Four weeks before the start of the General Chapter 2026 of the Legionaries of Christ, Fr. Shawn Aaron, L.C., territorial director of North America, shares his experience in an interview in which he discusses the work being done and how the next six years are shaping up for the Congregation.
After almost a month of General Chapter in Rome, what is your tentative conclusion in one sentence? Why does a General Chapter take so long?
I am struck by how the desire to love Christ and to manifest his love to others gives us a strong unity of purpose, despite the diversity of cultures, ages and experiences.
The time we are devoting allows us to have deep conversations about the substantive issues on which we will make decisions. When this is lived in an atmosphere of listening and prayer, it is almost perceived as a luxury, because we live in a world where constant activity marks the rhythm of life and often limits the depth of reflection and dialogue.
How do you perceive that the General Chapter is «walking in the Holy Spirit» (as Fr. John Connor, L.C. said), in prayer, in discussions, in decisions or in the way we treat each other?
Clad in red chasubles, we opened the General Chapter with the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who «does not let himself be seen» and always leads us to Jesus. I see that we walk «in the Spirit» by keeping the person of Jesus Christ at the center of our sessions and discussions. In practice, the dynamics of each day combine reading, discussion and reflection in small groups and discussion, reflection and voting in large groups (plenary sessions).
I easily perceive an atmosphere of prayer, listening, reflection and discernment. Each small group presents to the plenary an essential summary of what they have discussed or reflected on the topic under consideration. It is another way of listening again to what we are discerning.
In your opinion, what fundamental questions will determine the orientation of the General Chapter regarding the future of the Congregation?
It is not an easy question. The first concerns our identity: who is a Legionary? To be clear about this benefits the whole Regnum Christi family and even the Church. John the Baptist was asked who he was. He was clearly aware of who he was (the forerunner) and who he was not (the Messiah).
Secondly, what is God asking of the Legion and Regnum Christi? How is God calling us to live a common charism as a spiritual family (expressed in different states of life) with a common mission (apostolic body) to contribute to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ?
What spiritual fruits do you already perceive and what does this mean concretely for the spiritual family of Regnum Christi?
A deep joy is palpable throughout the Chapter. This manifests a peace that, I believe, comes from knowing that we are trying to make decisions in the presence of God. It is also a gift to contemplate the charity and respect among the Chapter Fathers, especially considering that there is a gap of about 40 years between the oldest and youngest Chapter Father.
What might be one or two focal points of the General Chapter that are particularly important for our North American (and Asian) territory, both spiritually and apostolically?
We will have to wait for the General Chapter to publish its communiqué at the end of the Chapter. There we will find the points of focus and we will be able to deepen them together as a territory.
Many in our territory do not know the new Director General, Fr. Carlos Gutiérrez: how would you characterize him - according to your personal encounters -? What priority occupies a special place in your heart?
I met Fr. Carlos about 6 years ago, when we were both appointed territorial directors at the same time - he was in Colombia and then moved to North Mexico. From our first meeting I felt as if we had known each other for many years. He is a man of prayer and down to earth. He has a wonderful sense of humor coupled with the gift of listening to others. Those who work with him say that he is a team player and enjoys working as a team. It is easy to see that he loves his fellow Legionaries and enjoys being with them.
What has touched you most personally in these weeks - perhaps an encounter, a moment of prayer or a decision? What are you specifically asking of your brothers and sisters of Regnum Christi at this time?
At one point during one of the small group discussions, one of the parents commented, «I wish everyone could hear and live what we are now hearing and living.» This opened a door in our conversation to talk about evangelization, which is done through people who have experienced the love of Christ and now must communicate to others an experience they may not yet have had.
Our message will be credible when they begin to see in us someone who has truly «tasted» the experience of knowing Christ and who ardently desires to find a way to make that experience accessible through a transformed life. Evangelization presupposes witnesses. Pray that we listen to the Holy Spirit and become such witnesses.
