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Holy See Approves Legion’s New Constitutions – See Page 2!
On December 13, 2014, thirty-five Legionaries processed to the altar of the Basilica of St. John Lateran to pledge themselves to Jesus Christ. Fortified with the love of Christ and the shield of faith, these newly-ordained priests can take courage from the words of St. Paul:
He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? … we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:32,37)
Many of these priests learned about the conquering power of Christ’s love as members of Conquest, a Catholic boys club
developed through the Regnum Christi movement. Fr. Peter Mullen, from Maryland, spent five years in Conquest before entering the novitiate. Just before his ordination, Fr. Peter expressed some thoughts about his new mission:
Like any soldier about to embark on his first real mission, I am full of mixed emotions. I have been training for 17 years now … but what exactly is waiting for me? Only Christ knows. If there is one thing I have learned from my training with him, it is that I can rely on him for assured success and victory.
Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, CS, the main celebrant of the Ordination Mass, encouraged the new priests saying, “Yours is
a vocation to love, to the greatest love, the gift of your own life. It is a vocation to friendship with Jesus.” He also emphasized that, beyond this personal intimacy, the priesthood “is a gift to others: for the Church, for the salvation of the world.”
The Cardinal was chosen to assist in the renewal and rewriting of the Legion’s recently approved constitutions. In his homily, he described this process as a “serious and rigorous examination … the source of the new life which the Legionaries enjoy today.”
35 Legionaries of Christ were ordained priests by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis at St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome.
Moments of deep gratitude to Christ are part of every Legionary’s experience on the day of their ordination. For more ordination photos, new priest
testimonials, Cardinal De Paolis’ homily, please visit: http://bit.do/ordinations
Volume 3, Issue 1
The JOYof Catholic Living
A Publication of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi
A Vocationto Love 35 Legionaries Ordained in Rome
Feature Story | Ordinations Special
Ordinations 2014 (continued from front cover)
Volume 3 Issue 1 | 2015 • JOY 3
Feature Story | Ordinations Special
The Legacy of Brian Bisgroveby Fr. Benjamin O’Loughlin, LC
II was first introduced to the Regnum Christi movement in 1995 when a young man named Brian Bisgrove returned home after finishing high school at Immaculate Conception Apostolic School, the Legion’s high school seminary in Center Harbor, NH. He had discerned that religious life wasn’t for him, but he was still an almost perfect example of the Regnum Christi charism. Before starting college, he wanted to pass on the gifts and formation he had received at Immaculate Conception, so he decided to kickstart Regnum Christi youth work in central New York.
There were six boys in that group. Two of us – myself and Fr. John Bender - would go on to become Legionary priests. It’s been 19 years since we first met, a fact we celebrated with a very unliturgical fist bump right before we processed across the threshold of our chapel for diaconate ordination this past July 29th in Rome.
Brian Bisgrove, still a teenager, was our friend, mentor, and very much our role model. One year later he was diagnosed with cancer. A routine doctor’s visit to deal with what they thought was a just sinus infection turned up a golf-ball sized tumor right behind his nose. They removed it, but the cancer had already gone into metastasis. That was a bombshell for all of us. And it was the beginning of a year and a half long struggle that Brian waged for his life. And in a very special way, he struggled for us as well.
They cut a grapefruit-sized tumor out of his neck three times… and Brian went through every operation without any
anesthesia, for us. When the first doctor told Brian that he didn’t understand, that he was about to experience more pain than he had ever experienced in his life, Brian answered, “No, doctor, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. For a year I’ve done everything for these boys. Now I can’t play with them, can’t help them, can’t teach them. Now all I can do is suffer for them.”
We didn’t see much of Brian from then on. But he didn’t disappear from my life. He taught me how to be a true Christian man. He introduced me to the gift of the Regnum Christi charism I live and love. When I joined the Legionaries and later shipped out overseas, first to Germany for novitiate, and then on to youth work in Spain and Italy, Brian was still my mentor. Or rather, my memories of him were, because Brian had passed away.
There are many difficult moments in a vocation. There are moments of deep joy, and crosses that weigh heavy on your shoulders. But I could never doubt. After all, God sent me Brian, who showed me my path. That certainty has seen me through hard times, and accompanied during my years of formation and youth work. And it’s with me now as I receive the gift of the priesthood, and settle into my new mission as formation director of Everest Academy’s International Program for Boys in Clarkston, MI. Brian is gone, but the Regnum Christi charism that I first saw in him is one of my greatest treasures. I just hope that someday someone will say the same of me.
