If you have been watching the Regnum Christi main website the past couple days, you know that the long-anticipated new handbook of the Movement is available. It is a translation of the new handbook published a couple years ago in Spanish, with a few modifications to fit the North American language and culture. For people who want to enrich their understanding of Regnum Christi, the handbook is a great resource.
Having said that, I’m sure there are some folks who will wonder why on earth we would publish a new handbook, given the revelations of the past couple years, visitation and delegate. Good question — and I believe there is a good answer.
In a nutshell, the handbook has been in process for a couple years, and well AFTER Father Maciel was out of the operations of the Legion and subsequently died. It reflects the history and input of dozens of various authors, both priest and lay, over the years. Will we revise and issue a new version in the future? Of course! But it is the best we can do right now and all the issues we face will take time to sort out. Fact is, they may well take a long time. Frankly, people who are waiting for everything to be fixed, perfect and decided for all time are going to be sorely disappointed. Like most things in life, we are a work in progress.
We promise to do our best to keep making progress. And we appreciate your prayers.
Hi Jim,
Is there an eBook version of the HandBook..what is the link to purchase?
Alan
Alan….At this point, the only version of the handbook that is available is the old-fashioned book — but we’re looking at some options….stay tuned.
Hi Jim,
Can you please post an update to let us all know how the Regnum Christi Member Handbook will be affected by the recent news of the Holy Father’s call for the Legion of Christ to hold an extraordinary chapter and adopt new constitutions.
According to the article: “The pope says it is “necessary and urgent” to take a journey of “deep review of the charisma of the Institute.”” How would this impact the part of the handbook entitled: “Vocation and Spirituality of Members of the Regnum Christi Movement”? We share the same charism and spirituality as the Legion of Christ. Further, as the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Movement serve as one of the sources for the Handbook, to the extent that these statutes may eventually change, that can have a significant impact on how we live our vocation to Regnum Christi.
I think some clarity may be in order!
If we can get a statement from our legionary directors on this issue that would be most helpful, especially as our section is planning to complete a study circle on the handbook beginning this fall. I would guess other sections in the US territories will be doing the same thing and would benefit from the same information.
Thank you and God bless.
PS – I should add that I’m not assuming the RC Statutes WILL change as a result of the extraordinay chapter, but that they MAY change as one of the eventual outcomes of the renewal that the Holy Father seems to be asking for.
Actually, I think a good explanation of the handbook timing is included in the interview with Father Daniel Brandenburg that was published a few days on the Regnum Christi website. Here are a couple of the key questions/answers:
Q: How is this handbook impacted by the communiqué issued by the Holy See, particularly as regards the purification and redefining of the charism? (“The Holy Father wishes to assure all Legionaries and members of the “Regnum Christi” Movement that they will not be abandoned. The Church is firmly resolved to accompany them and help them on the path of purification that awaits them.”)
There is of course an indirect impact that we will be seeing in future years throughout the purification process. The charism of Regnum Christi is tied up intimately with that of the Legion, and so should benefit from all the purification that the Legion itself undergoes.
At the same time, there is no direct or immediate impact from the communiqué, since that document does not call into question the Statutes of Regnum Christi or the charism of the Movement, nor much less call for a moratorium on Legionaries or Regnum Christi members living out their specific vocation. Quite the contrary.
Q: Why are we putting out a new handbook — or any handbook or guidelines — without the assistance of the Holy Father, his delegate and/or commission? Shouldn’t we be waiting for the delegate appointed by the Holy Father to carry out all these changes?
According to the communiqué, the commission will be focused specifically on the review of the Constitution of the Legion and the delegate will most likely have other priorities. Of course, if the Holy Father´s delegate wants to appraise the handbook, that would be a welcome review.
We certainly need to use this time of purification for deepening in prayer. Yet we also need to continue acting in accordance with our baptismal promises to the Lord and to the Church, “being witnesses of His love to the world.” Purification and action go together.
If there are changes that have an impact on the contects of the handbook, the changes will be reflected in future editions.
Thank you for your reply, Jim. I’d like to point out that Fr. Daniel’s answers were based on the May 1 communique from the Vatican. Now the Holy Father has specifically asked for an extraordinary chapter to adopt new constitutions. This is new information, for we now see just how the purification will play out.
New constitutions and a deep review of the charism imply that these could change markedly and that, by extension, could profoundly affect the way Regnum Christi members are asked to live their vocation and spirituality. Our statutes could change dramatically. Or am I off base here?
How would Dr. Daniel respond to this?
I think Father’s answers remain valid. We continue to follow our vocation and serve the Church. If there are changes, they will certainly be incorporated — whether they are dramatic or less so. Recall that the new handbook is different from the “old” handbook.
Please keep in mind that this is a process of purification and renewal that will be followed with patience and charity. It likely will take a long time.
With all due respect, Jim, I’m going to challenge you a bit here. To act with charity means to act for the good of the other. Would it be a charitable act to misrepresent – even with the best of intentions – the mission, charism, and vocation of Regnum Christi to its members?
There is a definite possibility, even probability, that the handbook is now obsolete. And I sincerely mean that. As the charism and constitutions of the Legion have now been called into question, the logical conclusion is that the statutes, methodology and spirituality of the movement are similarly called. Despite Fr. Daniel’s assurances, his Q&A piece is simply outdated at this point now that the Holy Father has called for the extraordinary chapter. It needs revising, at a minimum.
Now, you say we need to continue to follow our vocation and serve the Church. I agree. However, the handbook is supposed to serve as a “how to” on those actions as well as help us better form a “Regnum Christi identity” which we can share with others. The problem is that this “identity” as delivered in the handbook – the spirituality, the charism – may not actually be genuine or real. It really does depend on what shakes out from the extraordinary chapter. While tweaks and small changes to an edition are great and helpful, profoundly revising who we are every few years is only confusing.
As an alternative, perhaps the members could rely at this time on, say, spiritual works from the Church Fathers (which, by the way have what the handbook does not – an imprimatur). Surely these would help us to continue acting in accordance with our baptismal promises to the Lord and to the Church, “being witnesses of His love to the world.” They will, indeed, help us along the path of purification as well as action for the good of the Church and humanity.
During this process we really need to walk lock-step with the Legion of Christ and the Church, not assume too much nor jump ahead of the game – and certainly not fall behind!
I know it is frustrating for everyone that everything can’t be completed — IMMEDIATELY! The handbook reflects where we are today. If and when changes are made that require updating of the handbook, it will be updated. It is what we have today and I expect will be greatly improved up in the years ahead.
And by the way, Regnum Christi members certainly should be reading the great works of the Church Fathers.