The Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, marks the end of the liturgical year. It is one of the most important feasts for the Catholic Church and in particular for Regnum Christi, in which the decision and commitment to live the vocation of apostolic disciples and thus make present the Kingdom of Christ in the world is renewed.
This year, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Solemnity of Christ the King was experienced in a special way, which is also the framework for celebrating Regnum Christi Day. In localities around the world, Regnum Christi members gathered in person and virtually to prepare themselves to receive Christ and allow Him to reign in their hearts.
Virtual Retreat
The activities began on Saturday 21 with the transmission of the Virtual Retreat of Christ the King 2020, which could be followed on YouTube and Facebook. The retreat was entitled «The spirituality of Regnum Christi from its symbols» and had the purpose of living a moment of reflection and prayer to promote and learn more about the spirituality of the RC from its coat of arms.
The retreat began with the participation of Guillermo Campillo, who spoke about the meaning of the phrase «ART, Thy Kingdom come», then Tais Gea dedicated his talk to the symbolism of «The Cross». Father Adolfo Güémez, L.C., spoke about «The Sacred Heart, Christcentrism», which is a fundamental element of the spirituality of Regnum Christi. The last of the individual interventions was given by Leslie Chayeb, who also coordinated the organization of the retreat, with the theme «The Fire of the Holy Spirit».
The second part of the retreat included a round table of lay people, coordinated by Andrés Jiménez and with the participation of four young people from different localities: Melva Sandoval, Ana María Vargas, Diego Cañamar and Marcelo Michel Leaño. They spoke about the experience and impact of Regnum Christi in the lives of its members.
Finally, the retreat concluded with Eucharistic Adoration led by Father Juan Antonio Ruiz, L.C., with the participation of members of the four branches of Regnum Christi: Angel Santana, Emmanuel Luis and Vero Brunkow.
Celebration of Christ the King
On Sunday 22, in the community of San Fernando, in Mexico City, the members of the CDMX South locality gathered for the Mass in which 60 people from the four branches of Regnum Christi participated in person, and which could be followed virtually via Facebook.
Given the current sanitary recommendations, the celebration of the Eucharist could be in person for consecrated women, consecrated laity, lay directors of the educational works, pre-candidates of the Apostolate of Mexico and the team that works at the service of the locality and their families. Jorge Fernandez Tijerina, L.C., superior of the community of Legionaries of Fire and territorial councilor of the Legion of Christ, presided over the celebration. The priests who carry out their apostolate in the area of CDMX South concelebrated.
João Paolo Garcia, L.C., recalled the value of the great spiritual family of Regnum Christi: “Look around you and see how beautiful our family is and how beautiful it is to celebrate this feast together. Here, by the sign of God, number 8 of our Statutes is fulfilled, for ‘The Lord gathers us together to reveal his love to us, forms us and then sends us out’”.
He also spoke of charity as the queen virtue of Regnum Christi: “If we want to show the world that Christ is really among us, how do we do it, what is the seal of authenticity? By showing that there is charity. This can only be done out of love. And if charity really reigns among us, God is there.
See here the gallery with the activities of the Regnum Christi localities of Monterrey and Mexico-Central America.
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/139606473@N02/sets/72157717020186297/” target=”_blank” size=”medium” background=”#990000″ color=”#ffffffff”]Photographic gallery[/gdlr_button].
