Rome (Fides Service) - “Stay united around the Eucharist” was the theme of the 4th national meeting “Youth and Family” organised by the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and the apostolic movement Regnum Christi. The theme chosen were the last words of encouragement which Pope John Paul II gave to 7,500 members of Regnum Christi during a special audience on 30 November 2004, when he urged them to continue their evangelising mission, to “draw nourishment from Christ and become his intrepid witnesses”. The meeting opened with a round table discussion on Pope John Paul II, the great. Speakers included prominent members of the Church and personalities of the world of culture and entertainment.
Some 2,000 participants, young people and families from all over Italy listened to conferences, shared moments of prayer, sports, games in the open. The meeting was also an opportunity to celebrate the election of the new Pope. In fact the participants attended the Mass in St Peter’s Square on Sunday April 24 presided by Pope Benedict XVI for the beginning of the ministry as Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter.
The members of Regnum Christi are lay people who choose to make the Gospel a living reality in their life and in society bearing witness to Jesus’ love for all men and women. During the meeting they reported on their apostolate which includes, voluntary work, helping the poor, prayers, missionary activity, teaching, publishing Christian texts and books. The purpose of all these activities is to contribute to the evangelising mission of the Church in full communion with their respective bishops. For more info see www.regnumchristi.org and www.legionofchrist.org (AP) (27/4/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25 Parole:273)