Helping Migrants in Europe Find a New Home

June 14, 2018 / Weekly Message Blog

An interview with Kevin Ramírez a Lay Consecrated Man of Regnum Christi and coordinator of the “EuroSOL” project seeking to offer solutions to the situation of immigrants in Europe.

Kevin Ramírez, Regnum Christi Lay Consecrated Man, in the parliamentary hall of the Reichstag in Berlin, Germany.

In the speech that Pope Francis addressed to the participants of the VI International Forum on Migration and Peace, he expressed concern about the situation of immigrants and forced migrations that present a series of challenges to the political community, civil society and the Church. The Pope invited us, “Our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate.” In this context, we present the interview with Kevin Ramírez, Lay Consecrated Man of Regnum Christi and coordinator of the “EuroSol” project in Italy; funded by the “Europe with Citizens” program of the European Union. A project that the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and the European University of Rome is carrying out to offer concrete solutions to the plight of immigrants.

Kevin, what drove you to help those in need?

Since I lived in Costa Rica, where I started an apostolate to help the homeless, I have had in my heart the desire to help the needy through my talents. In each of them, I see the humble, poor and merciful Christ who asks us our service. In addition, I collaborated in nursing homes and in social projects of the university where I studied. Then, in Mexico, during my second year of training [to be a Lay Consecrated Man], I helped as coordinator of “ALMASUA”, in the area of social commitment of the Anáhuac University of México, supporting some of the 127 social projects that are carried out each year. Then, I sought to serve God through social action, volunteering and solidarity for integral human development.

You are currently helping immigrants and refugees in Rome. What has been the path taken towards this project?

Representatives of the eight organizations participating in the “EuroSOL” project during the first meeting held in Madrid

Migratory movements, which are unfortunately caused by conflicts, persecutions and poverty, among other reasons, have unfortunately characterized recent years. When I came to study in Rome, my formators proposed me to collaborate apostolically with the Latin American Mission in Rome, carried out by Scalabrinian parents. I had several social projects with the Latin American immigrants and I put myself at their service. First through Humilitas ONLUS, preparing a statistical study to know the reality of the Latin American immigration in Rome, and later in the pastoral area, generating a spiritual leadership program for forming formators. In addition, with the help of other people, we organized a conference on refugees in Italy within the European project of awareness on the situation of the immigrant.

What has been your experience in helping the refugees?

One of the experiences that most impressed me was living for a week in a reception center for refugees in southern Italy, where I volunteered in a ghetto called “La Pista” in Borgo Mezzanone, Puglia. There were more than 1,500 people living without basic services; the majority are Africans. Knowing their reality as they tell it breaks your heart and changes lives. They told me how they spend their time on the Mediterranean crammed in a boat without food for seven days. On a terrible journey, when they do not sink, a quarter of the passengers die, and the legs by those who travel next to the engine are burned. Also, they explain how they moved from country to country until they reached Libya.

Many travel with hope to find a better life, but in reality they find another. There are many personal stories of pain. They have left their family and yearn to be able to help them; but the situation is often almost desperate. For example, many of those in this ghetto work all day collecting 350 kilos of tomatoes for 3.5 euros a day. We can get an idea of the injustice that these poor men suffer just a few hours away from Rome. The group of volunteers with whom I went offered Italian classes, bicycle repairs and some advice on immigration.

What is the UNESCO Chair and how do you work with it?

The UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights intends to promote, through research, the knowledge of bioethics, human rights and human dignity in order to promote well-being and solidarity for the citizens of the world, through an intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The Chair is established in two universities: the European University of Rome and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

I collaborate as coordinator of the project “EuroSOL,” which brings together organizations from eight countries of the European Union, to discuss and reflect on the refugee crisis at local and European level, to propose concrete solutions. For example, we had our forum at the end of 2017 with the presence of 127 people from more than 20 countries.

Why do you consider that helping the most needy is a fundamental part of your vocation as a Regnum Christi Lay Consecrated Man?

Volunteers in the ghetto La Pista (Italy).

God has given me many graces and a very fortunate life. I believe that God asks me to get involved and to receive formation on issues of social and spiritual development, guide souls in a better way, live in the service of the Church as Christ live and serve others with joy and forming apostles. The desire to serve competently in an international organization or institution resonates in my heart by training people to positively influence society in an area of social development, so that the fundamental rights of the peripheries are fulfilled, breaking the barrier of indifference.

Wherever I am, I am going to be at the service of the Church with the charism of Regnum Christi, and I am “Regnum Christi” where I work. I seek to contribute to the sanctification of people by making the Kingdom of Christ present, even when people sometimes do not realize that I am consecrated. One of the things I like most about our vocation is that we can discreetly be an evangelizing ferment. We can live in the world without being of the world by being a professionally competitive and cheerful person, with an exclusive love for Christ.

The work of a Lay Consecrated Man is open to any temporary reality and, in principle, does not exclude any area. Wherever God calls him to serve, he will seek to evangelize and project apostolically people in the different spheres of society. They put their talents at the service of the Kingdom of God, collaborating in the evangelization of temporal realities, through the exercise of a civil profession and in support of the local church. He must live as one of the People of God and of civil society, with a personal, real, passionate and faithful dedication to Christ, who came to this world to establish his Kingdom among men and in society.

Forum on “Human dignity and human rights of refugees,” organized by the UNESCO Chair on Bioethics and Human Rights.

How do you conceive the vocation of a Lay Consecrated Man in today’s world?

The life of the Regnum Christi Lay Consecrated Man is a gift of God like all other vocations of the Church. We want to continue to bring the message of Christ to the world, in rich and poor countries; and to evangelize the realities of politics, economy, education, etc., to face the challenges that the world of today shows us and to continue to make present the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Edited from the original Spanish for length. You can read the full original on Somos RC, the Website of Regnum Christi in Mexico.

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Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: How to Distinguish Between Mortal and Venial Sin?”

June 12, 2018 / Ask a Priest

Q: After being a Catholic for around a month, I still do not clearly understand what sins are. Sometimes, I still do not know whether what I did, what I read, or what I speak are mortal sins, venial sins, or not a sin at all. I learned that there are three conditions for mortal sin. It must be grave matter, committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. However, it is still hard to know whether what I have done is which kind of sin or not a sin at all. My problem is that I cannot categorize some of my actions. For example, as a Facebook user, sometimes there are posts or pictures that might offend God, which appear in my news feed. I know that if I don’t mean to look at them, it is not a sin. But sometimes I do not know that they are inappropriate texts until I finish reading them. Are they venial sins, or not a sin at all? Sometimes I also cannot judge if what I have done is a grave matter or a serious action. I sometimes think that what my parents say is a little annoying. I respond to them in a little bad mood but without using bad words. I sometimes look at women who dress not so properly. I cannot say that I look unintentionally, but I try not to think inappropriately. I have heard that we also must confess venial sins, to confess properly. I would like to be able to judge what is mortal sin or venial sin or not a sin at all. Thank you. — Pete

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: Your question is encouraging. As a new Catholic, you are showing that you take seriously your commitment to follow Christ and to grow to spiritual maturity (holiness). This is a clear sign of God’s loving action in your life.

The faith, like a lot of things, is something that we learn more deeply over time.

We learn about the faith through means natural and supernatural.

On the natural side we need to try to study our faith on an ongoing basis. This could include reading good books (including the Bible, of course) and the Catholic press. The Catechism can help, too.

On the supernatural side we rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That is why we need to have a solid prayer life. This keeps us in tune with the Spirit’s movement in our lives.

Now, as for the difference between venial and mortal sin, you already know the three criteria for the latter. When you run across something unexpectedly on Facebook, or where things pop into your head, the best is to ignore them and move on.

If you deliberately pause over them, that could be at least a venial sin. If you dwell on them, that could slip into mortal sin (in the case of photos, for instance) because you are using more of your will power.

The line between venial and mortal sin can be hard to draw at times. Where is doubt about whether the three criteria of mortal sin were met, you could assume perhaps that the offense is venial. Prayer and study will help you form your conscience in this area.

When in doubt about the gravity of a sin, it is good to mention it in confession.

Strictly speaking, we only need to mention mortal sins in confession. However, the Catechism in No. 1458 says: “Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit.”

One more idea is worth considering.

Ask yourself whether you are willing to do something if it is “only” a venial sin. If you say yes, then there is a serious problem. When someone deliberately chooses to do commit something that is “only” a venial sin, he is closer to falling into mortal sin that he realizes.

Put another way, we aren’t called to just avoid mortal sin. We are called to be saints.

