As the 2026 General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ prepares to close on February 28th, hear from some of the North American delegates about what they have been doing and what this chapter means to them and to the North American Territory.
Messages from the North American Legionaries at the General Chapter Read More »
Regnum Christi invites our entire spiritual family and all our friends to join us in praying especially for our brothers and sisters living the consecrated vocations of Legionary priests, Consecrated Women, and Lay Consecrated Men in our territory.
Each week throughout the year, we will pray together for a different group of Legionaries and Consecrated, spanning all the communities across the territory, as our “Priests and Consecrated of the Week.”
Our Consecrated members are men and women who have said yes to Christ’s call to follow him, leaving everything behind to dedicate their entire lives to him and to join him in the mission of building his Kingdom. We come together to support them with our prayer, asking our Lord to strengthen them, hold them close to his Sacred Heart, and give them his deep joy as they live their mission each day.
Br. Fernando Correa is from Zacatecas, Mexico and is currently a second-year humanist at the LC novitiate in Cheshire, Connecticut. It was at Everest School in Mexico when he met Legionary priests living the life of leadership, discipline, and focus, where he heard the first call of his vocation. In August of 2024, he made his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a Legionary of Christ.
Fr. Jason Smith is originally from Minnesota and was ordained in 2006. Since then, he has served as a Legionary priest throughout the United States, primarily in Michigan and New York, where he was involved in youth and adult ministry and served as the parochial vicar at the historic Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in lower Manhattan. His current role has called him south, where he now serves as the superior of the Houston community of the Legionaries of Christ.
Marial Corona is an alumnus of the Regnum Christi school in Puebla, Mexico, Marial Corona has been consecrated 22 years. In 2020, she obtained her doctorate in philosophy from the University of Navarra with a thesis on John Henry Newman and his commitment to truth, published by the Catholic University of America Press in 2023. She is part of the community of consecrated women in Chicago and works full-time as the Director of Operations at the Lumen Christi Institute, the home of the catholic intellectual tradition at the University of Chicago. While mission work has allowed her to see the beauty of Christ and the Church in countless faces, the University is her passion.
Fr. Owen Kearns is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and was ordained in 1983. He has been a vocation director, a professor of humanities, editor of the National Catholic Register and Faith and Family Magazine. With Fr Patrick Langan he co-authored The Quest for the Core of the Regnum Christi Charism. He is currently chaplain to the Regnum Christi men’s and women’s sections and the Consecrated Women in Washington, DC, and chaplain at Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center in Maryland.
Mélanie Pilon is from Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, and was consecrated in 2006. She has spent much of her vocation serving the youth and families in Canada, Ireland, France and the United States. She is currently the assistant to the delegate for the Regnum Christi Territorial Directive College and a spiritual director for young women.
Fr. Hans Candell was born in El Salvador and was ordained a priest in May of 2025. He served as dean of apostolics at Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, for two years, and has dedicated himself to admissions and vocational work, accompanying families as they discern God’s call. He is currently the dean of pre-candidates at Sacred Heart Apostolic School and ECYD director in Rolling Prairie.
God our Father,
We thank you for our spiritual family of Regnum Christi, and for those within it that you have called to total consecration as Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women, and Lay Consecrated Men.
We ask you to renew their encounter with your Son Jesus Christ,
who goes out to meet them and reveals the love of his heart to them.
Deepen their personal love for Christ
and their trust in his love for them.
Gather them close to him,
form them,
and send them out accompanied by your Son,
in the mission of forming apostles and Christian leaders who make your Kingdom present in hearts, in families, and in society.
