On Friday, December 11th, the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fr. Héctor Guerra, L.C., departed for the house of the Father after completing his earthly pilgrimage at the age of 62 and after 46 years as a Legionary of Christ. He died at the Quirón Hospital in Madrid after a long battle with cancer. Fr. Héctor was about to celebrate his 35th anniversary as a priest on January 3rd.

< p > < strong > Fr. Héctor Guerra Ibarra, L.C., was born in Monterrey, Mexico, on November 19, 1953. As a teenager, he felt the call of God and entered the Legion on November 3, 1969, beginning his novitiate in Salamanca. Two years later, on October 1, 1971, he made his first religious profession. < /strong > < /p >

< p > Brother Guerra completed his juniorate in Salamanca and then moved to Rome to begin his philosophy studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He took his perpetual vows on October 17, 1974. During those years, two short writings by the then Brother Héctor were published in the thematic magazine < em > Ecos del Centro de Estudios Superiores de Roma < /em >. The first, from 1974, was titled “Values and Anti-values of the Media” and addressed the topic starting from an analysis of the 1963 Decree Inter Mirifica; the second, published in 1975, was a review of the book < em > Marxist Liberation-Christian Liberation < /em > written by Mons. Alfonso López Trujillo, then Secretary of CELAM. Fr. Guerra earned a degree in philosophy from the Gregorian University with a specialization in Marxism. < /p >

< p > During his apostolic practice period, he served as an assistant to philosophers from 1976 to 1977 and as an assistant to theologians from 1977 to 1980. On January 27, 1980, Pope John Paul II visited the Legionary College at Via Aurelia 677 in Rome. Some of those present recall that when the Holy Father was leaving the house, Brother Héctor Guerra began to play the song “Amigo” on the accordion. Soon, the entire community joined in singing to thank the Pope for his visit, which he appreciated. < /p >

< p > Fr. Guerra was ordained a priest by Cardinal Eduardo Pironio, Prefect of the Congregation for Religious and Religious Institutes, on January 3, 1981, the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation, at the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip the Martyr in Rome. His first priestly ministry was as an assistant to the novices of the Salamanca community for seven years, from 1981 to 1988. < /p >

< p > In 1987, he was also appointed assistant for the apostolate of the territorial director for Europe. This experience was very significant, although it lasted only a year, because in 1988 Father Guerra was appointed territorial director for Europe. < /p >

< p > In fulfilling his role as territorial director, Father Héctor was always available to the priests of his territory, paid close personal attention to strengthening the vocations of the religious, and oversaw the consolidation of the works undertaken, also approving the development of new apostolates. During his years of service as territorial director of Europe, the novitiates of Germany and Italy were opened, and apostolic work was initiated in Eastern Europe, especially after the 1992 General Chapter, which placed particular emphasis on the new evangelization of the old continent. He frequently visited the novitiates in Salamanca, Ireland, Italy, and Germany, as well as the Center for Higher Studies. He also sought to personally encourage Legionaries in their apostolate and ministry. < /p >

< p > The thematic magazine < em > Ecos < /em >, in volume 2 of 1993, features a lecture by Fr. Héctor Guerra at the conclusion of the 1992 General Chapter: “First, we have seen the importance of formation in this apostolic zeal because we are touching on the being or not being of the Legion, and second, we have seen the current situation. Certainly, there is zeal, but there is a greater awareness of the crisis the Church is going through[,] and here, there is this search for the conquest of souls, this seeking to grow the Kingdom of Christ. [.] That zeal as a spirit of conquest, which is precisely the characteristic of our charism, born as an expression, a prolongation of our love for Christ, and which is particularly necessary in the current circumstances in the world and in the Church [.] And if at any moment we do not come up with something, this zeal will lead us to encourage our companions. This zeal will lead us to seek advice. This zeal will lead us to ask for suggestions, to exchange experiences until we find that formula that allows me to be more effective”. < /p >

< p > Fidelma Grealy, a consecrated member of Regnum Christi, summarizes her impression of Fr. Héctor as territorial director with these words: “He was a huge support for me during the years of founding Highlands Encinar, as territorial director, always available for consultations, advice, meetings, with an impressive future vision of the school, flexible to outside opinions, a great conciliator in tense moments.. I am very grateful for his trust in me and his guiding hand in my apostolic life. A piece of advice he gave me about the meaning of the Cross in life marked me and continues to help me today”. < /p >

< p > “Father Héctor Guerra was assistant to the novices in Salamanca when I entered the Legion. I always considered him a fervent and firm Legionary in what needed to be firm. Later, he was my territorial director when I began my priestly ministry in Spain. It was a very important period in my life, and I always felt his support and availability. God willed him to leave us relatively early. I am grateful for his priestly and religious testimony in the Legion of Christ during very difficult times,” shares Fr. Ignacio Buisán, L.C. < /p >

