BeDoCare Hub was born in Rome in September 2022, as part of the preparations for the centenary of Opus Dei. The idea was simple: to create a space where social organisations could develop their skills, strengthen their capacity and work together to expand their reach, drawing inspiration from St Josemaría Escrivá’s teachings on doing one’s work well and upholding the dignity of every person.
That first gathering confirmed something many third-sector organisations had already sensed: there was a need for a dynamic meeting place, a space for connection and collaboration that could bring together resources, knowledge and relationships among those working for the common good.
“Enlarging the Heart”: The Conference That Set the Course
At its first official conference, BeDoCare brought together 200 social entrepreneurs from 30 countries. Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, Prelate of Opus Dei, delivered a talk that would ultimately give a name to the organisation’s guiding spirit: “Enlarging the Heart.”
Ocáriz put forward an idea that remains central to BeDoCare today: our capacity to love and serve those in need grows when four dimensions of Christian life are brought together.
The first is spiritual. Identification with Christ, he explained, leads the human heart towards charity: “The charity of Christ… transforms our intellect and will from within,” he said, quoting St Josemaría. The poor, he added, are not merely recipients of assistance but also spiritual teachers to those who accompany them.
The second is professional. Ordinary work, Ocáriz explained, is an effective way to serve God and others. There is no need to change professions; rather, the transformation begins within. Justice and charity come together in the way each person carries out their work.
The third is personal. Collective action, he argued, must be complemented by concrete acts of mercy. “Charity is personal, because our relationship with God is personal,” he stated. He also highlighted simplicity and renouncing consumerism as everyday expressions of that same charity.
The fourth is collective. Christian institutions, he argued, should make social responsibility an integral part of their identity, combining professional competence with a spirit of mercy and maintaining a keen awareness of the injustices around them.
Ocáriz concluded with a call for broad cooperation that transcends religious boundaries. He emphasised the interconnected nature of today’s major challenges, from migration to the lack of access to education, and the need for organisations to share research and coordinate their efforts, including with those who do not share the same faith. He quoted St Josemaría in a sentence that captures the essence of the entire conference: “A Christian cannot be individualistic; a Christian cannot turn their back on others.”
From Inspiration to Action
The first gathering was followed by two more: BeDoCare São Paulo in 2024 and BeDoCare Nairobi in 2025. Together, these three gatherings helped shape what BeDoCare is today: a space that inspires positive change and brings together people and organisations committed to the common good, under the motto “From Purpose to Action.”
The initiative is built around three pillars that give the organisation its name: BE, DO and CARE. In practice, these translate into training tailored to the real needs of the social sector, networking opportunities that connect social initiatives with strategic institutions, and research aimed at generating practical knowledge to support continuous improvement.
