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RC DAILY MEDITATIONS
RC DAILY MEDITATIONS
Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Uncle Eddy

St Agnes of Montelpulciano

/ Uncle Eddy

Dear Monte, Just one year left, and then out into the “real world”, as they call it.  It does seem that your first three years of college have passed by rather quickly.  I can tell that you are already looking beyond the borders of campus and wondering what life will throw at you.  I think I can even detect a hint of worldly ambition lurking behind your embryonic plan of becoming a powerful lawyer.  Nothing’s wrong with the law – we need talented defenders of justice in society.  But I think you would do well to keep the example of today’s saint in mind, lest you start looking for happiness in the wrong places. Agnes’s vocation made itself known early on.  As soon as she reached the age of reason, in fact, her parents often found her kneeling in the corner of some chamber in their large house (it was a wealthy and influential family) praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary for hours on end.  The parents showed their wisdom by entrusting her education to the nuns of a convent nearby, which Agnes entered as a kind of spiritual apprentice when she was only nine years old.  When she was fifteen she was transferred to a Dominic convent in another city, where she took her vows and was soon made Abbess by direct order of the pope – such was the renown of her holiness and prudence. For the next fifteen years of her life, she lived solely on bread and water (and the grace she received through assiduous prayer and reception of the sacraments) and slept on the floor with a rock for her pillow.  She was an inspiration not only to her sister nuns, but to the populous at large.  So great was her influence, simply by being holy, that her home town erected a brand new convent simply in order to induce her to come back to them.  This she did, and ran another community of nuns there for another thirteen years.  Her triumph in love and faith was rewarded by God with the gifts of miracles and prophecy, which spread her fame among men and drew them closer to Christ. She didn’t write any books; she didn’t topple kingdoms or build empires; she didn’t climb the social ladder; but she succeeded in what counts most: happiness.  By faithfully following God’s voice as he made it heard deep in her heart, she fulfilled the mission for which he had created her. That, my brave young nephew, is what life is all about.  Maybe God’s voice will lead you down a path of worldly success so that you can witness to his love among the great ones of this world.  But then again, maybe not.  The key is to tune in to his voice; nothing else can satisfy the longings of your heart. Your loving uncle, Eddy

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26-04-20-DM

April 20, 2026 – From the Stomach to the Heart

/ Daily Meditations

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

 

John 6:22-29

After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea. The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, all praise and honor we rightly offer you! We genuinely look for you, but we sometimes find ourselves searching and hungry for bread that perishes. Forgive us, Lord! Please show us that you are the living bread we desire.

Encountering Christ:

  1. Hunger of the Heart: Jesus used food as a “hook” to capture the attention of the crowd when he multiplied the loaves and fish. While we do not multiply bread or fish to feed people, we can imitate Jesus by using everyday events to invite people to discover and grow in a relationship with God. Each day we have opportunities to cast a “hook” into the stream of people’s lives to share the love of Jesus with them. Our words, as well as our actions, can lift their minds, at least momentarily, to “things that are above,” bringing them into contact with their greatest good, Our Lord (cf. Col 3:2).

     

  2. Temporal Versus Eternal: Many people sought Jesus because they wanted physical food or healing. Jesus challenged them, saying, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.” We, too, can become earthbound, distracted by our temporal world of work and home, and unaware of the connectedness of the temporal and eternal realms when, in fact, everything we possess, any talent we have received, belongs to the Lord, and should rightly be used to reach out to share Jesus with others, either directly or indirectly. We are invited today, in this Gospel, to sit with these thoughts and ask ourselves, “How am I living each day with an eye on eternity, and sharing my perspective with those I’m called to reach?”

     

  3. The Work of God: “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” A quick peek into a thesaurus reveals words that may intensify what Jesus means when he says “believe”—words like faith, trust, confidence, certainty, acceptance, reliance, conviction, and hope. Do these words reflect the depth of our belief and commitment to Jesus? We don’t earn faith—it’s a gift from God—but we do need to open our hearts, empty them of superfluous concerns, pray for faith, and be ready to receive the answer to our prayer.

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, I do believe; help my unbelief! Abba, grow my heart’s longing for you today as I pray over the ways I hunger for you, the ways I keep my gaze fixed on eternity, and the ways I “do the work of God.” Thank you, Lord, for this time of prayer. Increase my belief in the one you sent so that I might become a fisher of men.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I ask you to give me opportunities to build the Kingdom by my words and actions and become an instrument in the evangelization of others.

For Further Reflection: Prayerful reading of the Creed.

Read and meditate about faith in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1814-1816.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 20, 2026 – From the Stomach to the Heart Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Uncle Eddy

St Leo IX

/ Uncle Eddy

Dear Leon, In your last note, I detected a most displeasing tinge of disdain for your spiritual mother, the Catholic Church.  I understand that many influential people around you (some professors, for instance) would gladly obliterate the Church at the slightest opportunity.  Some such persons cloak their real reasons for such misdirected zeal behind fancy arguments based on the latest historical, sociological, psychological, political, socio-political, psycho-social, et alia research.  Don’t be deceived. In the first place, the next issue of the appropriate academic research journal will reverse 99% of such “arguments.” In the second place, 99% of the Church’s detractors only detract because the Church pricks their conscience; certain behaviors that they like very much would have to go out the window if they entered the Cathedral door.  Keeping that in mind will be of use in your many conversations with anti-Catholics. It might help as well to brush up a bit on your Church history. Certainly, we are the first ones to admit that many Christians through the centuries have not lived up to our Lord’s universal call to holiness, but what’s really amazing is how many have lived up to it. Take today’s saint, for example.  St Leo (Bruno was his name before he became Pope) took the Papal tiara when the clerical abuses of the Middle Ages were at their height. Counts and Barons were buying and selling ecclesiastical positions like lollipops, and clergymen were shamelessly neglecting their flocks in favor of their concubines. Pope Leo came bravely to the defense of the true faith, legislating against all kinds of widespread corruption, programming substantial reform, and even traveling extensively (without modern comforts, mind you) back and forth across Europe in order to ensure the prompt implementation of his decrees.  They called him the “Apostolic Pilgrim” because he traveled so much. You see, God never abandons his Church; for every Judas, he raises up plenty of Peters – just be sure you’re always one of the latter and not the former. Uncle Eddy  

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26-04-19-DM

April 19, 2026 – On the Road with Jesus

/ Daily Meditations

Third Sunday of Easter

 

Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

Opening Prayer: Lord, I praise you and am so grateful for this prayer time. Thank you that despite my stumbling, you walk beside me and steady me. Open my eyes and ears now.

Encountering Christ:

  1. “Jesus… Drew Near And Walked With Them”: Jesus walked with the disciples on the way to Emmaus, and he is here now, and walking beside us. When we pause a moment to reflect on this powerful truth and let it penetrate our hearts, no matter what our state of mind is, or what emotions well up, or what situations are confronting us, we can draw strength from Jesus walking beside us. What a comfort this realization is! It is and should be our fountain of strength and our shield of protection on the battleground of life.

     

  2. “They Stopped, Looking Downcast”: Could the disciples have failed to recognize Our Lord because they were looking down? Looking down might indicate their minds were closed and their hearts were turned inward on themselves in sorrow over Jesus’ death, pondering why and how this all could have happened! When the unexpected happens, we can get stuck asking the wrong questions, too. It is understandable to ask “how” and “why,” but to grow and begin to move forward, it is more helpful instead to ask in prayer, “What do you want me to learn from this, Lord?” When we say this prayer humbly and diligently, Our Lord will begin to inspire our hearts with hope and new direction.

     

  3. “Oh, How Foolish You Are!”: Being called a fool can snap us right out of our navel—gazing, even causing us to momentarily forget our sorrow. It’s possible that the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus because they clung to their interpretation of how Jesus would “redeem” his people and the role they would play. When Jesus reoriented the disciples to understand God’s plan through the Scripture, their despairing hearts began to burn with new hope. When we hold on to our agenda with a prideful, “my way or the highway” attitude, we are being foolish. Going to prayer, even just momentarily acknowledging Jesus as Lord, who already knows the answer and who can overcome any difficulty, will help defeat the temptation for control. Recognizing his presence and ultimate control over every situation increases our humility and prevents rash decisions. We are the Lord’s good servants first. Our greatest desire is his will, and acknowledging that Jesus is walking beside us will help us maintain interior peace.

Conversing with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to focus outward towards you and others. I do desire your will above mine. By surrendering my own desire for control, I can be more open to your gentle leading.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will avoid rash words or actions, pausing to remember I am your good servant first.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 19, 2026 – On the Road with Jesus Read More »

Weekly Digest of the Regnum Christi Daily Meditations: Apr 19 – 26, 2026

/ Weekly Meditations

WEEKLY DIGEST OF rc
DAILY MEDITATIONS

Week April 19 - 26, 2026

Sunday, April 19, 2026 – On the Road with Jesus

Monday, April 20, 2026 – From the Stomach to the Heart

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – Yesterday’s Desert, Today’s Jungle

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – Words of Eternal Life

Thursday, April 23, 2026 – Teach, Lord!

