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THE MISSION OF REGNUM CHRISTI FOR DIOCESAN PRIESTS
The following is the text of a conference given to Legionary Brothers and Priest concerning the importance of targeting priests for the Regnum Christi. As usual, the Legion gets the means and the ends quite confused.
Thy Kingdom Come!
CONFERENCE
December 25, 1993
THE MISSION OF REGNUM CHRISTI FOR DIOCESAN PRIESTS
1. INTRODUCTION
Before beginning this conference on the mission of Regnum Christi for the diocesan priests of Regnum Christi, I would like to analyze some excerpts of the writings of Nuestro Padre so that we can all come to share the deep concern which he has for helping the Church’s priests.
As you well know, the second section of our constitutions asks that we carry out works directed towards the attention and preservation of diocesan priests. In this section Nuestro Padre refers to priests as the group most loved by the sacred heart of Jesus Christ and most committed to the continuation of His redemptive work on earth. In order to understand the origins of the love and veneration which Nuestro Padre has for the figure of the priest, let us read an excerpt of the report which he presented at the chapter meeting:
Since my youth I have felt a deep apreciation for the figure of the priest, the group most loved by the sacred heart of Jesus. I clearly saw his vital importance in the mystical body of the Church. And I observed with deep pain that some priests were not living in an appropriately dignified way, that there were many priests, but few saints. For this reason, I saw from very early on that God was calling us to also dedicate our efforts to priests. As I wrote in a letter from 1946, in my first trip to Europe, “our mission should be also be extended to priests, to rechristianize the priest himself.” To make him live his participation in the mystery of Christ. To make him understand his mission of salvation.
In order to see examples of the veneration and deep concern Nuestro Padre has for priests, we need only look at two events:
1. When the first Italian priest to be incorporated into the Movement came to meet Nuestro Padre, he was met in the reception area of the General Director’s offices. At the end of the meeting Nuestro Padre knelt down and asked the priest for his blessing.
2. The efforts of Nuestro Padre to bring about the establishment of the international college, Maria Mater Ecclesiae, in spite of great difficulties.
1.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF RECRUITMENT OF PRIESTS FOR THE MOVEMENT
Now let us consider some reasons for cultivating and recruiting priests for Regnum Christi. As you know, the distinctive characteristic of the Regnum Christi Movement is the recruitment and promotion of Christian leaders. The Regnum Christi Manual enumerates various types of leaders, putting at the top of the list leaders in the religious field. There can be no doubt that the priest, as noted in Pastores Dabo Vobis, is called to be a pastor and head of the people of God. In brief, if Regnum Christi is to establish the Kingdom of Christ in society. both with and within the Church, it cannot ignore the pressing importance of transforming priests into effective co-workers in the mission of Christ in the world.
Looking at this from a mearly practical point of view, we have a great need for the support of priests in order to extend the Movement among the lay faithful. Where there are priests who support and do not obstruct our work, we will always have an open and fertile field in which to work for the cause of Jesus Christ. In contrast, and we have seen this, where there are priests who do not support the work of Regnum Christi, our advancement is halted by obstacles ecountered at each step along the way. For example, in the very work of vocational drives, we see that the word of a parish priest is at times the determining factor in whether a youth says "yes" or "no" to the Legionary vocation.
(Stress added by ReGAIN editor)
CONFERENCE
December 25, 1993
THE MISSION OF REGNUM CHRISTI FOR DIOCESAN PRIESTS
1. INTRODUCTION
Before beginning this conference on the mission of Regnum Christi for the diocesan priests of Regnum Christi, I would like to analyze some excerpts of the writings of Nuestro Padre so that we can all come to share the deep concern which he has for helping the Church’s priests.
As you well know, the second section of our constitutions asks that we carry out works directed towards the attention and preservation of diocesan priests. In this section Nuestro Padre refers to priests as the group most loved by the sacred heart of Jesus Christ and most committed to the continuation of His redemptive work on earth. In order to understand the origins of the love and veneration which Nuestro Padre has for the figure of the priest, let us read an excerpt of the report which he presented at the chapter meeting:
Since my youth I have felt a deep apreciation for the figure of the priest, the group most loved by the sacred heart of Jesus. I clearly saw his vital importance in the mystical body of the Church. And I observed with deep pain that some priests were not living in an appropriately dignified way, that there were many priests, but few saints. For this reason, I saw from very early on that God was calling us to also dedicate our efforts to priests. As I wrote in a letter from 1946, in my first trip to Europe, “our mission should be also be extended to priests, to rechristianize the priest himself.” To make him live his participation in the mystery of Christ. To make him understand his mission of salvation.
In order to see examples of the veneration and deep concern Nuestro Padre has for priests, we need only look at two events:
1. When the first Italian priest to be incorporated into the Movement came to meet Nuestro Padre, he was met in the reception area of the General Director’s offices. At the end of the meeting Nuestro Padre knelt down and asked the priest for his blessing.
2. The efforts of Nuestro Padre to bring about the establishment of the international college, Maria Mater Ecclesiae, in spite of great difficulties.
1.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF RECRUITMENT OF PRIESTS FOR THE MOVEMENT
Now let us consider some reasons for cultivating and recruiting priests for Regnum Christi. As you know, the distinctive characteristic of the Regnum Christi Movement is the recruitment and promotion of Christian leaders. The Regnum Christi Manual enumerates various types of leaders, putting at the top of the list leaders in the religious field. There can be no doubt that the priest, as noted in Pastores Dabo Vobis, is called to be a pastor and head of the people of God. In brief, if Regnum Christi is to establish the Kingdom of Christ in society. both with and within the Church, it cannot ignore the pressing importance of transforming priests into effective co-workers in the mission of Christ in the world.
Looking at this from a mearly practical point of view, we have a great need for the support of priests in order to extend the Movement among the lay faithful. Where there are priests who support and do not obstruct our work, we will always have an open and fertile field in which to work for the cause of Jesus Christ. In contrast, and we have seen this, where there are priests who do not support the work of Regnum Christi, our advancement is halted by obstacles ecountered at each step along the way. For example, in the very work of vocational drives, we see that the word of a parish priest is at times the determining factor in whether a youth says "yes" or "no" to the Legionary vocation.
(Stress added by ReGAIN editor)
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