Today, the last day of the Assembly, the delegates began with the Mass presided over by Fr. Gabriel Barcena, LC.  During the homily, Fr. Emilio Díaz- Torre, LC, invited the delegates to conclude this final day of meetings and reflections with joy and confidence. “The Lord is asking us to be confident in Him, to give Him everything we have, our own five pieces of bread and two fish.” He also invited the delegates to stay the course: “Do not stray from the path, look back or come to a stop on this path with Christ.” Watch the full Mass here.

At the end of the Mass, the plenary meeting was held, where the teams that had not presented yet, from the previous day, presented their conclusions. In particular, the main themes from the draft statutes of the presidency and government of the federation. The process of reviewing the final draft of the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation also continued on this eighth day.

After a morning break the second morning session began. In this session, the delegates divided into groups by branches to continue with the reflections of the themes distributed during the previous day.

Afterwards, the delegates had lunch followed by Eucharistic adoration where they offered God the work of these days and asked the Holy Spirit to enlighten them to make a good discernment of what God wants for Regnum Christi. Fr. Ghirlanda was also present the whole day.

In the afternoon, meetings continued by branches and Fr. Eduardo Robles -Gil, LC, returned from Mexico to join the delegates for the final hours of the Extraordinary General Assembly. He began the afternoon session with some words of gratitude to the Assembly for the prayers offered for the passing of his mother. Fr. Eduardo celebrated the funeral mass in Mexico City in the University Anahuac and was accompanied by many RC members. Pictures from the funeral can be found here.

The afternoon was spent concluding the voting process and reviewing the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation.

From Thursday, December 6 to Friday, December 7 the General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ and the respective Assemblies of the Consecrated Women and Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi will meet separately to review and discuss the conclusions of the Extraordinary General Assembly. On Friday evening there will be a presentation of the final draft and a closing dinner for all of the participants who attended these meetings.

About the Extraordinary General Assembly:

The communications and proposals show a strong convergence between the different branches of Regnum Christi (Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi, and the Lay Members of Regnum Christi) on the existence of a common charism and mission. The Legionaries of Christ expressed themselves on this subject in continuity with the General Chapter of 2014, and have reiterated that the Legionaries of Christ belong to Regnum Christi, and that both are inseparable realities.

For more information, you can consult www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Images of the day are available here.

The seventh day of sessions at the Extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi began with Holy Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip Martyr.

Fr. Ricardo Sada, LC, officiated Mass. Fr. José Cárdenas, LC, read the Gospel and preached the homily. Fr. Jose reflected on the fundamental attitudes that this Advent season invites us to exercise: simplicity of spirit and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He said “Let us live this spirit of Advent, asking for the grace to be humble and meek of heart… He is the one who guides us, He is the one who drives us towards completing our mission; He is the one who guides the Federation of Regnum Christi.”

After Mass, during the plenary sessions, the delegates reviewed the draft of the Extraordinary General Assembly communiqué and then there were another two sessions dedicated to reflection and discussion about the Statutes of the Federation of Regnum Christi.

At the end of these meetings, they went to lunch followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten them for proper discernment.

A plenary meeting concluded the afternoon sessions. The delegates reviewed the issues reflected in the working groups, the first draft of the communiqué of the Extraordinary General Assembly, and continued voting on the proposals of the Statutes.

About the Extraordinary General Assembly:

Regnum Christi is coming to the end of a process of revision of its General Statutes to provide Regnum Christi with an appropriate canonical form. For this, 91 representatives from the different vocations that form Regnum Christi – Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women, Lay Consecrated Men and Lay Members – are meeting for the Extraordinary General Assembly. The Extraordinary General Assembly occurred in two parts. The first part was in April. The second part is being held now from November 27-December 5, 2018.

For more information you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Images of the day can be seen here.

The sixth day of activities began with Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St Phillipe Martyr. The holy Mass was presided by Fr. Juan Jose Arrieta, LC, who offered the Mass for Margarita Orvañanos de Robles-Gil, mother of Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil who just recently passed away on December 1, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Fr. Eduardo traveled to Mexico on Sunday, December 2 to celebrate the funeral Mass. He will return to Rome on Wednesday, December 5  for the final sessions of the Assembly and General Chapter.

