By José Pablo Poblete, LC
The Constitutions of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ outline, in number 4, 2nd, the fields of action of the legionary life. They say: together with them, establish institutions and undertake actions that most contribute, in depth and in scope, to building the Kingdom of Christ in society, and thus respond to the needs of the universal and particular Church, in communion with its Shepherds and according to the charism
All these fields of apostolate awaken the appetite of each legionary and keep alive the flame of the fire burning within hearts. The foundation of the vocation is in Christ, but it is because of that love that we burn and feel called to carry this fire also to others. The panorama of what there is to do is broad, and opportunities appear on the horizon. Each of these ways of transmitting Christ becomes a “hope” that moves us. A hope that keeps us alive and eager. A hope that seduces us to give our lives.
Hope that grace will act. Whether through the prayers we offer for so many people, through the sacraments we celebrate in so many places, or through intercession before God exercised in so many ways. All this gives hope and allows us to move forward and preach, because Christ guides and Grace acts.
Hope that each person will have a real and intimate experience of Christ. Schools, universities, retreats, ECYD, NET, each “encounter with Christ,” all these places of concrete action give us the hope that, in some way, God uses these means to achieve the encounter with each soul.
Hope that Christ is alive in society. Carrying a religious badge, seeing people enter a church to pray, living joyfully in the act of consecration. We trust that God is alive and still has a vibrant place within society.
“Hope is the faith that I love”, and because we love Christ, we have hope. That is why we launch ourselves each day, where obedience calls us, to carry out the institutions that most contribute to the extension of Christ’s kingdom. Each field of action is a personal and worldly hope that needs God.
