August is a quiet month in Rome.
Anyone who can, takes a vacation – preferably in someplace cooler. Offices grind to a halt and the “business” of the Vatican slows to a creep. The population consists of tourists, with Swiss Guards helping to maintain a sense of respect for the epicenter of Christianity.
In the midst of all this calm, I thought it might be timely to examine where the renewal of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi has come – and where it is going.
Let’s start with the practical aspects. Since the visitation to the Legion and Movement was announced more than four years ago, the renewal process has involved virtually everyone who has anything to do with Regnum Christi.
Legionaries around the world met in their teams to reflect on their constitutions. A new constitution was drafted and circulated to everyone for comments. Those comments were reflected in a second version reviewed by Legion assemblies in all the territories. The input of those assemblies will be presented to the Legion’s general chapter to be held in early 2014, or if the Pontifical Delegate so indicates, included in the final version of the constitutions that goes to the general chapter for review. And of course, the document ultimately will go to the Holy Father for his approval, as he indicated in his recent letter to Cardinal De Paolis.
Our consecrated men and women also have reviewed their statutes and will be holding territorial assemblies this fall to reflect and provide input. Their international assembly to review the final product will likely come in late November or early December.
(IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All dates I mention are tentative and could change, this being a process involving humans and the Holy Spirit.)
In September, representatives of the first and second degree lay members of Regnum Christi will meet in Rome to review a draft of their statutes. In preparation, they are receiving input, reflecting, praying and working hard on the many aspects to be considered.
There is also a work group conformed by legionaries, consecrated men and women, and lay members, putting together the first drafts of what will become the general statutes of Regnum Christ.
Thus, it would seem that all the various branches of the family are making great progress and sometime in the middle of 2014, all will be resolved. Yes and no.
Yes, much has been accomplished. Actually, what has been accomplished is nothing short of phenomenal. But it would be a serious mistake to think that at some point next year the work of improving, of searching for a better path to holiness – both person and institutional – will be done.
No, Regnum Christi will not reach perfect holiness sometime in 2014. What we will achieve is confidence that we have identified the right path to holiness and apostolic fruitfulness, with the capability of bringing others on the path with us. As in all human things, we have lived an imperfect version of what the Holy Spirit intended Regnum Christi to be; in the future we will still be imperfect. What is important is to keep on the right path with faith, humility, and trust in the Lord and his mercy.
I see a hopeful future with Regnum Christ having a wonderful impact on culture:
• Thousands of souls brought closer to Christ because they met Him and the Church through the Movement
• A multitude of apostles changing culture and bringing souls closer to Christ
• Youth of our schools, apostolates growing into Catholic business leaders, doctors, lawyers, politicians, educators, scientists, artists and religious
• Priests, consecrated and lay people who point to Regnum Christi as the inspiration for their vocations
• Husbands and wives who raise families in peace and joy, grateful for the positive impact of the Movement
• Members of all branches of our spiritual family who are true, vibrant witnesses to Christ, living their charism with joy, zeal and passion for Christ
• Parishes across North American asking for RC spirituality and ministry to be a vibrant part of their parish life, together with other charisms, in a true spirit of communion.
For several years, we have traveled in a tunnel, often feeling dark and uncertain of when we would reach the end. Today, we are about to emerge from the tunnel, into the light of hope and faith.
Friends, this is only the beginning.
