“All charisms are for the mission, and they are precisely so with the incalculable richness of their variety; in such a way that the Church can testify and proclaim the Gospel to everyone and in any situation” (Pope Francis, February 2, 2023).
On February 2nd, the day on which the Church celebrates the liturgical feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the World Day for Consecrated Life is also observed. On this day, the Church seeks to value the testimony of those who have left everything to follow God’s call by taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The Day is also an opportunity for those in consecrated life to renew their commitment to daily service in the mission entrusted to them. And, on a broader level, it is a privileged moment to also pray for vocations in the Church.
Regnum Christi, composed of four realities, has the spiritual richness of having three different vocations of consecrated life: the Legionaries of Christ, the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, and the Laity of Regnum Christi.
Legionaries of Christ
They are a pontifical religious congregation composed of priests and seminarians on the path to priesthood. As consecrated religious, they profess, first temporarily and then perpetually, the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The Legionaries seek to foster evangelical creativity among themselves and with the laity they serve. A characteristic that has always accompanied them is deep love for the Pope, Vicar of Christ, and for the bishops in communion with him. From their vocation and mission, they also strive to be involved in the pastoral work of the local church wherever they are.
Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi
Their identity integrates consecration, the lay state, and the charism of Regnum Christi. These elements shape a lifestyle and a way of being present and relating to the world.
The consecrated women embrace as their own the common mission of Regnum Christi, which is to make present the mystery of Christ who goes out to meet people, reveals the love of His heart, gathers and forms them as apostles, Christian leaders, sends them out, and accompanies them so they can collaborate in evangelizing men and society.
They undertake academic studies according to the charism and mission of Regnum Christi, ensuring a foundation in theology and religious sciences. Subsequently, each one pursues postgraduate studies or other courses in various fields that enable her to respond to the demands of evangelization in today’s world. This formation extends throughout their lives, becoming a way of living.
Permanent formation is the ongoing process of transformation in Christ, allowing all life situations to shape and form them as women, Christians, and consecrated members of Regnum Christi.
Laity of Regnum Christi
They are men who, responding to a call from God, dedicate their entire lives to the service of the Church as laity consecrated to Christ in Regnum Christi, sent to live and spread the good news of being apostles in the social and professional world. They go out to meet others with their personal talents and profession, and together with them, seek to make the Kingdom of Christ present in society.
They seek to live the mystery of Christ, who, consecrated to the Father and close to His brothers and sisters, as one more of His People, announces the Kingdom with His word, His work, and the offering of His life. Their formation aims at transformation in Christ, the model of the lay consecrated who seeks to testify in the world the new life of the Kingdom of God, and to prepare as apostles according to their specific charism.
A spiritual family, an apostolic body, four vocations
The consecrated vocations, together with the laity, contribute their particular identity to the good and enrichment of all of Regnum Christi in service of the mission. Thus, in communion, complementarity, and co-responsibility, they contribute from their particular vocation to the service of men and the Church.
This February 2nd, let us take the opportunity to value and thank God for the gift of consecrated life. Let us also personally thank the Legionaries, consecrated women, and laity of Regnum Christi whom we know for their service to the Church.
And let us not cease to pray for vocations, imploring the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to His vineyard (cf. Mt 9:38), and why not, also promoting each of these vocations to the consecrated life.
