A group of Legionaries of Christ religious from Rome recently began their pastoral period, after passing through various stages of formation (Novitiate, Classical Humanities, and Philosophy).
To this end, they started a two-month course during the summer, which will include evangelization and prayer workshops, conferences on various topics, visits to the Basilica of Guadalupe, the Laity’s Student Center, and the Vocational Center in Ajusco, as well as spaces for sports practice, study, and missions in different locations, among other activities.
During these days, the young people have received visits from Father Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, General Director of Regnum Christi, who gave a talk emphasizing their mission as apostolic formators. Likewise, Father Ricardo Sada, LC, Territorial Director of Mexico and Central America, visited the religious to inform them about the pastoral challenges in Mexico.
Religious Luis Ángel Espinoza, LC, one of the participants, explains what this work period consists of: “We are from five different nationalities: six Mexicans, three Colombians, two Venezuelans, one American, and one Spaniard.”
What is their purpose?
We come to give what we have received in the formation house. We come to be those sowers who will spread the message of God’s mercy and goodness. We come to serve and let God act in us, to be His instruments; we wish to do good to the people we meet and bring them closer to God.
Why and for what purpose do we dedicate this time of service to others?
Because, in the midst of priestly formation, it is very necessary to have a direct experience of what will be our future priestly ministry. This involves testing the training acquired and continuing to forge the priest that the Church and souls need. With God’s grace, we will help as formation instructors in schools, as formators in minor seminaries, in missions, or in vocations promotion.
What importance does good seminary formation have?
It is very important for several reasons. If we analyze history, we realize that Europe is Europe thanks to the monks who guarded and propagated culture and faith. The Church, the priest, not only preaches but also administers the sacraments… it must also be a bearer of culture, a bearer of truth.
On the other hand, seminarians, being focused on the priesthood, are called to conform themselves to Christ Himself. They must possess comprehensive formation to become better instruments and messengers of God, and to be capable of reaching any person and addressing their needs.
What message would you give to young people who are losing hope and the illusion of fighting for values?
I would tell them that what truly matters is what costs the most; life is a struggle, and only those who give up stop trying. We live in an era where authenticity of life, coherence, and courage to propose the values and principles of our human nature are needed more than ever, and not to be carried away by fashions and various ways of thinking that try to distort the very conception of the human being, which often offers us joy or some satisfaction, but these are fleeting.
Do not lose that natural desire of man to do good, do not be afraid to break schemes that culture and society have marked. Be generous and sensitive to human needs, and do not be swayed by false joys that the world presents to us.
Below, you can see photo galleries and videos with moments from the preparatory course for apostolic practices in Mexico
PHOTO GALLERY #1 PHOTO GALLERY #2