“Accomplish our mission” was the phrase that was at the center of today’s homily by Fr. Carlos Zancajo, LC. “Today, the Church gives us an example in St Francis Xavier. He died at 46 with 10 years of intense apostolic work in the most far off places of the world, with many difficulties and trials along the way. This makes him the paradigm of mission…He who accomplishes the mission.”

After Mass, the delegates from the consecrated branches (Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women and Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi) began their daily meeting with reviewing the first draft of the Extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi communique, the proposal from the Lay Consecrated Men about the works of apostolates and the initial presentation of an accord commission (commission set up to coordinate accords between the branches) with the help of Fr. Ghirlanda, the pontifical assistant that is helping the general government, in this process of reviewing the Statute of the Federation of Regnum Christi.

During the second session, the delegates broke up into two groups to discuss the relationship between the Federation, different branches of Regnum Christi and the works of apostolate. The main question the discussion revolved around was: how can we ensure that Regnum Christi accomplishes its mission, that its localities flourish and that we achieve a harmonious relationship between the different parts.

After lunch and eucharistic adoration, the delegates met as territorial teams to continue with the same reflections.

At the end of the day, the delegates returned to the main assembly hall to share the fruits from the small group meetings and the territorial discussions.

About the Extraordinary General Assembly:

The Extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi begins from the decisions and recommendations of the General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ and of the General Assemblies of Consecrated Women and Lay Consecrated Men on the Third Draft of the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation, along with the contributions of the common territorial assemblies, and the results of the International Convention of the Lay Members of 2016.

It was preceded by the first session of the Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ and the General Assemblies of the Consecrated Women and Lay Consecrated Men, who have each contributed their first considerations to the General Assembly to be worked on jointly with all branches in the coming days.

For more information you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Images of the day can be seen here.

In today’s homily, on the fifth day of the Extraordinary General Assembly in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St Philip Martyr, Fr. Alberto Puertolas, LC, invited the delegates to participate together in the Eucharist and to ask the Lord for light during the process of renewal. Watch the Mass.

At the end of the Mass, the delegates went to the Assembly hall to invoke the Holy Spirit and pray together before the beginning of the first session of the day where they continued with the pending votes of the previous day.

In a plenary meeting, the delegates continued the reflection, discussion and analysis of the pending numbers of the reglamento (rule/regulations) for the Lay Members of the Federation of Regnum Christi. Fr. Andreas Schöggl, LC, was the moderator and Fr. Ghirlanda was present during the whole meeting.

The delegates took a group photo during the morning break and the photo can be seen in the photo gallery.

After lunch, the delegates went to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, since they wanted to have time for prayer to discern what is being discussed in the assembly.

The last plenary sessions with the Lay Members of Regnum Christi were held in the afternoon, since this was the last day they were present in the Assembly. Next week the General Assembly will continue with only the consecrated branches, the Legionaries of Christ, the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, and the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi.

A constant theme of the discussions has been the way Regnum Christi can fulfill the mission it has received. The comments of the delegates centered on this topic. The guidance of Fr. Ghirlanda was vital to the drafting of a Statute for Regnum Christi in the form of a Federation that will be presented to the Holy See for approval.

At 7:00 p.m. the delegates met in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St Philip Martyr to pray the Rosary together asking for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the fruits of this assembly.

Afterwards, the delegates had dinner to say goodbye to the lay members who had finished their part in the assembly, as they are only in Rome for the first week.

About the Extraordinary General Assembly:

The Extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi begins from the decisions and recommendations of the General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ and of the General Assemblies of Consecrated Women and Lay Consecrated Men on the Third Draft of the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation, along with the contributions of the common territorial assemblies, and the results of the International Convention of the Lay Members of 2016.

It was preceded by the first session of the Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ and the General Assemblies of the Consecrated Women and Lay Consecrated Men, who have each contributed their first considerations to the General Assembly to be worked on jointly with all branches in the coming days.

For more information you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Images of the day can be seen here.

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” With this reflection, the 91 delegates participating in the Extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi began the fourth day with Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip Martyr in Rome.

Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, celebrated the Mass, and Fr. John Pietropaoli, LC, gave the homily. Fr. John said, “Christ asks us, he calls us, he invites us to enter into communion with each other as we receive his Body and Blood, and he calls us to mission, he sends us forth so that others might experience his love, so that others might know him, and might have life, and life to the full.” Listen to the homily here.

During the Mass Gail Gore, the director of communications and marketing of Regnum Christi for the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Korea and the Philippines, answered a calling to become a lay member of Regnum Christi in the presence of Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, which was a great joy for the participants of the Assembly to witness.

The Mass was also offered for the eternal repose of soul of José Ignacio Sánchez Conde, who passed away from a heart attack today. He was the father-in-law of José Antonio Lebrija, one of the delegates from Mexico City. José Antonio returned to Mexico in order to be with his family during these difficult moments. All the delegates offered the Mass and their prayers today for José Antonio and his family.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the delegates went to the Assembly Hall where they continued with comments, reflection and voting on the numbers of the third draft of the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation that they didn’t get to on the previous day. At the end of the session the different branches met separately to review some of the numbers of the draft.

The group sessions lasted the rest of the morning through the beginning of the afternoon. The last session was a plenary session. Delegates were able to present their team reflections to the rest of the participants, and then vote number by number as the regulations specify.

The international communication office also published the video of the presentation of the Pontifical Decrees that establishes the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi and the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi as Societies of Apostolic Life.

About the Extraordinary General Assembly:

The secretary of the General Assembly is the general secretary of Regnum Christi. The

Secretary is responsible, under the direction of the Central Commission, to:

1. Collect all the interventions and write the corresponding minutes.
2. To direct the quick elaboration, during the very development of the Assembly, of the texts of the communiqués and decrees.
3. Prepare the calendars and agendas of the meetings.

The secretary of the Assembly can be assisted in his functions by some assistants, appointed by the General Director.

The moderator of the Assembly is responsible, under the direction of the president, to order the discussion and keep the discussion on the subject matter, giving the floor to the delegates and marking the time that is allowed to intervene, according to the established schedule.

The moderators are appointed, permanently or temporarily, by the General Director from among the delegates, with the consent of the Central Commission. If they are not members of the Central Commission, the moderators attend their meetings on the days when they exercise the function of moderating.

For more information you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Link to today’s images.

Today’s activities began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, the consultant of the Commission for the Revision of the General Statutes of the Regnum Christi Movement, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip Martyr in Rome, Italy. In the homily delivered to the delegates he affirmed, “We need to trust that God will not abandon us as we implement what he is asking of us.” He invited the delegates to offer themselves to God in service of the other members of Regnum Christi in order to build the Kingdom of Christ together.

The recording of the homily with an English simultaneous translation can be watched here.

Afterwards, the 91 delegates began the ordinary sessions in which they continued analyzing, discussing, and voting on the numbers of the third draft of the General Statutes.

Fr. Eduardo and Fr. Ghirlanda provided some insights during the reflection on the themes of the spiritual life and apostolic activity of the lay members of Regnum Christi. They also responded to questions about the association of lay members to the Federation.

Moments of prayer accompanied the whole day. There were quotes from Sacred Scripture in the Chapter Hall that each delegate could take and reflect on during the breaks throughout the day, as well.

The delegates were shown a video that the students from the Anahuac University in Mexico City prepared for them.

In the afternoon the delegates were able to enjoy lunch and rest, during which several delegates took the opportunity to continue sharing ideas and reflecting on the topics seen during these first few days.

In the afternoon they continued with two more plenary sessions where the delegates reviewed and voted on the numbers in the agenda for today.

About the extraordinary general assembly:

The General Assembly is held in two stages. The first part, was from April 9th through the 18^th of 2018. The second, is being held now in November 2018. It brings together 91 delegates from all the realities that make up Regnum Christi: Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi and the lay members of Regnum Christi. 31% (29) participate by office and 69% (62) have been elected by vote from among members of their own branches.

The vice president of the General Assembly is the general director of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. She is responsible for replacing the president in his functions when he asks for it and in case of temporary impediment.

