Rome, September 15, 2024
Our Lady of Sorrows
To the Legionaries of Christ
Dear Fathers and Brothers in Christ,
I hope this letter finds you experiencing the grace of the Lord in your diverse apostolates and ministries. Continuing a tradition since 2021, I write to you annually on this feast day of our heavenly patroness. My aim is to connect with you at the start of this academic year, sharing reflections on topics vital to us as Legionaries. These topics include our transformation into new men in Christ, our identity as apostles mirroring the Heart of Christ, and our very raison d’etre as Legionaries of Christ. This year, my letter, focusing on our role and mission within Regnum Christi, draws from the insights of the General Convention held last May. As John Connor, General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, I want to offer guidance and perspective on our shared path forward.
A Flourishing Seed, A Realized Dream
Since 2018, the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ has been an integral part of the Regnum Christi Federation. This Federation unites us with Lay Consecrated Men and Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, and extends to young people, adults, diocesan priests, and numerous associates. While this canonical structure is relatively recent, it represents the current evolution of a vision that began as a seed over eight decades ago. Even before the consecrated branches emerged, the early Legionaries envisioned an “army” of lay individuals—both consecrated and not—collaborating to establish Christ’s Kingdom throughout society. This aspiration has now become a tangible reality. Statute 10 of the Regnum Christi Federation speaks to the “interior urging in our hearts that impels us to passionate self-giving in order to make his Kingdom present,” the crucial understanding that “accepting that following Christ includes spiritual combat,” and the call to “undertake with a magnanimous, enthusiastic, and creative heart the actions that make the Kingdom present in greater depth and extent.” Today, Regnum Christi embodies communities of active apostles globally, directing established apostolates and pioneering new initiatives.
Collaborative Gifts: Each Contribution Matters
My first assignment as a priest, ordained in 2001, was on the East Coast of the United States. My primary mission was fundraising to support our formation centers in Cheshire, Thornwood, and Rome. My role was straightforward: connect with generous individuals interested in supporting our work. I focused on cities where Regnum Christi was still developing, such as Philadelphia and Miami. As I built relationships, I noticed a recurring desire among those who resonated with the Legion’s mission. They sought deeper engagement, personal formation, and the transformative gifts Regnum Christi offered. However, Regnum Christi was nascent in these areas, and I was a newly ordained priest, still finding my footing.
Alt text: Fr. John Connor, General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, pens his annual letter to members, reflecting on their mission.
Fortunately, I had a seasoned Legionary mentor, the director of a thriving Regnum Christi section, who guided my initial steps. He illuminated the workings of Regnum Christi sections and generously provided experienced formators to lead retreats and spiritual exercises, enhancing Regnum Christi’s visibility. Later, the Consecrated Women arrived to minister to adult women and girls in the region. This collaborative spirit fueled the remarkable growth of Regnum Christi I witnessed firsthand.
This expansion was a direct result of the teamwork of priests and well-formed lay individuals, united in sharing the richness of our charism. Many of you have experienced similar journeys, encountering individuals with a profound yearning to evangelize, nurturing that spark into a flame, and connecting them with others sharing that same passion, ultimately building community and spreading the Gospel. This essence of collaboration and evangelizing communion defines Regnum Christi in many parts of the world – a seed that prospers and multiplies, not through individual effort alone, but through shared dedication.
The Distinct Mission of Legionaries within Regnum Christi
As Legionaries of Christ, we are integral to this spiritual family, alongside members of diverse vocations, sharing core aspects of spirituality and mission. We are called to serve and uplift fellow members through our ministry, our religious identity, and our very essence as apostles. This service demands cultivating numerous virtues, starting with charity and communion, and encompassing all qualities essential for effective teamwork within our local communities.
While each Legionary contributes unique talents and personality, our Legionary identity itself offers something distinct from members of other branches within Regnum Christi. Our specific contribution is articulated in our Constitutions, particularly numbers 1 through 4, and in the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation. Statute 5 holds particular relevance:
“The Legionaries of Christ, by their religious consecration, contribute the testimony of their self-giving to Jesus Christ and their complete availability for the fulfillment of the common mission. By their condition as priests, they make present Christ the Priest and Good Shepherd through preaching, administering the sacraments and spiritual direction. In communion with all, they collaborate in the integral formation, direction, and apostolic projection of the associated lay faithful, promoting the fullness of their baptismal vocation and Christian leadership; and they establish institutions and initiate actions that can most contribute, in depth and in extent, to building up the Kingdom of Christ in society.”
