The Legionaries of Christ Miguel Herrera and Santiago García Huerdo have made their first profession of vows after two years of novitiate in their preparation and studies towards the priesthood. The celebration took place at the Parish of Santo Tomás Moro, in Majadahonda, on Saturday, September 12, and was presided over by Fr. Javier Cereceda, Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ in Spain. Miguel and Santiago were accompanied by their families and members of the Regnum Christi family. They now continue their vocational discernment journey: Brother Miguel, studying Humanities in Cheshire (United States), and Brother Santiago, who already holds a Law degree, will study Philosophy in Rome.
During his homily, Fr. Javier Cereceda invited Brothers Miguel and Santiago, and all those present, to be prophetic signs through their authenticity of life.
“I want to know Christ better and love Him more”
“This step involves total surrender to God of my entire being. It is proof that God never fails,” explains Brother Miguel Herrera, who is from Seville and studied at Highlands School Sevilla. Additionally, he admits that his desire is to discover more about Jesus: “I feel hope and excitement. I want to know Christ better and love Him more,” so he adds, “I am going to the United States to continue learning.”
“A milestone in my life: The beginning of a path as a religious towards the priesthood”
For his part, Brother Santiago recognizes that this step is a “milestone” in his life: “It is the start of a journey towards the priesthood, as a religious, to which God is calling me to serve others and to be happy,” explains the young Mexican. He also notes that he feels restless: “I am happy, although nervous, but very at peace with the decision to profess,” he concludes. Regarding his future, he feels very confident: “New community, new language… But very calm in the hands of Mary.”
“We have called you by your name and you have responded ‘present’”
In his homily, Fr. Javier Cereceda emphasized that the profession of temporary vows is a response “not yet definitive, but powerful enough to say: Here I am, Lord,” and thus the coming years will reveal the challenging task of, like the consecrated and the laity, “getting up every morning saying Yes, Lord, here I am to try to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to my brothers,” on this path towards the priesthood.
As he did in the previous delivery of the Legionary habit to Brother Marcos Caras, Fr. Javier revisited some parts of the Constitutions of the Legionaries of Christ and texts from the Church to unveil the deep and essential meaning of the act. He highlighted some key characteristics of what the profession of vows is and what happens in it: First, that the call is an initiative of God, and that it is the Church that calls: “We have called you by your name and you have responded ‘present’. Life is listening to the word of God, and responding not with words, but with one’s own life.”
Authenticity: if lived truly, it becomes a prophetic sign; commit to Jesus Christ that your life will be prophetic
“The profession involves ‘a transformative relationship,’” he said, which means recognizing that one is not perfect, does not embody what God expects, “so life is asking the Lord ‘make me as You want me to be,’ love others with Christ’s love, and strive to live the commandment of love perfectly,” he explained. “Vows are the path that God offers you to live fully what He has called you to be,” he said, especially for those called to the priesthood. “And that coherence between what you profess and sincerely wish to live, and what you embody in daily life, is what we call authenticity.”
Father Javier recalled the three values outlined in the 2020 General Chapter: “Authenticity, communion— we must work united—, and apostolic zeal—the desire that the love of Jesus Christ not be lost,” he reminded. “That is what the Lord invites you to today,” he told Brothers Miguel and Santiago. He also emphasized the testimonial strength of an authentic life: “This authenticity, if truly lived despite the difficulties and limitations we have, becomes a prophetic sign,” he said, “and this is what I, as your brother, want to tell you: commit to Jesus Christ that your life will be prophetic.”
He encouraged them not to take this step “to be a mediocre religious who fulfills his duties halfway,” but to say “I want to be an instrument that disappears so that You may be in me the light for others.” And he reiterated: “It is the only thing that truly makes this step worthwhile: that your coherence, joy, struggle, getting up when you fall and face difficulties, become a prophetic sign for this world. May you be faithful joyfully, coherently, and authentically.”
“Live and make real this commitment of unity that we want to live”
Father Javier, Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ, participates as such in the Territorial Governing Board of Regnum Christi alongside the territorial directors of the Consecrated Women— Betty Rivera—, the Laity— Emilio Martínez—, and two laypeople who attend the College— Marieta Rubio and José M. Mohedano. He wished to thank the entire Regnum Christi family – the Legionaries of Christ, consecrated women, laity, and lay consecrated members – for their participation in the celebration because “we live externally and make real this commitment of unity that we want to live.” And he told them: “May the Lord grant us all here that our lives be prophetic, that we be signs that Christ, who does not lie, does not disappoint, and that He can truly fill the life of the Christian even though it is not free of difficulties.”
He thanked the blood family “who said yes to the Lord who asked for a child,” and urged everyone to know how to accompany Brothers Miguel and Santiago.
In the Ratio Institutionis
Once the novitiate is completed, Brothers Miguel Herrera and Santiago Huerdo begin a new stage on their path to the priesthood. During this time, as indicated in the Ratio Institutionis of the Legionaries of Christ, which is the document that outlines the key elements of the formation itinerary in the Congregation, “the step from the simplicity of novitiate life to an intense dedication to studies is taken. It is the moment to learn in these new conditions to find God in interior life, in community, in the way of facing studies with responsibility and seriousness, as an approach to the mystery of God and man” (n. 759).
