Regnum Christi in England does not have large-scale structures or a large membership. Its growth has been largely organic, sustained primarily by the Legionaries of Christ, who have traveled to London over the years, and by the initiative of its lay members and their response to specific needs.
“We don’t have formal ministries like in other countries,” explains Karen McDonald. Instead, community life revolves around Encounters with Christ, retreats, and opportunities for formation, open to both current members and newcomers.
This approach is based on a clear insight: in a city where many people are just passing through, it is necessary to create accessible spaces where anyone can come, feel at home, and start a new journey.
Reaching People Where They Are
One of the most distinctive features of Regnum Christi in the United Kingdom is its ability to adapt.
“We try to meet people where they are in the reality of a bustling city,” explains Sara Campos, events coordinator in London. It was in this context that a phrase emerged that has come to define their identity: «urban Catholics».
It is about living out one’s faith in the midst of an active, diverse, and demanding society, without withdrawing from the world or diluting one’s Christian identity.
“It is about learning to be part of this society while remaining firm in our values,” she says.
An approach for those who cannot find their place
This close attention to real-life situations has led to very concrete initiatives.
One of the clearest examples has been the support provided to single people. Recognizing that many pastoral initiatives are aimed at families or other stages of life, a space emerged for those who are unmarried, especially during a stage of life when important questions arise.
Rather than a one-off activity, it was a response to a real need: to offer community, a listening ear, and support where there had previously been a void.
A faith that seeks to understand
In the British context, faith is not taken for granted. On the contrary, it is often questioned and needs to be understood.
“People want to know why they believe,” says Sara Campos. Based on this reality , Bible courses and educational programs have been developed at the Jesuit Center, opening up new possibilities.
These programs not only convey content but also support personal growth. “The more we understand, the more we love,” she says, emphasizing the connection between education and spiritual life.
A community in a place of constant change
London is a city in constant motion: students who come for a few years, young professionals who move from country to country, and people who have to leave for work or migration reasons.
This reality deeply shapes the life of Regnum Christi in the United Kingdom.
“Many people come and go,” explains Sara. “Sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye, but we also know that each person becomes a seed in another place.”
Amid this constant flow, the community learns to live with openness: to welcome, to accompany, and to let go.
Accompanying in daily life and in faith
In this context, accompaniment takes on central importance. It is not just about activities, but about being a close presence in people’s lives.
From helping people find a parish or settle into city life to offering spiritual direction, gatherings, and retreats, Regnum Christi strives to be a tangible presence in people’s lives.
“It’s easy to feel lost in a city like London,” they acknowledge. That’s why the community becomes a place where people can find guidance, friendship, and purpose.
A Family That Grows Through Diversity
Although the community is not large, it is characterized by a strong sense of family.
People of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds share their faith and build bonds that go beyond the purely practical.
“It feels like a family,” says Sara Campos. “We work with people of all ages, and that creates something uniquely rich.”
In this diversity, the unifying factor is not natural affinity, but the shared experience of God.
Retreats and Spiritual Life Amid the Noise
In a city marked by noise and the fast pace of life, spaces of silence and encounter with God take on special significance.
Retreats, Eucharistic adoration, and the sacramental life have become pillars that sustain the spiritual life of many members.
For some, these experiences have marked the beginning of a more vibrant and conscious relationship with God; for others, they have been a place to renew their relationship with God amid the demands of daily life.
A Mission Looking to the Future
Regnum Christi in the United Kingdom continues to grow, with its sights set not only on London but also on expanding to other areas.
More than just growth in numbers, it is about responding to a need: that of many people seeking community, formation, and meaning in the midst of a complex society.
“There is a lot of potential and a great need,” they note. And there is also a clear desire: to continue being a presence of God in the heart of the city.
A Brief History
Currently, spiritual guidance for Regnum Christi in the United Kingdom is provided thanks to the dedication of the Legionaries of Christ. Fr. Matthew Bender, L.C., the local director, and Fr. Anton Vogelsang, L.C., both of whom reside in Rome, travel to London six to ten times a year to minister to the community.
At the recent Regnum Christi Triduum, held from March 6 to 8 at the Kairos Centre in Roehampton, Fr. Peter Krezalek, L.C., from Dublin, led the retreat. On that occasion, for the first time, a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi, Renée Pomarico, was also present to offer spiritual direction, thereby expanding the opportunities for personal accompaniment.
The presence of Regnum Christi in the United Kingdom dates back to 1990, when some Legionaries from the community in Rome visited London at the invitation of several families, seeking to share their spirituality and mission. Shortly afterward, in 1993, a Legionary priest and a brother began serving at St James’s parish in Spanish Place, supporting both parish life and the lay members of Regnum Christi.
Between 1997 and 2013, Legionary priests—primarily from the Dublin community—made regular visits to offer retreats, marriage renewal programs, formation, and spiritual direction, thereby establishing a foundation for formation that encouraged laypeople to become more actively involved in their parishes and communities.
Over the years, this presence gave rise to various apostolic initiatives: from supporting young professionals in the 1990s to programs such as K4J (Kids for Jesus) in several parishes, or the Pilgrim Mother of the Family apostolate, which promoted the recitation of the Rosary in homes.
Between 2014 and 2022, Legionaries from communities such as Kraków and Rome continued to support this work, while new initiatives emerged, such as Efetá, aimed at Spanish-speaking young people in London.
During the pandemic, formation and spiritual direction continued online. Finally, in 2023, Regnum Christi in London was officially established as a local community, with Fr. Aaron Smith, L.C., as its first local director, who was recently succeeded by Fr. Matthew Bender, L.C., thus consolidating a presence that, from its humble beginnings, continues to grow in service to the Church in the United Kingdom.
To learn more about activities in the United Kingdom, please visit this page.
