Father Anthony Bannon distributing Communion.

On the 24th of November, the celebration of Christ the King and Regnum Christi Day for the Mid-Atlantic Region was held in Washington, DC, at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., celebrated the Mass for more than 3,000 Regnum Christi members and families. Father Anthony Bannon, the territorial director of North America, the Legionary priests of the Washington community, and some diocesan priests who belong to the Regnum Christi Movement concelebrated with the Cardinal.

The Basilica was full, standing room only. The Mass was very solemn; the fervor of the families was palpable. In his homily, the Cardinal emphasized the practice of Christian charity and he did not hide his excitement at seeing such a large group gathered for the celebration.

Before the final blessing, Father Anthony Bannon thanked the Cardinal for his participation mentioning some of the apostolic fruits that the Legion has been experiencing, giving special emphasis to Christian Life groups. He explained how in various places, these Gospel reflection groups have been a source of vocations for the Legion but even moreso for dioceses.

	The closing words of the Cardinal to the members of Regnum Christi.

He stressed the importance for us to work in total union with the local Bishops and pastors. He ended by again thanking Cardinal McCarrick and giving him a greeting on behalf of Father Marcial Maciel, LC, founder and general director of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi.

Spontaneously, the Cardinal offered some words in response to Father Bannon, which began with: "Father Anthony, your words are music to my ears." He thanked Father Bannon for the work that he is doing in this country, especially the work with the Bishops and the vocations that have joined the diocesan seminaries by means of Christian Life groups. He was grateful for the greeting from Father Maciel and he asked that his greetings also reach Father Maciel, whom he holds in high esteem. He remembered and mentioned the pectoral cross that Father Maciel gave to him a few years ago.

After the Eucharistic Celebration, all the attendees enjoyed a reception at the John Paul II Cultural Center. President George Bush inaugurated the Center two years ago. The center has as its goal evangelization by means of a museum about our faith,

	The Sanctuary.

articles that the Holy Father has used in his various trips, and various interactive stations for the whole family. The members of the Movement were able to enjoy the Cultural Center and at the same time meet new families.

Some days after the event, the Rector of the Basilica, Monsignor Bransfield, wrote a letter to Father Anthony Bannon in order to thank him and congratulate him for the event, mentioning particularly the fervor and the joy that one could feel from all the families of Regnum Christi members.