CONSTITUTIONS
1
3
6
2
4 5
1. Fr. Simon Cleary, LC, kneels alongside his Legionary brothers in preparation for the moment he becomes Christ’s priest . 2. Fr. Eduardo Robles Gil, LC, General Director of the Legion of Christ, vests Fr. Bálint Szabó-Molnár, LC. 3. Fr. Andrew LaBudde, LC, celebrates the momentous day with his joyful family. 4. All 35 Legionaries lie in prostration during the ceremony. 5. A joyful Fr. Rodolfo Agudelo, LC, embraces family on the happiest day of his life. 6. Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the main celebrant of the ordination ceremony, receives the gifts from the parents of newly-ordained Fr. Mauricio Ruiz, LC.
Scan the above QR Code on your Smartphone to view a short three-minute video of the ordination.
Constitutions Approved Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, general director of the Legion of Christ, announced that the Holy See has approved the new Constitutions of the congregation. This approval fulfills one of the principal objectives of the renewal process that Pope Benedict XVI began in 2010, and was continued by Pope Francis. The text is the result of a three-year period of consultation and reflection by all Legionaries.
From left to right: 1. Brian R. Bisgrove (1976-1998) Patron and Co-founder of Conquest boys’ clubs, a K-12 youth ministry program to instill virtue, develop character, and encourage spiritual growth all in a fun atmosphere of service. After graduating from the Legion’s apostolic high school, Brian spend the last three years of his life co-founding conquest and encouraging young men to follow Christ. Read more about Brian’s life at www.conquestclubs.com/why; 2. Brian on top of Bald Mountain – Adirondacks; 3. Fr. Benjamin O’Loughlin and Fr. John Bender being ordained transitional deacons last June.
Nourishing the Soul | Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC, will contribute the spiritual reflection for our next issue of JOY. Fr. Edward teaches theology at Mater Ecclesiae College in Rhode Island, and is the chaplain at Overbrook Academy, a girls’ school run by the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. He also writes the “Ask a Priest” column at www.RCSpirituality.org
Holiness, wholly achievable
TThink of sports, and great athletes come to mind: Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky. Think of actors, and top-billed names flash up: Laurence Olivier, Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Meryl Streep. The same goes with politics: Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill -- and science and technology: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs. People with rare talents capture our imagination. They humanize their area of expertise in a way that makes people sit up and take notice.
Christianity too has its heroes. In every age it has produced saints who inspired lots of lives: Paul, Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux. Appreciation for saints is robust in every age. People of goodwill rejoice to see the Gospel come alive. Personal sanctity lends credence to the notion that the ideals proclaimed by Christ are attainable. As Blessed Pope Paul VI noted, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”
It is within this context that the Year of Consecrated Life could be viewed. The ecclesial Year that runs till Feb. 2, 2016, focuses on those people who forgo everything -- marriage, property, self-determination -- by the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, in order to follow Christ more closely. Consecrated life has centuries-old forms (the Franciscans, Jesuits) as well as newer manifestations (Opus Dei numeraries, Regnum Christi consecrated). To mark the Year, a committee of the U.S. bishops’ conference is
planning activities that “will focus on sharing experiences of prayer, service and community life with those living a consecrated life.”
The notion of “sharing experiences” with consecrated souls doesn’t have to be limited to formal activities. Rather, the sharing to which all of us is called is the vocation of holiness. All of us are called to be saints, without exception. Pope Francis, in an interview published in the Italian Jesuit journal La Civiltà Cattolica, drove home this idea when he said, “Evangelical radicalness is not only for religious: it is demanded of all.” If demanded of all, holiness is achievable by all. Its ingredients are: a steady life of prayer, frequent recourse to the sacraments, almsgiving, works of charity and, last but not least, God’s grace.
The steps to holiness are doable, practical. Turn off the TV, put down the smart phone. And take up the rosary and Scripture, daily. Attend Mass regularly if not daily. Forgo an occasional new gadget or weekend trip -- and donate the money instead to the poor. Do those kinds of things, and you could be on the way to real growth in the spiritual life.