Friday, April 24, 2026 – Questions and Answers

Saturday, April 25, 2026 – The Final Act

Sunday, April 26, 2026 – Baptism: Gateway to an Abundance of Life

April 19, 2026 – On the Road with Jesus

26-04-19-DM

Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

Opening Prayer: Lord, I praise you and am so grateful for this prayer time. Thank you that despite my stumbling, you walk beside me and steady me. Open my eyes and ears now.

Encountering Christ:

  1. “Jesus… Drew Near And Walked With Them”: Jesus walked with the disciples on the way to Emmaus, and he is here now, and walking beside us. When we pause a moment to reflect on this powerful truth and let it penetrate our hearts, no matter what our state of mind is, or what emotions well up, or what situations are confronting us, we can draw strength from Jesus walking beside us. What a comfort this realization is! It is and should be our fountain of strength and our shield of protection on the battleground of life.

     

  2. “They Stopped, Looking Downcast”: Could the disciples have failed to recognize Our Lord because they were looking down? Looking down might indicate their minds were closed and their hearts were turned inward on themselves in sorrow over Jesus’ death, pondering why and how this all could have happened! When the unexpected happens, we can get stuck asking the wrong questions, too. It is understandable to ask “how” and “why,” but to grow and begin to move forward, it is more helpful instead to ask in prayer, “What do you want me to learn from this, Lord?” When we say this prayer humbly and diligently, Our Lord will begin to inspire our hearts with hope and new direction.

     

  3. “Oh, How Foolish You Are!”: Being called a fool can snap us right out of our navel—gazing, even causing us to momentarily forget our sorrow. It’s possible that the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus because they clung to their interpretation of how Jesus would “redeem” his people and the role they would play. When Jesus reoriented the disciples to understand God’s plan through the Scripture, their despairing hearts began to burn with new hope. When we hold on to our agenda with a prideful, “my way or the highway” attitude, we are being foolish. Going to prayer, even just momentarily acknowledging Jesus as Lord, who already knows the answer and who can overcome any difficulty, will help defeat the temptation for control. Recognizing his presence and ultimate control over every situation increases our humility and prevents rash decisions. We are the Lord’s good servants first. Our greatest desire is his will, and acknowledging that Jesus is walking beside us will help us maintain interior peace.

Conversing with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to focus outward towards you and others. I do desire your will above mine. By surrendering my own desire for control, I can be more open to your gentle leading.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will avoid rash words or actions, pausing to remember I am your good servant first.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 20, 2026 – From the Stomach to the Heart

26-04-20-DM

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:22-29

After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea. The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, all praise and honor we rightly offer you! We genuinely look for you, but we sometimes find ourselves searching and hungry for bread that perishes. Forgive us, Lord! Please show us that you are the living bread we desire.

Encountering Christ:

  1. Hunger of the Heart: Jesus used food as a “hook” to capture the attention of the crowd when he multiplied the loaves and fish. While we do not multiply bread or fish to feed people, we can imitate Jesus by using everyday events to invite people to discover and grow in a relationship with God. Each day we have opportunities to cast a “hook” into the stream of people’s lives to share the love of Jesus with them. Our words, as well as our actions, can lift their minds, at least momentarily, to “things that are above,” bringing them into contact with their greatest good, Our Lord (cf. Col 3:2).

     

  2. Temporal Versus Eternal: Many people sought Jesus because they wanted physical food or healing. Jesus challenged them, saying, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.” We, too, can become earthbound, distracted by our temporal world of work and home, and unaware of the connectedness of the temporal and eternal realms when, in fact, everything we possess, any talent we have received, belongs to the Lord, and should rightly be used to reach out to share Jesus with others, either directly or indirectly. We are invited today, in this Gospel, to sit with these thoughts and ask ourselves, “How am I living each day with an eye on eternity, and sharing my perspective with those I’m called to reach?”

     

  3. The Work of God: “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” A quick peek into a thesaurus reveals words that may intensify what Jesus means when he says “believe”—words like faith, trust, confidence, certainty, acceptance, reliance, conviction, and hope. Do these words reflect the depth of our belief and commitment to Jesus? We don’t earn faith—it’s a gift from God—but we do need to open our hearts, empty them of superfluous concerns, pray for faith, and be ready to receive the answer to our prayer.

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, I do believe; help my unbelief! Abba, grow my heart’s longing for you today as I pray over the ways I hunger for you, the ways I keep my gaze fixed on eternity, and the ways I “do the work of God.” Thank you, Lord, for this time of prayer. Increase my belief in the one you sent so that I might become a fisher of men.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I ask you to give me opportunities to build the Kingdom by my words and actions and become an instrument in the evangelization of others.

For Further Reflection: Prayerful reading of the Creed.

Read and meditate about faith in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1814-1816.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 21, 2026 – Yesterday’s Desert, Today’s Jungle

26-04-21-DM

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:30-35

The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, Jesus, I thank you and praise you for this time to quiet my mind, to speak and listen to you. Your words “I am the bread of life!” move me. Jesus, I trust in you; help me trust more.

Encountering Christ:

  1. “What Sign Can You Do, That We May See and Believe in You?”: Who dares to ask Jesus this question? Aren’t these the same people who witnessed the multiplication of loaves and fish one day earlier? Some people, because of their limited vision, fail to see anything but an impressive event as a sign. Fortunate are the people who stop, ponder, and internalize the more subtle signs God gives them through the years. Recalling past signs (grand or small) strengthens us to face our future with confidence. Our Lord beckons us to take a few minutes now to look for the signs he provides for us today, thank him, and pray about how to respond.

     

  2. “What Can You Do?”: We, as disciples and children of God, can be signs to every person we encounter. This is discipleship. We live in confusing times in our world and within our beloved Church. When we hear Gospel truths being misrepresented more than ever, the Lord calls us to be loving when we are not being shown love, kind when we see others act out of selfishness, and courageous and composed when we speak up to address a wrong. “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7).

     

  3. “Sir, Give Us This Bread Always”: Jesus reminded the people that it wasn’t Moses who provided the manna from heaven while they wandered through the desert, but God the Father. Enthusiastically, they asked for that bread always, and Jesus began to prepare them to hear the Good News of the Eucharist. The true bread of God is Jesus, who came down from heaven to give life to the world! Their hearts must have burned, their eyes must have become as big as saucers when Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist, while hidden in the sign of bread, always nourishes us, strengthens us, and carries us through the difficulties and confusion in daily life, as long as we believe and trust in him!

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, you are my bread of life! I say with Peter, “Master, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life.” Also like Peter, I know I often fail you, Lord. Sometimes I am not a sign pointing to you at all. But I know that when I repent and resolve to embrace your will by the power of the Holy Spirit, I become the person you created me to be, an authentic sign to others.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will be an intentional sign with my words and actions to a friend, coworker, or family member.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 22, 2026 – Words of Eternal Life

26-04-22-DM

Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:35-40

Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

Opening Prayer: All glory to you, Father God! Thank you for sending your Son to rescue me from sin and eternal death! Your words are truth and life! Help me to etch them into my heart.

Encountering Christ:

  1. Hungering and Thirsting: Every human heart hungers and thirsts for love, satisfaction, and purpose in life. Yet, the world dupes us and we chase our tails, which can lead us down rabbit holes of materialism, secularism, and falsehoods about our self-worth. In these lines of Scripture, Jesus tells us succinctly that he is what we hunger and thirst for! We need only to come to him and believe in him. Jesus pleads with us to come. His compassionate eyes are full of understanding for our messy lives, strained relationships, brokenness, and confusion. At times, our pride, lack of trust, inability to detach from people or things, or worldly attractions divert our attention from the eternal life Jesus longs to give. Jesus chided the people he spoke to, and likewise us, when he said, “Although you have seen me, you do not believe.” If we were more fervent in our belief in Jesus, how might we demonstrate it?

     

  2. “I Will Not Reject Anyone Who Comes to Me”: This has to be one of the most profound promises Jesus makes to us! No sin is so big that it will cause Jesus to exclude us if we come to him! Let us savor these words, repeat them often, memorize them, and share them! Rejection is a part of the human experience, causing deep wounds and perhaps making us fearful about coming to Jesus, but Jesus longs to heal us. Belief implies deep trust, and we can trust Jesus will never reject us when we express sorrow for our sins. Meditating on the crucifix, reciting Romans 5:8, “While we were still sinners Christ died for us,” burns this truth into our hearts.

     

  3. The Father’s Will: Doing the Father’s will isn’t just Jesus’ greatest desire; it’s his mission! He spoke of his doing the Father’s will and told us what the Father’s will was three times in five verses! The repetition of his words indicates a high level of importance. “And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.” The last day will be here before we know it! Jesus has won the battle for our souls, but we know people stuck behind “enemy lines.” We have opportunities daily to rescue them, or at least to throw them a lifeline. How often do we engage in conversations of eternal consequence?

