Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – On Saturday, December 20, at 9:30am, in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, 49 deacons from the Religious Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ will be ordained priests by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Once again this year, this beautiful tradition in the heart of all Legionaries will take place: ordinations in the days leading up to Christmas. In this manner, they wish to make the Church a symbolic gift: new priests, ready to serve the Holy Father with a humble spirit and complete adhesion. At the same time, the new priests will receive a gift from the Church that will illumine their entire lives: their sacramental identification with Christ.
Thirty-four of the new priests were ordained deacons on June 29, 2008, on the first day of the Year of Saint Paul declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Saint Paul has also been adopted by the Legionaries of Christ as special protector of their Congregation. The candidates for the priesthood are between 29-37 years of age. They have spent 10-14 years in studies, apostolate, and missions, beginning the moment of their entry in the novitiate of the Legionaries. They are from 13 different countries: Mexico (23), Spain (6), United States (4), Germany (3), Brazil (3), Argentina (1), Colombia (2), Italy (2), Canada (1), Chile (1), France (1), Ireland (1), and Venezuela (1). There are another four who were ordained beforehand.
Among the personal stories of the new priests, prior to their vocations, there are all kinds of experiences. Benjamin, a Mexican, was an expert in traditional ballroom dancing in his country. Nicola, an Italian, cultivated a great passion for music and at 18 years of age played the guitar in a rock band. Hector, a Mexican, at 17 years of age had been an actor in the theatrical work “La leyenda de los cinco soles,” with over 50 showings in Paris.
Today, the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ is present in 20 different countries, with nearly 800 priests and over 2,500 seminarians. They have 125 houses, 200 schools, and over 600 centers for formation and apostolic work of the laity. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2008)
