“What will happen in a moment is the public response of these young people whom God called some time ago…”. Thus began the homily on Saturday, August 12th, the day when thirteen Legionaries of Christ novices made their first religious profession and two religious renewed their vows.
The ceremony was presided over by Father Paul Lara, LC, territorial director of Monterrey, at the parish of Our Lady Queen of the Angels.
During the homily, Father Carlos Proal, LC, novice instructor, told those present: “What will happen in a moment is the public response of these young people whom God called some time ago. They respond out of personal love for God who calls them, but also because they want to be witnesses of that love, witnesses of the hope they carry in their hearts, a hope that our world needs. They need us to shout that there is someone trustworthy, someone secure, someone solid in whom to support our lives, and that is Christ Jesus. And these brothers today want to bear witness to that to the world.
I want to reflect with you on hope; nowadays we are all very accustomed to constantly responding on our cell phones and social media, or also to work requests, family requests, and we have a tension to respond, and when a message arrives we reply and wait for a response; many times we are waiting for the famous like.
These brothers of mine today have deeply engraved in their hearts that the only worthy call and the only worthy response is the like of Christ, and on that rock, the whole life can be built and enjoyed, and it is a message for everyone—adults, young people, married, single, consecrated men and women; the like of Jesus is what must be at the center of our attention.
“The like of Jesus is what must be at the center of our attention”
I am convinced that during two years these two young men have tried to respond to this call from God, they have made an effort, opened their hearts, and today they are saying: ‘Speak, Lord; your servant listens’”.
Father Carlos added that the psalm of the liturgy of the day suggests putting all our hope in Him; doubts come, uncertainties, questions about the future, but we still need to place our hope in Him.
“The word of God speaks to us, it surfaces beautifully, and before this call, today they want to respond by consecrating themselves; it has been a specific call within the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi.
The consecration you make today is a reason for hope for the Church, for Regnum Christi, for the Legion, for your families, for the Archdiocese of Monterrey, and for society. To be witnesses of hope as Saint John Paul II was.”
At the end of the ceremony, Father Paul Lara, LC, expressed his gratitude to the families of the new members for the support they have given their children and that with generosity have accompanied them over these two years: “Thanks to your dedication and your prayers, they can today give this public testimony that they trust in Jesus and can give Him their lives in love.”
Family and friends of the new religious, students of the vocational center, consecrated men and women, members of Regnum Christi, members of the Movement, diocesan priests, and Legionaries of Christ who serve in Monterrey and other cities attended the profession.
A photo gallery of the ceremony can be viewed by following the link.