This entails our constantly looking for ways to go deeper in our relationship with God.

In practice this means that we should re-evaluate what we are doing day by day.

If Facebook is a source of temptation, then maybe it’s time to rethink whether you should be using it at all. If watching a certain TV channel is a source of temptation, maybe it’s time to skip it altogether.

The danger is that we can fall into serious sin by putting ourselves in the near occasion of venial sin. And if life without Facebook seems extreme, just think of what is at stake.

To help you go deeper in the spiritual life, consider some of the RC Spirituality resources, such as the Retreat Guides and the RC Daily Meditations. Other helpful resources could include “The Better Part” and “A Guide to Christian Meditation.”

Stay close to the sacraments yourself. And cultivate a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, too. She is a great intercessor and will help you on your journey as you learn more about your Catholic faith.

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Letter from Fr. John Connor, LC, on Reconciliation and Forgiveness

June 8, 2018 / Press Release

Thy Kingdom Come!

June 8, 2018

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

To the Legionaries and Regnum Christi members of the North American Territory

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On this special celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus I want to share with you some thoughts and feelings that I have had since the recent General Chapter of the Legion and the Regnum Christi General Assembly.

Over these last years of our renewal, I have been moved often in prayer by the fact that the Risen Jesus kept his wounds. You would think that a glorified body would be perfect and unmarred. But Jesus kept his wounds. There is a lesson in this for all of us. In the Legion’s 2014 General Chapter we had conversations about whether or not to change our congregation’s name: to definitively put our past history behind us and get a fresh start with a new name. Many were shocked the Legion did not change its name and formally separate itself from her scarred and wounded history. At the time I kept thinking, I am proud to be a Legionary; we cannot forget our history. The wounds we suffered in the past – as well as those we inflicted – are part of us. They are part of our story.

Our Lord did not give up his wounds in the Resurrection. Rather, he rose with them and used them as signs pointing to the truth of his love and mercy. Think of Caravaggio’s brilliant painting of Thomas fingering the wounded side of Christ. Think of how Our Lord presented his love to Saint Margaret Mary: a wounded, bleeding heart on fire with love. Think of the image of Divine Mercy: the white and red light streaming from his heart represents the water and blood that flowed from his wounded side. Jesus’ wounds are a point of encounter with his love and mercy.

A wound is an enduring point of pain from a prior hurt. Some wounds are debilitating, which we call trauma. Trauma usually requires professional help to return to normal human functioning. With other wounds, we often can and should continue functioning without dwelling on them. However, pausing to dress them and foster their healing is also important to prevent infection and bring ourselves to full and abundant life, which is the capacity to give of ourselves without fear or reservation. Our wounds also can be a point of encounter with love. In them we can encounter a deeper communion with the healing presence of the Risen Jesus, and they also can be a place of communion with each other through forgiveness and mercy.

I have witnessed this encounter with love through wounds at our Joint Territorial Assembly in Chicago and at the General Assembly in Rome. At our territorial assembly, in the last session, an expression of hurt received a beautiful apology, and then another beautiful apology combined with an expression of a deeper hurt. Appropriate vulnerability, humility, and honesty resulted in healing for many present.

At the General Assembly, the central commission saw the need to facilitate healing in our spiritual family. They anticipated that the difficult conversations required might chafe the wounds that were undoubtedly present. From early in the week of the assembly, they commissioned a subcommittee to propose some acknowledgement of that reality, and the result was the document that you have received on communion and reconciliation (see Message to Regnum Christi Members Concerning Communion and Reconciliation). When the document was read at the end of the assembly with time afterward for discussion, there was another beautiful exchange of asking for forgiveness and of offering mercy, pardon, and healing.

As your territorial director, I have a tremendous desire for this gift of merciful healing for our entire spiritual family, extending also to those who no longer participate in it. I desire this healing because I know that wounds exist. Most hurts were not intended, but resulted from human weakness combined with imbalances in our past ways of thinking and operating from which our Lord continues to purify us.

I want to express my own sorrow for hurts I may have caused. I know that in the past I have been convinced of my own opinions and the direction I wanted to go and have often not stopped to listen to others, take their opinions to heart, or communicate the reasons why I make certain decisions.