These passages from the Constitutions and Statutes underscore our unique identity as religious priests within Regnum Christi. This identity shapes who we are and guides how we live out our shared mission alongside other vocations. John Connor emphasizes this shared mission and distinct contributions in his ongoing leadership.
Implications and Recommendations for Legionary Life
This understanding of Legionaries of Christ as part of Regnum Christi, with the particular mission of “making Christ the Priest and Good Shepherd present,” has significant implications for our Legionary life.
1. Testimony of Self-Giving: A Beacon of Hope
The first characteristic Statute 5 identifies as our contribution is “the testimony of their self-giving to Jesus Christ” given “by [our] religious consecration.” Our commitment to the evangelical counsels, lived according to our rule of life, offers a powerful witness of theological hope to our Regnum Christi family. Our radical way of life—striving to live like Jesus Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience—demonstrates spiritual freedom, rooted in complete trust in God and directing our deepest desires towards heavenly realities. By consecrating ourselves “totally, definitively, and exclusively to the one, supreme love of Christ” (CLC 27, 1º) in chastity, we embody a sign of the future life where earthly marriage gives way to a union like that of angels in heaven (Mt 22:30). This consecration directs our hearts towards spiritual treasures, placing ourselves in God’s providential care (CLC 19, 1º), inspiring others to detach from fleeting possessions and seek lasting, eternal values. Through obedience, submitting our will to God’s will via legitimate superiors who “stand in the place of God when they command according to these Constitutions” (CLC 31, 2º), we model trust and submission to divine guidance.
Alt text: Legionaries of Christ in communal prayer within a chapel, exemplifying their dedication to religious life.
We must never underestimate the profound impact of a life wholly dedicated to Christ. Our Constitutions prioritize this witness even above our apostolic works (CLC 2 § 2 º2.). Far from isolating a religious from the lives of those they serve, this witness becomes a guiding light, a source of inspiration. Imitation is fundamental to human learning. We learn to speak by imitation, to play by observation, and to behave by witnessing interactions. Values are absorbed from our surrounding culture. Consecrated individuals embody the values of the Kingdom of Christ, making them visible within our world. They highlight the distinction between the City of God and the city of man, like a white stroke against a dark canvas. Merely preaching Kingdom values is insufficient; we must embody them to become authentic examples.
Authenticity is paramount in living our consecration. The General Chapter of 2020 identified authenticity as a core value for the subsequent six years. Without authentic consecration, we risk becoming lost in the fog, failing to be the lighthouse that guides others towards conversion and imitation of Christ. This risk is amplified by the diverse environments where we carry out our apostolates.
We must remain vigilant against compromises that can erode our consecrated life. Warning signs might include justifications like: “just be normal,” “everyone does it,” “it’s not a sin,” “where is it written that it’s not allowed,” “that’s where the leaders are,” “what’s the big deal,” and so on. A religious life built on such rationalizations can descend into mediocrity, losing the power to inspire conversion and imitation of Christ.
Edifying witness emerges when we choose greater consistency with our consecrated life. Phrases like, “Thank you, but my community has Eucharistic hour then,” “I avoid that TV series as it disturbs my interior peace,” or “I’d love to hike with you, but community R&R is vital for our service,” communicate a powerful message. They convey: “I belong to God, and I need to nourish my soul with His presence to better serve you.”
2. Leadership in the Image of Christ, Priest and Good Shepherd
The second key contribution Statute 5 highlights is: “By their condition as priests, they make present Christ the Priest and Good Shepherd.” The identity of priest and shepherd inherently implies leadership. The shepherd protects and guides the flock to nourishing pastures. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). We must recognize and embrace our leadership role within Regnum Christi. This leadership extends beyond formal positions of authority; it encompasses the moral and spiritual influence we exert by living our vocation fully. Living according to our Constitutions, embodying the Gospel as Legionaries, naturally brings our contribution as imitators of Jesus Christ, Priest and Good Shepherd, inspiring, encouraging, and providing vision to our fellow members.
Therefore, Fathers and Brothers, we must remember that a core mission of the Legionary is to form others in the image of Jesus Christ. While leadership positions may be held, true influence stems from embodying our vocation. Individuals with natural leadership qualities will exert influence regardless of their official roles. Legionaries, living authentically, will lead with or without formal authority.
