Legionaires Of Christ

  • Thread starter Thread starter DBT
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DBT

Guest
Does anyone here know anything about this order? I’ve seen their web site so I have some basic info but I’m curious about any personal experiences.

Thanks!
 
Hi DBT;
I've heard good and bad about this order. A web site you might like to go to is [www.regainnetwork.org](http://www.regainnetwork.org) This web site is composed by ex-Legionaries of Christ. It's good to hear both sides. I never heard of ex- Francisican or other orders so its interesting.
 
Super Mom:
Hi DBT;
Code: 
 I've heard good and bad about this order.  A web site you might like to go to is [www.regainnetwork.org](http://www.regainnetwork.org)  This web site is composed by ex-Legionaries of Christ.  It's good to hear both sides.  I never heard of ex- Francisican or other orders so its interesting.
Click to expand...
There are sources of X-Everything if you look hard enough. 🙂 Franciscan X, Dominican X etc.

The Legionaires of Christ that I know are good, faithful servants. The Xer’s of all orders are usually those who could not cut the mustard just as in any walk of life.
 
We have friends who sent their son & daughter to the school in Connecticut. Daughter likes it, son is home. The discipline seems extremely harsh. I also haven’t ever met a priest who is a Legionare. I think they stay pretty sequestered unto themselves. I would say approach with caution.
 
The Legionaries of Christ are incredible priests–disciplined, self-sacrificing, orthodox, and very holy men. I cannot speak highly enough of them. They are schooled for about 12 years (compared to 4 for a parish priest). Like Regnum Christi, the lay movement they are associated with, the Legionaries are at the service of the Church.

It sounds like you’ve been to their website. Did you see the section that addresses negative claims against them? The link is: legionaryfacts.org/ Please remember that good organizations can have detractors–especially when they are orthodox!

I believe there are Legionarie priests in St. Louis. If so, they may put on silent weekend retreats. Attending one would give you an idea of their spirituality and faithfulness. If you’re interested, let me know in this forum, or private message me–I will do some checking for you.

Hope this helps!

In Christ,

Debbie
 
The pro/con comments I’m reading here remind me a little bit about the various posts on Opus Dei. Is there a similarity between these 2 orders beyond that they are both new, very orthodox and somewhat mysterious to those not affiliated?

Thanks again.
 
DBT;
Code: 
These are the only two orders that ex-members report so many confused cult like things.  I know this is going to get many angry. :mad:  I'm not saying these orders are not orthodox but their way of recruiting new members and forming their semanarians is strange.  The LC is the only order (maybe OD) that takes young boys who they think have a vocation and train them up untill high school to be priest.  All other orders require you to at least be of college age and some want you to have a few years of college already.  They want mature men.  Whereas the LC forms the young boys in a very selective, closed way so when they become men they don't have a rounded outlook on life.

 As for RC the consecrated women in this group take thier vows first and study what it means after. They also don't take their vows in a public way in front of the local Bishop.  They don't have the canonical protections that other woman have who take public vows in front of the Bishop.
 When you go to the RC web site or the LC and read their historys of why they consecrated themselves and then go to a Francisican or other order and read their historys you sense a difference.  In the other orders what drew the women was the charism of the order, the rule, their way of life.  They can talk in depth of what this means to them and the world.  But the Consecrated women of RC have no depth to them.  They just want to be one with Christ or all His.  There is no charism, no rule, no way that is distinctly RC.  I don't know if I'm being clear here :confused:      

 Because of this I stay away from them.  I know many women in RC and they're great women but I wouldn't join them.  Anyways that's my :twocents: and people are not going to be happy to hear it :nope:
 
Super Mom:
DBT;
Code: 
These are the only two orders that ex-members report so many confused cult like things.  I know this is going to get many angry. :mad:  I'm not saying these orders are not orthodox but their way of recruiting new members and forming their semanarians is strange.  The LC is the only order (maybe OD) that takes young boys who they think have a vocation and train them up untill high school to be priest.  All other orders require you to at least be of college age and some want you to have a few years of college already.  They want mature men.  Whereas the LC forms the young boys in a very selective, closed way so when they become men they don't have a rounded outlook on life.
Click to expand...
Giggle! 🙂 No it does not make me mad at all. It just strikes me as strange because I am old enough to know this was done for centuries in the past with stellar results. We always have done it that way up until Vatican II (which I love btw) My priest left home at the 7th grade to join the seminary. I assure you he is quite well rounded just as the Cure of Ares was and centuries of Holy priests have always been. We just celebrated his 40 anniversary of ordination. His Mom talked about how hard it was to give up her young son to the priesthood at such and early age but how blessed she was for having done so. Tradition and history show many Saints (including Our Lady who tradition say’s -was sent to the Temple at age 3) have produced good fruit for the church.

