Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - On Sunday 29 June 2008, in the Chapel of the Centro di Studi Superiori in via degli Aldobrandeschi in Roma, 34 Legionaries of Christ will be ordained priests. The Mass will be presided by Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, Nuncio Apostolic to Italy. Father Alvaro Corcuera, L.C., director general of the Legionaries of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement will take part.
The candidates, from ten different countries, Italy (1), France (2), Spain (6), Mexico (16), Chile (1), Brazil (2), Argentina (1), Canada (1), USA (3), Venezuela (1), have completed an average of 12 years of study, apostolate and mission since they entered one of the Legion of Christ novitiates.
Among those present at the ordination, 17 Legionaries ordained deacons earlier this month: 11 Mexicans, 2 Americans, 3 Germans and one Irishman and 3 Colombians, the first Colombian legionaries, to be ordained on 19 July; two Mexican brothers to be ordained on 17 August with a third brother a diocesan seminarian; an Italian Legionary, Nicola Tovagliari, who will be ordained on 6 July in the archdiocese of Milan.
Each of these young men has his own personal story. Diego from Brazil studied work in advertising, Benjamin, from Ohio, is a former golf champion, Thomas, from France is football crazy and dreamed of becoming a professional, Julian from Argentina studied to be an electronic engineer.
Today the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ is present in 20 different countries with 706 priests and 2,500 seminarians, 125 religious houses and formation centres. It runs 200 institutes of education, and 600 apostolate formation centres for lay Catholics, and is fully involved in education, healthcare and development programmes. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/6/2008)
