Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Women’s Apostolate of Opus Dei in the USA
In 1950, a handful of brave and apostolic Catholic women started the first women’s center of Opus Dei in the United States. They opened the Kenwood Residence located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Their story – and what has transpired throughout the country since – is both remarkable and inspiring.
To mark this milestone, you and your family are invited to a special celebration commemorating the 75th anniversary of the women’s apostolate of Opus Dei in Chicago. The St. Josemaria Institute and Midwest Theological Forum are proudly sponsoring this anniversary celebration.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: St. Mary of the Angels Church
1850 N. Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Program
3:00 PM – Mass of Thanksgiving
Celebrated by Fr. Thomas Bohlin, Assistant Vicar for the Prelature of Opus Dei in the United States and Canada
4:15 – 6:00 PM – Presentation & Reception
- Dr. Inmaculada Alva, University of Navarra and the Josemaria Escriva Study Center
- Ms. Theresa Wilson, one of the first women of Opus Dei in the United States
The event will include reflections on the legacy of the women who began Opus Dei’s apostolic work in Chicago and a reception to follow.
Registration
The event is free to attend. Donations are welcome.
Please RSVP in advance: Register Online
More about the early history of Opus Dei in the United States is detailed by Fr. Federico Requena in his article, “We find our sanctity in the middle of the world”: Father José Luis Múzquiz and the Beginnings of Opus Dei in the United States, 1949–1961. [Read Online]
Cover Photo: Nisa Gonzalez (left) in the early 1940’s Spain. Nisa was among the first women to arrive in Chicago 1950.
St. Josemaria Institute
The St. Josemaria Institute was founded in 2006 to promote the life, teachings, and devotion to St. Josemaria Escriva among all men and women who desire to find meaning and happiness in their daily lives by growing closer to God. The St. Josemaria Institute produces and distributes digital and print media as a means to spread Christian values around the world and to help people navigate and live well in the digital age.