Conversing with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for this time of prayer and reflection on your word. I am in awe of you. I hear you say, “Come,” and I run to your embrace. I hear you say, “Believe,” and I do believe, and pray to trust you even more. Lord, give me a heart for other souls.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will by words and actions throw a “lifeline” to someone I encounter.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 23, 2026 – Teach, Lord!

26-04-23-DM

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

Opening Prayer: Father, thank you for sending Jesus to us! Jesus, I believe you are the living bread come down from heaven! The Eucharist is your most loving, mysterious, and awesome gift. Teach me, Lord, so that I might grow in deeper understanding and love for the Eucharist during this time of prayer.

 Encountering Christ:

  1. Draw Me: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him.” It is not our own will that first prompts us to come to Jesus, but it is God the Father’s love for each of us. He acts first, and we in turn respond by accepting Jesus’ invitation to come to him. We are like the tiny shavings of iron that are “drawn” to a magnet; God’s love is irresistible! Well, almost. We do, at times, resist his love. We choose to deny ourselves our greatest good. What an awesomely beautiful, but potentially self-destructive “gift” our free will is. Lord, make us wise and loving!

     

  2. Ear of the Heart: “They shall be taught by God” is a reference to Old Testament prophecies. Isaiah 54:13 says, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:33 says, “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts…” Joel 3:1 says, “It shall come to pass: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” So mysterious is Our Lord’s communication lovingly whispered into the heart; it is certainly beyond the human intellect that often wishes to codify knowledge on charts! Complete trust and total surrender to the Spirit unlocks and softens the heart, enabling a person to hear in external silence the sublime expression, the very breath of God!

     

  3. Manna Versus Living Bread: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” Manna, the bread of heaven that fed the Israelites in the desert, prefigures the new living bread that is Jesus’ flesh. While the heaven-sent manna provided bodily nourishment, it had no spiritual effect nor prevented them from dying, but Jesus, sent by the Father, promises a new bread that gives spiritual nourishment and fills us with the divine grace necessary for eternal life. How might we share the truth of the Eucharist at a time when so many are walking away?

Conversing with Christ: I praise you, Lord, for this time of prayer! I relish the awesome yet overwhelming gift of the Eucharist! O Holy Spirit, bestow on me a docile beatitude that I might discern your tender whispers in the silence of prayer.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will go to Mass and receive the Eucharist with greater fervor than ever before.

Janice Neyer works as a freelance writer/editor and a substitute teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has two married adult children and five amazing grandchildren. She can be reached at janice.neyer@gmail.com.

April 24, 2026 – Questions and Answers

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Friday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, break open your word to me as I turn my heart to you in prayer. I long to remain in you and let you remain in me. Just as you challenged the crowds with the truth of your Flesh and Blood being offered for them, you challenge me with the truth which gives me life. And as I have prayed all week, make my heart burn while you speak to me.

 Encountering Christ: 

  1. Questioning Jesus: The reading says that the Jews quarreled among themselves as they grappled with the meaning of his words. They were struggling and asking how this could be possible. Like their forefather Moses who doubted and struck the rock twice, or Jacob who wrestled with God in order to obtain a promise, so did their descendants wrestle and quarrel. And Jesus didn’t make it easy on them, but rather repeated the challenging truth, for which there was no obvious resolution other than to believe in him and his words. Belief and trust is often the only answer when we don’t understand what God is doing or saying in our lives.

     

  2. Our Ancestors: Jesus referred to the ancestors of the Jews, who ate manna in the desert and still died. That bread was to sustain them until they got to the Promised Land of Canaan, which it did. Yet this new manna of Jesus’s Flesh and Blood will sustain us until we all arrive in our heavenly Promised Land. There is no death for us if we believe in him and are fed by him. Jesus makes clear that the result of the bread he offers is “unlike” that of the bread their ancestors ate. He promises life!

     

  3. Teaching in the Synagogue: Jesus was teaching in Capernaum, the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and James. This was a town of commerce at the base of the hill where he taught the Beatitudes of the Kingdom. It was the town on the seashore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus originally called his Apostles. It was the town—the Apostles’ small and busy town—where he challenged them with the truths he came to teach. Jesus did not shy away from the tougher-to-believe aspects of his messages. He shared them with everyone in the synagogue, all of his disciples’ family and friends. Although these truths were difficult to believe, they are also extremely beautiful. God wants to nourish us in this life and bring us to eternal life. God wants to sustain us in the desert of this life! God wants to be our manna! He challenges us because he loves us and wants us to follow him, even if we don’t understand everything he says at the moment!

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, your words are truth and life. Like Peter, we have believed and come to know. To whom shall we go, for you have the words of everlasting life? I will never turn away from the challenging yet life-giving words you speak to me in the Catholic Church and in your Scriptures. Speak Lord, your servant is listening! Amen.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will renew my “yes” to you frequently. The “yes” of my Baptism. The “yes” of my Confirmation. The “Amen” of my First Communion. The “yes” of my life’s vocation.

For Further Reflection: The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as “the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.” In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” “This presence is called ‘real’—by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present” (CCC 1374).

Fr. Mark Haydu, LC, is a priest living in Rye, New York. He currently serves as the local New York Chaplain for the Lumen Institute where he offers spiritual coaching to business leaders seeking to integrate faith, character, and leadership: https://lumeninstitute.org/. He hails from Akron, Ohio.

April 25, 2026 – The Final Act

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Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

Mark 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are the Lord of all creation. Everything I see belongs to you, and yet you authorize me to preach in your name. Grant me the zeal and inner strength to be a fearless witness for you. Inflame in me the desire to “go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature!”

Encountering Christ:

  1. Go Into the Whole World: The great commission given by Jesus is universal in scope. No corner of our planet is exempt from his mandate to proclaim the Gospel. “The whole world” must receive the Good News. “Speaking new languages” will be necessary, so that God’s love and mercy can be “preached everywhere.” Perhaps what is most surprising, however, is Jesus’ call to proclaim the Gospel to everycreature. The great St. Francis of Assisi understood that because all creation comes from God, it should lead us back to Pope Francis comments in his encyclical Laudato Si’, “Just as happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever he [St. Francis] would gaze at the sun, the moon, or the smallest of animals, he burst into song, drawing all other creatures into his praise. He communed with all creation, even preaching to the flowers, inviting them ‘to praise the Lord, just as if they were endowed with reason.’”

     

  2. Mark the Evangelist: St. Mark, whose feast we celebrate today, was not only one of the four Gospel writers. He was also a man of the Church. In the first reading today, St. Peter, head of the Catholic Church, mentioned him affectionately by name: “My son, Mark.” Tradition has it that St. Mark leaned heavily on St. Peter when writing his Gospel account. Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus—“You are the Christ”—figures centrally in Mark’s Gospel. Mark is also mentioned in the letters of St. Paul. “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry” (2 Tim 4:11). St. Mark later became Bishop of Alexandria, a sign of his total devotion to the spouse of Christ, the Church.

     

  3. Seated on High: In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus “was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.” He has a new seat, a new task to fulfill. The Catechism assures us in number 1067 that the Ascension is part of the Paschal mystery—Passion and Death, Resurrection, and These can never be separated. “The lifting up of Jesus on the cross signifies and announces his lifting up by his Ascension into heaven, and indeed begins it” (CCC 662). The Ascension—which we will properly celebrate in a few weeks—does not mean Christ’s absence. Hebrews 7:25 promises us that he now lives to make intercession for us. And today’s passage assures us that “the [ascended] Lord worked with them.”

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your being in heaven makes me want to get there, too! And I know you have gone ahead to prepare a place for me. Teach me to be a fearless apostle, like St. Mark, so that I can help bring others along!

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take some time to read from the Gospel according to St. Mark.

For Further Reading: Take a look at the first chapters of the Acts of the Apostles in order to see how the story continued after the Ascension.

Fr Erik Burckel, LC was ordained to the priesthood in 2022. He writes articles and short stories for diverse purposes and publications, and can be reached at eburckel@legionaries.org.

April 26, 2026 – Baptism: Gateway to an Abundance of Life

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Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are my gate. You are my Shepherd. I come before you with humility and gratitude for your care over me. Thank you for the freedom I experience as a child of the heavenly Father. Thank you for giving me an abundant life and for being a dear friend along my journey to eternal life.

Encountering Christ:

  1. Jesus Came So That We Might Have Life: Jesus wants to give us spiritual life through baptism. “Those who enter through the gate will be saved.” The gateway to eternal life is to allow oneself to be washed clean in the waters of baptism. We are called to embrace Christ’s way of life as a son or daughter of God. Once we have entered through the gate and become one of the flock, we have the freedom of a member of the household to come and go as we please.

     

  2. Have Life More Abundantly: Jesus gives life abundantly. His life is like the vibrant vitality of a waterfall with a never-ending source of water, as opposed to the trickle of a little stream. Jesus wants us to live a life experiencing the all-encompassing providential care of a loving Father, of a Shepherd who provides abundantly for the most basic needs.

