Legionaries
of Christ

We are a religious order of Pontifical Rite and part of the Regnum Christi spiritual family—priests and brothers forged in faith and driven by our mission of igniting the hearts of apostles & transforming culture with the Gospel.

A global Catholic religious order of 1,300 priests and brothers.

Christ-centered and rooted in brotherhood and prayer, Legionaries strive to live with Christ’s courage, love, and zeal. Our mission is clear: to evangelize and form apostles—Christian leaders at the service of the Church who transform the world by making Christ’s Kingdom present.

Legionaries live:

  • a deep formation
  • a dynamic community life
  • a demanding mission
Our MIssion

We invite people into the adventure of living for Christ and revitalizing the Christian heart of our country.

Each year we engage thousands of lives through evangelization with youth and young adults, ministry to married couples and families, education, missions, spiritual direction, and more. We want to form a new generation of Christian leaders who are going to joyfully bring Christ back into the heart of our society.

BEING A LEGIONARY MEANS BEING:

  • a man of God
  • a formator of apostles
  • a well-rounded man
  • a lively & magnanimous innovator
  • a passionate apostle of Christ
  • a proclaimer & witness of God’s merciful love
  • a creative evangelizer

(Legionaries of Christ Ratio Institutionis, #65)

Legionary Community

RYE, NY

Fr. Louis Desclèves, LC

  • Professor, LC Novitiate & College of Humanities

Fr. Josef Hare, LC

  • Lumen Chaplain
  • Regnum Christi Chaplain

Fr. Mark Haydu, LC

  • Chief Development Officer
  • Lumen Chaplain

Fr. Eric Nielsen, LC

  • Regnum Christi Chaplain
  • Local Director of Development

Fr. Jorge Obregón, LC

  • RC Young Adult Director
  • RC Chaplain

Fr. Daniel Ray, LC

  • Community Superior
  • Pastor, St Patrick’s Old Cathedral

Fr. Francis Sunderland, LC

  • Professor, LC Novitiate & College of Humanities

St. Peter & St. Denis Parishes

Yonkers, NY

Fr. José Helio Cantú , LC

  • Parochial Vicar

Fr. Stephen Howe, LC

  • Parochial Vicar

Fr. Donald Kaufman, LC

  • Pastor

Legionaries of Christ Novitiate & College of Humanities

Cheshire, CT

Fr. Raymund Cosgrave, LC

  • Territorial Spiritual Director

Fr. Víctor Hugo Jiménez, LC

  • Assistant to the Rector

Fr. Andreas Kramarz, LC

  • Professor
  • Spiritual Director

Fr. Patrick Langan, LC

  • Professor of Story Telling

Fr. Steven Liscinsky, LC

  • Administrator

Fr. Christopher O’Connor, LC

  • Novice Director

Fr. Junior Santos, LC

  • Assistant to the Dean
  • Academic Advisor

Fr. Miguel Ángel de la Torre, LC

  • Academic Dean

Fr. Bernardo Torres, LC

  • Spiritual Director

Fr. Timothy Walsh, LC

  • Rector
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Are You Called to the Priesthood?

We each have a vocation. We are all called to change the world in some way by living our God-given identity and purpose. Finding your vocation involves a profound commitment to following God’s unique call for you, and it requires intentional effort and prayer to understand.

The process of discovering God’s will for our lives is known as vocational discernment.

Get in touch with us if you would like to discern what God is calling you to. We are here to accompany you.

Fr. Bernardo Torres, LC

Cheshire Vocation Coordinator

Contact Fr. Bernardo
Learn More
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Fr. Louis Desclèves, LC

Professor of Communications at the LC College of Humanities

From France

Date of Ordination December 12, 2009

Favorite Scripture John 17

Favorite Hobby Hiking

Father Louis, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Teaching

Why do you love being a priest?

Called by Jesus

Fr. Josef Hare, LC

Chaplain for Lumen and the RC NY Tri-State men

From: born in San Diego, CA and raised in Silverton, OR

Date of Ordination: December 14, 2014

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 2:20

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

Favorite Hobby:  Running, hiking, drawing, and good conversations.

Father Josef, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Chaplain for the Lumen Chapters in Manhattan and New Jersey and assistant Chaplain for Men’s RC in the Tristate.

Why do you love being a priest?

Because I can help others experience Christ as the Good Shepherd who wants to be present with us and send us out.

