From November 27 to December 5, the second part of the Extraordinary General Assembly of Regnum Christi was held in Rome, with the participation of 91 delegates from 14 countries and from all vocations that make up Regnum Christi: Legionaries of Christ, consecrated laity, vowed women, and lay members. Also present was Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.I, pontifical assistant.

This session, a continuation of the first part of the Assembly held from April 9 to 18 of this year, began with a Eucharistic concelebration presided over by Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M., secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, who, at the end of the Mass, delivered the decrees establishing the Consecrated and Laity as Societies of Apostolic Life and which also approve their respective Constitutions.

In the Message of the Regnum Christi General Assembly, the delegates commented that they experienced this time in “a profound climate of prayer with great trust in God’s action,” and added: “We start seeking what is most favorable for the fulfillment of the common mission, from the identity of each branch of Regnum Christi. Today we thank God that, after these days not exempt from uncertainties and diverse opinions, but full of courage in speaking, humility in listening, and ecclesial discernment, the goals we pursued have been achieved.”

After 9 days of reflection, prayer, discussion, and sharing of various opinions, it was reached an understanding of Regnum Christi as «a reality formed by four different vocations (Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated, Vowed Laity, and Lay Members)», where «each one of them expresses with its original personality the mission and charism common to Regnum Christi», as stated in the press release about the second part of the Assembly.

Referring to the fruits of the Assembly, the message it sent quotes Father Eduardo Robles-Gil, L.C., who commented at the beginning of the Assembly that this “is a further step toward ecclesial maturity,” and adds: “It is moving forward toward greater ecclesial and charismatic fullness.”

The highest bodies of the three consecrated branches (General Chapter of the Legion of Christ and General Assemblies of the Consecrated Women and Vowed Laity of Regnum Christi) have ratified their intention to establish the Regnum Christi Federation. Therefore, it can be read in the press release that “Regnum Christi has decided to request the Holy See to be canonically erected as a federation formed and governed collegially among the Legionaries of Christ, the Consecrated Women, and the Vowed Laity, with consultative vote of the laity, who individually associate with the Regnum Christi Federation.”

With the Regnum Christi Federation, the goal is “a more solid canonical configuration than that of the 2004 Statute and more in line with the features of its charismatic reality. By assuming collegiality in its governance, the spirit of communion and the complementarity that, respecting the autonomy of the federated entities, is at the service of the common mission, is demonstrated. To better express the importance of each vocation, we have decided that both at the general and territorial levels, two laity will participate by attending the governing councils of the Federation” (Message of the Regnum Christi General Assembly 9).

On November 28, lay delegates joined the Assembly, participating in the approval of the first part of the Statute concerning the identity, purposes, spirit, and mission of the Regnum Christi Federation. On December 1, the last day of their participation and with their deliberative vote, the Regulation of the laity associated with the Regnum Christi Federation was approved, which still depends on the approval of the Statute of the Regnum Christi Federation.

The lay delegates wrote a statement celebrating the approval of the Regulation and “the sending of the agreed Statute of the Regnum Christi Federation to the Holy See for its eventual approval,” and expressed gratitude to the consecrated branches, commenting among other things that they are “aware that the fruits of the General Assembly are a further step in our path of renewal and sanctification.”

On December 5, the Assembly approved the Statute of the Regnum Christi Federation which, after being ratified by the consecrated branches, will be presented to the Holy See for its eventual approval. In this way, a step forward is taken in the canonical configuration of Regnum Christi, which for the past 8 years has initiated a renewal process in partnership with the Church, involving all members of the four vocations that comprise it.

On December 6, after the higher bodies of each consecrated branch examined the conclusions of the General Assembly of Regnum Christi, various members of the four vocations of Regnum Christi present in Rome participated in a Eucharistic concelebration at the International College of the Legionaries of Christ, thus concluding this episode of our history.

In the letter sent to the Holy See requesting the canonical erection of the Regnum Christi Federation and the approval of the Statute that governs it, it can be read: “We agree that the most appropriate canonical figure would be that of the Federation, as it would safeguard the unity of Regnum Christi and, at the same time, respect the identity and autonomy of the various branches. […]. The results of the votes fill us with joy and hope because, despite the differences of opinion that we have had during the process, we have reached an almost unanimous consensus. The General Assembly of Regnum Christi, in which delegates from the three consecrated branches participated, approved the text with 59 votes in favor, 2 against, and 1 abstention.”

In the Assembly website you can find the daily activity summaries, a photo gallery, and the press area of the Assembly. A version without style corrections of the Statute of the Regnum Christi Federation can also be consulted. In the coming days, the respective statements from each of the consecrated branches will be published.