     

  3. “I Am the Gate”: This passage is allegorical and a bit abstract. The people of Jesus’ time learned through stories, as do the people of our time. Jesus is saying that any stranger who is not part of the family cannot enter the gate unannounced to enjoy the privilege of using the grounds, eating the supplies, or drinking the water. However, a fully committed person who is incorporated into the family of Christ’s Church may enter the gate and partake of the abundance of life provided by the Shepherd.

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, the grace I received in baptism is beyond the scope of my complete comprehension. Help me to realize what a gift you have given me by incorporating me into your family.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will look deeply within my heart and reflect on what it means for me to be part of your flock.

For Further Reflection: Numbers 1213-1284 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church explain the riches of the sacrament of Baptism.

Renee Pomarico, CRC, is Communications Director for the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. She is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been consecrated to God since 2000, and is currently stationed in Rome.

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Weekly Digest of the Regnum Christi Daily Meditations: Apr 19 – 26, 2026 Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Uncle Eddy

St Apollonius the Apologist

/ Uncle Eddy

Dear Polly, I have been thinking about you a lot lately.  I much admire your gift of easy and lively conversation, which would be a welcome respite for me, doomed as I am to this inhuman solitary confinement (but as long as God wants me here, here I will gladly stay).  I wonder how that gift of conversation is doing with a year of college under its belt. On those family picnics that you so delighted in while you were growing up, you used to be able to weave encouraging words about the faith and the Church into the most mundane conversations, to the delight of all.  Do you find it easy to speak of such things to your college friends? Unless college has changed a lot, my guess is that you don’t. In seminar classes, in the cafeteria, in late night dorm discussions, it probably takes plenty of valor to put forth the Catholic view of things. If you sometimes feel hesitant to do so, even when your conscience is nudging you to be bold, say a quick prayer to St Apollonius the Apologist and draw courage from his example.  A respected member of the Roman senate, he converted to Christianity under the rule of Emperor Commodus (the young emperor in the movie “Gladiator”, remember?). Denounced as a Christian (being a Christian was still a capital crime then) by an envious slave, the Tribune put him on trial before the Senate himself. All his friends and peers and rivals were there before him, and they questioned him at length. He remained patient and courteous through it all, but cut no corners in his explanation of what he truly believed.  One of my favorite lines is his response to prefect’s query: “Are you then bent upon death?” He responded, “No, I enjoy life; but love of life does not make me afraid to die. There is nothing better than life – the life eternal, which gives immortality to the soul which has lived well here.” Such calm assurance, such gentle but firm eloquence… If you trust in God as he did, your own testimony will be equally beautiful, although I hope you don’t have to pay for it as he did – with execution by decapitation. Write soon. Uncle Edd  

St Apollonius the Apologist Read More »

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April 18, 2026 – Faith Calms Storms

/ Daily Meditations

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

 

John 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

Opening Prayer: Lord come to me as I begin this time of prayer. Calm my stormy mind so that I can recognize your presence in these words.

Encountering Christ:

  1. In Context?: After feeding the five hundred, the Gospel of Matthew tells us Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side” (Mt 14:22). Jesus wanted to be alone to pray. Although John left this detail out, it makes sense that the disciples would have gotten into the boat only if Jesus insisted, telling them he intended to pray. They had seen this behavior before. Jesus often got up early, or stayed up late, to share some quiet time with his Father. What a witness Jesus was to them and to us. No matter how busy our ministry, no matter how needy the crowds, no matter what our collaborators say, we must make time for prayer. “Let the men eaten up with activity and who imagine they are able to shake the world with their preaching and other outward works, stop and reflect a moment… they would be much more useful to the Church and more pleasing to the Lord, not to mention the good example they would give to those around them, if they devoted more time to prayer and to the exercises of the interior life” (Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, The Soul of the Apostolate).

     

  2. It Was Dark: Jesus prayed well into the night, leaving the Apostles in the dark, in a boat tossed about by waves. Of course, he knew their plight. Why did he wait until the fourth watch of the night (cf. Mk 6:48) to make his presence known? When Jesus postponed his visit to Mary and Martha, it was to raise Lazarus from the dead—to work a miracle so resplendent that doubting souls might finally believe (cf. Jn 11). When the woman with the hemorrhage touched his cloak, Jesus told her, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you” (Mt 9:22). The disciples in today’s Gospel “had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened” (Mk 6:52). Their faith needed a booster shot. Jesus was making it perfectly clear that he is master of the seas, and through his dramatically bringing them to safety their faith in him would be strengthened. In our own darkness, we can be assured that Jesus knows our plight, that his timing is perfect, and that he seeks only our good. No one relishes the darkness, but “this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:17-18).

     

  3. No Fear: The Bible contains more than 140 admonitions to fear not, forty of them in the New Testament. Jesus’s disciples were afraid. Jesus knows our hearts are also anxious, that storms crop up to disturb our peace, that we struggle with strong emotions like anger, jealousy, and loneliness. In this instance, he approached the boat with the words, “It is I. Do not be afraid,” and so “they wanted to take him into the boat.” We too want to cling to Jesus in the storm and lay our problems at his feet. When we do, Jesus calms our anxious hearts, reminding us that he is enough. Our peace is restored.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, you speak to me about faith in these lines of Scripture. I see that my faith is weak. I beg you to strengthen me. Many of the ordinary daily stressors I experience are opportunities to grow in faith. I know that I can do all that you ask of me with peace and joy, if I only have faith in you.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will say, “Jesus I trust in you,” every time I feel the least bit stressed.

For Further Reflection: “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you; you never forsake those who seek you, Lord” (Ps 9:10-11).

Maribeth Harper celebrated paying the last tuition bill for her kids’ college by writing a book for parents who have college-aged young adults: A Spiritual Toolbox: Tips for Parenting through the First Year of College. She is a wife of over thirty-five years, mother of four, and grandmother of twelve and counting.

April 18, 2026 – Faith Calms Storms Read More »

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2026 Holy Week Missions send out more than 3800 missionaries across the North American Territory to serve the Church

/ LC Territorial, Legionaries of Christ, Regnum Christi, Regnum Christi News
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The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Matthew 7:25

This Holy Week, nearly 4000 missionaries from the United States, Canada, and the Philippines, went out into the world as Christ’s Apostles—rooted, grounded, and anchored in him and in his word. This year’s theme—Unshaken—inspired the missionaries to go out fearlessly and with purpose, to establish a Kingdom founded on the Rock, a Kingdom that the chaos and the storms of the world cannot shake.

Listen to this year’s theme song

What is a Holy Week Mission?

Holy Week Missions are a signature mission experience for Mission Youth & Family, an apostolate of Regnum Christi. Palm Sunday ushers in the holiest week of the liturgical year, during which Catholics remember and celebrate the fact that God became man and died on the cross to save humanity. In numerous sites across the North American territory, Regnum Christi members went into the streets, serving their parishes, the poor, and those in most need, sharing the message of God’s love and mercy.

2026 Holy Week Missions

This year, Mission Youth & Family missionaries at 18 localities spent Holy Week bringing people close to the heart of Jesus, serving with him through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy through:

  • Catechesis for children
  • Spending time with the elderly and the homebound
  • Going out to the streets and to shelters to serve those experiencing hunger and homelessness
  • Praying for the deceased in cemeteries
  • Visiting families in their homes and praying for help and healing
  • Ministering to people on the streets and asking for prayer requests
  • Planning Easter celebrations in disadvantaged local communities
  • Serving and collaborating with local parishes, pastors, and bishops as they prepared for the Holy Triduum
  • Visiting addiction treatment centers and prisons
  • Leading Stations of the Cross, Cross Walks, Living Rosaries, Holy Hours, and a Seven-Church pilgrimage
  • Providing, inviting to, and participating in the sacrament of confession and the celebration of the Eucharist
  • Celebrating and sharing the joy of Easter!

Scroll down to keep reading, or click on the name of a city to read about their mission:

 
 

Atlanta

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Over 200 missionaries came from all over the Greater Atlanta Area to experience the Triduum in a radically different way, Holy Week Missions. Mercy Missions Atlanta partnered with St. Pius X Catholic High School to bring high schoolers, college students, and young professionals together through impactful service, meaningful encounters, and heartfelt prayer over the three days.

Missionaries were formed through talks and testimony and through team life led by committed young adults, legionary priests, fransican brothers, and consecrated women. Throughout each day mission teams were sent far and wide to blanket the city of Atlanta with Christ’s love and mercy by serving in a wide variety of ministries such as street missions, MARTA encounters, food pantry packing, rehab home visits, soup kitchen service, and many more. Good Friday brings the Lord’s Passion and in remembrance missionaries take part in a live stations of the cross right through the streets of Downtown Atlanta escorted by Atlanta Police.

Through Jesus’ love and mercy, missionaries were able to serve thousands of meals to those in need, encounter people needing comfort and consolation, and stand as a testament of God’s presence to the people of Atlanta. A heartfelt thanks to all those who made this mission possible and Mercy Missions Atlanta partner organizations: St. Pius X Catholic High School, Basilica of the Sacred Heat of Jesus, Salvation Army, AG Rhodes & Rehab, Urban Recipe, Seven Bridges to Recovery, & Atlanta Police Department.

