Father John Connor, LC, had encounters with Legionary communities and the Regnum Christi in France, to whom he expressed his gratitude for their evangelizing and service work.
From February 1 to 7, the General Director of the Legion of Christ visited the communities of Legionaries in Bordeaux and Paris, in the territory of Western and Central Europe.
On Wednesday, February 1, Father John arrived at the Bordeaux community, in southwestern France. Bordeaux is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Considering its metropolitan area, the population is 1.4 million inhabitants, making it the fifth most populous city in the country. Once at the Legion house, Father John dined with the Legionaries present.
Father John Connor, LC, with the Bordeaux community.
The next day, February 2, the Day of Consecrated Life, began with the recitation of Lauds together. Subsequently, the General Director visited the Église du Sacré-Cœur, which is attended by the Legionary priests in the city.
During lunch, a conversation took place that allowed Father John to learn about the pastoral work carried out by each member of the community and how long they had been in their respective missions. That day also included the Holy Hour at the parish served pastorally by the Legionary priests in Bordeaux. In the evening, they received the consecrated women working pastorally in the city and some lay members of Regnum Christi.
Father John sharing with the priests, consecrated women, and some lay members of Regnum Christi in Bordeaux.
On Friday, February 3, the General Director presided over the Eucharistic concelebration with the Legionaries and was able to go out and visit the parish where the priests work. It is the Église du Sacré-Cœur, a parish that oversees three other churches: Église Sainte-Croix, Basilique Saint-Michel, and Église Saint-Jean. After visiting them, Father John commented to the priests “How providential it is that the churches entrusted to the RC of Bordeaux are dedicated to our patron saints: Sacred Heart, Saint Michael, Saint John… and Holy Cross”.
In the afternoon, Father John participated in the meeting with the National College of Regnum Christi at the consecrated women’s house.
The College is composed of three people: Chantal de Baillenx (a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi and President of the National Governing College), Nicole Guérin (laywoman), and Father François Garreau, LC (who connected via streaming as he was on pastoral mission with Regnum Christi members in Ivory Coast). During the meeting, they discussed the French reality of the National Governing College, the objectives at territorial and national levels, integration into the local Church, the work of Regnum Christi in parishes: in sum, the “joys and challenges” of Regnum Christi in France. This participation made it possible to more immediately understand the reality and work of Regnum Christi in the country. That same day, although later, Father John also met with ECYD boys at the Juan Pablo II Center. During that time, he was accompanied by Father George de la Cotardière, LC, director of ECYD.
In Bordeaux, the Legionary priests serve, in addition to a parish (Église du Sacré-Cœur), the Juan Pablo II Center of Regnum Christi and a school, Saint Gènes, where two Legionaries serve as chaplains.
On Saturday, February 4, the General Director arrived in Paris to accompany and learn about the pastoral work also carried out by the Legionaries in the capital of the country. The next day, a day dedicated to fellowship and personal work, included breakfast with the Boulogne community. In Paris, the Legion of Christ has only one canonically erected community. However, there are two Legionary houses: Notre Dame d’Auteuil (canonical seat) and Notre Dame de Boulogne, an extension of the community. Notre Dame d’Auteuil is also a parish in which the Legionary priests collaborate.
Father John with the Legionaries and Consecrated Women working apostolically in Paris (France).
On Monday, February 6, the day of the Decretum Laudis, the Legionaries and Father John spent a day touring the city. They visited the Congregation of the Mission chapel, the chapel where the remains of Saint Vincent de Paul are kept, and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where they celebrated Holy Mass.
After lunch, there was time for a meeting where the priests and brothers could ask questions. Since one of the topics discussed was pastoral work with married couples, the General Director pointed out to the Legionaries: “Providing good follow-up to the couples we prepare for marriage is, in many countries, the means of re-evangelizing society.” And speaking about the work of Regnum Christi in Paris, he said: “In this historic moment of the Church, the mission of Regnum Christi is to sow communities of apostles wherever we are. These communities of apostles will then help transform society.”
In the late afternoon and evening, the General Director moved to the Église Notre Dame de Boulogne, where Father Rogelio Villegas, LC, the parish priest, guided him through the site and explained its history and how the Legion arrived there. Afterwards, they had dinner, which was also attended by the Regnum Christi consecrated women of Paris. During this stage of Father John’s visit to France, Father Valentin Gögele, LC, Territorial Director, also accompanied the General Director.
Father John presiding over the Eucharistic celebration with the Paris community at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
The next day, Tuesday, February 7, the General Director took a flight back to Rome.
These visits to the different territories where the Legion is present are an opportunity to firsthand learn about the reality and impactful apostolic and social actions carried out by the various communities, as well as to strengthen bonds and foster closeness.