A Central Commission is set up to serve as operational assistance in the development of the General Assembly. This Commission functions as a college, has the functions of a General Secretariat and has the mission of accompanying the Assembly so that it proceeds according to a timetable and working times, establishing the agenda, assisting in the drafting of documents, etc. This Commission will be formed by Fr. Eduardo Robles Gil, General Director of Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ; Jorge López, General Director of the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi; Gloria Rodríguez, General Director of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi; Francisco Gámez, lay member of Regnum Christi and the General Committee; and Fr. Sylvester Heereman, LC, president of the commission for the revision of the statutes. The Pontifical Assistant can participate in the meetings of the Central Commission whenever he wishes.

For more information, you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Images of the day can be seen here.

“God our Lord blesses us”

The second day of activities began with the consecrated branches offering the assembly, especially the 28 lay members, an informative meeting about the conclusions of the Extraordinary General Chapter and Extraordinary General Assemblies.

After this session, they had the Mass officiated by Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip of Jesus where Fr. Eduardo welcomed the lay Regnum Christi members who join the Extraordinary General Assembly. In the homily, Fr. Eduardo spoke about the layperson’s relationship with God: “Jesus is the one who guides our life and history, we can peacefully go forward in our life because he guides it. Jesus has done great things in each of us, for which we must give thanks to God. Jesus impels us, he lights our hearts but above all, he blesses with visible fruits and above all with invisible fruits.” He also emphasized the layperson’s mission: “We are instruments and apostles, we are destined to make presence of God among men and an effective instrument for meeting people with God. We do this through bringing God to others in apostolic action.”

At the conclusion of the Mass, all the delegates continued with the work of the extraordinary General Assembly with the presence of Fr. Ghirlanda, S.J.

In 2010, Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ, was appointed personal advisor to the Pontifical Delegate for the Legionaries of Christ, Card. Velasio De Paolis. In 2012, the Pontifical Delegate entrusted him with the government of the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi. He participated as president in the General Assembly of Regnum Christi Lay Consecrated Men (November 2013) and as Vice President in the Extraordinary General Chapter of the Legion of Christ (January and February 2014). On March 19, 2014, Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, appointed him a consultant to the Commission for the revision of the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Movement.

After lunch, the delegates had a moment of Eucharistic Adoration. In the afternoon, they met to revise and vote on the first chapters of the Third Draft of the Regnum Christi Statutes.

About the extraordinary general assembly:

The second session of the General Assembly aims to carry out the tasks initiated during the first session, in particular:

1. To approve the text of the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation, which will be presented for ratification by the supreme organs of the branches and, if so approved, for the approval of the Holy See.
2. To approve the rule of life of the laypeople associated with the Regnum Christi Federation (DG-RC 0354-2018).
3. Offer guidelines for the implementation of the Federation.

Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ, participates in the General Assembly, by virtue of his appointment as pontifical assistant to accompany the Legion and Regnum Christi in the search for an adequate canonical configuration.

The president of the General Assembly is the general director of Regnum Christi.

It is responsible for the following functions:

1. Direct and guide the work of the Assembly, with the support of the Central Commission.
2. Preside over and moderate – as he deems convenient – the meetings.
3. Appoint the moderators for the meetings, with the consent of the Central Commission.
4. Approve the program and the schedules of the Assembly.
5. Determine, having listened to the Central Commission, the working methodology.
6. Sign the final act.
7. Ensure compliance with the Regulations of the General Assembly.

For more information you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/

Images here.

A point of encounter and the beginning of a journey

Today began the second part of the extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi with the invocation of the Holy Spirit through the Veni Creator. The delegates of the consecrated branches had their first session at 9:30 am in the Chapter Hall of the General Directorate in Rome.

Cristina Danel reflected on the passage from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (6:10-18)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

In the center of the chapter hall is a Regnum Christi shield with four candles representing the four branches: Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women, Lay Consecrated Men, and lay members. A representative of each one lit a candle as a symbol of the fire that burns in the heart of each of the members, and of the originality of the gift that each branch is for Regnum Christi.

Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, General Director, welcomed the delegates reminding them that, in the end, the Assembly’s is directed, “So that Christ reign in the hearts of the people.” He made a tour of the last year’s process. “A final point of arrival and the beginning of a journey.” He emphasized that Regnum Christi exists to serve the Church. He spoke about the attitudes that delegates should have towards the second part of the Assembly, referring to the message of Pope Francis at the beginning of the Synod on young people.

Afterwards, Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., pontifical assistant, spoke about the fundamental points of the Statutes emphasizing the complementarity of the four branches. “We are at the end of a long road that has lasted at least six years, which has absorbed a lot of energy. We thank, above all, those who have carried forward, with great fatigue, dedication and patience, the work of synthesis of the various instances and preparation of the drafts.” He continued: “We are making a search for the most suitable canonical figure to protect the autonomy and unity of each branch. This means having confidence in God leading us.”

The consecrated branches presented the conclusive results of the second part of the extraordinary General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ, of the Assembly of Regnum Christi Consecrated Women and of the Assembly of the Regnum Christi Lay Consecrated Men. They also reviewed the regulation and the annex to the regulation of functionality of the Assembly.

Some delegates shared their expectations at the beginning of the second part of the Assembly:

“We started this assembly with great trust in God to find ways where there is consensus.” Fr. Hernán Jiménez, LC.

“I come to this Assembly with great hope and expectation: I experience peace and am very open to listen to the opinions of other branches.” Africa Pemán.

“I see supernatural joy from faith: when our four realities come together as a family, we are a prophetic sign. God has wanted to look at this poor and humble reality to reveal how Regnum Christi can work in the future.” Fr. Paul Habsburg, LC.

“I thank the branches for what they have shared and for what has resonated in my heart. Fr. Eduardo’s initial message put the emphasis on the mission of Regnum Christi to be a response to people who do not know God.” Cristina Danel.

“I come with a heart full of hope. I have the desire to work together in a Regnum Christi that goes out accompanying lay people to fulfill our mission.” Nancy Nohrden.

“I think what has been achieved so far is a hopeful path. We still have to address several issues that we will be reviewing in the future.” Francisco Gámez.

“I joined the Legionaries of Christ through the testimony of the Lay Consecrated Men. There is a world outside waiting for us to fulfill the mission to which God has called us in the Movement.” Fr. Emilio Díaz-Torre, LC.

“We know that we are Regnum Christi when, looking at Christ, the Church and the world, we feel something inside, that desire to meet people.” Viviana Limón.

“I believe that God invites us to be instruments of peace for the Movement.” Félix Gómez Rueda.

In the afternoon, the lay delegates joined and celebrated the Eucharist in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip of Jesus, presided over by Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, the titular archbishop of Belcastro and secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

During the homily, Archbishop Carballo reflected on the steps that have taken place in this process of renewing Regnum Christi. He thanked all the delegates for their participation during this process.

Archbishop Carballo gave Gloria Rodríguez, general director of the Consecrated Women, and Jorge Lopez, general director for the Lay Consecrated Men, the decrees of approval as Societies of Apostolic Life, fruit of several years of work accompanied by the Church.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the delegates participated in the welcome dinner at the General Directorate.

Tomorrow, the sessions of the extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi will continue, and the lay delegates will join the consecrated branches.

About the extraordinary general assembly:

90 delegates are attending the General Assembly. They come from 14 countries: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, the United States, and Venezuela. 36 legionaries (40%) (16 by office, 20 by election); 30 lay people (33%) (1 by office, 29 by election – 13 women, 17 men), 18 Consecrated Women (20%) (6 by office, 12 by election); and 6 Lay Consecrated Men (6.7%) (all 6 by office).

In total, 29 of the delegates (32%) participate by office and 61 (68%) have been elected by the members of their own branches.

The participants in the second session of the General Assembly are the same as for the first session, except in case of impediment, according to the substitutions provided by the General Chapter or the General Assemblies of the branches. Also, the delegates who attend by office can be replaced by substitute delegates elected to maintain the proportionality of the branches.

For more information, you can consult the web page www.regnumchristi.org/rcstatutes/en/.

Link for today’s images.