SOCIETÀ SACERDOTALE della SANTA CROCE ed «OPUS DEI». - It is the first secular institute of pontifical right, approved according to the norms of the apostolic constitution Provida Mater Ecclesia of 2 February 1947, and is composed of persons of every social class, men and women,
celibate and married, who, while living in the world, aspire to evangelical perfection and to bring the light of Christ into their own milieu.
The female branch is separate from the male branch, so as to constitute a distinct institute with its own hierarchy. The male section was founded in Madrid on 2 October 1928 and the female section on 14 February 1930 by Monsignor José Maria Escrivá de Balaguer. The decree of praise from the Holy See dates from 24 February 1947, and that of definitive approval from 16 June 1950. The members of O. D. are not religious; they have no common life, no public vows, and no special habit: they make only private vows, which have juridical effects within the Institute. Those called to the priesthood wear ecclesiastical dress upon receiving sacred Orders, after having completed their theological studies and obtained academic degrees. At present the Institute is established in numerous nations of Europe, Africa, and America, with a considerable number of members.