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| Father Anthony Bannon distributing Communion. | |
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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.
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| The closing words of the Cardinal to the members of Regnum Christi. | |
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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,
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| The Sanctuary. | |
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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.