St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, a historic Basilica in the heart of lower Manhattan, has been a hub of Regnum Christi retreats, events, and street missions for the past 15 years. Last month, Old St. Pat’s was the site of the Regnum Christi Young Adult Convention, gathering RC members from across the US to dive deep into the RC charism and mission.
Hailing from 13 different states, 52 participants, ages 22–38, met to explore the theme “Forming Apostles for the New Times.” At the end of the weekend, 10 individuals made the commitment to associate to Regnum Christi.
The convention, held October 17–19, called together young adults eager to be reignited and renewed in mission, for a weekend designed to equip them to go out and be modern-day apostles in today’s world.
The talks and conferences were presented by members from each of the four vocations of Regnum Christi:
- Mélanie Pilon, Consecrated Woman from the Washington, DC community
- Jorge Obregón, Legionary of Christ, currently serving out of Rye, NY
- Jorge Lam, Lay Consecrated Man of Regnum Christi living with the LCRC community in Virginia
- Jack Ziegler, a lay Regnum Christi member from the Philadelphia locality
The weekend also included workshops, panels, reflections, small group discussions, and praise and worship led by Regnum Christi’s own RC Music Collective, as well as time for fellowship and NYC sightseeing. Bishop Edmund Whelan, auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of New York, served as the weekend’s main celebrant.
Fr. Jorge, who serves as the Regnum Christi young adult ministry director, was one of the main organizers of the event. “We need a generation that will speak to this world… with fire inside,” says Fr. Jorge. “I hope that the young adults who attended the convention will have a new fire to go out and spread the good news.” In his talk, “The Power of Character,” he shared with the participants the importance of character and the virtue of self-mastery in order for them to achieve their own goals and dreams, and the mission to which they are being called.
One of a kind weekend
José María Haquin is from the Regnum Christi NY Tri-State locality, and shared how, for him, the convention was more than just a weekend of talks—it was a vivid encounter with God’s call in his life:
“The talks opened my eyes to see my life as a masterpiece deliberately crafted by God. I began to recognize how he has been shaping my identity—pulling at my heart at just the right moments and drawing me into privileged encounters with him. Through each of these experiences, God has been pointing me to the unique place he has set aside for me in his plan, and I now see that he has already equipped me with the gifts I need to follow him. . . . In essence, the weekend blended prayer, fellowship, practical mission-building, and joyful celebration, leaving me eager to live out my calling as an apostle in the world.”
You can read more of José’s experience at here.
“When we in Regnum Christi all come together—from different vocations, callings, and cities—it’s like a piece of heaven.”
You can watch highlights from the Forming Apostles convention here.
In August of this year, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, head of the Archdiocese of New York, entrusted Old St. Pat’s to the Legionaries of Christ, where Fr. Daniel Ray, LC, has been installed as pastor. One of the next events to be hosted at Old St. Pat’s is a Young Adult Advent Retreat on December 6, which will include guided meditations, adoration, confession, lunch, and more. Email Fr. Jorge at jobregon@legionaries.org for more information.