Send your Holy Spirit to sanctify and strengthen them,
And to help them respond generously and courageously to their mission each day.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Week of Prayer for All of Our Priests and Consecrated Members – March 1st Read More »
Dear Gabriela, Don’t be so foolish. If you stay out in the sun, you’ll get burned; and if you hang out with pagans (by profession or by practice), your faith will wane. It’s that simple. Use your imagination a little. Imagine yourself fifteen years from now, married, with four children. Would you be careless about the kids they hang out with? Would you be careless about the activities they get involved in? Would you be utterly careless about what they watch on TV, what Web sites they frequent, what books and magazines they dive into? I doubt it. Well, you should take equally good care of your own soul. I want to share with you an excerpt from a letter written by today’s saint after he had entered the Passionists’ novitiate, just a few years before he died of tuberculosis. Gabriel Possenti was a popular, normal boy of a prosperous family (thirteen children) that lived in central Italy. He loved all the normal activities of his time – games, theatre (the theatre was as common for them as movies are for us), parties, etc. Only after being miraculously cured (as he believed) two separate times from odd diseases that brought him to the verge of death did he finally respond to the vocation he had long perceived. And as soon as he entered the religious life he began exercising the Christian virtues in little ways but with great eagerness. God only granted him a few years of this exemplary life (he died before ordination, when he was only 24), but it was enough to renew his companions’ enthusiasm for following Christ and impress young and old alike with his love for God’s will. Soon after he entered the novitiate he wrote a letter to a friend, which I believe you may find interesting. Keep in mind that Gabriel never got involved in any seriously sinful activities (robbery, murderous rivalries, promiscuity), and yet he still bewails the carelessness with which he chose his friends and his pastimes before he entered the seminary: “Dear Philip, if you truly love your soul, shun bad companions; shun the theatre. I know by experience how very difficult it is when entering such places in the state of grace to come away without having lost it, or at least exposed it to great danger. Avoid pleasure-parties and avoid evil books. I assure you that if I had remained in the world [i.e. instead of entering consecrated life], it seems certain to me that I should not have saved my soul. Tell me, could anyone have indulged in more amusements than I? Well, and what is the result? Nothing but bitterness and fear. Dear Philip, do not despise me, for I speak from my heart…” Of course, I don’t mean for you to shut yourself up in your dorm room and wear blinders – not at all. You are a college student, and God needs you to be normal, to be present and active in college culture so that you can be an instrument of his grace. But don’t be foolish, don’t be naïve, take care to protect yourself from seductive but evil influences, listen to your conscience, and build up relationships that will bolster your faith. That way you will not only avoid many temptations, but you will also begin to experience the incomparable joy that accompanies a real friendship with Jesus Christ. Count on my prayers. Uncle Eddy
St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Read More »
“The Christian life is the continuation and completion of the life of Christ in us. We should be so many Christs here on earth, continuing his life and his works, laboring and suffering.”
READ: MATTHEW 5:20–37
“For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother Fool he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him Renegade he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.
“You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell. It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfill your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is Yes if you mean yes, No if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”
REFLECT
The Greek word Jesus uses for “Hell” is Gehenna. Gehenna was Jerusalem’s garbage dump. It had been the valley where unfaithful Jews in past centuries offered human sacrifices to foreign gods. When the nation reformed and such practices were stopped, they decided to use Gehenna as an open-air incinerator. Thus, the ever-smoldering, worm-infested valley became a symbol for the place where people who reject friendship with God suffer eternal frustration: Hell.
Christ’s frequent mention of Hell in the Gospels has caused some critics to accuse Christianity of manipulating weak and superstitious people by instilling fear. Nothing could be less accurate. Christ’s warnings are those of a friend. If you were in a car with a friend and saw that he was about to collide with an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, you would try to get him to turn out of the way. Jesus knows that we can reach lasting happiness only through friendship with God, and He wants us to be happy, so He warns us about everything that could damage or destroy that friendship. The truth is that eternity spent without God will be indescribably painful because the human person was created to live in union with God. Since Christ loves us, He tells us the truth — even the tough truth.
RESPOND
You care about what happens in my mind and my heart — where only You and I can see. Help me to look there now; show me what is pleasing to You and what is not, and then change what is not. Please, Lord — You know I can’t do it on my own. You know how self-centered and wounded I am. If You don’t change my heart, it will never change. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart more like Yours.
REST
Why do You give so much importance to such little things? A false promise here, a lustful fantasy there, an angry or spiteful word now and then . . . Lord, why don’t You teach us about political systems and economic justice — the big picture? Somehow, the little picture of each soul matters more to You. Make me wise, Lord; teach me to follow You.
