On the day that P. Alberto Simán, LC begins his service as Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ for the territory of Mexico and Central America, the website of Regnum Christi of Mexico publishes a recent virtual conversation with the director of the institutional communication office of Regnum Christi Mexico, Pablo Pérez de la Vega.
Thank you for giving us this interview. You were born in El Salvador, which is also part of our territory. Many Legionaries know you, but perhaps the other members of Regnum Christi do not know you as well. Who is Fr. Alberto Simán?
Thank you, Pablo, for this opportunity to start a conversation with all the members of Regnum Christi in the territory. In these times of social distancing, these means also help us to connect.
Who is Alberto Simán? First of all, a sinner redeemed by pure mercy. I like to meditate that I am someone who has experienced God’s infinite mercy, which has been present in my life continuously and evidently.
As you say, I was born in San Salvador, in a loving and very close family, despite being very large. I am the youngest of 6 siblings and many cousins. Our parents, who have already passed away, shared almost 50 years together. They had a truly exemplary marriage. I began my education with the Marists in San Salvador. Starting from 4th grade, I studied at a school of the Opus Dei. Those were very beautiful but very difficult years, as I lived part of my childhood and all my adolescence during the civil war of the 1980s. I finished school in 1989 and started university in North Carolina, USA. In December 1993, I graduated as an industrial engineer. I then worked professionally in Miami and later in San Salvador.
In 1997, I encountered the Regnum Christi, during the Mega-mission. In 1998, I became a collaborator and was fortunate to spend a year in Hermosillo. I entered the Legion of Christ novitiate in Monterrey the following year. I was ordained a priest in December 2007 at the feet of the Virgin Mary, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In these 13 years of priesthood, I have worked in general administration and secretarial roles, and later, I was a member of the formation team for philosophy students at the International College of the Legionaries of Christ in Rome. In 2015, I was appointed rector of that formation house. Finally, in November 2018, I arrived in Mexico as delegate of the territorial director for religious life.
We are all called to holiness, and God proposes concrete paths to fulfill this vocation that springs from baptism. How did you discover your vocation to be a Legionary priest?
Looking back, I realize that God began to hint at His plan after a car accident I suffered in 1996. During my year as a Regnum Christi collaborator, it could be said that it started to become clearer. I was perceiving internally that the Lord was asking me for something more. Honestly, I had planned to give myself a year and then go to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in administration. I was so determined that I already had interviews scheduled with 3 or 4 universities as part of the admission process.
At the same time, I felt a growing attraction in my heart to help others find Jesus Christ as I had found Him, but I was not clear on how. During spiritual exercises in January 1999, I shared these concerns with my spiritual director, who was fortunately present. The father simply told me to go before Christ in the Eucharist and ask Him. That’s what I did.
It was a recurring question during those days of silence and prayer. When the Lord wanted, He made His presence known and allowed me to perceive very clearly and with comfort that He wanted me as a Legionary priest. Of course, I felt a lot of fear. Then, a thousand questions arose, along with the worry of having to tell my family and, in my case, my girlfriend. That kept me very restless, but deep down, I lived in peace.
That same summer, I went to the Legion of Christ candidate program in Monterrey to see if it was my path or not. On September 15, I entered the novitiate. The strength of His call has accompanied me at every moment and has been maturing ever since.
You were ordained in 2007 and are celebrating 13 years as a priest. How have these years of priesthood been?
These thirteen years have been years of light and shadow, but always experiencing the hand of Christ holding onto mine. Few things in life compare to the experience of feeling the action of God’s grace touching someone’s heart and changing a life, and feeling like an unworthy instrument used by the Lord. That is wonderful!
They have also been tough years, sometimes arid and humiliating. I have suffered seeing how the bad example and crimes of some ministers of Christ, especially brothers in priesthood and in the Congregation, harm the Church and people.
My life and apostolate as a lay member of the Movement and my experience as a collaborator have been greatly enriched after my ordination. Despite having had several apostolates that we could call “office-based” and also as a formator of Legionaries, experiences of missions during Holy Week, encouraging fellow philosophers in their initiatives and desires to carry out their own mission, confessions in the parish in Rome, have always filled me with enthusiasm to help Christ reign in more hearts, so that more people know, love, and follow Him.
