This year, on September 7, seven candidates received their cassocks at the Legionaries of Christ Novitiate and College of Humanities in Cheshire, Connecticut, officially becoming Novices of the Congregation, on the path to the priesthood.
The first step toward becoming a Legionary priest begins with the Candidacy, where candidates get to know the nature of religious and priestly life, as well as the life, spirit and apostolate of Regnum Christi. After this summer of discernment, they make their decision about whether they are called to enter the novitiate, where they continue to discern, delve into, and develop their vocation; forge a personal, passionate love for Jesus Christ; acquire the habits proper to religious life; and embrace wholeheartedly the spirit and discipline of the Legion of Christ. The novitiate ordinarily lasts two years, and concludes with the first profession of temporary vows.
The Path to the Priesthood
Meet This Year’s New Novices!
Br. Julian Coronado, LC
Georgia
It was meeting Fr. Terrance Allen, LC, that prompted Br. Julian to join ECYD in high school, and eventually to become an ECYD summer missionary. After a year at the University of North Georgia, he attended a retreat at the LC seminary in Cheshire that had a great impact on him; he then spent a summer in Rome attending the International Formators Course, followed by a year in Dallas serving in RC Mission Corps. It was during this year as an RC missionary that Br. Julian first heard the call to become a Legionary priest.
Br. Christopher Dalton, LC
Louisiana
During difficult experiences in his high school years, Br. Christopher realized in prayer that Christ would always be with him and had a great plan for him. He attended a Test Your Call retreat during Holy Week at LC Cheshire, followed by their Summer RESET retreat, and associated to Regnum Christi and became active in young adult events. This past spring, he joined the Aspirancy Program, an online discernment program that prepared him for the summer candidacy. Br. Christopher is a graduate of Southeastern University.
Br. Andrew Lang, LC
Massachusetts
Br. Andrew attended the University of Massachusetts for three years, where he was active in campus ministry and took on several leadership positions. During this time, FOCUS missionaries made an impact on him, and he attended the SEEK conference, where he met Fr. Vinh Pham, LC. From that encounter, he visited Cheshire and decided to attend the fall Toolkit, a virtual discernment group that runs throughout the year. This experience led Br. Andrew to the aspirancy program, the summer candidacy, and now to the novitiate.
Br. Joseph Lazzuri, LC
Nova Scotia, Canada
Br. