The Legionaries of Christ have announced the ordination of 32 new priests this year. They are from Germany, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, El Salvador, Spain, the United States, Italy, Mexico and Venezuela.
29 of the new priests will be ordained together at the basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on April 29, 2023, at 10:00 am Rome time, in a Mass officiated by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez, LC, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Vatican City Governorate. The ordination mass will be live-streamed on youtube, with a link for the broadcast to be published soon. Another three new priests will be ordained in their home countries.
Six of those to be ordained on April 29th are from or are currently serving in the North American Territory. Three are Americans: Deacon Thomas White, Deacon Matthew Bender, and Deacon Luke Gill. There is one Canadian, Deacon André Blanchette, and one Korean, Deacon Stephen Cho. Deacon Markus Stehmer, a German who is currently serving in Philadelphia, will also be ordained. You can read their vocational testimonies here.
On March 21, 2023, Father John Connor, general director of the Legionaries of Christ, announced the appointment of Father Shawn Aaron, LC, as North American territorial director for a new three-year term. Additionally, Father John Bartunek, LC, was named territorial vicar, and Fathers Steven Reilly, Bruce Wren, and Juan Pablo Durán as territorial councilors.
Father Connor also thanked Fathers David Daly and Juan José Hernández for their selfless service and support in the territorial government. They have made significant contributions, in recent years, as territorial councilors and will be missed.
The letter also states that the current territorial government’s term is extended through June 30, 2023, in order to sync with the Legionaries of Christ’s custom of starting new terms in the summer. The new territorial government begins its term on July 1, 2023.
On January 29, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez, LC, the first Legionary of Christ to be created a cardinal, took possession of the deanery of St. Mary of Mercy and St. Adrian in Villa Albani, in the city of Rome.
Cardinal Vérgez presided at the Eucharistic celebration and several cardinals, bishops, and priests concelebrated with him. The parish community of the church of St. Mary of Mercy welcomed its new titular cardinal. At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, the papal bull was read, in which Pope Francis entrusted the pastoral care of this deanery to Cardinal Vérgez and named him it’s Titular Cardinal. Fr. Giuseppe Celano O. de M., pastor of the Church, welcomed the Cardinal for generously assuming this responsibility with the parish community and the Church of Rome.
During his homily, Cardinal Fernando placed his ministry and his work as pastor of the Church in the hands of God and thanked God for the mission that he has entrusted to him, as well as thanking all those who had accompanied him with their prayers and friendship. In his words, he confirmed his desire to accompany the faithful who form part of this parish community as a close and attentive pastor.
At the end of the mass, one woman representing the laity who compose the parish community addressed the Cardinal and made known their joy to receive him in their parish and the desire to embrace him as pastor.
The celebration was attended by more than 200 people, among them cardinals, bishops, priests, men and women religious, and laity. Card. Giuseppe Bertello, Card. Arthur Roche, Mons. Brian Farrell, LC, Mons. Renato Boccardo, Mons. Aurelio García Macías and Mons. Paul Tighe accompanied Cardinal Vérgez as he took possession of the parish.
Representing the Legion of Christ, Fr. John Connor, LC and Fr. Hernán Jiménez, LC were present, along with two deacons and some religious from the communities of Philiosophy and Theology.
Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, LC
Cardinal Fernando Vérgez was born in Salamanca (Spain) on March 1, 1945. He made his perpetual profession on December 25, 1965 and was ordained a priest on November 26, 1969. He graduated in Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and graduated from the School of Archivists of the Vatican Secret Archives. On August 1, 1972, he began his service at the Holy See in the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; in April 1984, he was transferred to the Pontifical Council for the Laity; in June 2004, he was appointed Head of the Internet Office of the Holy See; and finally, on January 10, 2008, he was appointed Director of the Telecommunications Office of the Vatican City State.
On August 30, 2013, he was appointed secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State and on October 15 of the same year he was elevated to the dignity of the episcopate, receiving the titular bishopric of Villamagna di Proconsolare. On September 29, 2020, he was appointed a member of the Commission for Reserved Affairs. On September 8, 2021, the Holy Father appointed him President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, conferring on him at the same time the personal title of Archbishop. On August 27, 2022, he was created a cardinal by Pope Francis.
Church of St. Mary of Mercy and St. Adrian
The Church of St. Mary of Mercy and St. Adrian is a parish see, instituted by Pope Pius XI on February 2, 1932 with the apostolic constitution In Salaria Huius Almae Urbis; since June 7, 1967 it has been the seat of the cardinal title of “St. Mary of Mercy and St. Adrian in Villa Albani” instituted by Pope Paul VI with the apostolic constitution Hac Nostra Aetate. The church is administered by the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.
In a Mass at the Legionaries of Christ’s Novitiate and College of Humanities August 13th, 2022, presided by General Director Fr. John Connor, LC, three Legionaries made their first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Get to know a bit about them and keep them in your prayers.
Ever since I was a young boy, I always dreamed about being a priest. I also dreamed about being a racecar driver, so my resolution was the following: I would become a priest, lead the prayer before the race, and then get into my car and start racing. However, God had a slightly different plan. When I was eleven, I went to a camp in Nebraska, which a Legionary helped run. This was the first time I began seriously to consider a possible vocation. This led me to visit the Sacred Heart Apostolic School in 2014 which I joined at age twelve that very same year. I graduated from Sacred Heart in 2020, and entered the novitiate after the summer candidacy program. Although I stopped pursuing my dream to be a racecar driver, the race of a lifetime – with the Legion – has only begun.
I grew up in the Church going to Mass every week and attending a youth group at my parish. I joined the military as a way to pay for college and found myself at Louisiana State University studying electrical engineering and getting involved with the Catholic Center on campus.
My whole life changed when I encountered Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I no longer needed the party scene or a relationship. I grew in my faith and confidence in the Lord.
During my senior year, I became a missionary with FOCUS—and found myself completely abandoned to the Lord. I left the prospects of a high-paying job and a relationship behind to go on mission. During two years as a missionary, I discerned that the Lord was asking me to take a leap of faith. At the Novitiate in Cheshire, I found a young, vibrant community of religious, and was attracted to the Legionary charism because of the brotherhood, adventure and mission that I found.
My father was a Legionary brother for several years and both he and my mother are Regnum Christi members, so I’ve known the Legion since I was born! In 2018, as a sophomore in High School, I went to a “Test Your Call” retreat in Cheshire, Connecticut and my journey towards the priesthood began. It left a deep impression on me and I felt drawn to the Legionary lifestyle. I still remember speaking with Father John Curran LC after the retreat and knowing in my heart that I needed to take the next step. From that point on I felt like I had a treasure inside of me, but I didn’t know what to do with it. 2 years later, after I graduated high school, I couldn’t keep the treasure contained any longer. After receiving my father’s blessing and with the support of my family I began the path toward the priesthood in the Legion!
During the professions Mass these three second-year novices made their first vows, and the second-year humanists also renewed their vows before heading off to Rome to continue their studies in philosophy. You can watch the Mass here.
