The past July 20th in the city of Caracas, the Venezuelan fathers Andrés Colmenares, Leopoldo, and Elías Sayegh, LC, received the order of diaconate. The ceremony was presided over by Monsignor Raúl Biord, Bishop of La Guaira, who on several occasions invited the new deacons to seek to serve Christ among the poorest.
These are the first in a series of deaconal ordinations of brothers from the territory that will take place between July and September, in which four other Colombian legionaries will receive the diaconate. For the entire Regnum Christi family, it is a cause for great joy. We invite you to meet them and pray for them.
Father Leopoldo Sayegh LC. was born in Caracas on October 16, 1987. In addition to his parents, he has two brothers and a sister. He was a member, responsible, and coordinator of ECYD in Caracas. He is a graduate and Integer Homo of the Cumbres Institute. He was a member of the youth section of Regnum Christi. He joined the Legion of Christ in 2005. He did two years of novitiate in Monterrey. His first profession was on August 12, 2007. He then studied two years of Classical Humanities in Salamanca and another two years of Philosophy at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA) in Rome, while collaborating in the general direction of the Legion. He completed three years of apostolic practice in the West of Mexico City as a Formation Instructor at Cumbres Mexico and Coordinator of ECYD in the locality. He then studied a Bachelor’s in Philosophy at APRA in Rome and a Diploma in Leadership Competencies at the Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico. He professed his perpetual vows on August 20, 2016, at the International College of the Legionaries of Christ in Rome. This year he completed his Theology studies at APRA in Rome and is pursuing a Master’s in Theology of the Body at the Institut de Théologie du Corps in Lyon. He received the diaconate ordination from Mons. Raúl Biord, bishop of La Guaira, on July 20, 2019, in Caracas, and will be ordained priest in Rome on May 2, 2020.
How do you want your priesthood to be?
Delivered, given, donated
Who is a priest for you?
For me, a priest is a channel of grace and mercy. Someone who makes Jesus Christ present through his presence, words, actions, and testimony. He makes Him present especially in the celebration of the sacraments, sacred preaching, and spiritual accompaniment.
What moments in your life and personal history led you to think about the priesthood?
The faith education I received in my family, the frequent communion during recess at Colegio Cumbres, participation in ECYD, evangelization missions with Fuego, Familia, and Juventud Misionera, having been responsible for ECYD, and life in Regnum Christi. The clearest and strongest moments when I felt my calling were each year during Eucharistic adoration on Holy Thursday.
Over these years, you have surely experienced difficult moments and others wonderful. Tell us about some of them.
That’s right, I have lived moments of great difficulty, such as a period of intense exhaustion after my apostolic practices in Mexico. The beautiful thing is to see that the Lord does not abandon us, that He is faithful to His promises, and that the one who has begun the good work in us will bring it to completion. My happiest moments have been immense graces—even miracles—that I have received at the feet of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A saint to imitate
I cannot choose just one. Saints are our best friends. I have several whom I am very close to: John Paul II, Padre Pío, Thérèse of Lisieux, Mother Teresa, Francis of Assisi, Leopoldo Mandic, John Mary Vianney.
What has helped you the most in your vocation?
Devotion to the Most Holy Virgin Mary and closeness to Christ in the Eucharist.
What will be your destiny as a deacon?
I will go to Paris to work with the youth of Regnum Christi and ECYD in a new parish entrusted to us.
What would you like to contribute as a priest to the Regnum Christi family?
Joy, unity, and mercy.
The Father Elías Sayegh, LC. was born in Caracas on November 4, 1988. He has two brothers and a sister, and he is the third. He graduated from Colegio Cumbres in 2006. He studied one year of law at the Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas. He was responsible for ECYD and a member of the youth section of Caracas. In 2007, he entered the Novitiate in Cheshire (Connecticut), where he also studied one year of Humanities. He studied philosophy in Thornwood (New York). He completed four years of apostolic practice working at Colegio Cumbres in Caracas and as prefect of the Vocational Center in Mérida, Venezuela. He studied theology in Rome from 2016 to 2019. Currently, he is a vocational promoter for adults in Venezuela and director of the youth section in Caracas.
How do you want your priesthood to be?
Christ-centered.
Who is a priest for you?
Jesus Christ.
What moments in your life and personal history led you to think about the priesthood?
Contact with the most needy, with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, and with Legionaries of Christ; especially as a member of ECYD and Regnum Christi.
Over these years, you have surely experienced difficult moments and others wonderful. Tell us about some of them.
My first year of Novitiate was very difficult. It was a special grace to be able to suffer out of love for Christ, and this taught me to trust in God and to draw closer to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Since then, things have gone incredibly well. I am very happy, and the moments I remember with the most happiness are some moments of prayer or ceremonies like my first religious vows or my perpetual profession.
What has helped you the most in your vocation?
Focusing on growing each day in a personal relationship with the Lord.
A saint to imitate
Saint John Evangelist and Saint Paul.
What will be your destiny as a deacon?
Director of the youth section in Caracas and vocational promoter in Venezuela.
What would you like to contribute as a priest to the Regnum Christi family?
To help further foster the spirit of communion and family.
