Course on the history and spirituality of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi for theology communities in Rome

Syllabus “Course on the history and spirituality of the Legion of Christ”.

From October 6 to 8, a course on the history and spirituality of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi was held at the International College of the Legion of Christ, for the religious of the theology communities in Rome.

Father Jaime Rodríguez, LC, who led the sessions, mentioned that the course “is part of the institutional steps we are taking to offer a clear and renewed, albeit partial, vision of the history and spirituality of the Legion and the Regnum Christi Movement.” During the course, Fathers Paolo Cerquitella, LC, and Vincent McMahon, LC; Patricia Bannon, a consecrated member of the Regnum Christi, and Fernando Lorenzo, a lay member of the Movement, participated, sharing some specific topics about the history of the Regnum Christi.

Various documents were used as bibliography during the course, especially the book Institutional History of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement, published by the General Historical Archive during the exhibition held for the 75th anniversary of the founding; the draft of the document Chronology of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi that the Historical Archive is preparing according to the mandates of the General Chapter.

“The presentation they made of the documents and sources to underpin the history of the Legion and the Regnum Christi seemed appropriate to me. In this sense, I think other sources that can serve as written historical documents could be used to better build and understand our history,” commented Xavier Gutiérrez, LC.

Likewise, Melchior Poisson, LC, said about the course: “These days of reflection on our history were more than an informative ‘course’. They allowed us to remember the past in truth, sometimes confronting human misery, and other times learning with gratitude from the generosity of our elders. Personally, following the development of the Regnum Christi until today helped me to better sense what God is calling us to be.”

There were frontal lessons in which, dividing the segments into decades, the most relevant events in the history of the Legion and the Movement were discussed; in addition, a round table composed of Father Vincent McMahon, LC, Patricia Bannon, and Fernando Lorenzo, where brothers could ask questions; and various moments of fellowship to deepen the topics discussed.

“The history course of the Legion and the Regnum Christi helped me better understand how God guides His works despite human weakness and blindness; I also found peace regarding some events of the past and it renewed my hope for a future where the Legion and the Movement truly live out the call to extend the Kingdom of Christ. I think this course would be very useful for every legionary, from the early moments of formation; this way, a more balanced vision of God’s plan and the responsibility of each legionary and member of the Movement can be acquired,” commented Eduardo González, LC.

“The accompaniment of the Church, especially through the person of Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, has helped and encouraged us to increasingly discover what we are and what we must do, that is, our identity and our mission,” said Pablo Torres, LC.