Fr. Mark Haydu, LC

Chief Development Officer for the Legionaries of Christ, Lumen Chaplain for the New Jersey and Greenwich Circles

From: Akron, OH

Date of Ordination: December 22, 2007

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

I love this passage because Peter walks on water! I love the “step” of faith that Peter takes by trusting Jesus who calls him out of the security of his boat.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Favorite Hobby: Golf and following Cleveland sports

Father Mark, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

As a Lumen Chaplain, I help business leaders and their families grow in their relationship with God and live more deeply their faith in the reality of their busy life. I love helping them find their God-given mission and taking steps to live it! I also serve Regnum Christi by helping lead the National Development Team of the Legion of Christ that supports and empowers its mission with the financial resources it needs.

Why do you love being a priest?

I get to live on God’s holy ground. Through my prayer, daily Eucharist, other sacraments, and being invited into the lives of his children, I am constantly touching that sacred space. It is an awesomely fulfilling and humbling life. People trust you by inviting you into the sacred spaces of their lives, their relationship with God, and their spouses. This is where the Kingdom is built and where God’s seeds are spread, sprout, and bear fruit.

Fr. Eric Nielsen, LC

Fr. Eric Nielsen, LC, was ordained to the priesthood in 2005, in Rome. He is the chaplain to Regnum Christi in the New York Tri-State area and also dedicates himself to development. A collection of Fr. Eric’s talks, homilies and meditations may be found on the Legionaries of Christ podcast and the Regnum Christi NY Tri-State YouTube channel.

Fr. Jorge Obregon, LC

Catholic priest, member of the Legion of Christ, enjoys working with young people and families. His areas involve happiness, faith and questions of life and self-development.  He is currently serving in Rye, NY as RC Men’s Section Director, Young Adult Section Director and Chaplain to Regnum Christi. 

Fr. Daniel Ray, LC

Community Superior

From: York County, Pennsylvania

Date of Ordination: December 23, 2006

Favorite Scripture:

I can’t say I have a specific favorite: too hard to pick one!  But I get so much out of reading through the Old Testament stories, particularly Genesis, Exodus, Kings, etc., and seeing how they foreshadow Christ and the redemption he would bring about.  It brings deeper meaning for me when I then see the completeness and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  These stories, and the scope of the thousands of years over which they took place, give such an amazing sense of the epicenes and transcendence of the history of salvation.

Favorite Hobby: Biking!

Mountain biking is my absolute favorite, but here in NY, there is just phenomenal road biking too. Going for a long ride on the road is often prayer time for me. I can think through things and also really speak candidly with Our Lord.  There’s something about that particular kind of physical activity that makes it an easy place for me to pray.

Father Daniel, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Aside from my role in the community, I’m also a chaplain for the Lumen Institute in Manhattan.  I have a great love for Catholic education, so I’m also blessed to be able to serve on the board for RC Education which oversees the 10 Regnum Christi schools in the territory.  Lastly, as an “apostolate of study,” I’m working on a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Why do you love being a priest?

A cliché catchphrase for when the most unbelievable and amazing things happen is, “you just can’t make this up.” Well, that’s how I feel about being a priest. I just can’t express how amazing it is to get a front-row seat in what God is doing in so many hearts, and also getting to have some small role in that process.

Fr. Francis Sunderland, LC

Professor, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Mexico City, Mexico

Date of Ordination: 2009

Favorite Scripture: Eph 4:4-16

“The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things”

Favorite Hobby: Reading.

Father Francis, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Formator of Legionaries of Christ in the seminary, and assistant to the adult sections in the NY Tri-State region.

Why do you love being a priest?

As part of His Heart I love to “pump blood” into his Body, the Church.

Fr. José Helio Cantú, LC

Parochial Vicar, St. Peter – St. Denis Roman Catholic Church, Yonkers, NY

From: Reynosa Tamaulipas, Mexico

Date of Ordination: December 22, 2007

Favorite Scripture: John 15:13-17

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.  It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.  This I command you: love one another.”

Favorite Hobby: Fishing, Golf, Cycling, Going to the Gym, Running.

Father José, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

I minister pastorally to the parishioners of our community of St. Peter-St. Denis in Yonkers NY.

I also accompany young men open to the priesthood through vocational pilgrimages to our Apostolic School in Indiana and our seminary in Cheshire, CT.

Additionally, I direct Spiritual Exercises for men and women in our parish in Yonkers and parish-based healing retreats.

Why do you love being a priest?

The salvation of souls above all is what moves me to give myself, and give myself generously. Jesus Christ our Lord gave us a great example of service and mercy to all men of all times.