And what is even better is that you won’t be the only one to benefit. Your example can inspire the wide circle of family and friends in your life. Not a bad way to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life.
The steps to holiness
are doable, practical. Turn off
the TV, put down the smart phone.
And take up the rosary and
Scripture, daily.
Feature Story | Nine New Legionary Priests from the U.S.
4 JOY • Volume 3 Issue 1 | 2015
I remember the
moment I decided to
become a priest. How
could I possibly forget it?
In my first semester of
Catholic high school, I
heard our Lord calling
me to become his priest
and I found myself
responding sincerely,
“Let it be done.” Earlier
that day a Legionary
priest had visited our religion class and showed us a video of
his ordination.
As I looked up to the crucifix that hung on the front of
our classroom wall, I heard in the intimate silence of my heart
the sweetest of invitations, “You too can be a priest.” At that
very moment this extremely simple, yet profoundly strong
thought seemed to fill me from head to toe with a true joy; a
joy that I have only rarely experienced since. A smile came to
my face and I remember being happy. “That’s right … I can
be a priest.”
Fr. Andrew LaBudde, LC
(from Georgia)
Fr. Joseph Poulin, LC (from California)I perceive my vocation to the priesthood as a free gift from God that I don’t deserve. I owe everything to him and even though it may seem that I have left a lot to follow him, in reality I feel that I have gained everything, and I experience a great joy in following our Lord on this path of the priesthood.Even in the difficult moments that we went through as a congregation and other times of doubt and uncertainty, I see that God has called me in this particular moment to continue his salvific work as a missionary Legionary priest. He has blessed me so much and I feel his love carrying me through all the moments of my life.
Among the 35 Legionaries ordained to the priesthood are nine Americans. Two tell their stories above. The other seven are:
Fr. Paul Alger, AlabamaFr. David Barton, WisconsinFr. John Bender, OhioFr. Randall Meissen, MissouriFr. Peter Mullan, MarylandFr. Benjamin O’Loughlin, New YorkFr. John Sweeney, Maryland
6 JOY • Volume 3 Issue 1 | 2015
Spiritual Resources | Upcoming Events
Atlanta AreaRetreats for men and women, marriage preparation and enrichment. See website for dates: www.rcatlanta.org. Contact Beth Keller770-837-2798 | [email protected]
Bethesda, Maryland – Retreat CenterRetreats for men and women, marriage preparation and enrichment. See website for dates: http://ourladyofbethesda.org/regnum-christi/ Contact Melanie Baker re: retreats301-365-0612 | [email protected] or Jane Newstedt re: marriage preparation301-365-0612 | [email protected] Cincinnati AreaValentine’s Weekend Marriage Retreat with Fr. Jacques Philippe Feb 13-15Contact Jamie Chmiel937-232-2626 | www.rceventscinci.weebly.com
New York AreaRetreats for men and women, marriage preparation and enrichment. See website for dates: http://www.regnumchristiny.org/ Contact Pamela Brown914-244-3685 | [email protected]
Phoenix AreaWomen’s Retreat Feb 13-15Contact Terri Hofmann480-247-6961 | [email protected]
Holy Land Spiritual Renewal for Priests Jul 13- Aug 1 See website for details: www.notredamecenter.org Contact Fr. Alex Yeung, LC 914-749-3949 | [email protected]
MissionsMission Youth Mission – International MissionsSee website for dates: www.missionyouthmissions.com Contact Katelyn Moroney | [email protected]
Helping Hands Medical Missions El Salvador See website for dates: www.hhmm.orgContact 972-253-180 | [email protected]
RC Mission Corps Reunion May 22-25Atlanta area www.rcmissioncorps.org/about/reunion.Contact Ken Kassalen | [email protected] or Olivia Fleck | [email protected]
Schedule of Events
S“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33).
This quote from Scripture encapsulates the message of another new book written by Fr. John Bartunek LC, “Seeking First the Kingdom: 30 Meditations on How to Love God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength.”
Fr. John hopes the book will help readers tackle the challenges of living a Christian life in a more and more secularized environment, and bring unity and order to what he calls “our ridiculously fast-paced culture.”
Designed for group study or for individual spiritual reading, as well as an aid to prayer, Seeking First the Kingdom is organized into five parts. The first four parts are dedicated to the different facets in Christ’s presentation of the Great Commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) The fifth part presents practical implications for the reader.
