that city in 2011, with the approval of Cardinal Sean O’Malley.

Today there are centers of Opus Dei in some 20 cities in the United States: Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Delray Beach, Florida; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Milwaukee; New York; Pittsburgh; Princeton, New Jersey; Providence; St. Louis; San Antonio; San Francisco; South Bend, Indiana; South Orange, New Jersey; Urbana, Illinois; Reston, Virginia; and Washington, D.C.

In the United States, Opus Dei has seven retreat and conference centers: Arnold Hall (near Boston), Murray Hill Place (in New York City), Featherock Conference Center (near Houston), Trumbull Manor (near San Francisco), Rosaire Retreat Center (near Miami), and Longlea Conference Center (near Washington, D.C.).

The national offices for Opus Dei are located at Murray Hill Place, 139 E 34 Street, New York, New York. The head of Opus Dei in the United States is Fr. Javier del Castillo.

Every year, close to the feast day of St. Josemaria (June 26), a public Mass is organized to give thanks to God for the witness and message that St. Josemaria gave for the Church. These Masses are held in various cities across the United States. In New York, in past years there has been a Mass of St. Josemaria at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, as well as at the Church of Our Saviour on Park Avenue.

Below, see a video of Cardinal Dolan preaching at St. Patrick’s during the Mass of St. Josemaria.

 

Activities of Opus Dei in New York and Manhattan

Opus Dei provides a variety of activities to help people in their efforts to live out their faith in their everyday lives. These activities include weekend retreats, classes in Catholic teaching and spirituality, opportunity for sacramental confession with a priest, and more. The aim is always to help each person grow in virtue, and to integrate faith, study, work, and personal relationships.

Schuyler Hall is one of the places in New York where people can receive this spiritual help from Opus Dei. For more information on activities at Schuyler Hall, or other centers in the New York area, please contact us.

 
 

Centers of Opus Dei in the New York Area

  • Murray Hill Place (139 E 34th St, NY, NY 10016) is comprised of three centers for men spread throughout the building.

    • Schuyler Hall: Activities for young men (under age 30).

    • Cartwright Center: Activities for men in New York City.

    • Murray Hill Conference Center: Retreats for men from across the US.

  • Southmont Center (170 Montrose Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079): Activities for men in NJ.

  • Overlook Study Center (99 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle, NY 10804): Activities for men in Westchester County, Long Island, and CT.

  • Riverside Study Center (330 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10025): Activities for men in New York City.

Other Resources

  • Woodlawn Foundation: Provides financial support for activities of Opus Dei in the United States. Many people who come to a center donate to Woodlawn monthly.

  • List of women’s centers of Opus Dei in the US.