Along with the two experiences I described earlier, I am aware that meetings have already occurred in various localities and communities that have brought similar fruits of healing and communion. It seems that in many cases a simple reading of the Message to Regnum Christi Members Concerning Communion and Reconciliation from the General Assembly, followed by open dialogue, has provided an occasion for this type of discussion to occur. I encourage leadership teams at every level to consider creating opportunities for these conversations, both within communities and teams and also across branches. We are all at different places with different needs, so I leave it to each leader and group to decide together when and if such an encounter will be helpful for them.

The thing about wounds is that they often don’t go away. They may scar over. They may lose their sensitivity to touch over time, yet they tend to persist. That is a good thing. They remind us of our frailty and our need for a Healer. Jesus’ wounds are a reminder of our indifference, insensitivity, and sin. But they are also a reminder of his love, mercy, and forgiveness. We must see them as a gift and an opportunity. They are an opportunity to share with others the great mercy Our Lord has showered on us, to seek healing for ourselves and others, and to live the words of Pope Francis: “We need to think of ourselves as an army of the forgiven” (see Gaudete et Exultate, 82).

Today let us contemplate the Heart of Christ wounded out of love for us. Let us accept the full love of his heart and allow it to light our hearts on fire with love for humanity, so we may boldly proclaim that love.

May God bless you and all your loved ones.

Yours sincerely in Christ, Fr. John Connor, LC

Territorial Director

Cc. Fr. Eduardo Robles Gil, LC, General Director

Litany of Forgiveness

Lord Jesus, who are mercy and forgiveness, R. grant me Lord, a heart like yours.

Toward those who have insulted me, R. grant me Lord, a heart like yours

Toward those who have forgotten me,

Toward those who have despised me,

Toward those whose blindness has injured me,

Toward those whose decisions have wounded me,

Toward those whose sins have impacted me,

Toward those whose selfishness has deprived me,

Toward those whose failings have made obstacles for me,

Toward those who have betrayed me,

Toward those who have misunderstood me,

Toward those who have criticized me,

For those I have injured by my pride, R. grant them Lord, to forgive me.

For those I have hurt with my words and actions,

For those I neglected in my indifference,

For those I disdained in my arrogance,

For those I forgot in my self-centeredness,

For those I insulted in my callousness,

For those I did not seek to understand,

For those I scandalized by my sins,

For those who were counting on me and I failed them,

For those to whom I was afraid to be a witness of your love,

For those for whom I made no place in my heart,

Jesus meek and humble of heart, R. make my heart more like yours.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are mercy and forgiveness. You never cease to love me unconditionally and are always ready to forgive me. Strengthen my will and soften my heart so that, with a love ever more like yours, I may truly forgive all those who have hurt me in any way and always be ready to seek forgiveness from anyone I have harmed. Amen.

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A Reflection on Friendship of the Soul

June 5, 2018 / Blog

I originally wrote this reflection with my consecrated brothers and sisters in the Legion and Regnum Christi in mind, but I think it can still be helpful (at least analogously) for any Christian who is seeking a deeper friendship with God. I’m currently studying the Classical Humanities in Cheshire, CT, and am preparing to go to Rome to continue my studies for the priesthood. It is a tremendous blessing to have so many companions from which to draw this reflection and experience of friendship of the soul.

The times we live in can be so blind to the gifts of God. And we, children of our times, are subject to the same blindness of heart. A book or even many books could be written about today’s crisis of real friendship and its misunderstood place in our society. I simply want to share my reflections over a question that perhaps we wonder in our hearts, yet we struggle to articulate: Does friendship really matter for a consecrated man or woman who has heard and answered the Lord’s call? This isn’t just a “friend” on Facebook or a colleague you’ve worked with for many years, and have learned to tolerate their rough edges. I am speaking of a friendship of the soul. First, let me describe what sort of friendship I am thinking of and then we’ll consider why it could be worthwhile. …

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“Ask a Priest: What If My Family Won’t Come to My Catholic Wedding?”

June 5, 2018 / Ask a Priest

Q: I am newly engaged and my fiancé and I are both Catholic. I was confirmed earlier this year, and he grew up in the Church. My family left the Catholic faith before I was born on extremely bitter terms and refuse to attend our wedding if it is in a Catholic church. I don’t think I can walk down the aisle without my father or any of my loved ones in attendance, but I feel forced to abandon them by the Church in order to be recognized. Both the blessing of the Church and my family are important to me. Is my only option to lose my family? – R.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It is good to hear that you received the sacrament of confirmation, which helps you to witness to your faith.