Fr. Stephen Howe, LC

Parochial Vicar, St. Peter – St. Denis Roman Catholic Church, Yonkers, NY

From: Bathurst, Australia

Date of Ordination: December 13, 2014

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

“Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”

Favorite Hobby:

I love learning new languages and speak Spanish, Italian, German and English and can also read Latin and Biblical Greek. My other hobbies include gardening, playing the guitar and piano, and fishing. I particularly enjoy working with youth and love mission trips to bring youth to help the disadvantaged. I have taken groups on numerous trips to Mexico and Haiti, as well as conducting many mission trips to serve drug addicts and the homeless in Kensington, Philadelphia

Father Daniel, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

My ministry to date includes a three-year internship in Chicago from 2006 to 2009, during which I worked in Legionary schools and ran faith-formation programs for boys. In 2016 I returned to the USA to carry out my priestly ministry in Maryland, where I served as the Assistant Chaplain to the Regnum Christi Adult Sections, and also as assistant chaplain for the ECYD youth programs. I moved to St. Peters parish in Yonkers, New York in 2018 and my duties include administering the sacraments and providing spiritual direction and pastoral counseling to the faithful. I serve the young adult and youth groups at St Peter’s.

Why do you love being a priest?

I love being so close to Jesus in the Eucharist!

Fr. Donald Kaufman, LC

Pastor, St. Peter – St. Denis Roman Catholic Church, Yonkers, NY

From: Jackson, Michigan

Date of Ordination: December 22, 2007

Fr. Raymund Cosgrave, LC

Territorial Spiritual Director, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Thurles, Ireland

Date of Ordination: 1978

Fr. Víctor Hugo Jiménez, LC

Assistant to the Rector, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Medellín, Colombia

Date of Ordination: May 4, 2019

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 16: 5-6

Yahweh, my heritage, my cup,
you and you only, hold my lot secure;
the measuring line marks out delightful places for me,
for me the heritage is superb.

Favorite Hobby: Reading I think is one of my favorite hobbies.

Father Victor, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?
Accompany the brothers as assistant to the Rector in their formation to the priesthood.

Why do you love being a priest?
Because you can experience firsthand the mercy of God and how it manifests itself in people’s lives. And it is also beautiful to see when someone experiences God’s mercy and how it changes their whole life.

Fr. Andreas Kramarz, LC

Professor, Spiritual Director Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Düsseldorf, Germany

Date of Ordination: 2003

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:33

“But seek first the kingdom of God and its justice, and all these other things will be given to you in addition.”

Favorite Hobby: Piano.

Father Andreas, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Formator of Legionaries of Christ in the seminary; preparing publications on integral formation; preaching retreats and spiritual exercises for localities in need; spiritual direction to Regnum Christi members.

Why do you love being a priest?

Because I totally belong to God and can bring Christ to others in representing Him directly; I can celebrate the Eucharist every day, hear confessions, and be a full-time apostle in the task of formation and evangelization.

Fr. Patrick Langan, LC

Professor of Story Telling, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Ireland

Date of Ordination: 

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 28:19

“Go make disciples of all nations.”

Because it is the angle Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi members enter into the story of the gospel. How did Christ form his apostles so they could go and communicate effectively to different nations?

Favorite Hobby: Story. Fun fact, the Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities in Cheshire, CT may be the only seminary in the world with a mandatory course with college credits in Story. 

Father Patrick, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

To propose to Regnum Christi members that they need to be great communicators, like those early apostles when they went to Rome. The Romans had never heard anything like their eloquence and sincerity. Certainly, they did not bore them. Otherwise, they would not have thrown them to the lions.

Why do you love being a priest?

It is the relationship with Christ who calls. Christ called me to be a Legionary.

Fr. Steven Liscinsky, LC

Administrator, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Stratford, CT

Date of Ordination: December 24, 2002

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”

Favorite Hobby: I enjoy gardening, especially growing a vegetable garden.

Father Steven, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

I have always worked in the formation of seminarians- especially in the apostolic school.

Why do you love being a priest?

It is a great gift to be able to act in persona Christi, during the Mass and in the confessional. We are truly unworthy instruments, but God has loved us so much to give us this grace.

Fr. Christopher O’Connor, LC

Novice Director, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Burke, Virginia

Date of Ordination: 2007

Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:10

“This, then, is love: not that we have loved God, but He has loved us.”

Favorite Hobby:

Disc golf

Father Christopher, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Most of my time is dedicated to the formation of future Legionary priests. When possible, I help the local Church with Masses, confessions, and the like.

