legionaries of christ
Who We Are
We are an international religious order of Pontifical Rite and part of Regnum Christi—we are priests and brothers forged by a deep formation and driven by our mission of igniting the hearts of apostles & transforming culture with the Gospel.
Our Mission
Legionaries invite people into the adventure of living for Christ and equip them to revitalize the Christian heart of the world we live in.
Our goal is to form a new generation of Christian leaders who joyfully bring Christ back into the heart of our society, serving the Church and going out into all arenas of our culture—making Christ’s Kingdom present there.
legionaries of christ
Who We Are
We are an international religious order of Pontifical Rite and part of Regnum Christi—priests and brothers forged in faith and driven by our mission of igniting the hearts of apostles & transforming culture with the Gospel.
Our Mission
Legionaries invite people into the adventure of living for Christ and revitalizing the Christian heart of the world we live in.
Our goal is to form a new generation of Christian leaders who joyfully bring Christ back into the heart of our society, serving the Church and going out into all arenas of our culture—making Christ’s Kingdom present there.
In the North American Territory
Our Spirituality
Christ-centered. Legionaries are called to make Christ Jesus the center, standard, and example of their lives as religious, priests, and apostles. With God’s grace, we seek to know, love, and experience him deeply. Inspired by his example, we dedicate ourselves to self-giving service, trying to reflect Christ’s love in all we do.
Our Community Life
Dynamic communities of apostles. The Legionaries of Christ live a strong, mission-driven brotherhood forged in faith and shared purpose. Centered on Christ and united by a common calling, we challenge and support one another to grow in holiness, courageous evangelization, and leadership. Together with the Consecrated Women, Lay Consecrated Men, and lay members of Regnum Christi, we form a dynamic community of apostles, a spiritual family advancing the mission of building Christ’s Kingdom.
Our Priests and Brothers
The purpose of the Congregation is to give glory to God and strive to have Christ reign in the lives of its members, in the hearts of people and in society."
(Legionaries of Christ Constitutions, #2)
Our History
The Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ was founded on January 3, 1941, in Mexico City, with the authorization of the bishop of Cuarnavaca, Mons. Francisco González Arias, and the archbishop of Mexico City, Mons. Luis María Martínez, marking the beginning of an order and a charism that has grown in depth and breadth.
On June 12, 1948, Monsignor Alfonso Espino y Silva issued the decree of canonical erection of a new diocesan right congregation under the bishop of Cuernavaca. By virtue of this same decree, the first vows, the profession of faith, and the oath of the first superiors were made the following day, according to the rituals that were in force at that time. At the end of 1952, it would come under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Rome, where it would remain until 1965 when it received the Decretum Laudis from Bl. Pope Paul VI and became a congregation of Pontifical Rite.
Historically, our founder was Father Marcial Maciel, a Mexican priest born in Cotija de la Paz, Michoacán, in 1920. Although he is the historical founder, we do not consider him a role model due to the gravity of his actions (more regarding Father Marcial Maciel).
Over the decades, we have undergone a process of maturation and deep renewal, with key moments including the approval of our new Constitutions by the Holy See in 2014, and the formation of the Regnum Christi Federation in 2019, of which the Legionaries of Christ are a part.
“What does ‘Legionaries of Christ’ mean? Legionaries of Christ means that you belong to a spiritual and religious family that is not very old and was founded with our knowledge. We remember the first steps… You are legionaries, meaning not inert people or those who are only watching how things go, but those who want to imprint on things a force and give Christianity an expression that is its own: militancy; Legionaries, meaning combative in the name of Jesus. May God bless you and always keep this characteristic trait in you. It is certainly not a small thing; the word is magnificent, but it is rightly referred to Christ. To be conquerors, legionaries to fight and defend, legionaries to conquer and call other brothers to the same faith and the same communion in the Lord.”
Blessed Pope Paul VI, 1974 address to newly ordained Legionaries of Christ
Today, the over 1,300 members of the Legionaries of Christ who come from all 7 continents live and evangelize in 23 countries, organized into 9 territories and 2 delegations. We have 95 apostolic communities, a school of philosophy, a school of theology, a community of priests who are studying in Rome, a priests residence in Mexico, a humanities center in the United States, 5 novitiates, and 7 vocational centers. We also have a Pontifical International Seminary in Rome and an Interdiocesan Seminary and Theological Institute in São Paulo, Brazil.
LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST
