Fr. José María Ramírez, L.C., a 65-year-old Madrid native, in Rio de Janeiro

Father José María Ramírez is a legionary seasoned in a thousand battles. The last 18 years he has spent in Brazil, a country where, for him, “Regnum Christi can and must do wonders: in evangelization, education, and social work.” He is from Madrid, although much of his family is in Soria. He discovered Regnum Christi in 1971, when Father Stenson arrived at his school and invited him to groups led by Alfredo Fernández. He joined Regnum Christi as a layperson on May 2, 1972, and on December 23 of the same year, he consecrated himself with the Laicos Consagrados. He belonged to the first community of consecrated laity, that of Conde de la Cimera, alongside Father Juan Francisco González, among others: “We were founders, really, there was nothing established,” he recounts. “I could write a book about that period until July 3, 1977, when I entered the Legion.” Additionally, he has a curious virtue that has earned him friends and opened doors: “I am the only priest pedaling through Rio de Janeiro… at 65 years old,” something very much in his family, as there are more than 17 bicycles in his house in Soria.

The communication office of Regnum Christi in Spain has been able to discuss various topics with him following an interview conducted by the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, regarding his work during the pandemic using social media, bringing Mass closer to many people thanks to his Instagram, and even using his phone so children could say goodbye to their parents in hospitals. Father Ramírez tells us that apostles with “guts and zeal” are needed to “build the future and help Christ and the Church.” He explains that true greatness “is to sink into the furrow. To fully surrender to Christ (…) Christ clearly speaks of true greatness: being children of God. Participating in the divine nature. Receiving Christ in the Eucharist — there is no greater greatness!” Christ is an example of that greatness “in Gethsemane and Calvary, and in the small consecrated Host that is given to my misery,” he tells us. Father José María is the section director for adults in Rio de Janeiro.

He was interviewed by one of the most important newspapers in the country, O Globo, because he broadcasts Masses on Instagram and celebrates online funerals so that people can say goodbye to their loved ones. What is his heart like? How did he realize he had to do something?

The pandemic halted life—how many things we have had to cancel because of the coronavirus—but life must go on. It seems we have an aspiration for eternity and leave everything for later: “I’ll see my mother later… I’ll call my brother later…”. That’s why we need to soften the loneliness of loved ones by giving small surprises, connecting several times a day. And for that, you can use FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, Skype, send music via cellphone…

What do his parishioners say about these changes? Do they follow him on social media?

Actually, I don’t have parishioners. We have a Regnum Christi evangelization center called Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, with a large chapel, where we give catechism classes for First Communion, with a team of 15 catechists, some of whom are from Regnum Christi, and more than 100 families. Afterwards, they continue in clubs, and some reach ECYD. We are growing. Last year, there were 7 groups, and this year, 10. The catechism team launched Instagram catechism RC at the end of March, which already has over 2,400 followers. Many people connect to the virtual Masses: between 200 and 300 connections, which represent many more people.

Now during the pandemic, how has what you do changed?

Everything virtual! I hope it ends soon…

It’s impressive that technology has served so that a son could say goodbye to his dying father in a hospital. In Spain, some people have died alone in hospitals. From your experience during this pandemic, what do people need most? What causes them the most suffering, and what brings them the most joy?

It’s hard not to be able to say goodbye to loved ones, a hug to dear people at this moment. It reminds me of times when lepers were isolated from their families. But every life has infinite value. How can we talk about statistics when the one leaving is a friend? How can we forbid a child from attending his father’s funeral? Everything is very sad.

How did you meet Jesus? How did the Lord tell you He wanted you to be a priest?

I met Jesus when I started reading the Gospel directly after a Regnum Christi team meeting where Christ was discussed. And I became passionate about the figure and person of Jesus. The first Regnum Christi groups in Madrid had great ideals. I consecrated myself to work full time to build Regnum Christi. I had already dedicated my whole life to that, but Christ needed me as a priest to continue the mission to which I had already consecrated myself to Him, so that He might reign in the hearts of men.

What role did your family play in your vocation? It was a family where faith had not been received. How did the Lord break in?

My family gave me great authentic human values, much love and joy, a spirit of communion, learning to do things selflessly, detachment from appearances and material things… My mother had authentic faith and a personal relationship with her Jesus, in whom she trusted completely. Those values and principles led me to want to build a better world, to be critical and rebellious against mediocrity and selfishness. Regnum Christi appeared as an instrument to realize those ideals. And Christ as the answer to everything. I loved the first 10 issues of the Gaudium et Spes!

In a few weeks, if the pandemic allows, you will visit your family in Spain. What will you do? Do you usually keep in touch?

We will go together to the grandparents’ house where we all fit. And where there are at least 17 bicycles. We have an active WhatsApp group every day. We talk very often. Some have even come to Rio to visit me.

By the way, you are a cycling enthusiast, and you can do routes with Father Clemens, which means it’s not just a recreational ride: where does that passion come from? Do you still practice cycling?

Since I was a child, I learned to do everything on a bicycle. Later, I did many sports. I like almost all water and mountain sports. Now, it’s a way to exercise enough and rest. I have many friends in Rio who also pedal. Every year, a group of us rides to Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado for Christmas.

He was consecrated before becoming a Legionary of Christ. How do you see the path that consecrated laity have traveled since then until today? Does it fill you with healthy pride?

There are magnificent consecrated laity. They face the challenge of rediscovering their origins in the youth sections of Regnum Christi. That’s how we were born!

And the Legion? What do you feel in a 65-year-old man that the Congregation has learned in this last decade of renewal?

Everything is grace. It was necessary. We have a long way ahead. Many challenges require guts and zeal. Regnum Christi has had great pioneers opening the way. We need men and women like that to build the future and help Christ and the Church. Not just to be good managers of works. We need great people.

What does “great” mean to you? Aren’t the little ones the ones of God?

The Saints are great. John Paul II was great. So many saints.

But, Father José María, what does “great” mean? Because it can be understood as something that leads to personalisms, grandiloquences, arrogance… What exactly do you mean by “great”?

The true greatness has nothing to do with that! Christ said: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.” Embracing and seeking to fulfill those words of Christ fully with all your life is to want to be great. It’s to sink into the furrow. To fully surrender to Christ. Not to be afraid to undertake great enterprises out of love for Christ and others. Christ clearly speaks of true greatness: being children of God. Participating in the divine nature. Receiving Christ in the Eucharist — there is no greater greatness!
Santa Teresa says that I am only misery alone, but with God I am a power: “I can do all things!” That’s why, to be great is to have a magnanimous and generous heart. It’s to renew oneself constantly. It’s to forgive always and start over always. It’s never to let discouragement defeat you. It’s to continue even when it seems impossible because God is the one who makes the impossible happen.

The other is the diabolical greatness of Jesus’ temptations in the desert. It has nothing to do with true greatness. Christ is the greatest in Gethsemane and Calvary, and in the small consecrated Host that is given to my misery.

Can you share something that the Lord has been telling you lately in prayer? Something that allows us to get to know Jesus a little better through how He is with others…

I care a lot about the future of Regnum Christi. I don’t see that having found the canonical form of Federation solves everything, although it was absolutely necessary. Great guts and zeal are needed in all its members. But in prayer, what I receive is: “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. You do your part as best as you can.”

I feel super happy with what I have received, with my vocation. And I think: in 10 years I’ll be 75! In 10 or 15… this will end! I have to do my part now, sure, but with a free spirit, with inner freedom, with peace, and to treat each person that God presents to me, to announce Christ… It is God who touches people’s hearts: I am not the one.

This article was originally published on the website of Regnum Christi Spain.