We had two tracks.  The overnight track consisted of high schoolers, lead by college students and young adults, from Holy Thursday until Easter Vigil.  These 110 missionaries attended all the Holy Week services at Sacred Heart Basilica in downtown Atlanta.  They spent the day in teams serving at local homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and nursing homes as well as doing street missions in all the homeless areas of the Atlanta. 

The missionaries could be found riding the city transit system, the Marta, all day passing out coffee and collecting prayer intentions.  God provided beautiful weather allowing hundred of passersby to stop and pray with the missionaries as they remembered the Passion of Jesus.  On Holy Saturday, 60 more young adults joined the mission to help serve the homeless living under the bridges of Atlanta.  The mission concluded with a Easter Vigil party with food, testimonies and a concert by the RC Music Collective in a local restaurant downtown owned by a Lumen Institute member.

“A highlight for me was participating in the the stations of the cross in downtown Atlanta.  I was able to play the part of one of the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus.  The weather was beautiful on Good Friday and so many people stopped to pray the stations with us.  Our police escort stopped traffic in some of the busiest urban streets of Atlanta allowing the stations to be seen by hundreds.  Standing in the shoes of a Roman soldier, I was able to pray the stations like never before and witness up close the patience of Christ and the depths of his love for me and the world.” -Stephen Perenich RC Mission Corps.

Family missions and ECYD missions with about 300 missionaries were also held in the Suburbs of Atlanta, in Forsyth county, where missionaries served at St. Brendan’s Parish and Good Shepherd parish, as well as in the local community.

“I have been participating in family missions for 14 years.  This year we were at St. Brendan in Cumming.  What consolation it brings me to see my grandchildren desire to do missions!  I was filled with how missions awaken the hearts of the missionaries and those receiving!  Missionaries went brought cards and Easter candy to inmates in the county jail, provided an Easter meal and bags with notes and gift cards to a local girl home that serves girls who have been abused and a boys’ home that serves boys who have left home for various reasons.  Then a trip to the cemetery to pray for the dead and sprinkle holy water on the graves.  Saturday was for visiting the nursing homes and bringing cheer and going door to door to invite others in the community to celebrate Christmas with us at the parish.” – Lucy Daniels

Charlotte

In Charlotte, approximately 200 missionaries from St. Michael’s Parish, local Regnum Christi members, and other families from the diocese gathered for Gastonia’s eighth annual Holy Week Missions, serving over 500 people.

Outreach included:

  • Feeding the poor (with 200 barbecue sandwich lunches)
  • Visiting homebound parishioners and area nursing homes
  • Preparing 300 Easter baskets for kids living in poverty and in the local trailer parks
  • Completing service work on the parish campus
  • Celebrating a Catholic Seder meal
  • Praying a rosary for the dead
“Weaving the mission into the Triduum liturgies allows us to be driven by the graces we receive from our blessed Lord. This was our eighth year, and the event has built up momentum. It is getting easier to organize and more and more impactful to the parish community and the surrounding area. Families are changed because of this!”

–  Matt Tortorich

Chicago

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“Seeing so many young people and families join this year’s Holy Week mission brought me immense hope and joy. It was truly inspiring to witness such a strong community presence. I am confident that many lives were deeply moved by these encounters with Christ’s love and mercy.”

– Mirta Garcia

During the Triduum, over 100 missionaries from Regnum Christi Chicago gathered to pray, serve, and evangelize to over 500 people.

Their mission began on Holy Thursday, when 30 participants joined the Seven Churches pilgrimages organized by Everest Academy. Starting at St. James in Lemont, Illinois, the group visited various churches throughout the southwest and western suburbs.

On Good Friday, 40 missionaries participated in a three-mile Cross Walk on Michigan Avenue, from Old St. Mary’s Parish to the Bean. They were joined by the Legionaries of Christ and students from the Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Indiana, witnessing to and praying with approximately 300 people.

“One particularly moving moment involved a young woman who was visibly touched to tears by the sight of the cross; though she was unable to speak, she nodded when asked for a prayer intention. It was a powerful reminder of how God’s grace touches hearts in mysterious ways.”

– Mirta Garcia, director of Regnum Christi Chicago

The mission concluded on Holy Saturday with 47 missionaries volunteering at the Pacific Garden Mission on the Near West Side. Among the volunteers were Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC, and Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, Catherine Macora. The missionaries assisted in setting up the tables and serving the Easter brunch. The Pacific Garden Mission serves over 1,500 meals daily to those in need, and it was a privilege to support their important work on such a special occasion.

Cincinnati

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Greater Ohio Valley was mission-filled during Holy Week.

For the second year, the Holy Week Mission of Mercy returned to Covington, Kentucky. Partnering with Regnum Christi’s Mission Youth, high school students were invited to spend Holy Week accompanying Jesus and taking their faith to the streets, sharing the love of Jesus with those who perhaps would not make it to church themselves.

This year’s 155 missionaries included:

  • 75 high school students
  • 40 adult volunteers
  • 12 young adult team leaders
  • 12 elementary school children
  • 7 Franciscan Daughters of Mary
  • 5 diocesan seminarians
  • 3 Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi
  • 5 Legionary of Christ priest
  • Countless behind-the-scenes supporters

The Holy Thursday Last Supper celebration was followed by a holy hour at St. Pius and Good Friday Cross Walks in Covington, Dayton, and Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Cross Walk finished at the Church of the Immaculata, where the missionaries joined Archbishop Robert Casey for the celebration of Good Friday Passion.

Door-to-door missions were held in Covington on Good Friday and Holy Saturday with ECYD girls and boys and more youth from throughout the area, directed by Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, Carrie O’Connor. They also hosted a Festival of Hope for children on Holy Saturday at the Rose Garden Mission. 

“I prayed for a person on the street and ended with, ‘that when this is all over, may we meet again one day.’ In the silence of our walk back, I started thinking about that one line. To me, it meant that there’s a chance that one day, if, by the grace of God, we make it to heaven, someone will run up to us and say through tears, “Remember me? You are the reason I’m here today! You met me right where I was and brought me back to him!” Just think about how the work we did could’ve brought home a lost sheep. We are truly the hands and feet of Jesus. I went home with a smile on my face that couldn’t be wiped off.”

– Ava, high school volunteer

“I was impressed by the courage of the young adults to speak to strangers about the role of Christ in their lives. All of us need to approach our everyday relationships in much the same manner!”

– Ken, adult volunteer

Dallas

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“We encountered a man on the street who was moved by one of the youth’s kindness and approached the group to seek help because he was suicidal. We were able to connect him with the help he needed!”

–  Zuzi Oseguera

Approximately 300 youth, young adults, and families gathered from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area, based in three diocesan parishes: Holy Trinity, St. Cecilia, and Santa Clara. Mission Youth Dallas missionaries served the less fortunate at a variety of locations, including food pantries, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. They also participated in a cemetery restoration, hosted a carnival for underprivileged kids, and did door-to-door missions. The missionaries served approximately 1000 people this year.

Missionaries also had the special privilege of having Fr. Andrew Dalton, LC, give a young adult retreat on Good Friday evening on the Shroud of Turin.

“What an impact to mission as a community of apostles, and expand it beyond the missionaries that were present! One highlight in particular was during the cemetery restoration visit, one of the young adult missionaries, who was praying for the departed souls, had the inspiration to call her mom and invite her to join her in prayer for the souls in purgatory. How inspiring to see one missionary reach out to the woman who herself had been a missionary in years past and who had taught her daughter how to be an apostle and how to expand Christ’s Kingdom!”

–  Zuzi Oseguera

“The highlight of these missions was seeing the kids on fire for the Lord. It was amazing to see people who genuinely want to be there serving… whether rain or shine, everyone was there on a mission. The high school kids also did an overnight mission, so it was beautiful to see them open themselves up to the Lord’s grace and share their testimonies with everyone. We also did an impactful night activity for them that made them realize how short and fragile life really is.”

–  Sara Mora

Detroit

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“Overall, both missions fostered evangelization, community engagement, and deep spiritual renewal among participants and local communities. Across both missions, a common theme emerged: evangelization is not limited to a single week—it is a way of life.”

–  Kristy Farrell

This year, Regnum Christi Detroit held both Family Missions and Youth Missions, with a total of 145 missionaries serving approximately 400 community members.

FAMILY MISSIONS

The 2026 Family Missions brought a vibrant and impactful presence to the St. Damian of Molokai and St. Michael parishes in Pontiac, Michigan, from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. Kicking off with a meaningful vigil Seder dinner, the missions engaged a substantial force of 170 missionaries, including 65 dedicated missionary families, in a week of profound spiritual service. Their efforts extended into the heart of the community, with missionaries visiting 60 homes, which in some cases included a house blessing. A lively kids’ camp provided engaging activities and spiritual formation for children aged 2 to 12, ensuring the mission’s reach spanned generations.

