October 12th, 2021
To all members of Regnum Christi
Dear friends in Christ,
Just like the apostles were witnesses of the life-changing action of Jesus Christ, we too, so many years later, are witnesses of the same miracle by which Jesus Christ touches and transforms the lives of so many people.
As a spiritual family in the Church, we recognize the action of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that he gives us for the good of all people. Looking back, we can affirm that one of these gifts has been the many young people who have heard Christ’s invitation to be his friends and apostles by living the charism of Regnum according to their age.
From the first groups of young people in 1971 to today, ECYD has been like a flame enkindled in our spiritual family, bringing the creativity and freshness that belong to youth. At the same time, it has offered a style of Christian life that continues to benefit many young people in the life of the Church.
Throughout these 50 years, ECYD has expressed our charism in a living and original way by daring to reinvent itself and adapt to times and places without losing what has characterized it from the beginning: living a pledge of friendship with Christ and with each other to build a new world according to the Gospel. (Cf. ECYD Statutes, n.1).
In this context, it seems appropriate to dedicate a jubilee year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ECYD. This jubilee will officially begin on the Feast of Christ the King 2021 and will end on the Feast of Christ the King 2022, under the theme “I have called you friends.” (Jn 15:15). The final event will be an international encounter of ECYD team leaders in Rome.
There will be several activities for Regnum Christ, which we invite everyone to participate in. We also hope that territories will find the best way to celebrate this important anniversary together, with the different branches and Regnum Christi sections, renewing support and efforts in evangelizing the youth through ECYD in the localities.
We ask that you include this jubilee in the territorial calendars, both in the ECYD sections and in those of Regnum Christi, so that you can propose and prepare initiatives on a territorial and local level that will help us to appreciate, value, and understand the gift of ECYD better.
Let us ask Our Lord that this jubilee year may be an occasion for all of us, members of ECYD and Regnum Christi, to renew our experience of the personal encounter with Christ every day, and to continue working with him with renewed enthusiasm in his mission to make his Kingdom present in every heart.
With a special remembrance in our prayers,
Letter from the Territorial Directive College
50th Anniversary Music Video from the RC Music Collective
