On June 18 and 19, the workshop American regional histories of Opus Dei, 1950–1975 was held at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome), an academic meeting that brought together specialists from various countries to share research and reflect on the early developments of the institution in Latin America.
The workshop aimed to exchange research experiences, present progress on regional projects, and discuss methodologies for the historical study of Opus Dei. The sessions were structured around methodological papers and presentations focused on national and local case studies.
Among the topics addressed were the use of interviews, the development of regional histories, prosopography, institutional histories, and ways of communicating historical research to broader audiences. Likewise, projects related to historical archives and documentary repositories were presented, which are essential for the development of future research.
The presentations offered a broad geographical overview of Latin America. Studies were presented on Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, addressing issues such as the early stages of apostolic work, the role of women in the initial years, the creation of university residences, educational and welfare initiatives, the organization of regional archives, and the social and institutional context of each country.
The meeting fostered exchange between established researchers and early-career academics, creating a space for interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration. The discussion sessions made it possible to compare approaches, identify new lines of research, and share experiences related to the preservation of sources and the writing of regional histories.
The workshop concluded with a synthesis session in which the importance of continuing to promote comparative historical research on the development of Opus Dei in the Americas was emphasized, as well as strengthening collaborative networks among different research teams.
