What does it mean to be a priest today in the Regnum ChristiHow do you live your vocation to the ordained ministry? At the horizon de los jubileos of seminarians, bishops and priests, consecrated vocation to the priestly life is celebrated as a moment of spiritual and ecclesial renewal. The Legionaries of Christ, participate in thiss commemorationonis living their delivery with a renewed evangelistic impulser in a mission that unites formation, mission readiness and presence in the apostolates where they work pastorally in the different territories where they are present..
«The Lord has willed us precisely in this time full of challenges. which, at times, seem to us to be greater than our strength. We are called to embrace these challenges, to interpret them evangelically, to live them as occasions of witness. Let us not run away from them!»Pope Leo XIV exhorted the clergy of Rome on June 12, 2025, inviting them to courageously embrace the present context as an opportunity for witness. In this horizon of dedication and mission, the Jubilee of seminarians (June 23-24), that of bishops (June 25) and that of priests (June 25-27) is celebrated as a time of renewal for those who have received the vocation to the ministry of priestly ordination. Lhe Legionaries of Christ to join in the jubilee celebration of bishops, priests and seminarians y who, from the same charism, live their vocation at the service of the Gospel.
A call, a mission
The Legionaries of Christ are a clerical religious institute of pontifical right, made up of priests and candidates to the priesthood. Belongs ton, constitutively, to the spiritual family and apostolic body of the Regnum Christi. En number 2 of the Constitutions of the Legionaries indicates that the purpose of the Legionaries is to «of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ is to give glory to God and to seek that Christ may reign in the lives of its members, in the hearts of men and in society.». Likewise, in the same number of its Constitutions, it is emphasized that buscan «their own sanctification in the following of Christ through the profession and living of the evangelical counsels, fraternal life in common and ardent apostolic action».
As a member of a clerical institute, the Legionary is also a priest.Thus, there is an intimate relationship between his spiritual life and the fruitful exercise of his ministry. Priests exist and act for the proclamation of the Gospel to the world and for the edification of the Church, personifying Christ, Head and Shepherd, and in his name. Their priestly vocation is expressed in the service they are called to render.an called to perform on behalf of the faithful: the priest is the minister of the mis mercy, gives to men the bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (Jn 6, 33), and preaches the Word. Since he communicates the things of God, he can only find his fullness if he is truly a man of God (2Tim 3, 17).
In its Ratio Institutionis «Christus Vita Vestra», number 106, it is specified that «ehe name “Legionary of Christ”, rather than implying the proper mission of the institute, points to a style that identifies its members.». In addition, in number 109 it is mentioned that the mission of the legionary is to «to propose to people that they welcome the Kingdom of Christ into their lives».
Whathat some legionnaires say
«Thirteen years is a long time, but not too long either; a life that is just beginning but still - God willing - has a long way to go.»José Gustavo Cerros, L.C., commented: "We are very proud of our work.., from El Salvador. «Los ssteels legionaries I met embodied, with their ups and downs, that Jesus Friend with whom I had grown up. I felt at home, I realized that I was with the friends of my Friend.», states.
«I was very nervous, because leaving as a religious was like starting all over again, I would have to go back to school, and I knew that the legionary formation would be long. It was starting from scratch at the age of 28. I asked God for light to do the right thing. After confession I went to pray. In front of the Blessed Sacrament that was exposed and, to my surprise, a familiar person approached me to greet me. We talked quietly for a while in front of Christ. I told him that I was very well, that I was working and that I was taking a Bible course on the Internet. When I told her this, she looked at me and said, “Joel, if that's what you really like, why don't you go to seminary?” I started laughing. Jesus was telling me to stop being afraid, that yes, he wanted me to become a priest.»says in his vocation story Fr. Joel Ruiz, L.C.., from Venezuela.
«I am happy and proud to belong to the Legionaries of Christ. I love its charism, its mission and I have the firm hope that our Lord will make it move forward to be a good instrument for the salvation of many souls.»Matthew Bender, L.C., of the United States.
«It's a shock I would never have imagined or suspected, because there have been so many situations and difficulties and problems, and there are 23 of them, plus another one who was ordained in El Salvador, it is a marvel and it is the presence, the grace of a genuine charism that must be saved, as Pope Benedict said and there is the proof, that there is a vocational charism, a foundational spark, a gift of God to the Church through the Legion of Christ. It is a great joy, a great joy and a great hope. We are pilgrims of hope looking for the signs of hope and here is a sign», commented Mons. Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C. upon ordaining 23 Legionaries of Christ in Rome in 2025.
Legionaries in the world
At year-end 2024, There are 1,309 Legionaries in the different territories where they are present. They have 5 novitiates, 7 vocation centers, 1 humanities center, 1 philosophate and 1 theologate. It has among its ranks 3 bishops (2 of whom are cardinals serving in the Roman Curia), 1,033 priests, 226 religious in formation for the priesthood and 47 novices.
In which territories are you present? Brazil, Chile, Colombia-Venezuela, Spain, Europe, Italy, Mexico, Mexico North, North America and at the headquarters of the General Management.. And chat are your training stages? They start with the candidate, which is a period for vocation discernment prior to the novitiate. After the novitiate, they made their first religious profession and began their studies of humanities. Once they have completed their humanities studies, they begin their studies of philosophy and in this period they usually make the temporary renewal of their religious vows. Following the philosophy are the apostolic practices where the religious go out to do apostolate in the territories where they are present. At the end of the apostolic practices, they begin their theological studies and it is when the religious already make the perpetual profession from sus votes, receive the ministries of the acolyte y lectureship. The next step: the diaconate and subsequently, the priestly ordination. Legionaries generally spend an average of 14 years in formation from the time they enter the novitiate until they are ordained to the priesthood.
Where do you have novitiates? In Monterrey, Mexico. In Cheshire, United States. In Rionegro, Colombia. In São Paulo, Brazil. And in Europe it is located in Madrid, Spain. The humanities are studied in Cheshire, United States. Philosophy and theology in Rome. And those are all the studies? No. After ordination to the priesthood, ongoing formation continues and they also have a period of priestly renewal.
In aa company that cries out for meaning y hope, the Legionaries of Christ are participating in thehese jubilee celebrations like a sign of continuity and fidelity to a vocation that seeks, with humility and dedication, to make the Kingdom of Christ present in every corner where they are sent. Conscious ofhe road they travel, as well as the like «pilgrims of hope», are willing to let themselves be molded by grace of the Holy Spirit to serve the world and the Church with a priestly heart.