The LC still uses the old way and I do not consider it odd at all. We have many Holy Saintly priests in heaven who don’t either I can assure you.
Pax,
Marie
 
I think St. John Vienney tried when he was young to be a priest, but failed. He later was ordained, and was even drafted into the army.

Yes, before Vatican II here in the States a young man could enter the seminary after grammar school. They still had many years to deceide. I think St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Pio entered the seminary when they were about 12 years old. But on the other hand, mnay saints entered the priest hood or religious life at a mature age.
St. Francis Borgia and Bl. Sebastian Apracio were widowers.
 
I know several woman who are with Regnum Christi…I also know one woman who was being recruited by the group and she became incensed at their “moonie” tactics.

From her information - the group studies at length, the writings of Father Maciel, and not the bible. From what I understand, R.C. targets home educating moms and quite frankly, although the women I know who are involved in R.C. are sweet, they are quite needy women and it bothers me that it seems they are being taken advantage of. The women must meet at least once a week and for a home educating Mom, that time should be spent teaching her children instead of studying the writings of Father Maciel.

Every time the subject of Regnum Christi comes up, the women all sigh “Oh, Father Maciel, he is going to be a saint one day…”

Anyone familiar with cult activities does not have to go to any website to read former R.C. or L of C. testimonies - just come and see these women!
 
Marie;

I doubt it always had stellar results 🙂 Maybe that’s why VII changed it. I think why some priest were well rounded even though they studied early to become a priest is because they were allowed to and even required to have a lot of different experences so they would be well rounded. From what I have heard from moms who have their sons in LC is that every moment is planned down to the last detail and they have no free time. They don’t meet others outside of the school and the result is some, not all, don’t seem to know how to relate to different people. This is not just my observation but many others. They are orthodox but not mature. Anyway, why I said many would get mad is I’ve experienced the rude,enraged way that some Catholics defend LC. Your post Marie was very pleasent to read. Thanks
 
Super Mom:
Marie;

I doubt it always had stellar results 🙂 Maybe that’s why VII changed it. I think why some priest were well rounded even though they studied early to become a priest is because they were allowed to and even required to have a lot of different experences so they would be well rounded. From what I have heard from moms who have their sons in LC is that every moment is planned down to the last detail and they have no free time. They don’t meet others outside of the school and the result is some, not all, don’t seem to know how to relate to different people. This is not just my observation but many others. They are orthodox but not mature. Anyway, why I said many would get mad is I’ve experienced the rude,enraged way that some Catholics defend LC. Your post Marie was very pleasent to read. Thanks
Click to expand...
We are both probably right to some degree and wrong on others. Currently, I have one friend who’s son is in LC formation. He will be ordained next year the Lord Willing. The sacrifice has been great. His Mom, (a Single Mom) has been going through cancer for years. A couple of years ago she was not expected to live. Still isn’t btw, and the Legion paid for Chris to come home as much as necessary. When she was stronger, against all odds, the Legion flew her and part of the family to Rome. P’s sacrifice as a mother could not be any harder than this I should think but the Legion has been wonderful and supportive above and beyond.

P continues to live on against all odds with the Legion supporting her and Her family. She is determined to live until she attends her sons Ordination. That is my experience so while limited, it speaks volumes to me. When people say they are closed in and secretive, I find that hard to believe considering the love and support they show to my friend P.

I weep as I see her suffering. I am awed when I see her joy just thinking about the day Chris will be ordained.
Pax,
Marie
 
Almost anything you want to know can be found in a book called Christ is My Life. It’s an interview w/ Fr. Maciel, the founder. Nothing secret- he answers all sorts of questions.