A key aspect was the active and full participation of both the missionaries and the faithful in the solemn liturgies of Paschal Triduum, including the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Stations of the Cross and the Lord’s Passion with veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, the joyous Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night, and ending with Easter Sunday Mass. This deep involvement in parish liturgies was largely attended due to an invitation from the parish pastor, Fr. Jacob Vanassche, underscoring the strong collaboration between the RC missions and the local Church. 

Beyond community outreach, the mission offered healing and prayer ministry. Dedicated healing prayer teams ministered to more than 45 individuals, providing in some cases physical healing, comfort, and intercession. The missionaries also demonstrated a commitment to life through prayer outside an abortion clinic. A notable sign of spiritual hunger and repentance was the presence of long lines for confession and anointing.

“Healing prayer was offered to parishioners and missionaries. A particularly moving testimony came from a participant who experienced healing not just spiritually, but physically. She had come with a lot of pain that had been a part of her life for many years, but through personal prayer, and prayer during the Healing Holy Hour offered on Holy Thursday, she was able to pass a kidney stone that night and has been pain-free since.”

–  Kristy Farrell

A new and particularly impactful addition this year was the Gethsemane Prayer Corner, offering a sacred space for contemplation and meditation to further deepen the spiritual intensity of this year’s mission experience.

YOUTH MISSIONS

The Detroit Regnum Christi Youth missioned this year at St. Clement of Rome parish in Romeo, Michigan. The joyful missionaries launched an inspiring week of evangelization and service, beginning with a meaningful Seder dinner on Palm Sunday and concluding on Easter Sunday. A dedicated team of 75 missionaries, including 25 young adult leaders, 40 enthusiastic teens, and 10 invaluable chaperones and drivers, brought their energy and faith to the local community. Demonstrating remarkable zeal, these young missionaries conducted 30 home visits in just two days, developing personal connections and spreading the message of Christ. Their commitment extended to street evangelization and a powerful live Stations of the Cross, deeply impacting those who witnessed their devotion.

A significant new dimension to this year’s Youth Mission was the integration of overnight stays at the parish, fostering a deeper sense of community and shared spiritual experience among the missionaries, further enriched by opportunities for personal sharing. In a powerful display of solidarity and conviction, the youth missionaries also joined their counterparts from the Detroit Family Missions in prayer and witness outside an abortion clinic, uniting their voices in a shared commitment to life. This immersive and active mission experience undoubtedly left a lasting impression on both the missionaries and the community of Romeo.

Houston

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“In every encounter, the unshaken love of Christ was shared in a unique and personal way.”

– Rosalia Gutierrez

This year’s Holy Week Missions in Houston were a powerful witness to Christ’s love in action. A total of 973 missionaries, organized into 30 teams across 33 mission sites, were sent out to serve communities throughout The Woodlands, Conroe, Houston, Katy, and surrounding areas. Among them were over 180 youth missionaries, with more than 100 committing to a three-day overnight mission experience.

Thanks to the generosity of Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, missionaries were able to distribute hundreds of Easter baskets, homeless care packages, and clothing and shoes to those in need. Throughout the week, thousands of families and community members were encountered and evangelized through both word and witness.

This year’s theme, Unshaken, was prayerfully developed by the youth, centering on the Unshaken Love of Christ. That message deeply marked the spirit of the missions rooted in peace, prayer, and a joyful urgency to share Christ with others. Each team was guided by team leaders, many of them couples, who accompanied missionaries both spiritually and practically.

Missionaries served in a wide variety of ways: visiting the elderly in nursing homes, supporting women’s shelters, hosting Easter celebrations for children in underserved communities, serving at food banks, reaching out to the homeless, renovating spaces for foster children, and more. As well, for the first time, they also had a group of missionaries at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Houston, which is assigned to the Legionaries of Christ, prayerfully accompanying Mary in her sorrow on Holy Saturday.

“It had a great impact on us to go on a mission to a public school in Conroe, where we observed a principal and a coordinator with hearts incredibly open to expressing the things of God to the students and their families. We were struck by the fact that they took the risk of inviting a group like ours to share the meaning of the Paschal Mystery, knowing that it is a public school and there may be people whose faith is not Christian, much less Catholic. Their attitude, their openness, and their willingness for us to speak about our Lord Jesus Christ touched our hearts. We believe this is a sign of these times, where our Lord is touching hearts so that—just as he asked of us—we may evangelize every creature.”

– Linda and Abelardo Cruz

“For me, Holy Week missions were a moment to come back down to earth and truly realize how good God has been to me. Having the opportunity to serve Christ through the missions was something beautiful. Becoming a disciple of God and being able to share even a small part of the love he gives us fills my heart with joy.”

– Fernanda Pelaez

Miami

The Regnum Christi team in Miama, made up of 32 missionaries, participated in a Cross Walk through the Coconut Grove area. They collected prayer intentions from passersby and those who approached, and added these intentions to their cross along the way. At the end, the team returned to St. Hugh Catholic Church, we they prayed together for all of those they had encountered along the way. They concluded by praying the Stations of the Cross together as a team in the church. 

New Orleans

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“Across these days, what emerged was more than a series of activities. It was a lived experience of the Gospel: young people stepping out in faith, encountering Christ in others, and allowing themselves to be transformed by the mystery they proclaimed.
By Easter morning, the missionaries did not simply celebrate the Resurrection—they carried within them the joy of having walked closely with Christ and shared Him with the world.”

– Fr. Jaime Lorenzo

The Regnum Christi Louisiana Holy Week Mission 2026 brought together 42 missionaries from across southern Louisiana and beyond, uniting ECYD members, high schoolers, and young adults in a shared desire to live Holy Week with depth, purpose, and apostolic zeal. Participants traveled from Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, and New Orleans, forming a vibrant community rooted in faith and mission.

Guided by Fr. Jaime Lorenzo, LC, and Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, Margie Lademan, the mission ran from Wednesday of Holy Week through Easter Sunday morning, immersing participants in both the liturgical life of the Church and direct evangelization. Each day was marked by a powerful rhythm of prayer and mission. In the afternoons and evenings, the group entered deeply into the sacred mysteries of Holy Week through the liturgies at St. Louis Cathedral, celebrated with Archbishop James Checchio. From there, they were sent out into the heart of the city.

On Holy Thursday, missionaries encountered Christ in the poor through homeless outreach in the French Quarter, offering not only material support but presence, dignity, and prayer. Good Friday brought a bold public witness, with street evangelization and live Stations of the Cross, inviting passersby into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. On Holy Saturday, the mission extended to a rural parish, where participants went door-to-door, sharing the hope of the Resurrection with families.

“As director and chaplain, I saw how much our missionaries so beautifully gave of themselves to the people they served each day. There was no hesitation in sitting with the homeless people on the street, approaching people to pray with them, or when going door-to-door in rural neighborhoods, inviting people back to church. The hope they brought and the hope they also received was so powerful and real that there was no doubt that God was at work. Rarely were our missionaries treated with negativity or rejection. Most of them would come back sharing the multiple moments of joy, blessing, and hope that they encountered in the many diverse people they met on the road. And most of the time, the only message we all wanted to give was the love of Jesus and the desire to pray with them. We are also so grateful for the archbishop and other clergy, who so positively affirmed and thanked the young missionaries for the work of hope they did these days. It was meaningful to hear that to remind us that we were building up the Kingdom of God these days!”

– Fr. Jaime Lorenzo

New York

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“About 85% of those who went to confession or entered the church to pray were under 40 years old, mostly in their 30s!”

– Mary Rohe

Holy Week Missions in New York took place at St. Patrick Cathedral for one day, and St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, for four days, reaching out to the people on the streets of NYC and inviting them back to the Lord. The 130 missionaries were made up of Regnum Christi members and friends, seminarians from Cheshire, and, for the first time, some FOCUS missionaries.

“We would strike up conversations and try to make meaningful connections, ultimately inviting them into the church to pray or to go to confession.”

– Mary Rohe

Orlando

 

“The most touching part was the passionate dedication of the Body of Christ in our RC family, spanning all ages, to showering love on our community, which also represents all seasons & stages of life, and our RC family’s unwavering desire to keep doing so.”

– Amy Kubelka

This was the second year of Holy Missions for RC Orlando. Activities included:

  • Serving the unhoused by providing meals and cleaning the facilities and the grounds
  • Visiting the elderly in nursing homes, singing songs and handing out Easter cards made by the “mini-missionaries”
  • Praying with and for people they encountered on street missions
  • Praying for the souls of the deceased at two cemeteries
  • Holy Saturday Cross Walk and candle light rosary 
“Thank you to Fr. Ben O’Loughlin, LC, for his formation and accompaniment of our Orlando missionaries! His guidance helped us all to allow our hearts to be more in sync with the heart of Christ as we loved others!”

– Amy Kubelka

Philadelphia

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Mission Youth Philly’s Holy Week 2026 mission brought together approximately 400 participants across multiple life stages, including 133 high school and college missionaries and archdiocesan priests and seminarians, 72 participants in the ECYD Family Mission, and about 200 additional individuals who joined the Living Stations in Center City Philadelphia.

