Francis' Letter to Delegate for Legionaries of Christ

To my Venerable Brother Cardinal Velasio De Paolis

In an audience on May 27th, you explained the progress of the ministry of Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ which my beloved predecessor, Benedict XVI, entrusted to you on June 16, 2010. 

I would like to thank you for having brought me up to speed on what you have done in fulfilling this delicate task.  As well, I would like to assure you that I have carefully considered what you presented to me in the report you sent with your letter on May 10th, as well as the content of the prior reports and the material regarding the Apostolic Visitation which took place in 2009 and 2010. 

I confirm that your mandate will last until the celebration of the extraordinary Chapter of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, [over] which you will preside, and which will be held at the beginning of 2014.  The Chapter’s main tasks will be the election of a new Government for the Institute and the approval of the new Constitutions, which you will then take care to send me in order to examine them according to standard procedure.  These will be fundamental steps in the path towards the authentic and profound renewal of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and, indirectly, as well for the activity of the whole Regnum Christi Movement. 

Please keep me up to date on the process of preparation for the Chapter.  I am invoking the aid of the Holy Spirit so that He will inspire in all the religious a greater dedication to the task of discernment regarding their vocation within the Church and the world. 

I extend warm thanks for this task to which you have so generously committed yourself.  Please extend a word of encouragement on my behalf to all the Legionaries of Christ, to the Consecrated Men and Women of the Regnum Christi Movement and the lay people committed in it.  I assure them all a place in my prayers and I send a special Apostolic Blessing to all, entrusting them to the care of Mary, Mother of the Church. 

From the Vatican, June 19, 2013.