Regnum Christi

January was the month of birthdays here in Cerro del Coto. There were a total of five this month only days apart (and three of whom are named Maria…coincidence?). With that many different people, the initial excitement of being a new community wearing off and exams looming overhead, it would be perfectly reasonable for celebrations to be quick and similar.

But! They have not been, and I would like to take this opportunity to applaude my community for affirming a value the world needs so much. Each birthday this year and especially this month has been unique, simple, full of love and a real understanding of the person. How so? Let the examples speak. For one, some members of the community brought a bag of real potato chips (wow) to school with a fresh bottle of Valentina Mexican hot sauce (GREAT stuff) and Tajin (also Mexican chili) so she could have a tasty snack to share at school. I don’t know how many of the Spaniards enjoyed those chips, but it was wonderful to see her excitement. Continue reading →

The Gift

After some amazing grace-filled days the 51^st International Eucharistic Congress is over. Our team is waiting for our connection flight in Doha, Qatar. Some are praying their morning meditation, other checking emails; others are having a quick bite. Final exams wait for us in the Eternal City.

Now that we have a quiet pause in the airport, we look back and realize that we received so many blessings from God these last two weeks. I think we received three very special gifts. Continue reading →

Congress concludes

Today was a very important date in the history of the Regnum Christi Movement in Asia. Kiko officially joined Regnum Christi as the first member from Hong Kong. It was a very nice moment as RC family. There were Legionary brothers and fathers, consecrated, and lay people all gather in the Congress’ Chapel for the rite of incorporation. The example of Kiko is very inspiring to all of us.

In the afternoon we went to together to the closing Mass of the Eucharistic Congress. The weather forecast said rain. Instead, the afternoon was pleasant. The Mass took place by the sea, and during the whole time refreshing breeze eased the heat. Hundreds of thousands were present around the altar. At one point, I looked around me and saw groups from Canada, Panama, Thailand, Italy, Bahamas, Taiwan: Every one united like brothers and sisters. Continue reading →

Anyone approaching Rome’s magnificent basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls through the front courtyard comes face to face with an extraordinary statue of the basilica’s namesake. Cloaked, hooded, and wielding a massive sword, this particular representation of St Paul can have a disconcerting effect upon the visitor – “passive” is not exactly the word I would choose to describe it. It’s more like he’s poised to unleash some tremendous force, or embark energetically upon some titanic endeavor. He has a purpose in life so patent that it seems to burst forth from the rock itself.

And that’s why this particular statue of St Paul is a bit uncomfortable. It’s uncomfortable because it forces me to realize the responsibility of being a Christian. I see the effect that one person with a vision and a message can have upon the course of history, and I realize that because I’m a baptized Catholic I share in that vision and in that message. Continue reading →

It´s a weekday just like the other four, but Monday gets an especially bad rap. Waking up takes longer, the traffic seems worse, and classes seem slower. However, there are a few things that brighten my Monday mornings. Like scrambled eggs. Everything is just better when there´s scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Something else brightened my morning last Monday. As I walked into our very full 9:00 am Introduction to Christianity class, one of my seminarian classmates´ usual jeans and sneakers had been replaced by a crisp, white habit. Continue reading →

The Year of Consecrated Life closed pretty quietly here in Cerro Del Coto. The Apostolate Community went to a diocesan gathering at La Catedral de l’Almudena and the formation community had a normal solemn rosary. It has finished slightly eclipsed, or better, it closed in the arms of Mercy. Consecrated life is a quiet and persistent reminder of the mercy of God Incarnate, incarnated in the lives of those who have let themselves be penetrated by and respond to His mercy with everything they have and are. And it’s often as As Gentle as Silence Continue reading →

We made so many friends during these days of the Congress. One of them is Fr Meshak from Leshoto. He`s the official delegate of his country. Every Bishop’s Conference is supposed to send a representative. Most of the time, they are people chosen because of their stories and deep love for the Eucharist. Fr Meshak is an example of it. He`s a convert from Protestantism, and the Eucharist was what brought him to the Catholic faith. But what`s the most impressive is the history of the parish where he ministries. In the 90’s, four teenagers broke into the church and stole the Tabernacle. They brought it to the woods, smashed it and defiled the consecrated hosts. This event shocked the whole nation, and people from all over the country came to the parish to expiate for the sacrilege, even non-Catholics. The fervor of the people was so great that many people converted by their example. A Shrine was built in the place, and every year during Corpus Christi the whole diocese gathers there for a big Eucharistic procession. Continue reading →

Yes, I know, I just got that song in your head for four and a half days. Sorry.

Umm but anyway… back to happiness…

What would you do if you were sauntering around the mall on a Friday afternoon and eight ten-year-old girls in school uniforms came up to you with their innocent little faces and hit you with an existential explosion: “Excuse me, we have a question for you. What makes YOU happy?” Continue reading →

Once again, we find ourselves before Christ preaching in the synagogue. Doubt overcomes his listeners until the point that they want to kill Christ. We too can let doubt in, and through sin kill the life of Christ in us. Even Jeremiah doubted his call. When doubt comes in my life, I feel surrounded in darkness and dirty almost. Honestly, I think our first reaction is to believe and to trust, it gives us a sense of security. However, times come when those securities seem to be taken away, and we doubt. In front of this reality, there is only one response, Faith. We have to believe, not all is clear. To walk by faith in our relationship with Christ, believing in our experience of Him and letting that be what guides our life. Many storms come, and doubt is constantly at our door trying to barge in but the only true way of peace is to close our eyes and throw ourselves into the light, of Faith in Christ.