On August 18, six young women from different countries will begin the Candidacy program, one of the stages of vocational discernment within the Society of Consecrated Apostolic Life of Regnum Christi: María Agustina López (Argentina), Clara Ansaldo (Argentina/Chile), Mónica Borja (Colombia), María Enríquez (Mexico), Regina Lizárraga (Mexico), and Marielos Simón Batzibal (Guatemala).
“We thank God for each one of them and for the generosity with which they continue to seek Jesus and his path for their lives,” said Nancy Nohrden, General Director of the Consecrated Women, assuring the new candidates of her support and prayers as they take this new step in their vocation.
The six young women have reached this stage after completing the Summer Discernment Course, a period of formation guided by Mónica Ortiz de Montellano, Megan Houbeck, Melanie Zoll, and Ale Copado. The Summer Discernment Course is a 4- to 6-week program in Monterrey designed to help clarify a possible call from God. This particular group arrived with prior experience related to consecrated life and Regnum Christi, since, over the past year, most of the participants lived in one of the communities of the Consecrated Women, where they received the guidance and companionship of other Consecrated Women; while others participated in formative experiences such as NET, ECYD, Reino, or courses on the Theology of the Body.
For María de los Ángeles, the Preparatory Course has been a path to freedom. “This time has helped me bring order to my life. I see it as a path to freedom, so that you can choose—or not choose—based on the right reasons. Don’t stay just because you’ve already told everyone or because you’ve had a nice experience, and don’t leave just because you’re afraid or feel incapable. This time helps you choose for the right reasons and do so consciously, according to what God is asking of you.”
Regina also acknowledged how liberating the process was, without ignoring the doubts that taking this step may raise. “Fear and uncertainty are part of the journey—and I speak from experience—but it’s worth pausing to ask God what he wants for you, because no one knows your heart better than the One who created it. God is not a God who binds, but one who sets free, and he created us out of love.”
In this new stage of candidacy, the young women will experience what it means to live a life of consecration within the Society: experiencing the style of the evangelical counsels, community life, and mission. During this two-year stage, they are given the space to develop a deep relationship with God, as well as a greater understanding of themselves and their vocation.
For the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, every new vocation is a supernatural gift from on high. Vocational ministry, highlighted as an essential dimension of the life and mission of Consecrated Women at the recent Third Ordinary General Assembly, is a responsibility and a hope shared by all. Precisely for this reason, the Society’s Vision for 2026–2032 renews the commitment to cultivate a culture of vocation where each person can discover the beauty of their own calling and find the necessary support to respond with confidence.
Speaking on the meaning of vocation, Pope Leo XIV noted at the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations that “every vocation, in fact, arises from the awareness and experience of a God who is Love”—a God who knows each person deeply and has planned a unique path of holiness and service for them. In the same spirit, the Consecrated Women invite everyone to join in prayer for the fruits of this Candidacy, asking the Lord to grant each of the candidates the grace to listen to His voice with an open heart and to live this time with joy, hope, and generosity.
May Mary, Mother of the Church, accompany each one of them with her tenderness and teach the entire community to renew its “yes” to the Lord each day.
Translated from the original Spanish.