Throughout the week, missionaries encountered and served over 600 people through evangelization, accompaniment, and works of mercy across the archdiocese.

Mission efforts included:

  • Parish Missions: door-to-door evangelization at two parishes, inviting families back to the sacraments, and offering prayer
  • Kensington Outreach: street evangelization and breakfast service to those experiencing homelessness and addiction
  • Pro-Life Outreach: service with local organizations and prayerful witness outside an abortion facility (twice during the week)
  • ECYD Family Mission (Center City): families and young missionaries evangelizing together in a visible, joyful witness
  • Living Stations of the Cross: a public downtown procession engaging passersby and drawing approximately 200 participants

Missionaries were primarily high school and college students, accompanied by young adult leaders who were formed through daily prayer, apostolic work, and community life.

The week concluded with a half-day silent retreat on Holy Saturday and a 4:00 a.m. Easter Vigil Mass at sunrise, followed by a shared Easter breakfast.

“While going door-to-door at one of our parish missions, a missionary knocked on a door, not knowing what to expect. The person who answered shared that they had been going through a difficult time and hadn’t been back to Mass in years. After a simple conversation and praying with them right there, the missionary invited them back to Mass at the parish, and they were genuinely open to it. It was clear that God had been preparing that moment long before we arrived.”
– Malorie Leach, director of Mission Youth Philly

Raleigh

“When we went out into the community to pray and to spread the Good News, Jesus reminded us that these are his people and that there is much work to do in his vineyard.”

– Jan Cox

Approximately 50 missionaries served in Good Friday and Holy Saturday missions at St. Joseph’s Parish in Raleigh. This included adoration and a bilingual reenactment of the Stations of the Cross,

“The live bilingual reenactment of the Stations of the Cross in English and in Spanish made us appreciate all the suffering that Jesus did for us because he loves us. At the end of the Stations, our sadness was replaced with a tremendous love for our Savior who died for us and bore the weight of our sins on his shoulders.” –Jan Cox and Greg Roman

On each night, missionaries went out to different localities throughout the city to hand out food and religious articles, and ended both days by sharing their evangelization experiences.

 

San Antonio

 

“Community life was a recurring theme: praying the rosary, spending time in adoration, and sharing the mission with other families created a strong sense of unity.”

– Eduardo Ross

This year, Holy Week missions, carried out in Spanish, took place in the northern area of San Antonio, where most of the missionary families belong to Holy Trinity Parish. The 139 missionaries took part in:

  • A large Via Crucis organized by the archdiocese in downtown San Antonio
  • Service to their sister parish, St. Timothy, where they were able to prepare food and gifts for the homeless who live in the area
  • A procession and rosary in the park in front of St. Timothy to offer their condolences to the Virgin Mary

All the services of the Easter Triduum at Holy Trinity, including creating the lighted barrier for the Holy Thursday Blessed Sacrament repose procession

“Many missionaries shared that their greatest highlight was experiencing Holy Week as a family—praying together, attending the Triduum liturgies, and growing in faith side by side. They were moved by seeing children and families live their faith with enthusiasm, learning something new each day, and deepening their understanding of the meaning of Easter and the beauty of the liturgy in our Church. Serving others—especially helping at St. Timothy and connecting with people in need—made God’s presence tangible. Above all, participants felt welcomed, supported, and strengthened by a loving community that walked through the Holy Days together, making the experience both spiritually rich and deeply meaningful.”

– Eduardo Ross

Washington D.C.

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“While preparing for this mission, we initially wanted to organize something extraordinary for the high school participants. However, we soon realized that what Jesus truly desired from us was to create opportunities for the high schoolers to encounter him while serving others and sharing his message.”

– Jennifer No

The High School Holy Week Mission in Washington, DC took place from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning. In addition to the celebrations at Nativity Catholic Church, they carried out three main missions.

The first mission, called “Light the City,” took place on Thursday night. Missionaries went out into the streets to speak with people, ask for their prayer intentions, and remind them that Jesus gave his life to save them.

Missionaries encountered many individuals facing addiction, illness, or concern for loved ones, as well as others worried about peace in the world. Through prayer, music, conversations, and hot soup, they experienced Jesus in a powerful way during this first mission. Missionaries were especially blessed to invite some of the people they met on the streets to come with them to Eucharistic Adoration.

“There, before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, they were able to enter into a moment of silence, prayer, and personal encounter with Christ—an experience that revealed in a profound way that he was waiting for them, loving them, and desiring to meet them exactly where they were.”

– Jennifer No

On Friday morning, missionaries carried out their second mission, “Bringing the Love of Jesus,” where they visited families in their homes to share Christ’s love. In preparation, the high schoolers organized reflections, games, and a list of food and essential items, which they purchased at a nearby Walmart as the first step of the visit. This process helped them think of others, appreciate what they have, and generously give their time.

“It is striking to realize that while we think we are bringing the love of Jesus, we often receive even more than we give. The families welcomed us warmly—they wanted to be heard, they longed for companionship, and they were deeply touched to be reminded that Jesus loves them and understands their suffering, just as He suffered for us on the Cross.”
The last mission, “Serving Breakfast at the Shelter,” took place on Saturday morning. Missionaries woke up very early to ensure breakfast was ready by 7:00 a.m.
“What initially seemed like a challenging task became a beautiful experience, as the high schoolers prepared and served food to the women at the shelter, then sat with them to talk and listen to their stories.”

Being nourished through the parish celebrations and the opportunity to serve and share the Word of Jesus through these missions created many meaningful encounters with him for each of the missionaries.

“During this Easter season, we continue to pray for all those we encountered—that the message may grow in their hearts, that they may feel Jesus’ love, and that we may continue saying ‘yes’ to being his apostles.”

Calgary

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“One of the highlights this year was collecting almost 700 pounds of food donations on Tuesday night and donating that food to the Okotoks Food Bank.”

– Carissa Weimer

This year, Regnum Christi Calgary supported two groups of missionaries: a youth track and a young adult track.

YOUTH MISSIONS

Calgary saw 89 youth (ages 13-17) participate in seven consecutive days of mission beginning on Palm Sunday and ending with the Easter Vigil. They also had an incredible support/formation team of 40 adult volunteers.

On Thursday evening, missionaries gathered for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at two different churches, St. Mary’s Cathedral and Sacred Heart Parish. Bishop William McGrattan thanked Mission Youth Calgary during his homily for their efforts with the homeless on the streets of Calgary.

Another highlight for the youth this year was the Cross Walk morning on Good Friday, and serving coffee downtown and at one of the transit stations, where missionaries were also able to collect prayer intentions and distribute care packages to those in need. The youth were able to be the hands and feet of Christ to all they encountered and had the opportunity to pray with and for those in need. On Friday afternoon, the missionaries performed a “Living Stations of the Cross” to St. James Parish in full costume.

During Mercy Mission Saturday, missionaries were sent to serve at one of two locations. At The Calgary Dream Centre, a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals overcome homelessness and addiction, around 70 youth prepared and served lunch, visited with the residents, cleaned, and decorated for Easter. At the Calgary Drop-In Sorting Centre, another group of 20 youth had the opportunity to sort clothing and other donations, folding and bagging clothes to be handed out to low-income and homeless people throughout Calgary and area. Saturday evening, following the Easter Vigil, the youth celebrated the Lord’s Resurrection with a potluck feast and dance party.

“My highlight of Holy Week Missions this year was street missions on Good Friday. It was such a humbling experience to encounter people just like me in drastically different situations. It built compassion in me during each encounter. One, in particular, that stood out to me was a woman I met who was in so much pain because she had hurt her leg and had been using a single crutch to get around Calgary. When we asked in what way we could pray for her, she merely asked that we pray that she has a good day. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since”
– Sophia, 16-year-old missionary
“My highlight of seeing God at work through Holy Week Missions was viewing the smiles on people’s faces when they were noticed.”
– William, 16-year-old missionary

YOUNG ADULT MISSIONS

The Regnum Christi Young Adults Holy Week Missions in Calgary brought together 35 young missionaries, including 13 committed team leaders, for a deeply prayerful and transformative experience of the Holy Triduum. Rooted in formation, community, and apostolic charity, these days became a true encounter with Christ—both in prayer and in those they served.

The mission began on Holy Thursday with formation led by Fr. Kenneth LeBlanc, LC, who invited participants to reflect on the essence of the Christian vocation: to be missionaries, called and sent to bring Christ to the world. This moment of formation prepared their hearts to enter more fully into the sacred mysteries celebrated later that evening at St. Mary’s Cathedral. There, the group participated in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and remained in Eucharistic Adoration, accompanying Jesus in his agony with a spirit of love, gratitude, and fidelity.

Good Friday opened in recollection, as the missionaries gathered for morning prayer, guided by a meditation from one of the team leaders and Fr. Kenneth. Strengthened by this time with the Lord, they went forth into downtown Calgary for homeless outreach missions, working in small teams and accompanied by Regnum Christi families. Through simple yet meaningful encounters, they offered presence, listening, and compassion to those most in need.