What would you say to the brothers you accompanied in their formation in Rome?
That one of the greatest privileges in my priestly life has been walking with them in their vocational discernment journey, and that I carry each of them in my heart, with their very personal stories. I remember those years in Rome with great affection. Perhaps they are the most beautiful of my priesthood so far. I laughed and suffered with them. I learned a lot from them. I pray for them every day at Mass, both for those still on the path to priesthood and for those who have seen that God is calling them to follow Christ in other ways. It is always a source of satisfaction to see that, both groups, are shaping mature Christian personalities.
What went through your mind when you were appointed territorial director?
Honestly, I initially thought it was a mistake. The Legion of Christ in general, and the territory of Mexico and Central America in particular, face many challenges ahead, and that can make anyone tremble. After hearing the news, I went to the chapel to speak with Christ and ask if He was sure about this, because, at least I, did not feel capable.
Aware of the challenges and difficulties, I accept this assignment with trust in Him and as a service to my fellow Legionaries, members of Regnum Christi, and this portion of the Church that journeys in Mexico and Central America. Authority is like that: a cross and service to others.
I take this opportunity, Pablo, to thank Father Ricardo Sada for his dedication and work during the six years he has been territorial director. He has had the difficult mission of implementing in practice the new Constitutions promulgated in 2014 and guiding the entire work for the canonical establishment of Regnum Christi in the territory. All this in a large, complex territory with a significant apostolic presence and many committed members of the Movement in the Church’s mission. You have my gratitude and my prayers for the mission now entrusted to the Legion.
What challenges will you face as territorial director and as a member of the Territorial College of Regnum Christi?
I believe that, as the territorial director of the Legion of Christ, the main challenge will be to continue promoting the renewal process we have begun years ago. In particular, the spiritual renewal of the Legionaries and close accompaniment of each one. There is no renewal in the Church that does not start with a profound interior transformation in each person, which arises from a personal encounter with Christ. It is a slow process. For this, normative changes, processes, or structures are not enough. These can be implemented more or less quickly. True changes are those of the heart, born of grace and personal asceticism. It is a blend of God’s grace, which cries out within us asking for holiness, and human freedom, which does not always respond as He expects, and which all Christians, starting with St. Paul, experience.
We also have ahead the issue of safe environments. I am firmly committed to continuing the work begun in recent years in the field of abuse prevention, protection of the most vulnerable, and proper attention to victims. I believe there is still much to learn and much ground to cover, and that, unintentionally, we have made mistakes along the way that have caused even more pain. I hope to collaborate with ecclesiastical and civil authorities, as well as other experts, and to seek their guidance and advice. It is a field where improvement is always possible, and both society and the Church still have much to learn.
As president of the Territorial College of Regnum Christi, together with the consecrated women, consecrated laity, and lay members, we must continue deepening and internalizing our identity so that, from there, we can promote apostolates that respond to the great challenges in society. I believe that among our priorities are vocations promotion, formation of young apostles to evangelize youth, formation of young married couples who are apostles for their children, as well as work for the poorest, life, and family. The schools and universities, as well as the sections of Regnum Christi and the ECYD, should be privileged places to form apostles who dedicate their qualities and leadership to the service of the Gospel, the most needy, and the common good.
When I arrived in Mexico in 2018, I encountered the Global Pastoral Project 2031-2033 of the Mexican Episcopal Conference. In it, the bishops discern and set several lines of action to prepare for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Guadalupan event in 2031 and the two thousand years of redemption in 2033. The Church in Mexico, and we with her, prepare to receive the special graces that the Lord will give us during these significant dates. We must be attentive to contribute our part and learn from the other realities that the Holy Spirit inspires in the Church, thus building communion.
