The second annual Family and Friends Gathering was held September 1, 2024 at the Legion of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities in Cheshire, Connecticut. Approximately 100 lay people were in attendance, as well as several Legionary priests who concelebrated mass with Territorial Director, Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC. Fourteen married couples had their marriages blessed during the mass.
Due to the threat of rain, in lieu of an outdoor barbeque, a luncheon was held in the main dining room. This repast was followed by two reflections, the first given by Fr. Simon Devereux, LC about the transformative power of really listening to another, as in spiritual accompaniment. The second by Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC, was about how Jesus enters into the chaos of our lives.
“We need that person who dives us crazy…We need things to be difficult… Our Lord wants to enter into that and teach us how to love in the midst of it,” Fr. Aaron said.
As a member of Regnum Christi since 2000, I asked a few of the attendees this question: When did you first meet the Legion and Regnum Christi? Patty Brooks was living in Wisconsin when she first learned of the Legion of Christ through her son, Jason, who was a sophomore in college at the time. He had contacted the Legion to learn more. A priest and brother came to the Brooks’ home to answer any questions they had. Jason was subsequently ordained in 2004. Both Patty and her husband, Randy, did fundraising for the seminary for twelve years.
Mary Lee Rydzewski is a long time Cheshire resident who first learned of the Legion about 13 years ago. She had been an active member of The Church of the Epiphany, where Fr. John Williams, a Regnum Christi priest, was the pastor. He needed parishioners to transport brothers around Cheshire for the Lenten mission. Mary Lee agreed. She remembers fondly that one of those young brothers is now Fr. Nathan Torrey. She has been a staunch supporter ever since and is present at nearly every Cheshire event.
Brenner and Kristen LaCompte are one of the fourteen couples who had their marriage blessed during mass. Both were unmarried when they met over thirteen years ago. Kristen was a member of Regnum Christi in Connecticut and Brenner had moved to Connecticut from Louisiana to work for the Legion. They have been married for twelve years. Their four beautiful children were also in attendance at this special event.
“We really enjoyed this opportunity to share in the family spirit so characteristic of Regnum Christi. From the mass and vow renewal to the luncheon and spiritual talk…we felt renewed in body and spirit,” said Kristen.
Judewin Noronha, originally from India, was earning his MBA at Duke University when he first learned of the Legion from college chaplains who were Legionary priests. Judewin has just finished the Summer Candidacy program and will be entering the Novitiate in mid-September.
Many different paths were taken, but all who attended the Family and Friends Gathering had heard God’s call, responded, and were celebrating the graces received from the Legion and Regnum Christi.