Why do you love being a priest?

Jesus. The Eucharist. And the call to help others know and embrace the love God has for them.

Fr. Miguel Ángel de la Torre, LC

Academic Dean, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Tepatitlan, Mexico

Date of Ordination: 2006

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that all who believe in Him might have eternal life.”

Favorite Hobby: Reading

Father Miguel, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Academic Dean of Legion of Christ College, Spiritual Director of newly professed religious

Why do you love being a priest?

I have always felt a desire to be a missionary and bring Christ to every person I meet.

Fr. Bernardo Torres, LC

Spiritual Director, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Mexico City, Mexico

Date of Ordination: December 20, 2008

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 127: 1-2

If Yahweh does not build the house, in vain the masons toil; if Yahweh does not guard the city, in vain the sentries watch.

In vain you get up earlier, and put off going to bed, sweating to make a living, since he provides for his beloved as they sleep.

Psalm 118: 8-9

I would rather take refuge in Yahweh than to rely on men;
I would rather take refuge in Yahweh than rely on princes.

Favorite Hobby:  A long and uphill bike ride.

Father Bernardo, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

I am a spiritual director for the humanists in our seminary in Cheshire, CT.

Why do you love being a priest?

Because I am a witness of the love and care of God for his children. It is a call for a special way of intimacy with the Lord. The honor of helping others to respond to God.

Fr. Timothy Walsh, LC

Rector, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities

From: Cornwall, Canada

Date of Ordination: 2006

Favorite Scripture: Mark 10:49

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; rise, he is calling you.”

Favorite Hobby: Walking in God’s beautiful creation.

Father Timothy, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

Formator of Legionaries of Christ in the seminary.

Why do you love being a priest?

Administering God’s mercy in confession and holding Jesus in my hands every day is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience.

Fr. Nathan Torrey, LC

Assistant of Novices, Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities
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From: Slidell, Louisiana

Date of Ordination: 2019

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 37:5

“Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him, and He will act.”

Favorite Hobby: Woodworking, Gardening, Piano/Organ

Father, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

My role is to help transmit the charism to new Legionary brothers with a focus on human formation.

Why do you love being a priest?

I love being able to give others what we all really need: Jesus in the Eucharist and forgiveness of sins!

Fr. Jorge Obregón, LC

Regnum Christi Young Adult Ministry Director, Director of Search International Retreats and New Fire Digital Evangelization

From: Monterrey, Mexico

Date of Ordination: December 12, 2009

Favorite Scripture: John 21: 15

My weakness but my desire to love and follow the Lord’s calling make this passage my favorite.

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Favorite Hobby: Golf, photography, reading, dogs, and following Astros Baseball

Father Jorge, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

My passion has always been forming and accompanying young adults with their difficulties, dreams, and struggles. I live for them. They are the children that I did not naturally have. I also love their parents because I see their worries when they see the world confusing their children’s minds and hearts. I also run the international office of a retreat called Search and a digital evangelization platform called New Fire Evangelization.

Why do you love being a priest?

I love being a priest because I get to help Jesus tap into the lives of people who need someone to listen to them and care about them. I also love being a priest because it seems that you live a life always in touch with life and death, love and deception, certainty and faith. It is a true privilege that I don’t have the holiness to appreciate enough. But after some purification, I will understand that I won something much bigger than the lottery.

Fr. Eric Nielsen, LC

Regnum Christi Chaplain, Local Director of Development

From: Seattle, WA

Date of Ordination: December 24, 2005

Favorite Scripture: John 15:4

Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with friends

Father Eric, what are your main apostolates within Regnum Christi?

I currently wear three hats within the locality. As Regnum Christi Chaplain and Men’s Section Director, I direct monthly Mornings of Reflection, Offer Spiritual Exercises and Triduum of Renewal several times per year, and help direct the Catholic couples apostolate in Westchester County, Manhattan, and New Jersey. I also offer Spiritual Direction and assist with the New York City street missions.

My second hat is as local director of Development, which entails raising funds for our Legionary community of priests, our different local ministries, and our seminary in Cheshire, CT.

Finally, I am also the administrator of our household.

Why do you love being a priest?

Before entering the seminary, what most attracted me to the priesthood was the idea of helping people through the Sacrament of Confession. Now that I am a priest, that is still one of the big highlights for me. However, I’d say it’s really broader than that. For me, the priesthood has been about paternity and being a channel by which God can reveal His paternal love for souls.