On January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul and the 54th anniversary of the first consecrations of Regnum Christi Lay Consecrated Men, the Second Ordinary General Assembly of the Consecrated Lay Men began, an important time of discernment, communion, and mission-focused renewal. Gathered at the their General Directorate in Rome, the delegates will reflect on the life of the Society of Apostolic Life, address current challenges, and elect the new leadership for the next six years.
The General Assembly is a collegial and representative body of the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi. Its mission is to safeguard the Society’s charismatic identity, promote its development and renewal, and guide the fulfillment of the mission in communion with Regnum Christi.
At the service of the charism and the mission
The delegates to the assembly live in an atmosphere of prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit, inspired by the witness of Saint Paul, and with the deep desire to renew their own commitments. The General Assembly was preceded by three days of retreat, preparing hearts for listening and discernment. It is an opportunity to concretely examine community life, strengthen communion, and focus on service to the Church guided by the charism of Regnum Christi.
Among its main functions are an examination of the life and challenges of the Society of Apostolic Life, the review of its proper law, and the election of the general government.
“I am living this journey of the days leading up to the assembly with a deep desire to be a source of communion. Our vocation impels us to build bridges between the vocations of Regnum Christi, to live the charism together, and to accompany the people of God through the closeness of daily life. There, in the simple and sometimes hidden things, we always seek to extend the Kingdom of Christ and help communities of apostles spring up in communion with the whole of Regnum Christi.”
Objectives and work topics
During these weeks, the delegates will delve into topics such as spiritual life and prayer, fraternal life in community, living the evangelical counsel of poverty, apostolic outreach — with special attention to vocations and sustainability —, the identity of Regnum Christi as a spiritual family and apostolic body, and the adaptation of organic structures to the service of communion and mission.
Participating in the Assembly, ex officio, are the members of the current general government:
- General Director General Félix Gómez;
- General Councilors Cristian Nazer, Fernando Rincón, Guillermo Campillo, Bernardo Pérez, and Abraham Monroy;
- General Administrator Mario Olivieri;
- General Secretary Manuel Cordero;
- and former General Director Jorge López.
They are joined by ten elected delegates: Abraham Cárdenas, Álvaro Cifuentes, Antonio Maza, Dermot Tennyson, Emilio Martínez, Jaime Pérez, José Mateos, Noé Robertos, Radoslaw Biernacki, and Ricardo Vélez. Jorge Lam is representing the members with temporary vows. Alejandro Lara, Administrator of the Regnum Christi Federation, is also present as a guest. Antonio Maza and Jorge Lam are both part of the girst community of Lay Consecrated Men in the United States, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Pre-Assembly Retreat
In the days leading up to the start of the Assembly, the delegates had a preparatory retreat preached by Fr. Antonio Herrero, LC. Several participants commented that the retreat helped to renew their awareness of the need to respond to the Lord’s graces on the path to holiness.
Opening Mass
The Mass for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul and the 54th Anniversary of the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi was celebrated by Fr. Eduardo Robles Gil, LC.
Initial exhortation
In his opening remarks, General Director Félix Gómez Rueda invited all participants to live this assembly seeking God’s will together, with deep gratitude for what they have experienced and the gifts they have received, listening to God and to one another, with deep humility and a spirit of communion.
Accompaniment with prayer and communion
From the beginning of this Assembly, the Lay Consecrated Men invite all of Regnum Christi, and those who feel close to their mission, to accompany them with prayer, especially by participating personally in a Eucharistic Hour offered for the fruits of this time of discernment .
The outcomes of the Assembly and its key moments can be followed through the official channels of the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi, and on regnumchristi.com. All are invited to accompany the delegates in this time of discernment and mission, in communion with them.