It is always good to keep Jesus in first place in your life. That is the best chance of having a happy life and a happy marriage.

Jesus only wants the best for us, after all, and he gives us the Church to guide us.

The point of having a wedding in a church is that it helps give the right context for the event. It is a sacrament, and thus a church is a fitting venue for it, especially within a nuptial Mass. That is why the Catholic Church holds this up as the ideal setting for a wedding.

I mention all this to put your situation in context.

It is crucial that your family’s falling out with the Catholic Church does not distract you from what you know you should be doing. Our first allegiance must be Jesus, even if that risks alienation from our family. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).

If you really love your family, the best you can do is be the best Catholic you can be. Pray intensely, especially for their conversion. Offer up sacrifices and acts of charity for them.

It’s hard to see how you would help them by entering a marriage that isn’t blessed by the Church and by God. That is a dead end. It won’t help your family, and it won’t help you and your fiancé.

Heaven knows what drove your family members from the Church. None of us can judge them for leaving. But it would be sad if their bitterness were to hurt your relationship with Christ and his Church.

Now is the moment to remember that one of your duties as a wife will be to help your spouse and children grow in holiness and reach heaven. To marry outside the Church would a step in the other direction.

In any case, if you are faithful to the Church and pursue a Catholic wedding, and your family abandons you, it will be their doing, not yours.

But you don’t want to exaggerate, either. In other words, even if your parents choose not to come to the wedding ceremony, it is unlikely they will disown you. You can still love one another even while disagreeing about this crucial issue of the marriage. After all, Christians can agree about the importance of patience, mercy and forgiveness.

Trust that your faithfulness to God’s will is the best path forward both for yourself, and to help your parents come closer to Christ.

Pray for the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for your family and to heal the wounds they bear. In this way you show yourself a beloved daughter of Our Lady — and of your parents.

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I Will Give You A New Heart: A Regnum Christi Essay on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Its Importance, Meaning, and Implications for the Regnum Christi Movement

June 4, 2018 / RC Essay

The prophet Ezekiel tells us that if a people is to belong to God, they must begin with a new heart. This heart is not something they have acquired or conquered; it is, rather, a gift. The prophet goes on to say that this new heart alone will enable them to follow God’s statutes, ordinances, and rules, and not vice versa; this heart alone will seal them as members of God’s people. An interior reality within them, a new heart, will become the very foundation of their identity. The purpose of this essay is threefold. First, to propose that God’s fundamental gift to the Regnum Christi Movement is our specific devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Second, to understand the specific form this devotion takes in the Regnum Christi Movement. Finally, we will explore some practical means for the formation of our hearts according to our supreme model, the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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“Ask a Priest: How Can I Help My Sister Who Had an Abortion?”

June 1, 2018 / Ask a Priest

Q: I have a strong desire to invite my sister to return to the Church and the sacraments. I see her searching for community and belonging! However, she had an abortion many years ago and feels excommunicated from the Church. I know she is still burdened with this mortal sin. My first thought is to tell her to go to confession, but I’m not sure it’s that simple! If I invite her to return, what Church guidelines can I use? I know of a strong faith community as well as a seminary in her town. I sense that she could find spiritual direction, but again I’m not sure what encouragement to give her. – T.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It sounds as though the Holy Spirit is already working in your sister’s heart. Her search for community and belonging is what the Church is about.

Despite the tragedy of the abortion, she remains a beloved daughter of the Church. She just needs to be encouraged to approach the sacrament of confession, as you mention. The priest isn’t going to reject her. Rather, he will be happy to be a minister of God’s mercy.

Your sister could benefit from healing at various levels. It might help her a lot to do a retreat with Rachel’s Vineyard. There might be one in her area. Or perhaps her own diocese offers retreats for post-abortion women.

In the meantime, you could perhaps invite your sister to at least accompany you when you go to church. Just being in the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist might help her. And seeing the images of Mary can help a soul, too. Our Lady can be the gentle face of the Church, so to speak.

There are lots of resources to help prepare a person for confession. The Diocese of Pittsburgh, for instance, has a downloadable guide (scroll down to see it). You could also recommend our retreat guide on this sacrament, and maybe even watch it together with your sister: “From Sorrow to Joy.”

