In this interview with Fr. Javier Cereceda, LC, new territorial director of the Legionaries of Christ in Spain, he defines himself as ‘someone on the way’. Fr. Javier Cereceda, LC, has been appointed to begin his term on August 1st, replacing Fr. Carlos Zancajo. As soon as the news was announced, the Office of Communication of Regnum Christi in Spain was able to interview him, and he shared that he accepted this mission because “never in my life have I felt disappointed by the Lord when I said yes to what He was asking of me.” On June 13th, Fr. Javier will turn 50 years old, of which a little over twelve have been as a priest, all in Spain, between Madrid and Valencia, where he has also served as community superior, an experience of governance in which “I learned to serve my brothers, and that they needed and deserved the best I could give them, even if I didn’t always succeed.” He has words for the Everest School Monteclaro, which he has directed for the last 10 years, helping the school overcome the crisis and position itself among the best private schools in Spain. Of course, we also discussed with him about the territorial leadership school, abuses, his style of governance, the future director of Everest School, and how he sees his young and older brothers in the Legion.
Fr. Javier Cereceda
Who is Fr. Javier Cereceda?
A Legionary priest of Christ seeking to glorify God with his life. A poor sinner…
You had a very serious accident years ago, then experienced the proximity of death firsthand. Also, you are a doctor and a priest. What do you feel at this moment when so many people are on that threshold between life and death, or accompanying the sick with COVID-19?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: The experience that most unites me with COVID patients is having been one of them, as I contracted the virus just ten days after isolation began, and I spent 22 days alone in my room, carefully cared for by my community, until I could leave isolation. Regarding other patients, I feel challenged by their pain and anguish, especially those who suffer and die alone. Also, by their families, who add to those feelings the helplessness of not being able to help and the frustration of not being able to accompany them.
But I also feel the greatness of many hearts fighting on the front lines, facing whatever may happen to them to overcome this epidemic, and to accompany the sick as much as they can. For every dramatic story of pain and death, I also find another of courage and true Christian charity that deeply edifies me.
The experience that most unites me with COVID patients is having been one of them (…) I feel challenged by their pain and anguish, especially those who suffer and die alone.
What did Jesus promise you to say “yes” and become a priest?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: He didn’t promise me anything. He showed me His plan for my life. And He patiently waited at my door for my response. Fulfilling God’s will is enough reward for any Christian. Also for me.
From which moment in Jesus’ life do you receive the most light for your life?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: From His agony in Gethsemane. Not only because of His suffering for me, but above all because of His ability to overcome Himself and accept what His Father was asking Him to redeem humanity. I feel this is the teaching my life most needs.
The news of being chosen
Why do you think you have been chosen as the new territorial director of the Legionaries of Christ?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: I hope my superiors trusted in what they saw in prayer as the best for this territory. I can also assume that my history in the Legionaries of Christ has been part of the reason. I have spent almost my entire life in apostolate and ministry in Spain. I have been a vocations promoter, worked in ECYD, and in youth sections. I have served as superior in two periods in different communities. I have been a school director and collaborated as a territorial counselor with the previous two territorial directors. I participated in the last two general chapters.
I believe that Fr. John and his council thought that a Legionary of Christ with that experience could be a good candidate to assume this responsibility.
Who proposed it to you? What did you think when they proposed it? Were you expecting it?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: Fr. John Connor called me last Holy Monday. They informed me of the time he would call, so when he did, I had already imagined and accepted what God, through him, was going to ask of me.
Yes, it was a possibility on my horizon, since Fr. Zancajo had made it known to his counselors for some time that we might succeed him.
Why did you accept?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: Because I trust in God. Never in my life have I felt disappointed when I said yes to what He was asking.
What has your family told you?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: My parents taught us from a young age that we must serve God wherever He decides to plant us.
On one hand, they feel pleased with the trust that the Congregation places in me. On the other hand, they are aware that governing is not a privilege but a service and, often, a cross. In summary, everyone has encouraged me in this new service, especially my sister María, a consecrated member of Regnum Christi.
I know they will be by my side, as they always have been. They are an essential pillar in my life. I love them and owe them so much.
I have accepted because I trust in God. Never in my life has He disappointed me. (In my family) everyone has encouraged me in this new service, especially my sister María, a consecrated member of Regnum Christi.
Has something special awakened in you towards your brothers since they proposed this mission and you accepted? And towards the vocations test in Regnum Christi?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: I thought, “Poor things, they don’t know what’s coming…”. But at the same time, I renewed my awareness, for my Legionary brothers and for the rest of the members of Regnum Christi, that accepting this mission is simply continuing to be a collaborator of God, as I have been until now, but in a different destiny that He now asks of me.
My dear Everest School
The religious are quite accustomed to destination transfers, as also happens in some professions. But for families, students, and the teaching team of a school, that moment is always difficult, in all realities of the Church where it occurs. How are you experiencing it?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: Not all Legionaries of Christ have the virtue to accept that part of our religious life easily. We are attached to the people and the work we do. I am one of those. Everest was my school as a student. My school as a religious in apostolic practice. My school as a director. It is the school where I have learned, among all these families and students, the little I know as a priest. They are an indelible part of my personal history. I feel sadness for a stage that is closing. I feel peace because I know it is a school that will continue to function wonderfully, thanks to the families present and the professionals working there who know how to give their best every day.
We are attached to the people and the work we do. I am one of those.
Some may ask: why are they taking you now?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: I had already been working at the school for 10 years, which is a reasonable time for a change of destination. And there was a need that they considered I could cover.
The times of work in the Legion of Christ involve the new territorial director carrying out some tasks from now on that, while not crucial, are difficult to do from anonymity. So, it was necessary to notify this in recent days.
No moment is good for news you don’t want to receive. Perhaps this one is especially complicated, given what we are experiencing with confinement, but I insist that the solidity of the school makes the change of director not a major problem.
The times of work in the Legion of Christ involve the new territorial director carrying out some tasks from now on that, while not crucial, are difficult to do from anonymity. So, it was necessary to notify this in recent days.
When will the new director be announced? What do you think are the requirements for his successor? How will the transition be?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: I still do not know in detail how the dynamics of destination changes work in the territory of Spain. I understand that it will take a few weeks to find the right person to assume this responsibility.
We will look for a Legionary with experience in education, capable of guiding the school teams with kindness and decisiveness, who is not afraid of hard work. And I will personally ensure that he receives initial training to perform his role effectively.
Under your leadership and your team, Everest has made an undeniable path of growth, has overcome indisputable obstacles, and has managed to establish itself as a reference school in Madrid. What gives you the most satisfaction or inner joy about the work done during these years?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: I don’t know if I have been a good conductor. But I am sure I have been called to direct a great orchestra. That is the explanation for the achievements the school has undoubtedly achieved all these years.
What fills me most about what the school is today can be summarized in the expression “Everest Family”. Over the years, this reality has taken shape, embodying unity among students, educators, and families. A community that walks together through life, supports, suffers, and rejoices, forms and grows. It’s not marketing. Those who have lived it can testify. And this is the work of grace and the sum of many noble hearts who have discovered perennial values through sharing life.
The school is much more than a prestigious, high-level educational institution (the results and indicators support this). It is a community of educators who accompany families in the most important mission of their lives: Educating their children.
One goes further when walking together.
The seed of love (almost) always bears fruit when sown in good soil.
The Lord never abandons you when you fight for Him.
Does the confinement of families in their homes… mean they won’t see you again at Everest?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: Those who know me know I need the life and joy that students and families bring. I don’t particularly like sitting in an office, so rest assured that you will continue to see me at Everest. If not this term, then at the start of the new school year. Certainly, my presence will take on a different tone, but the good functioning of the school will remain part of my new responsibilities. And I will be physically present to support the new director whenever needed.
Three things you have learned or discovered strongly during these years as director of Everest School
Fr. Javier Cereceda:
- One goes further when walking together.
- The seed of love (almost) always bears fruit when sown in good soil.
- The Lord never abandons you when you fight for Him.
DT Mission
As territorial director of the Legionaries of Christ, what is your role, responsibility, mission?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: The Constitutions of our Congregation explain this especially clearly in no. 185. I would summarize these responsibilities as attending to and accompanying all religious in the territory, mainly superiors and directors of apostolic works. Staying updated on the needs of the Church and society so that Regnum Christi can respond to them. Promoting vocations to religious and consecrated life. And also ensuring conditions for the well-being, health of the religious, and the economic sustainability of our communities and apostolates.
In three words, what would you like to be for your brothers as territorial director?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: Father. Brother. Pilgrimage companion.
From your entire life journey, what experiences would you highlight that you believe have prepared you for this new mission?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: The two periods during which I served as community superior. I did so just as the Congregation was beginning to discover the truth about our founder. I learned to serve my brothers, and that they needed and deserved the best I could give them, even if I didn’t always succeed.
And also, the accompaniment as a territorial counselor to both Fr. Jesús María Delgado and Fr. Carlos Zancajo.
Is there someone who inspires you, whom you would like to resemble?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: My only comprehensive model is Jesus Christ. I try to imitate and learn valuable aspects of others’ lives, especially priests.
What advantages are there in being a territorial director in your home country, where your family lives? Any disadvantages?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: As an advantage, I see that it is part of my culture, and I don’t have to spend a period adapting and getting to know it. This can also be a disadvantage if it prevents me from having freshness and adaptability for what needs to change and innovate.
Being a Legionary priest of Christ
What is the proposal, contribution, purpose of Regnum Christi for the world?
Fr. Javier Cereceda: The specific answer (personal knowledge, apostolic zeal) to the personal and universal invitation that Christ makes to every baptized person to be holy and to be a missionary.
And in that proposal, what is the specific contribution of the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ? What does God call a young person to if He calls him to be a Legionary priest of Christ by making the Legionaries of Christ part of Regnum Christi? What is fascinating, exciting