< p > To those receiving the Legionary habit, Fr. Héctor invited them to have a true experience of Christ in the novitiate so they could later contribute to the evangelization of Europe and bring the Word of God to all men. He urged those professing vows to become aware of God’s call to the Legion and to be faithful to the commitments they would undertake. Many times, he held question sessions to discuss spiritual topics or Legionary formation, and he also gave conferences on the delicate situation faced by the European continent, presenting the progress of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement, detailing all the apostolic activities being carried out. < /p >

< p > “Father Guerra was my territorial director for seven years, when I was a girl of Regnum Christi, in my youth.. and he helped me a lot in my discernment and vocational decision process, as a consecrated member of Regnum Christi. I was very impressed by how he preached the love of Christ, always with passion and fervor! He gave us the month retreats, the renewal triduums, spiritual exercises, participated in summer courses., he incorporated me into the second degree and consecrated me on August 27, 1990, in Reajo del Roble. I have a very special affection and gratitude for him,” shares Rocío Caballero García, consecrated member of Regnum Christi. < /p >

< p > Fr. Guerra participated, in his capacity as territorial director, in the 2nd Ordinary General Chapter in 1992. During the following years, he gave courses and conferences to help Legionaries deepen their understanding of the directives given by the Chapter. One of the topics he addressed most frequently was the growth of Regnum Christi and vocational work, as responses to the secularization of Europe. His reflections on this point, based on his experience as territorial director of Europe, are recorded in a conference on vocational pastoral that he delivered during the congress < em > Testimoni e servitori della speranza < /em > in 2001, organized by the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum with the sponsorship of the Congregation for Bishops. The text is included in the proceedings of the congress. < /p >

< p > He was a strong promoter of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid. During the 1990s and under his direction, educational institutions were opened in Spain and other European countries, such as Highlands in Seville, Le Châtelard, and some other projects that later proved unviable. He promoted the development of the Regnum Christi Movement and vocations in European countries. He also kept in mind the need to achieve the sustainability of the territory. The challenge of cultural and linguistic diversity in the countries of the territory was also an opportunity to initiate the proper inculturation of the Legion and the Movement. < /p >

< p > In 2000, the European territory was divided into the territories of Spain and Italy, and Fr. Guerra continued as the territorial director of Spain. Two years later, in 2002, the Spanish territory was further divided into Spain and France. Fr. Héctor was appointed territorial director of France, a position he held until 2008. He participated ex officio in the 3rd Ordinary General Chapter of 2005. < /p >

< p > After this, Fr. Guerra dedicated himself to exploring new paths for evangelization. To do so, he resumed his theology studies and in 2009 obtained his doctorate from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. His doctoral thesis was titled < em > Man at the Crossroads of the New Millennium according to John Paul II < /em > and was published the following year by Voz de Papel Publishing under the title < em > John Paul II and the Challenge of the New Millennium. The Challenges for Man and Society < /em >. The review of this work states: “At the threshold of the third millennium, there is only one option: the progressive establishment of the culture of love”. < /p >

< p > Precisely love and deepening in the spirituality of Regnum Christi were the main themes of Fr. Guerra’s next seven publications, created in collaboration with Fr. Juan Pablo Ledesma. The first work signed by both in 2009 was a vademecum for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land titled < em > Vio y creyó. La experiencia de Cristo Resucitado en Tierra Santa < /em >. The same year, < em > Come and See! The experience of a love that does not end < /em > was published, which deepens the theme of friendship with Jesus Christ and for which Cardinal Antonio Cañizares wrote the prologue. Other books published by Planeta Testimonio followed. In 2010, < em > I am your Mother. The filial love and friendship with Mary < /em > was published, presenting a synthesis of ecclesial spirituality and the Regnum Christi Movement regarding the human and spiritual face of Mary and Marian devotion; in 2011, < em > Love one another as I have loved you. The charity, the soul of Christianity < /em >; in 2012, < em > Christ, our Passover < /em >, centered on the Paschal mystery; in 2013, < em > The fullness of Love < /em >; and finally, in 2015, < em > Love is stronger! An anthology of texts and conferences by Fr. Álvaro Corcuera, L.C. < /em >. < /p >

< p > Carmen Fernández shares the following in the book of condolences: “I knew the soul of Father Héctor through his books. I did not meet him in person, and it is impressive what the Lord did in my soul through him. I will always be grateful to him. I hope and trust that someday, looking into his eyes, I can say: ‘You are Father Héctor!’ May God have him by His side. I pray for that. My deepest condolences to his family, to all Legionaries of Christ, and to his entire RC family”. < /p >

< p > Fr. Fernando Pascual wrote in the book of condolences: “With my gratitude for his fidelity to Christ, for his love for the congregation, for his continuous spirit of initiative, and for his willingness to listen and embrace his brothers. I also thank him for having launched the press office at the Rome Studies Center back in 1991, which inspired many of us to pursue the apostolate of the pen”. < /p >

