Four weeks into the 2026 General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ, Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC, North American Territorial Director, shares his experience in an interview, speaking about the work being done and how it is shaping the next six years for the Congregation.
After almost a month into the General Chapter in Rome: What’s your interim conclusion in one sentence? And: Why does a General Chapter actually take so long?
I am impressed by how the desire to love Christ and reveal his love to others gives us a strong unity of purpose despite the diversity of cultures, ages and experiences.
The length of time we are taking allows us to have in-depth conversations about the substantial themes we will make decisions about. When this is done in a listening, prayerful atmosphere it almost feels like a luxury, since we live in a world where continual activity affects the pace of life and the depth of reflection and conversation that normally happens.
How do you notice that the General Chapter is “walking in the Holy Spirit” (Fr. John Connor, LC) – in prayer, in discussions, in decisions, or in how we treat one another?
Vested in red chasubles, we opened the General Chapter with the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hidden one who always points us to Jesus. I see us ‘walking in the Spirit” by keeping the person of Jesus Christ at the center of our sessions and discussions. On a practical level a combination of reading, small group discussions/reflection, and large group discussion/reflection and voting (plenary sessions) make up the dynamic of a given day.
I easily perceive a prayerful atmosphere of listening, reflection, and discernment. Each small group presents to the plenary an essential summary of what they discussed or reflected upon based on the subject matter under consideration. It is another way of listening again to what we are discerning.
In your opinion, what fundamental questions will determine the direction of the General Chapter with regard to the future of the Congregation?
This is not an easy question. The first regards our identity: Who is a Legionary? Having this clear is a benefit for the whole Regnum Christi family and even the Church. John the Baptist was asked who he was. He had a clear understanding of who he was (the forerunner) and who he was not (the Messiah).
Second, what is God asking of the Legion and of Regnum Christi? How is God calling us to live a common charism as a spiritual family (expressed through different states of life) with a common mission (apostolic body) to help extend the Kingdom of Christ?
What spiritual fruits do you already see – and what does that mean specifically for the spiritual family of Regnum Christi?
A profound joy is palpable in the whole Chapter. This reveals a peace, I believe, that flows from knowing we are trying to make choices in God’s presence. It is also a gift to witness the charity and respect amongst the fathers, especially considering that about 40 years separates the oldest Chapter father and the youngest one.
Which one or two points of focus from the General Chapter could be particularly important for our territory of North America (and Asia) – spiritually and apostolically?
We will need to wait for the General Chapter to publish its communiqué at the end of the Chapter. There we will find the points of focus and we will be able to unpack them together as a territory.
Many in our territory don’t know the new General Director, Fr. Carlos Gutiérrez: How would you characterize him – based on your personal encounters? What priority seems to be particularly close to his heart?
I only got to know Fr. Carlos about 6 years ago when we became territorial directors at the same time -he was in Colombia, then moved to Northern Mexico. From the time we first met, I felt as if we had known each other for many years. He is prayerful and grounded. He has a fabulous sense of humor combined with the gift of listening to others. Those who work with him say he is a good team player and likes working as a team. It is easy to see he cares about his brother Legionaries and loves being with them.
What has moved you most personally in these past few weeks – perhaps an encounter, a moment in prayer, or a decision? What are you all specifically asking for in terms of prayer from your Regnum Christi brothers and sisters right now?
At one point during one of my small group discussions, one of the fathers mentioned, ‘I wish everyone could hear and experience what we are now hearing and experiencing.’ It opened a door in our conversation to speak about evangelization which comes through individuals who have experienced the love of Christ and who must now communicate to others an experience they may as yet not had.
Our message will be believable when they begin to see in us someone who has really ‘tasted’ the experience of knowing Christ and ardently desires to find a way to make that experience accessible through a life that has been changed. Evangelization presupposes witnesses. Pray that we listen to the Holy Spirit and become those witnesses.