–KCT
 
40.png
chimakuni:
I know several woman who are with Regnum Christi…I also know one woman who was being recruited by the group and she became incensed at their “moonie” tactics.

From her information - the group studies at length, the writings of Father Maciel, and not the bible. From what I understand, R.C. targets home educating moms and quite frankly, although the women I know who are involved in R.C. are sweet, they are quite needy women and it bothers me that it seems they are being taken advantage of. The women must meet at least once a week and for a home educating Mom, that time should be spent teaching her children instead of studying the writings of Father Maciel.

Every time the subject of Regnum Christi comes up, the women all sigh “Oh, Father Maciel, he is going to be a saint one day…”

Anyone familiar with cult activities does not have to go to any website to read former R.C. or L of C. testimonies - just come and see these women!
Click to expand...
 
Why do left wing liberal catholics invent so many lies about regnum christi? My friend actually belongs to that group and she is NOT A MEMBER of a cult. I highly doubt the pope would approve a “cult”, and one thing is sure, this pope loves Regnum Christi and the Legion. The women members of Regnum Christi are real women who are for the most part Orthodox catholic Professionals, and all sooner or later get an educational degree from Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. They are not the feminazi type of women with a wanting to male like agenda. Nor are they into male bashing as many unhappy women are. On the contrary they are full of peace, reason, joy, love and palin old INTELLIGENCE, all mixed up with holiness.

GOD BLESS REGNUM CHRISTI AND THE LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST: nOW THERE ARE real PRIESTS.
 
40.png
DBT:
Does anyone here know anything about this order? I’ve seen their web site so I have some basic info but I’m curious about any personal experiences.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
They have actually been banned by our bishop from doing anything on diocesan or parish property. And employees of the diocese and all parishes are forbidden from promoting anything they do including anything from Regnum Christi.

While the whole story isn’t really known it has something to do with members of the order being disobedient to the bishop on some matter. Supposedly he had assurances from the Superior that whatever they were doing would stop but it didn’t. So, he took action.

The matter in question was rumored to be sheep-stealing. They were actively seeking out men in the diocese discrerning a vocation and convincing them the it should be with them and not the diocese.

Haven’t heard anything bad about them. Only great things about Familia and other things they do.

James
 
Hi Marie;

I looked long and hard (using search engine)but couldn’t find any ex except ex-LC and RC 🙂 There are enough complaints to make others question it all. Sure not everyone in RC or LC is bad. The work and programs they have are orthodox. This doesn’t mean you don’t inquire when you hear all these complaints. Everything should be tested. Yet LC gets a quick shift when it comes to the Vatican investigating complaints of sexual abuse by their founder. I think the Holy Fathers love for this order is blinding him to the possibility that some complaints might be true.
 
To all that have read all the above posts, please read the info at these web sites.

unitypublishing.com/NewR…agonaires2.html. There is also a separate organization called REGAIN (regainnetwork.org/) which was formed to help those who have left the movement, who often are left feeling betrayed and alone. The official party line of LC is to dismiss these as disgruntled ex-members, however in reading some of the testimonials I begin to see some common threads that have a ring of truth. When have you ever heard of a similar support group necessary for anyone who left the Dominicans, Franciscans, Benedictines, or Carmelites? (This was posted by “dschloeder” on the Family Life threads)
 
I have known many LC priests and seminarians. In fact, one of my former parishioners joined the LC’s 12 years ago and was ordained a priest in Rome on Dec. 24, 2003. One could not find a finer, more well balanced and solid Catholic than this young man. My experience of the order has been altogether positive. They live an intense community life and go out “two by two” even for social events. Their lives are intensely prayerful, with eucharistic adoration, obedience to the Holy Father, Marian devotion and of course, Holy Mass at the heart of everything. One thing I have always found amazing is that nearly all of their members have the same “look” - they are wholesome, all-American, athletic, clean-cut young men that any parent would be happy to see marry their daughter! When I was a student in Rome, I visited their house and was struck by their sincere hospitality, as they have a great respect for the priesthood of Christ. The Legion has also been very supportive of my life as a diocesan priest and encourages me to live it with deep fidelity and intensity.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top