Talking about the local church, a priority for me is accompanying the Legionaries who, over the last 50 years, have dedicated themselves to evangelization in Quintana Roo, to the point that it has ceased to be a prelature and will be erected as a diocese as soon as health conditions permit. We have much to learn from our missionaries.
In a world with so many challenges, what attitude do you think members of Regnum Christi should have today?
Members of Regnum Christi have been characterized by a great evangelizing impulse and a sense of healthy urgency and interior ardor to make Christ known. I believe this is an attitude that the Holy Spirit has placed in our hearts and that we must promote among all members, whether lay, consecrated, or Legionaries.
What is your vision for the work that Regnum Christi should undertake in the coming years?
The work of Regnum Christi toward the future is the same as that of the Church and is integrated into the Church’s mission. As Pope Francis says, we are not living in a time of change, but a change of era. This demands from us, in my opinion, two fundamental things. The first is a life of intimate and profound prayer that opens our hearts to holiness. The second is to discern the signs of the times to identify the needs of the Church and its evangelizing mission in today’s society, and also to embrace what best responds to these needs and leave behind what no longer does.
The family is suffering an unprecedented crisis, youth are adrift in an anti-Christian and aggressive sea, gender ideology is causing much confusion, abortion seems to be gaining ground everywhere, violence and corruption are invading the social fabric like cancer… What does the Holy Spirit tell us, members of Regnum Christi, through all these signs? We cannot remain indifferent to Christ’s suffering and His Church. Every Christian is a response from God to the advance of evil and the culture of death. Therefore, a member of Regnum Christi seeks new ways to carry Christ’s message; is creative and bold in making it known, in dedicating resources to help the most needy, in forming those who do not know Christ or what He has done for every man and woman, and in being an instrument of God’s mercy to everyone around him.
What message would you like to send to members of Regnum Christi in the context of the health emergency we are experiencing?
That we are not alone. That Christ is in the boat, and although He sometimes sleeps, He never abandons us. Sometimes it seems that God does not hear us or does not want to act, and this discourages us. But God is our Father, the best Father, and He never leaves us. In the face of so many challenges and difficulties, let us not stop invoking Mary and asking her to cover us with her mantle. It helps me to repeat constantly: Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, en ti confío. At the same time, I would also tell you to be responsible citizens, taking the necessary hygienic precautions to avoid contagion; to be supportive of the most vulnerable and seek ways to help them. In our schools and universities, we are trying to reach out to the most affected, not only in their health but also in those whose means of livelihood are at risk or compromised.
I also want to acknowledge the work of the Legionaries of Christ, consecrated women, consecrated laity, and lay members in social media and in caring for the sick. In these months, we have seen creativity flourish in using new technologies to bring hope through Masses, conferences, workshops, congresses, and many actions they undertake.
Furthermore, all initiatives of solidarity, such as obtaining food supplies, promoting local consumption, joining efforts with diocesan Caritas, etc., which we have seen among many members of Regnum Christi, are worthy of recognition.
Finally, in gratitude for your time and the opportunity for this interview, would you like to send a special message to members of Regnum Christi?
First of all, I want to deeply thank you for your prayers and closeness. Recently, I received, for example, spiritual bouquets from members of Regnum Christi in El Salvador and Guatemala, and many messages from other members assuring their prayers. On my part, I pray for each of you daily during the Eucharistic celebration.
I also want to invite all members of Regnum Christi to let themselves be renewed internally by the Holy Spirit, who wants to make Christ the center of our lives. I believe He asks us to boldly contribute to the Church’s evangelizing mission. We can only achieve this through daily dedication and effort to respond to that inner call to holiness, to try to be saints next door, as Pope Francis says.
We have gone through very difficult years, and yes, we have made many mistakes that hurt and shame us. I also ask forgiveness for them. But the past should only serve us to learn and improve, to ask for forgiveness and repair our faults, and to dedicate ourselves with greater apostolic zeal and effort to the mission of going out into the world and proclaiming the Gospel. Let us not stop. Let us seek to bring the Gospel to all men and women of our time, seeking that Christ reign in their hearts, because it is Christ Himself who has wanted to invite us to collaborate with Him.
