Regnum Christi

August 9, 2023

Regnum Christi at World Youth Day 2023

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Over 4000 Regnum Christi members were among the estimated 400,000 registered pilgrims who gathered for the 37th World Youth Day that took place August 1 – 6 in Lisbon, Portugal.
 
Several hundred Regnum Christi pilgrims from the United States attended, some groups beginning their pilgrimages with stops in Spain, Fatima, and local Portuguese dioceses for youth celebrations in preparation for the main events in Lisbon.
 

The theme of this year’s World Youth Day was “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39), which Pope Francis explained stresses the urgency of the mission and the need to imitate Mary’s prompt response and her deep desire to serve.

Cardinal Manuel Clemente, Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon, celebrated the World Youth Day Opening Mass on August 1st, which was immediately followed by adoration at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs. 

The night concluded with a concert with Fr. Rob Galea, a singer-songwriter from Australia who has written and performed the English and international versions of the official theme songs of several World Youth Days, including this year’s song, “Há Pressa no Ar” (“There’s a Rush in the Air”). 
 
The following day, Bishop Robert Barron spoke at the USA National Pilgrim Gathering, where he encouraged the more than 10,000 pilgrims present to find happiness in seeking their mission and to “preach the real Christ.”

On Thursday evening, at the Welcome Ceremony held at Edward VII park in Lisbon, Pope Francis addressed the over 500,000 pilgrims gathered there, promising them that the Church is a Church for everyone: “there is room for all.”

 

 

A stirring The Way of the Cross was held on Friday, August 4th, and on Saturday evening, Pope Francis provided over an evening vigil at Parque Tejo in Lisbon, where an estimated 1.5 million young people camped overnight to secure a spot for Sunday morning’s Missioning Mass.

 

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Mariajosé from Atlanta shares her RC experience at World Youth Day in Lisbon!

Opening his homily on the Feast of the Transfiguration, Pope Francis repeated the words of the Apostle Peter – “It is good for us to be here!” (Mt. 17:4), and went on to encourage the weary pilgrims to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid:

 

“[Jesus] knows each of your hearts, each of your lives; he knows your joys, your sorrows, your successes and failures. He knows your heart. Today, he says to you, here in Lisbon, at this World Youth Day: ‘Have no fear, take heart, do not be afraid!’

 

Pope Francis announced the date and venue for the next World Youth Day, which will be held in 2027 in Soeul, South Korea. For more information about World Youth Day, visit their website.

 

Click here to view Regnum Christi’s Flickr album for WYD 2023. 

ENJOY SNAPSHOTS TAKEN BY SOME OF THE RC PILGRIMS FROM THE UNITED STATES

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August 9, 2023 -Daring Doggedness

 

 

 

 

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Matthew 15:21-28

 

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

 

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe you want me to have faith in you, faith that hearkens to your words without any second-guessing. I hope in your words, not relying solely on my own strength or reasoning. I love you. You continue to astonish me by showing me that your ways are not my ways.

 

Petition: Lord, fill my heart with gratitude and trust, even when those I love suffer.

 

  1. “My Daughter…”: “My daughter is tormented by a demon.” Sufferings of strangers stir our compassion. But when a son or daughter suffers, anguish can reach fever pitch. Imagine the agony of the mother in this Gospel passage. Imagine the near-physical pain she felt in the depths of her heart. However, her love nourished her hope and propelled her to seek out Christ. When those we love suffer, we need the same wisdom to seek the Lord.

 

  1. Unfathomed Dimensions: Only a mother or father knows the depths of his or her love for a child: “Words cannot express.…” We truly understand love when it involves people we know and love. Contemplate the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Imagine the false accusations, scourging, humiliations and the crucifixion. Now imagine your own son or daughter, or mom or dad or loved one, suffering the same fate. Christ’s Passion takes on a new dimension.

 

  1. Our Title to God’s Grace: “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Faith and humility move Christ’s heart. How easily we adopt a spoiled-child mentality, believing that we deserve more. “The earth doesn’t owe you a living,” a sage once said. “It was here before you.” How much happier we are when we acknowledge our littleness and unworthiness, when we recognize our status as creatures of God who gives us life, breath and every beat of our heart. All we possess is a gift of his creative love. How happy we are when we are grateful and let him know this a thousand times a day.

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I will praise and thank you a thousand times and in a thousand ways for all you do for me. Even sufferings, I know, come from your hand for my greater good, although I may not always perceive the good at that moment. Give me the gratitude, faith and trust to accept my cross and rejoice in your creative love for me.

 

Resolution: I will thank the Lord repeatedly throughout the day.

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!