On the morning of Thursday, January 29th, Pope Leo XIV received the participants in the respective General Assemblies of the consecrated and of the consecrated laity from Regnum Christi. The Holy Father invited [us] to reread our own path in light of three fundamental axes— charisma, government, and communion —, remembering that faithfulness to the gift received means keeping it alive, in dialogue with the Church and with the challenges of the present time. How to safeguard identity without shutting it away? How to exercise authority as true ecclesial service?
The Pope began his reflection by emphasizing the value of charism as a gift of the Holy Spirit offered to the Church to renew its life and energize its mission. In this context, he encouraged the Societies of Apostolic Life to delve deeper into the definition of their identity, pointing out that «today more than ever it is necessary to know who we are, if we want to dialogue authentically with society without being absorbed or homogenized.» Charism, stated, It is not a legacy of the past, but a force that qualifies ecclesial and missionary presence in the world.
A charisma that remains alive and creative
The Holy Father He insisted that those who receive a charism are called to keep it alive, preventing it from becoming something static. «The Institute, the Society, are a living body,» he explained, in which charismatic energy flows through each member and becomes an impetus for the mission. This vitality, he added, is what allows the charism to be transmitted as a living heritage to new generations, who are called to fall in love with it and translate it into concrete service.
Addressing the second axis of his message, the Pope dwelt on governance, understood as an authentic ecclesial ministry. He recalled that authority, to be truly evangelical, needs to be based on communion and shared discernment, accompanying each member towards a free and responsible faithfulness in following Christ. In this regard, he encouraged not to fear seeking new ways of exercising authority, always in harmony with one's own charism and spirituality.
Authority in service of the common mission
An evangelical government, pointed out The Pope, is always service-oriented: it sustains, accompanies, and helps to configure oneself more with Christ each day. Community discernment se presents as well as a privileged space for maturing decisions capable of generating co-responsibility and strengthening the sense of belonging, not only within each Society, but in the collective of the shared mission.
«What most caught my attention in the Pope's words was how he spoke about renewal, about making things new, and about how we are keepers of a charism that, marked by Jesus, reaffirmed by the Church, invites us to holiness.» (Abraham Monroy, Consecrated Layman of Regnum Christi.
Finally, the Holy Father focused his reflection on communion in the Family of Regnum Christ. Inserted into the history of a broader apostolic body, the path taken, said The Pope, it bears the footprints of the Holy Spirit's silent action, which continuously renews the Church and keeps her young in hope. Hence the call to deepen a communion that is expressed in the sharing of spirituality and apostolate, respecting the diversity of vocations.
Organic communion in diversity
Recalling the teaching of the Church, the Pope Leo XIV He stressed that unity in baptismal dignity and the diversity of vocations are not opposed but mutually illuminate each other. This organic communion in diversity, the work of the Holy Spirit, transforms each vocation into service to others and allows the Body of Christ to grow in history and fulfill its mission in the world.
«Me The invitation to communion has garnered a lot of attention. I've felt an invitation to focus on the work we're continuing to do during those days to find ways to achieve greater communion among ourselves, with the Church, and with the rest of the Regnum Christi family.» (Jacinta Curran, consecrated woman of Regnum Christi.
Before concluding, the Pontiff evoked the image of a people on a journey, called to be surprised by God, who continues to act in silence and to bring forth His Kingdom in every corner of the world. In that context, he encouraged entrusting one's journey to Mary, the Morning Star, and responding with hope to the gifts received for the good of the Church and of humanity.
It can be read here Pope Leo XVI's message to the participants of the «General Assemblies of the Societies of Apostolic Life Regnum Christi.».