Little by little, with your encouragement, the grace of the sacrament of confession, and lots of prayer, she could make progress. Spiritual direction could help, too, but it might be better for her to seek that out on her own. There is a time and place for everything.

Above all, keep reaching out to your sister and let her know you love her and that the Church loves her. Your prayers for her peace and reconciliation will be priceless.

I hope some of this helps. Count on my prayers.

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Introducing Mary of Magdala

May 31, 2018 / Weekly Message Blog

Jennifer Ristine is a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi who is originally from Chicago, but now lives a long way from home, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. She’s back in the United States this summer, speaking to different audiences around the country about her work in the Holy Land.

In her talks, Jennifer is introducing people to a close friend of hers, St. Mary of Magdala. Eleven years ago, after 11 years of consecrated life, she experienced a sudden awareness of her own weaknesses in a new way. Seeking a way to grow in her spiritual life and looking for an example to follow, she was struck by passages of the bible about Mary Magdalene. For 3 years, every night before bed, Jennifer would ask our Lord to give her a heart like Mary of Magdala, a heart purified and poured out for God.

Several years later, she was asked to go to the Holy Land to work at the Magdala Center. She said yes. During these past four years she has also written a book about the saint who has drawn her close. Coming out July 22^nd, 2018, her book is called Mary Magdalene: Insights from Ancient Magdala- Unveiling the Mystery.

In her book and in her talks, she draws on scriptural texts, theological knowledge, and spiritual reflections to bring alive the encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Jennifer presents the saint’s life and identity as a mosaic of discoveries that are being made in scripture, history, geography and archeology. Her speaking tour has already visited New York, the DC area, and Rhode Island, and she has upcoming engagements in Chicago and Texas.

The talk she gave in mid-May, at Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center in Washington, DC, was recorded and is available on You Tube.

Part 1

Part 2

More information on the beloved saint and the Magdala Center can be found at www.magdala.org.

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Regnum Christi High School Students at the UN

May 31, 2018 / Weekly Message Blog

Obianuju Ekeocha, author of Target Africa, with a student from the Irish Institute

Juniors and Seniors from the Irish Institute in Mexico City, a school run by Regnum Christi, took part in United Nations meetings. They participated in the 62nd commission on the status of women at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from March 16 to 24, 2018.

This theme of this year’s meeting was, “The empowerment of rural girls and women.” The students participated in a program called “Be Human” which built up and observed women. The young men from the Irish Institute participated by promoting a direct, decisive and prepared dialogue in official and parallel events with the different embassies, missions and official delegations of the countries members of the UN.

This experience seeks to counterbalance the errors some aspects of feminism have made, provide solid arguments in the defense dialogue for life and family, give a formative experience for these young men in an international forum, and show them how to lobby and influence international organizations.

The Young men who participated were Juan Pablo Girault, Joaquín García-Margain, Alberto G. Said Ramos, Ricardo Piñeirua, Carlos Barra, Marcelo Garza, Rafael Musi, Gonzalo Montiel, Andrés Ortiz, Santiago Sosa, Julio Cornejo, Juan Pablo López. They have been preparing since October 2017 with conferences and other formative experiences to understand and actively participate in international dialogue.

Here are two testimonies from participating students:

“My representation in the UN means that I can make a difference in something important and it gives me the opportunity to defend what I believe is right. I hope this experience will help me to improve my knowledge and better understand what is experienced internationally in terms of the rights of women and of life.” Julio Cornejo, High School Senior.

“I want to make a difference for society that in the future can affect my children and of course a change in my way of seeing things.” Joaquín García-Margain, High School Junior.

You can read the original on Somos RC, the Website of Regnum Christi in Mexico.

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“Ask a Priest: How to Distinguish Between Mortal and Venial Sin?”

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Letter from Fr. John Connor, LC, on Reconciliation and Forgiveness

Litany of Forgiveness

A Reflection on Friendship of the Soul

“Ask a Priest: What If My Family Won’t Come to My Catholic Wedding?”

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I Will Give You A New Heart: A Regnum Christi Essay on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Its Importance, Meaning, and Implications for the Regnum Christi Movement

“Ask a Priest: How Can I Help My Sister Who Had an Abortion?”

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Introducing Mary of Magdala

Regnum Christi High School Students at the UN

The Regnum Christi Identity

4 Vocations: 1 Spiritual Family

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The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Family

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta