OFFICIAL NAME
Work of Nazareth
ACRONYM
ODN (Opera di Nàzaret)
ALSO KNOWN AS
Movimento di Compagnia (Compagnia)
ESTABLISHED
1964
HISTORY
ODN was founded in Reggio Emilia as a de facto association with a group of young people in the early 1960s who gathered around Professor Giovanni Riva. As adults, they felt the need for formation and a mission which was more consistent with their new state of life. While keeping their identity as a ’Compagnia’ in 1976 they took the name of Opera di Nàzaret. Since then the Movement which has developed around ODN has also attracted married couples. It received canonical recognition by the Archbishop of Mexico City in 1989, which marked the beginning of its international spread. On 15 August 1999, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed its recognition as an international association of the faithful.
IDENTITY
ODN sees its identity in the realisation that without Jesus Christ man must consider himself to be less human. Its primary purpose is therefore to ensure that everyone is able to find the face of Christ today, as mediator to the Father and never dissociated from his love for humanity’s destiny of happiness, in everyday life in the family, society, the workplace and day-to-day concerns, professions and environments. ODN also encourages people to develop the experience of practical charity so that, by contributing to new social initiatives, they can meet the material and spiritual needs of people, places and times, following the paths of the One who "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" (Phil 2:7). The spiritual plan of ODN includes prayer, formation and apostolic, charitable and missionary work. The formation process, steered through regular meetings, is designed to study in depth the Magisterium of the Church, addressing issues with a sociocultural impact, and to develop a comprehensive Christian education.
ORGANISATION
Individual members of ODN take part in the single universal experience, which is guaranteed by the Centre around the President. The geographical areas (regions - groups of nations - and within the regions - diocesan level groups) are not federated, but function both through catechesis and central instructions, and through the local promotion of the Christian community. Wherever necessary, a group may also have subgroups. ODN is open to membership by adults of all nationalities. Individuals normally live the experience of their region or their group, even though the Centre may exceptionally make it possible for them to have a different reference point. There is one particular form for individuals committed radically to the spirit of ODN who live according to the Evangelical counsels.
MEMBERSHIP
ODN has 500 members and is present in 17 countries as follows: Asia (2), Europe (6), North America (6), and South America (3). In various ways, about 5,000 people take part in its apostolate.
WORKS
The members of the association, as individuals or jointly, or in cooperation with others, without involving ODN as such, promote civil initiatives and work to meet people’s needs, striving towards social peace, through such things as charitable or solidarity foundations, voluntary works, schools at all levels up to university, cultural and publishing activities. ODN provides their officers with the support of its study Centre, to mobilise them to take on broader responsibilities in society, to urge them to undertake free and appropriate forms of coordination, and assist them to establish synergies with companies working in a communion economy, and to offer them ongoing formation. Directly connected to ODN are "The Great Company", an association of educators, "The Others", an association of undergraduates, and "Le Domus", an association of families managing youth residences.
PUBLICATIONS
Compagnia, a newsletter in Italian and Japanese.
WEB SITE
http://www.operadinazaret.org
HEADQUARTERS
Opera di Nàzaret
Via di Santa Maria Maggiore, 112 - 00185 Roma - Italy
Tel. and Fax [+39]06.47824763
Email: operadinazaret@operadinazaret.net
