Spain and Mexico were the destinations between October and November 2022, where Father John Connor, LC, General Director of the Legionaries, had the opportunity to visit the new priests, delegations, and common works. There, he witnessed the tremendous work being done in vocations, education, and mission.
Spain: new priests, university impact, and apostolic work
In October, Father John Connor, L.C. made a visit to the territory of Spain. On this occasion, he was in Madrid where he participated in several meetings at the Universidad Francisco de Victoria, visited the Legionaries working in this city, and shared some moments with the younger priests who are carrying out their mission in Europe and who were gathered together for a time of fellowship.
His trip to Spain began with a visit to Universidad Francisco de Victoria accompanied by Father Jesús Villagrasa, L.C., Director of the Network of Universities, and Father Javier Cereceda, L.C., Territorial Director of Spain. The visit started with the Eucharistic celebration, in which some members of the university community participated. Afterwards, the priests had breakfast with Daniel Sada, university director, and Félix Rueda, General Director of the Laity of Regnum Christi Regnum Christi. Throughout the day, Father John participated in various meetings as the president of the Board of Trustees of Universidad Francisco de Victoria. There, he was able to learn more about the university’s work in various areas. He also had the opportunity to personally greet the directors of the different departments of the university. At the end of the meetings, the university director, Daniel Sada, gave the father a tour of the campus.
Inside the activities in Spain, Father John took a tour of Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, learning about the academic work and social impact innovation they are developing there.
He also had the opportunity to share with the priests and brothers living in Madrid, celebrated Holy Mass, and shared a meal with them. During the Eucharistic celebration, which was held in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar, Father John encouraged the priests to see the Virgin Mary as a model of apostolic zeal, who with her example of faith and strength encourages her children in the mission of evangelization.
Later, he met with recently ordained priests working in the territories of Spain, Italy, Western and Central Europe, and the Rome delegation, who were in a few days of fellowship. On this occasion, he shared dinner with them and a moment of fellowship where he addressed some words and opened a space for questions. The next day, he presided over the Eucharistic celebration with the participants of the gathering.
Mexico: vocational work, apostolate, and holiness
From October 31 to November 5, Father John Connor, L.C. made a trip to the territory of Mexico, particularly to the Cancun-Chetumal delegation, where he was able to visit Mons. Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C., the various communities carrying out their ministry in this region, the Anáhuac University, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady Undoer of Knots.
On his first day in Mexico, Father John was in Mexico City, where he met with Father Alberto Simán, L.C., Territorial Director of Mexico, and shared with the community of the territorial leadership. The next day, he traveled to Cancun where he was received by Father Emilio Díaz-Torres, L.C., Delegate of Cancun-Chetumal.
Upon arriving in Cancun, he headed to the Anáhuac-Cancún apostolate community where he greeted the members, mostly senior priests. Afterwards, he went to the Anáhuac Cancun University, where he was received by Father Jesús Quirce, L.C., Rector of the university. There, he was able to visit the university facilities, receive an explanation of the new chapel, learn about the new projects, and converse with some students. During his visit to the university, he also had the opportunity to fellowship with all the priests of the delegation gathered there. After his tour of the university and a moment of fellowship, Father John presided over the Eucharistic celebration in which Mons. Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C., was also present.
In his homily on the occasion of All Saints’ Day, Father John invited the priests and other attendees to reflect on the call to holiness and living the Beatitudes, taking them as a program for spiritual life, as an invitation to imitate Christ. After the Eucharistic celebration, a meal was shared with all the priests of the delegation, and space was given for a question-and-answer session with the General Director framed within the Church, the Legion, and the world.
During his stay in Cancun, he was able to fellowship with priests from various communities and meet with Mons. Pedro Pablo, Bishop of the Diocese of Cancun-Chetumal. He also visited the Sanctuary of Our Lady Undoer of Knots, where he was received by Father Luis Pablo Garza, L.C., Rector of the Sanctuary. In this place, Father John, as a pilgrim, wrote his petition to the Virgin on a white ribbon. At the end of his tour, he had a meeting with the priests supporting the sanctuary.
With these visits, Father John, LC, reaffirms his commitment to work with each and every Legionary in various activities for the good of the Church and the Legion.
