Regnum Christi

Christ’s first miracle takes place at a marriage feast. We know John’s gospel is full of symbolism, but this one is one of my favorite. The coming of Christ, and therefore his relationship with humanity is culminated in a nuptial relationship. He is in love with us. However, we sometimes live as if we didn’t have wine. We don’t recognize the joy of having Him.  A Marriage with no wine would be a total failure, as living our life without Christ. We try to get by with the water that things offer us, but we need to turn to Christ with confidence, like Mary does, and ask for wine.  He is the only one who can satisfy us. Let Him change the water of our daily activities to encounters with Him. Let Christ fill your life.

We were headed to Seville in our 9 passenger Volkswagen Transporter, a narrow tin can on wheels, inducer of leg and back cramps; to spend a week of Christmas vacation at “Los Provinciales”. The drive was a privileged opportunity to contemplate with all of my senses the journey of the Holy Couple from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I watched Mary as she picked up a few things that could fit on a donkey making our suitcases, baking goods and piano in the trunk seem almost ostentatious. While looking at Mary and Joseph make their way to the little town of Bethlehem and thinking of the O Antiphons, a question popped into my mind: “Wait…What do you do with a Baby Savior?” Maybe for the first time in my life the warm sentimentality of Christmas’ past was gone, leaving room the ludicrousness of the Nativity to set in. Maybe it was the lack of cold, snow and Hallmark cards, or the fact that not once did I hear “Christmas shoes” or “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”. God bless Spain. Continue reading →

I’ve been waiting for more than a year to start a great journey. And it’s not just any kind of journey; it’s a Journey of the Eucharist. Four other Legionary Brothers and I are going to the Philippines to participate in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

Catholics from all over the world gather every four years to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. They do it in order to promote the awareness that the Eucharist must be at the center of the life and mission of the Church. This year’s IEC will be at Cebu City, where 500 years ago the Holy Mass was celebrated for the first time in the Philippines. Continue reading →

2016 push button. Concept of new year, two thousand sixteen.

At this time of the month, a reservation is almost necessary to ensure a spot on a treadmill or an elliptical trainer at the local fitness center. Driving such feverish attendance are all those New Year’s resolutions still brimming with enthusiasm, hope and determination. Self-improvement “to-do” lists brim with new ideas for the New Year: Diets, fad-exercises, green plankton puffy drinks for breakfast…you name it. But consider this step for improvement: HOLINESS. But holiness cannot be achieved on our own; holiness comes from God because God is holy (Lev. 11:44). He is infinite perfection in all aspects and is love itself (1 Jn 4:16). Holiness requires a relationship with God and love for our neighbor (1 Jn 4:20). Continue reading →

The monstrance glittered in the candlelight. Our community had come together to pray the rosary and spend time in adoration as we celebrated the 75^th anniversary of our foundation. During the string of Hail Mary´s, I watched my sisters in my community walk up to the basket at the foot of the altar. We took the intentions of each of the five decades and placed specific names at the feet of Our Lord: consecrated women, Legionaries, consecrated men, first and second degree members, and deceased Regnum Christi members. In my heart I walked through eleven years as a Highlands student, eight in K4J and ECyD, two at Immaculate Conception Academy, one as an RC missionary, nine since the first vocational questions entered my heart… all of my path in my Regnum Christi family till now. Names flooded my mind as I thanked God for each of the members of this family who he has placed along my path, and who have touched my life with his love through the charism that we share. Continue reading →

     “For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Christ, Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph spent most of their existence in such a simple way at Nazareth.  God’s plan for us is not so much about where we live or how much money we make,  but who we are and how we love.  He will certainly look out for us and watch over us, but His main concern is that we reflect his merciful love in our family life, our professional life and our daily interactions with others.

We had already gone 4 days without ink in the community printer. The first “to do” for my Saturday morning was to go out and get some more.

After breakfast, Patricia came up to me and mentioned wanting to go out and buy ink. After a short conversation, we made a plan and I went to get her some money for her afternoon trip.

Just then, Julian walked into to kitchen, holding a blue, Walmart bag. “Hey! Someone left this outside the front door yesterday. It has ink inside.”

Patricia and I both whirled around from our different places in the room, hearing the word “ink”.

Almost in disbelief, I asked, “What kind?” Continue reading →

Just a few days ago we were celebrating the birth of Jesus. Today we celebrate His baptism.”Behold this my son in whom I am well pleased,” are the words we hear coming from the heavens. On Christmas we were able to hold this child in our arms and say to Him “you are my beloved,” now it is God who shouts from heaven saying to each of us that we are His beloved in whom He is pleased . We need to take the time to listen to God and hear him say this about us. He is happy with us and loves us. He holds you in His hands and is amazed with you and how wonderful He made you.

January 3, 2016 has become a historic date in my book.

During my hour of prayer that morning, the time flew by as I sat in front of Christ in the Eucharist and made a huge list of gratitude in my journal.

Today is yet another big day to thank you for your love and fidelity, on the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the Legion and Regnum Christi. I don´t have the right words to be able to thank you, but I have my heart. I know I am loved by you that you would lead me to know you so profoundly through Regnum Christi…because I am no one to have achieved or deserved it. You are the one who lovingly led me by the hand throughout my life, showering down your love and showing me the path to my fulfillment in you. Who am I to be so happy, truly happy? Continue reading →

Mom and Maggie

After many years of asking God to help me be a morning person, it has finally happened.  Truly, wonders never cease!

The dogs and I come down before dawn and have the habit of taking a front row seat –I in my recliner and they sprawled out on the floor and couches– to the marvel of the sunrise, as the windows of our small library face east.  Most days, I sip hot coffee and put the Laudate “app” on my Ipad to bring up the first few prayers of the Divine Office which accompany prayers from our Regnum Christi morning prayers and an offering I make as a spiritual mother for priests. Continue reading →