Welcome to "Beginnings" - A tool for Initial Formation of Regnum Christi Members

Outline of topics covered in this session:

• personal history - share a little personal history with each other and get to know each other
• how you came to know and join the Regnum Christi Federation
• currently engaged in apostolic work
• calendar of events - go to https://rcohiovalley.org/calendar
• materials:  team roster, RC Statutes / Rule of Life (book or online), Guidelines for spiritual direction, Commitment Card / "Promises to Christ,"  annual "Encounter with Christ" booklet, and other resources beyond RC-produced materials
• "Promises to Christ" Study Circle
• schedule spiritual direction

Keep in mind that integration with our vocation as members of Regnum Christi is a process, accomplished over time and through multiple means.  Some of a member’s formation happens indirectly and organically (i.e., not through formally structured interactions like spiritual direction or monthly retreats), simply through natural contact with other well-formed members, as well as through involvement in apostolic activities.

Values Formation

Many people enter Regnum Christi because of their own conversion or a renewal of their own Catholic faith. Asthey begin to live with this greater intensity, they often develop a desire for ongoing formation. This formation caninclude various types: intellectual, spiritual, or moral formation. They enjoy study circles, book studies, conferences and other ways of renewing theirminds. Often these members will seek opportunitieselsewhere if team life in theMovement doesn’t meet, on some level, this thirst for their personal formation.

Includes Dynamic Social Interaction and Community

Some members find the most appealing element of team life is the social dimension. Often members who live orwork in stressful, sometimes dehumanizing environments, find refreshment and energy through the interaction ofother faithful Catholics . More than anything, these members value spiritual friendships and interaction withotherswho share similar values and beliefs. For them, a team environment becomes more appealing when membersare able and encouraged to be unafraid to share how Christ has impacted them personally in their families, or in theirother relationships or work environment and enjoy each other’s company in healthy ways.

Cultivates Spiritual Growth, Support and Accountability

Some members desire a team life experience that provides a group of spiritual friends who act as a support andaccountabilityteam of sorts. These members want most to grow in their personal holiness and acts of piety. They recognize thevalue of having others pursue these same goals with them, through the Movement’s structure. They value having amutual solidarity of commitment from the others. This motivates them because they know they arenot acting alone in their pursuit of spiritual growth.
 

Encourages Taking Action for Christ

Some members enter team life highly motivated to participate in an apostolate or other project for Christ and the Church. They look toRegnum Christi – an approved apostolic Movement of apostolate – as a place where they can embrace or launch aparticular apostolic enterprise that will be challenging and impactful in its scope. For these members, they counttheir team members as collaborators, either through action or through prayerful support.

Supports and Strengthens the Vocation of Lay Catholics

The vocation of the laity to holiness, and to embrace God’s love for them and give this love to the world, through their identity as achild of God, a spouse, a parent, a friend and a member of a community is rarely supported in today’s society.Regnum Christi members need support to live a balanced life, maintaining proper priorities, and living peacefully in a culture that isoften ego-centric and materialistic. Many appreciate team life as a place that they can check theirbalance, find mutual support, be grateful for the gift of their vocation and work together with like minded people on living it to itsfullness.