Each of the thirty meditations begins with a quotation from St. John Paul II, and finishes with questions for discussion or personal reflection. The text of the book is printed in two colors, with Scripture quotations in red ink.
Seeking First the KingdomFr. John Bartunek’s latest book
The Joy of Giving | Thinking of the Future
One way you can help us build our endowment to provide for future seminarians and future ordinations is with a charitable gift annuity. This is an investment in the future which provides long-term assistance for seminarians and a source of fixed income for you.
Here is what YOU receive when creating a Charitable Gift Annuity:• Guaranteed Life Income at an attractive rate of return.
• Charitable Deduction. A significant income tax deduction for your gift.
• Tax-Free Payments. A large portion of each payment is tax-free.
• Capital Gains Tax Savings. When funding the Charitable Gift Annuity with appreciated stocks or mutual funds, you will reduce capital gains taxes.
thank you for our 35 new priests!
By the grace of God, the fruit of many prayers and your support, 35 Legionaries followed a call to the priesthood and were ordained in Rome on December 13, 2014 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin each of their unique ministries in the Lord’s vineyard.
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To purchase Seeking First the Kingdom, go to http://ministry23.com and click the link “Our Titles.” The book is also available through Amazon.com.
HELP SUPPORT THESE SEMINARIANS TO BECOME PRIESTS!
Missionaries in Action | Mission Youth
Mission Trips Attract Young AdultsNew Director Announces Plans for 2015
Who We AreThe Legionaries of Christ, the consecrated men and women and all Regnum Christi members are a spiritual family who love Jesus Christ and, therefore, what He loves: His Church and souls. We commit to live out our baptismal call to holiness and to engage in apostolic action.
What We DoCommitted to establishing the Kingdom of Christ in every person and in society, we seek to evangelize culture, building a civilization of justice and love.
We form apostles by bringing God’s love to them, inspiring them to fall in love with Jesus Christ especially through prayer and the sacramental life, helping them come to know better the truths of the Catholic faith and inviting them to participate actively in the evangelization of culture and society. We awaken people to their mission in life and in the Church. We seek to serve all people and the whole Church, working as Jesus Christ did who formed a group of apostles and then sent them out to the whole world.
VoCAtIoNs oFFICELEGIonaRIES oF CHRIST
Fr. Daren Weisbrod, LC National Vocation Director
475 Oak Avenue, Cheshire, CT 06410(203) 631-2894
VoCAtIoNs oFFICEConSECRaTED WoMEn oF REGnUM CHRISTI
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(214) 562 -2565. [email protected]
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oFFICE oF PLANNEd GIVINGAndrew Bamber, CFRE
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The Legion of Christ Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax-deductible up to limits and regulations established by the IRS.
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www.regnumchristi.orgwww.legionariesofchrist.org
TThe Mission Youth apostolate is reaching high school and college students in a powerful way, according to the new Mission Youth Director, Katelyn Moroney, a Regnum Christi consecrated woman.
Katelyn believes the RC movement’s charism is alive and thriving in these young people as they serve the “wounded, mystical body of Christ.”
For example, she said new mission trips to Haiti have been scheduled nearly every week during the first quarter of 2015. The apostolate also has a five-year development plan to expand missions in Mexico. Another new part is the offering of a “semester experience” in the Philippines for those young people who want a long-term mission experience. Missionaries will be working at the Mano Amiga school and with the Missionaries of Charity in Manila.
Katelyn said mission work is very important to the RC movement because, as part of the Church, members should be working to console and ease the suffering of others.
“The Pope has encouraged us to get out to the fringes of society,” she said. “We must serve and love so Christ can bring His love from our hearts to theirs, and vice versa.”
Katelyn herself has been involved in mission work for quite some time, having led groups from Dallas and Chicago on several mission trips.
“Mission work has a personal aspect for me. I have a sister who was adopted from Haiti when she was 7 (she is now age 21), and a brother adopted at age 2 (he is now 18),” she said. “My parents made the choice to do this knowing the suffering and need.”
Our masthead: Fr. Kevin McKenzie, LC, and his parents.
Katelyn Moroney on mission in Haiti.
For more information about Mission Youth, go to www.missionyouthmissions.com