After sharing a moment of rest and fellowship over lunch, the missionaries continued their apostolate through a Cross Walk, engaging passersby in conversation and inviting them to share prayer intentions. The day culminated in a reverent celebration of the Stations of the Cross in a nearby park, where the group entered more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. In the evening, they returned to St. Mary’s Cathedral for the Good Friday Liturgy, and many remained afterward in silent prayer for the veneration of Christ, closing the day in profound communion with His sacrifice.

Holy Saturday began with a moment of reflection and planning among the team leaders, followed by communal prayer inspired by a testimony from one of the young adults. After a time of missionary formation, the group was sent out once again into apostolic service. Half of the missionaries visited a senior center, bringing joy, companionship, and signs of Christ’s love through their presence and small gestures. The other half carried out a food drive in the surrounding neighborhoods of Clear Water Academy, generously supporting the Calgary Food Bank through door-to-door collection of non-perishable goods. Both apostolates became concrete expressions of charity, allowing the missionaries to encounter Christ in others.

Reunited once more, the group shared a meal before going out again in mission—this time in prayerful witness outside a cemetery and an abortion clinic, offering intercession for life, hope, and mercy. Later, they returned downtown to continue their street missions, sharing food, conversation, and above all, the joy of the Gospel with those experiencing homelessness.

The day concluded in a spirit of gratitude and fraternity, as the missionaries gathered to share the graces and highlights of the mission. Finally, united as one community, they celebrated the Easter Vigil at St. Mary’s Cathedral, rejoicing in the Resurrection of Christ—the source and fulfillment of their missionary calling.

These Holy Week Missions were a powerful witness of faith lived in action, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of the young adults and all those they encountered. Through prayer, service, and community, they experienced in a profound way that to be a missionary is not only a task, but a response of love to the one who first loved us.

“For me, as a Mexican Regnum Christi missionary serving this year in Calgary, Canada, after many years of going on mission every Holy Week in Mexico, I was truly amazed to see how—despite being such a different culture and country—God’s love is universal. It is the same love that, in Mexico, is brought to places with great economic need, to rural areas and communities experiencing deep poverty. Here in Canada, I had the opportunity to encounter that same love while visiting elderly people in nursing homes, the homeless on the streets, and especially in each of the missionaries who came and offered their Holy Week to serve Jesus, the only King of our lives. It has been a true honor to offer him this year, despite the challenges that arise. After these missions, I am certain that whatever my vocation may be, I want to give my entire life to that Jesus who gave his life for me, who loves me, and who is never outdone in love and generosity.”
– Maria Jose Zuniga

Ontario

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“After spending time with some of the homeless people in Hamilton who were not open to the faith or the food we wanted to give them, Good Friday hit differently: that Jesus went through all that for them, and to this day, he is still rejected.”

– A missionary

Hamilton Mission Youth missionaries included 80 youth, 30 people in the family track (8 families with young children), 65 young adults, and 25 helpers. Over two and a half days, these missionaries prepared food and distributed meals to the homeless on the streets of Toronto, Kitchener, St. Catharines, and Hamilton. They spent time with the elderly in nursing homes, playing games, making crafts, and singing songs. They also engaged with the public by giving away hot chocolate, iced tea, and blessing cookies to people walking at Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, serving approximately 600 people in total.

“Most of the people at Spencer Smith Park were surprised by our joy and that we were giving away hot chocolate for free. The blessing cookies included a Bible verse and a challenge, and most of the people were so open to the challenge—one young lady asked us to explain the Bible verse to her, which was about accepting God’s grace. After praying with one homeless man, he told us he wanted what we have, but couldn’t grasp what it is. We spent more time with him, and talked to him about Jesus. I think we helped him encounter Jesus.”

– Tima Borges

Philippines

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“My favorite part of missions is seeing the little kids and a newer generation come together to build something beautiful and put themselves out there during Holy Week.”

– Oseña family

This year, Regnum Christi Manila held missions in five different underserved communities.

The family and adult missions involved 146 adult volunteers and 115 youth, visiting the communities of Laguna, El Dorado shantytown in Parañaque, and Pineda compound in Pasig. The youth missions, with another 47 young missionaries, were held in Cabuyao and Santa Rosa.

Missionary families from Everest International Academy in Taguig, along with priests, a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, and volunteers from Pineda performed house-to-house visits, a Visita Iglesia, and organized a children’s program, serving approximately 500 people.

“As first-time site leaders, we were nervous about organizing the activities for the three-day missions. However, with the help of the other families and missionaries involved, we feel we touched the lives of the Pineda families for the better by bringing them joy, help, fellowship, and prayer. The door-to-door visits were valuable in connecting the Everest families with Pineda families, and were praised by several new families who joined. The well-organized, friendly basketball game involving a mix of Everest and Pineda kids was a well-received addition to the program. Distributing food and ice cream, new slippers, pre-loved basketball shoes, Kapatid Boxes, ayuda bags, and sponsor gifts—all donated by Everest families—was a truly worthwhile endeavor.”

– Arjay and Trixie Co

In the province of Laguna, students and families from Everest Academy Nuvali—missionaries from the ages of 3 to 73—helped the community of Santo Domingo, which is made up primarily of families who have been displaced during the rapid urban development in the area.

The Laguna Missions was designed to bring missionary families closer to their neighbors. On Thursday, volunteers went door-to-door to pray with each family and invite them to a big community lunch. The day ended with separate catechism activities for parents, teens, and children. On Friday, they walked the Stations of the Cross together with the soldiers based in the area, and prayed a living rosary together with the community and missionary kids. Saturday was Missionaries’ Day, when the parents attended a reflection and film, while the children created crafts, watched a movie, and played as a way to reflect on what they had learned during Holy Week. Missionaries served approximately 350 people in Laguna.

 “This is our first year doing Family Missions. My favorite part was going out to the communities and seeing the families up close, seeing my kids in that environment where they see people in need. In fact, it’s really not us giving service to them, but them giving service to us. They also touched our lives. It made our Holy Week a lot more meaningful and it will become our family tradition.”

– Castelo family

“My favorite part of Family Missions is giving something to the families that they can use”

– Nuyda family

“To sum it up, I would say it’s about renewal. For most people, Holy Week is all about going on vacation. We chose to stay put. It’s so fulfilling because we were able to connect with communities that we do not really see on a day-to-day basis. It was a reminder that life is diverse and there are still so many things we can do to help out.”

– Alipio Family

2026 Holy Week Missions send out more than 3800 missionaries across the North American Territory to serve the Church Read More »

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A Week of Prayer for All of Our Priests and Consecrated Members: April 19th – 25th

/ pray weekly, Regnum Christi News

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.

 

This Week We Pray for

Patterson_headshot Br. Christian Patterson is from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and is currently a second-year humanist at LC Cheshire. Having been involved in Legionary apostolates since he was a young child, he has always dreamt of becoming a priest. While in his second year of engineering, Br. Christian felt called to seriously search for God’s will in his life, and after attending a spiritual exercises retreat, and through prayer and discernment, he joined the Legionary Novitiate in Cheshire, Connecticut. He made his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a Legionary in August of 2024.

Dominy_headshotJill Dominy, originally from Texas, entered in the Candidacy in Monterrey, Mexico in 2015. She was consecrated in 2017, and moved to Madrid to continue her formation and studies. After formation she spent two years in Germany accompanying RC young adults. Jill now lives in Atlanta, where she serves as the RC Young Women’s Section Director. Her passions include spiritual accompaniment and outdoor adventures.

Mijangos_headshotFr. Alejandro Mijangos, LC was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and was ordained in 2015. Since then, he has served in ministry in Canada and the United States, and spent time studying in Italy. For the past three years, he has been in the Philippines, serving as the chaplain of De La Salle University in Manila.

Williams_headshotTeresa Williams, grew up in the Detroit, Michigan area and was consecrated in 2002. Since then, she has worked with young people in Ireland and Mexico. Currently, she is a member of the territorial directorate consecrated community in Atlanta, serving as the spiritual director for the Regnum Christi young women’s section, and as the primary caregiver for fellow Consecrated Woman, Nicole Buchholz.

Liscinsky_headshotFr. Steven Liscinsky, LC is from Stratford, Connecticut, and was ordained in 2002. Since then, he has been dedicated to the formation of seminarians, especially in the apostolic school. He has served as the dean of studies of Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, and he is currently the administrator of the Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities in Cheshire.

Nielsen_headshotFr. Eric Nielsen, LC is from Seattle, Washington, and was ordained in 2005. Currently, he is wearing three hats within the New York Tri-State locality. As Regnum Christi chaplain and men’s section director, he directs monthly Mornings of Reflection, offers Spiritual Exercises and Triduum of Renewal several times per year, and helps direct the Catholic couples apostolate in Westchester County, Manhattan, and New Jersey. He also offers spiritual direction and assists with the New York City street missions. He also serves as the local director of development and is the administrator of the Rye community household.

Prayer for Priests and Consecrated Members in Regnum Christi

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: April 19th – 25th Read More »

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

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!