< p > The apostolate of the pen was not his only apostolate in recent years. His interest also focused on the Shroud of Turin. Between 2006 and 2009, two permanent exhibitions called “Who is the Man of the Shroud?” were inaugurated, one at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem and another at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. In 2008, Fr. Héctor was elected president of Othonia, an international association aimed at contributing to the safeguarding, promotion, and dissemination of knowledge related to the Shroud of Turin through scientific, cultural, historical, and religious initiatives. < /p >

< p > Starting from the 2010-2011 academic cycle, Fr. Héctor was part of the scientific committee of the diploma course on Shroud studies offered by the theology faculty of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, in collaboration with the International Center of Sindonology in Turin, STOQ (Science, Theology, and Ontological Search), and the John Templeton Foundation. Meanwhile, the permanent exhibits multiplied until there were eight worldwide: at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento, California, USA; at the Palladium Shopping Center, the largest shopping mall in Curitiba, Brazil; at the Church of St. John and St. Peter in Estoril, Portugal; at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Den Bosch, Netherlands; in one of the main halls of the Sanctuary dedicated to St. John Paul II in Krakow; at the Anáhuac University Mexico North in Mexico City; at Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center in the Holy Land; and at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. < /p >

< p > Fr. Rafael Pascual, who collaborated with Fr. Guerra on the Shroud projects, refers to them: “All of this is another example of his initiative, drive, and apostolic influence, in one of the various areas where he carried out his priestly work. Those of us who had the grace to work with him are called to carry on his legacy and continue his mission. I believe this is the best way to honor his memory and thank him for his example and testimony.” Fr. Guerra wrote about the contribution of the Shroud to the new evangelization: “We can say that not using the Shroud or not making it known would be a significant omission in the effort and task of the new evangelization. It directly connects with the kerygma, which is the central core of the gospel. The Shroud allows the incorporation of a new method in evangelization, involving the sciences. It presents an especially attractive approach for today’s man. Thus, the Shroud becomes a sign of credibility that facilitates and promotes the path to encounter with God.” < /p >

< p > Between 2011 and 2014, Fr. Héctor was director of the Sacerdos Institute and led the International Course for Seminary Formators from 2012 to 2014 in Rome. < /p >

< p > In 2013, he organized the first < a href="http://www.tedxviadellaconciliazione.com/" target="_blank" > TEDx Via della Conciliazione < /a > event at the Vatican on religious freedom today. International-level speakers participated. < a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go-EKbtIDn0" target="_blank" > Rome Reports produced a segment < /a > in which Fr. Guerra explained the nature of the event. Fr. Sergio Salcido, L.C., comments: “I was able to get closer to him while studying theology in Rome and at the Assembly of the Houses of Rome. I helped a bit with the organization of TEDx Via della Conciliazione, where I was impressed by his vision and broad horizons for evangelizing the world and men through impactful initiatives, convincing leaders in favor of society and people. I don’t know, I felt he had that apostolic drive I wish I had to help our Christ the King establish His Kingdom. It helped me see this beautiful part of our charism regarding the apostolate. I saw him a year ago when I passed through Salamanca after my ordination in Rome, and I keep a good memory of it. God bless him, and thank you for all his testimony!” < /p >

< p > Another effort by Fr. Guerra was the organization in 2014, in collaboration with ABC Thinking, an association committed to cultural building in our society, and with the sponsorship of the Pontifical Council for Laity, the CSI (Italian Sports Center), and the European University of Rome, of the congress < em > Sports… much more than entertainment! < /em >, which involved Olympic champions and athletes from various disciplines. < /p >

< p > Fr. Guillermo Meade expresses the following in the book of condolences: “I was always impressed by his tireless apostolic zeal, his faith, and his magnanimity. He always thought big because he believed that God wanted and could do great things if we humbly offered ourselves. When he learned of his illness, he told only a few people, and I was among them. He asked us not to mention it. He continued fighting and working for years as if nothing was happening, launching new initiatives and thinking little of himself and much of the Kingdom. He often told me ‘We are in God’s hands.’ May God keep him in His Glory.” < /p >

< p > On November 20th, our general director, passing through Madrid, visited Fr. Guerra in the hospital. He shares his impressions in the book of condolences: “On November 20th, upon returning from Mexico, I was able to stay a few hours in Madrid and visit him in the hospital. I saw him physically very weakened, but spiritually very strong. He knew perfectly well that only a few weeks of life remained for him. He was whole, lucid, full of God. I thought he wouldn’t reach Christmas here on earth, but he has his Christmas anticipated in heaven. Thank you, Father Guerra, for your testimony and fidelity to God in the Legion.” < /p >

< p > Fr. Guerra’s body was veiled at the Territorial Directorate of Spain. Then, on the 12th, the funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of San José María Escrivá in Aravaca, presided over by Fr. José Carlos Zancajo, territorial