Some aspects of Your will are harder for me to follow than others. Some of the Church’s teachings I understand easily — others not so much. It doesn’t matter, Lord. What matters is that I know it comes from You, my Creator and Redeemer. I want to do Your will, no matter how hard. Increase my weak faith; Jesus, I trust in You.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
40 Days to Peace and Union with God: Day 10 – The Heart of the Matter Read More »
Q: I was wondering if you could clear up some confusion regarding the term “effeminate” as it applies to men. I always took that term to mean “weak,” generally, or specifically referring to male prostitutes who took on a feminine role during same-sex encounters. And then the definition expanded to mean general weakness, but not referring to any particular personality trait or interest. I work designing advertisements for a clothing company. I’m interested in fashion overall and try to dress nicely, wearing more colorful stuff within the men’s section. My girlfriend doesn’t like this and calls it sinful, considering it “effeminate.” She then pointed out how I’m not good at sports, my voice isn’t as deep as some other men, and how I have a great number of female friends. Or like how I prefer fruity drinks to beer. I don’t know if she’s suspecting I’m secretly gay or something, I’m not and I’ve told her this many times but it’s starting to get on my nerves. I’m a straight man. I’m comfortable being a man. I was raised Methodist, but my girlfriend is Catholic, so she keeps saying that it’s a difference in religion and that in Catholicism it’s considered a vice to be “effeminate.” I thought that always referred to being weak-willed and easily led into sin or too attached to pleasure. Individual men have personality differences and preferences, but being a man is about protecting and using strength to serve others. Do my girlfriend’s arguments hold any weight, or is she correct and should I try to change some of my interests/behavior? — G.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:
A: Since I have only side of the story, the advice that follows is tentative.
First, while there are deep differences between men and women, there can be overlaps, shall we say, in behavior and tastes.
Some men might display qualities that are more identified with women, and vice versa.
This doesn’t necessarily point to any homosexual tendencies; it’s just that everyone is unique.
It seems an exaggeration to label certain effeminate qualities in a man as sinful. This isn’t Catholic doctrine.
Perhaps your friend has been influenced by certain websites and YouTube videos that have reacted against some of the problems and distortions that have arisen in the culture, everything from “toxic masculinity” to transgenderism to various strains of feminism.
More than a few commentators and pundits sense that many problems today, in family life in particular, stems from a loss of healthy masculinity.
There is a lot of truth in all this. The key is to find solutions that don’t push the pendulum too far in the opposite direction. But that’s a bigger issue for another day.
More to the point: It would be good to continue dialoguing with your girlfriend. She must see something good and worthwhile in you; otherwise, she wouldn’t be dating you.
And while there might be things that the both of you can do to make reasonable accommodations for each other, you shouldn’t feel pressured to change your preferences about everything. You are who you are.
If your friend can’t handle that, well, that might be a sign that the two of you aren’t meant to spend your lives together. It’s better to find that out sooner than later.
In the meantime, it would be good to pray about the relationship. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance for the both of you. And be sure to share your religious views with each other in depth.
Count on my prayers.
Ask a Priest: “What If My Girlfriend Thinks I’m ‘Effeminate’?” Read More »
Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Opening Prayer: My Lord, you reveal to us the fullness of what it means to become truly human. I renew my faith that your guidance will lead me to this fulfillment.
Encountering Christ:
Conversing with Christ: My Lord Jesus Christ, while I renew my commitment to follow the laws which revelation, my reason, and the Church present to me, I also want to pay attention to your New Law inside me. I want to discover the workings of your Spirit in my heart. Help me not to resist his inspirations and help me to distinguish them from my own voice. Love through me, O Lord.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will identify a moment today in which I can practice the New Law by allowing you to direct my heart toward wanting what you want.
For Further Reflection: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1968:
The Law of the Gospel fulfills the commandments of the Law. The Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, far from abolishing or devaluing the moral prescriptions of the Old Law, releases their hidden potential and has new demands arise from them: it reveals their entire divine and human truth. It does not add new external precepts, but proceeds to reform the heart, the root of human acts, where man chooses between the pure and the impure, where faith, hope, and charity are formed and with them the other virtues. The Gospel thus brings the Law to its fullness through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father, through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors, in emulation of the divine generosity.
Father Gabriel von Wendt, LC, is a priest who works as a professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He has a passion for philosophy and the role of Catholic faith in contemporary culture. He is a co-founding member of the Catholic Worldview Fellowship, a study-abroad program for talented college students who want to evangelize culture.
February 27, 2026 – Come Alive! Read More »
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!
