An event that brings together 15 educational institutions from 5 countries to strengthen their identity and mission as Catholic institutions of higher education. They graduate an average of 130,000 students per year.
The IEST Anahuac, one of the 15 member institutions of the International Network of Regnum Christi Universities (RIU), hosted the ninth “Pastoral Meeting” from February 19-21. The event was attended by representatives of the 10 universities that are part of the RIU.
The objective of the meeting was to address issues related to “Pastoral Ministry in Regnum Christi Universities” through conferences, workshops and collaborative sessions. The program sought to provide a space for reflection, exchange and learning for pastoral leaders of RIU member institutions, as well as to strengthen their identity and mission as Catholic institutions of higher education.
A special ceremony to inaugurate the 50th anniversary jubilee of IEST Anáhuac
Prior to the beginning of the activities, all the participants of the meeting were invited to the opening of the Holy Door in the University Chapel of the Campus, on the occasion of the Jubilee of the 50th anniversary of the institution. The Apostolic Penitentiary granted plenary indulgence to the institution through this important symbol.
The ceremony for the opening of the Holy Door took place with a Mass presided by Bishop José Armando Álvarez Cano, Bishop of Tampico, and concelebrated by several diocesan priests and legionaries of Christ who are participating in this ninth “Encuentro de Pastoral”.
“On behalf of IEST Anáhuac, I would like to welcome you to this meeting. With this activity we begin the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of our institution. May this meeting be an opportunity to strengthen our identity as pastoral leaders and an opportunity to share experiences and good practices”, were the words with which the Rector of IEST Anáhuac, Gloria Laura Septién Crespo, welcomed all the participants.
Systematic work to bring the young person closer to Christ
José Mata Temoltzin, Rector of the University, and the Anáhuac Puebla University and President of the RIU Council, commented: “We have to work systematically to bring young people closer to Christ. It is up to us, because we are the professionals. If we can do this, we are on the other side. Thank you all very much for your presence.
A report on the results and agreements established in 2023
The day began with the presentation of a report by Dr. Luis Linares Romero, Rector of the Universidad Anáhuac Veracruz Xalapa campus and RIU Pastoral Leader, about the results and agreements established in 2023.
Dr. Linares spoke of the constitution of an Identity and Mission Council that would meet periodically to review the goals of the evangelization model and to have a preliminary diagnosis of the percentage of evangelization in each university, among other proposals.
A lecture on the charism of Regnum Christi
Pablo Solis, L.C., in charge of the Territorial Pastoral of Mexico, gave a presentation on Regnum Christi, defining it first as “a community of apostles with great strength. The presentation consisted of a presentation on Regnum Christi, defining it first as: ”a community of apostles with great strength“.
Solis commented that, as apostles, the members of Regnum Christi have the obligation to form more apostles, and the obligation to have a solid spiritual life, with a personal relationship with Christ. He also spoke of several programs that are important for this process and of various projects for the formation of apostles within Regnum Christi.
A practical workshop on the formation of apostles
Ariane Trueba Barradas, Coordinator of University Pastoral Care at the University of Mexico City. Anahuac University, Veracruz campus Rafael Jácome, L.C., chaplain of the Anáhuac University Córdoba-Orizaba campus.
The workshop consisted of a team work dynamic, where the participants shared their experiences and good practices in the formation of apostles in their respective universities. Some challenges and opportunities to improve this aspect of campus ministry were also raised.
A conference on the life of Regnum Christi in localities where there are educational centers
The day concluded with the conference: “The life of Regnum Christi in the localities where there are educational centers”, given by Fr. Jesús Villagrasa, L.C., General Councilor of the Legionaries of Christ.
Fr. Villagrasa spoke of the importance of integrating university pastoral ministry with territorial pastoral ministry, that is, with the life and mission of Regnum Christi in the localities where the educational centers are located. He explained that this implies coordination among the different pastoral agents, active participation of students and graduates in the activities of the movement, and a social and apostolic projection of the universities towards their surroundings.
The ninth “Pastoral Encounter” of the RIU is an example of the commitment and collaboration of the Regnum Christi institutions of higher education, which seek to offer an integral formation of excellence to their students, inspired by the Gospel and the charism of Regnum Christi.