A chaplain, for instance, living his vocation authentically, can be the soul of a school, infusing it with life and guiding teachers and students towards the institution’s highest ideals. He can shape consciences of board members, parents, teachers, students, and staff, transforming the entire institution. While some Legionaries will hold leadership positions, we are all called to exercise leadership in our spheres of influence.
We must also remember our mission to “establish institutions and initiate actions that can most contribute, in depth and in extent, to building up the Kingdom of Christ in society” (EFRC, 5). This is not driven by ego or power, but by our conviction that God calls us to this dynamic mission. This spirit is captured in Christus Vita Vestra:
“A Legionary has a magnanimous and fighting heart. He gives himself with passion, desires to do more, wants to go farther. Therefore, attentive to the signs of the times, ‘making the most of the opportunity’ (Eph 5:16), he works with zeal and creativity. He seeks out new paths, advancing the mission on both the pastoral and intellectual frontiers of the Church, aware that every day of fatigue for the Kingdom is a precious gift from God that will never return, and that he gives us time to gain eternity. We call this attitude ‘militancy’ (CVV 112).”
In essence, our mission comes alive through daily leadership, in every interaction and with every person we accompany. It thrives when we act authentically, consistent with our values, and with a spirit of service and dedication, irrespective of formal authority. This allows us to embrace the priorities of the recent General Convention, addressing the challenges of today’s world, which I will discuss next.
3. Guiding Principle: Addressing Modern Challenges
The General Convention outlined three priorities for Regnum Christi: (1) fostering a vocation culture, (2) committing to forming communities of apostles for mission, and (3) strengthening pastoral care for marriage and family.
Within this framework, I also consider today’s cultural context: gender ideologies, attacks on fatherhood, and distorted views of men’s roles.
I believe the Legion, within Regnum Christi, has a unique opportunity to address these priorities in response to these cultural challenges. As men and religious, we are particularly positioned to work with lay men. We know that men, living their vocations in family and society in complementarity with women, are crucial to realizing the Convention’s priorities. By focusing on our ministry with men, we offer a vital service to the Church, impacting Regnum Christi men, fathers in our schools, ECYD boys, young men in Regnum Christi sections, and all men involved in our apostolates.
Therefore, I offer a guiding principle for all Legionaries: as a Congregation, we can provide a distinct service to the Church and Regnum Christi by focusing on the formation and accompaniment of men. John Connor sees this as a critical area of focus for the Legionaries.
A beautiful fruit of our work with men and living our identity is vocations to the Legion and Consecrated Lay Men. The Church’s vocation crisis reflects a youth crisis. Young men struggle to find God-centered, authentic, selfless role models embodying the radical consecration of the Gospel. Promoting vocations, a task for every Legionary, is an invitation to live our religious life with such fullness that God inspires self-giving, as seen in the lives of authentic religious saints throughout Church history.
During my visit to Venezuela in July, Legionaries shared the success of their “Rosario de señores” (Men’s Rosary) apostolate. Weekly meetings provide a simple yet powerful space for men to pray, share life’s challenges, and engage in spiritual practices together. Similar initiatives are emerging globally, responding to this need.
Examples include “Braveheart,” an initiative in Northern Mexico; missions in Albania for men led by Polish Legionaries; and “Reset” in the US, helping young men reorder their lives. Many other initiatives are underway, demonstrating a growing need being met with creative responses – precisely what society and the Church need now.
I conclude with the example of Wanda Półtawska, a doctor and friend of Saint John Paul II and many Legionaries, who passed away recently. Based on her insights from her relationship with Saint John Paul II, she consistently encouraged Legionaries to focus on forming men, emphasizing the importance of masculine formation for men’s integral development and societal well-being. She stressed that well-formed masculinity, grounded in responsibility, respect, and sacrifice, is essential for men to navigate the contemporary masculinity crisis. She believed our charism was uniquely suited for forming men, leading to profound change in society and families. This directly addresses the General Convention’s third priority: strengthening pastoral care for marriage and family.
In summary, as men of the Kingdom, inspired by Saint Paul, we must bear witness to our love for God through our religious lives, exercise moral and spiritual leadership by living as imitators of Jesus, Priest and Good Shepherd, and actively address today’s cultural challenges by evangelizing families, particularly men. This call to action is central to the message of John Connor in this letter.
I express my sincere gratitude for your dedication and tireless efforts, trusting that Our Lady of Sorrows will continue to guide us in building Christ’s Kingdom in hearts and society.
Affectionately yours in Christ and the Legion,
Fr. John Connor, LC
General Director of the Legionaries of Christ
