On Saturday, August 24, 2024, the chapel of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi’s Formation Center in Monterrey was filled with much solemnity and joy as three young women, Maëva Mascle, Natalia Alfaro Chow, and Mónica Ramírez Jiménez, made their first temporary vows, committing their lives to Christ.
Family and friends witnessed this special moment when these women made this decisive step in their spiritual journey. The Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr. Carlos Gutierrez, L.C., territorial director of the Legionaries of Christ of the Territory of North Mexico, began with a reading from the Prophet Isaiah that resonated deeply in the hearts of the candidates: “Do not be afraid, for you are precious in my eyes; you are precious and I love you”.
Father Ignacio Buisán, L.C., reminded Maëva, Natalia and Monica that their vocation is a mysterious call from God, who has chosen them personally from different parts of the world. “He called them – each with their unique stories, families and life plans. He brought them together in this place that has been their home for the past few years, and he says to them today, ‘You belong to me’”.
The priest’s words resounded throughout the chapel, underlining the commitment the young women were making. “Ground your consecrated life on the rock of your faith: He loves me, He is with me and He is faithful,” Fr. Buisán advised, reminding them that their vocation is a divine adventure where true freedom lies in following Christ’s call, even when it involves denying oneself and carrying one’s cross.
The three new Consecrated Women expressed their joy and gratitude for this significant step in their lives. Natalia, originally from Chihuahua, shared that she felt like a “bride of Christ” and described the moment of receiving the chalice as an indescribable experience. “To hold the chalice within my hands, with his blood shed for me, so sacred and so alive, cannot be expressed in words,” she said with heartfelt emotion.
Maëva Mascle, originally from Bordeaux, France, said she experienced such deep happiness in making “another step in my vocational journey”. She invited those who feel a restlessness to follow Christ in consecrated life to not be afraid. “Jesus spoke to my heart and reminded me that he gave himself to me from the cross, so I am going to follow him”.
Monica Ramirez, from Arandas, Jalisco, highlighted the mixture of gratitude and fragility she felt before the Lord during the ceremony. The presence of her family members was a gift, since “they are experiencing the reality of Regnum Christi through my vocation to consecrated life”.
The three women, now consecrated to God, will go to new communities to continue their mission. Maëva and Monica will travel to Madrid, while Natalia will settle in Aguascalientes.
The witness of these women is a reminder of the deep love of God and the commitment that consecrated life entails. Their words and actions reflect an unwavering faith and a burning desire to follow Christ, inspiring all present to reflect on their own relationship with God and their vocation in life.
English translation from the original Spanish article.
