The Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega, Archbishop of Guadalajara and President of the Mexican Episcopal Conference, has ordained two Legionaries of Christ as deacons at the Parish of San Francisco Javier de las Colinas, in Colinas de San Javier.

The two new deacons, Diego Arregui and Luis Antonio López, are from Guadalajara and will be ordained priests on December 10th in Rome.

During the celebration, Fr. Emilio Díaz-Torre, L.C., Territorial Director of Monterrey, thanked Cardinal Robles Ortega, the families, and friends for participating in these ordinations: “It is a great joy for us as Legionaries and as members of the Regnum Christi Movement to have your paternal presence today at this celebration, in which you will confer the diaconal ordination on two of our brothers. We are very grateful to You, Your Eminence, for being here and sharing with us the joy of seeing these brothers enter into the mystery of the Merciful Heart of Christ, who loves us so much and gives Himself for each of us… We also especially thank their families for their generosity and the support they have given them throughout these years of formation.”

During the homily, Cardinal Robles addressed the new Deacons: “Strengthened with the gift of the Holy Spirit, they will assist the bishop and his presbytery in proclaiming the word, in serving at the altar, and in the ministry of charity, showing themselves as servants of all.”

He asked the new deacons: “Do not let the hope of the Gospel be taken from you, to which you must not only listen but also serve. Living the mystery of faith, with a pure heart, show in your works the word you proclaim.”

For his part, Deacon Diego Arregui said in an interview: “I am very grateful to God for allowing me to reach this moment, to my parents and siblings, my grandmothers, the Legionary Fathers, and Regnum Christi. I invite all young people to set high ideals and be generous with God.”

Besides the Legionaries living in Guadalajara, some family members from various places and friends accompanied the new deacons. Also present were consecrated members, lay members of Regnum Christi, and Legionary Fathers of Christ who concelebrated at the Holy Mass.

Who are the new deacons?

Father Luis Antonio López, L.C. was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He is the youngest of six siblings. He entered the Legionaries of Christ vocations center in Mexico City. He entered the novitiate in Salamanca, Spain, in 2001, and after his first profession in 2003, he was sent to Cheshire (USA) to study classical humanities. In 2005, he moved to Rome where he studied two years of philosophy. From 2007 to 2011, he helped in the formation of minor seminarians in São Paulo (Brazil) and in Guadalajara (Mexico). In 2011, he returned to Rome to complete his studies in philosophy and theology. Father Luis Antonio will begin his diaconal ministry in Italy.

He comments today: “My gratitude is especially directed to my family, and also to my formators who have assisted me over these years and who have known how to be instruments of God. Thanks to their dedication and understanding, I have been able to move forward, overcoming the various obstacles that have arisen over these years. God is faithful, and I can testify that at no moment has He abandoned me. I ask Mary for the gift of perseverance on this path.”

Diego Arregui Castelló was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He is the second of a family of four children. From his parents, he received life and faith, and an example of great love for God our Lord. He entered the minor seminary of the Legionaries of Christ in Mexico City during high school. He did his novitiate in Ireland and professed his first vows in 2003. He studied classical humanities in Spain, and later philosophy in Italy. During his pastoral years, he was part of the formation team at the Cheshire Novitiate, United States. He will begin his service as a deacon in Caracas, Venezuela.

Deacon Diego Arregui Castelló shares with us: “I am very grateful to God for having called me to the priesthood in the Legion of Christ. Since I was little, I breathed a very real atmosphere of faith in my family. I have two brothers and a sister, to whom I owe a lot. My two grandmothers have been an example of strength and love for the will of God. They also transmitted to us devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart. I studied with the Legionaries, so I knew and appreciated them very much.”

Photographs: they can be downloaded here: Photos