Regnum Christi general assembly to be held in December

Rome, Italy, Oct 9, 2013 / 09:23 am

Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the Papal delegate overseeing Regnum Christi and the Legion of Christ, has announced that consecrated women of Regnum Christi will have their first general assembly later this year.

"The General Assembly should represent the whole association and, by analogy with what the Code of Canon Law establishes for general chapters of religious institutes, should be 'a true sign of its unity in charity,'" Cardinal De Paolis wrote in an Oct. 4 letter to Regnum Christi's consecrated women.

"The upcoming Assembly comes at the end of a long journey of spiritual renewal, is the first in the history of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, and its principal purpose will be to conclude the revision of the Statutes."

Cardinal De Paolis was appointed as governor of the Legion and of Regnum Christi by Benedict XVI in 2010, after an apostolic visitation determined the order needed "profound re-evaluation."

In 2006, the movement's founder, Fr. Marcel Maciel, had been removed from public ministry and invited to a life of penitence and prayer, as it was discovered he had led a secret life of impropriety.

Cardinal De Paolis said in his letter that he "thought that it would be good to announce the Assembly on the day that the Church celebrates the memory of St. Francis of Assisi. Let us place this important event under the protection of the Poor Man of Assisi."

"It comes at the at the conclusion of a long journey of spiritual renewal and effort revising the Statutes."

The assembly will take place before January's general chapter of the Legion of Christ, from Dec. 2 to Dec. 15, and will be preceded by a week of spiritual exercises. It will be held in Rome among representatives of the movement.

Participants will include both members who take part by virtue of their office and members elected by their peers.

Cardinal De Paolis reminded the consecrated women that "this Assembly's main tasks will be the election of a new Government for the Association and the approval of the Statutes, which will have to be presented to the Holy Father."

He added that other questions will be considered, within the time constraints, and that any member of the movement can freely send her wishes and suggestions to the general chapter.

"Let us prepare spiritually for this moment of grace," Cardinal De Paolis exhorted the consecrated women, "begging for the Holy Spirit's assistance and the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession."

"I hope the Lord brings you every good thing. I am keeping you in my prayers."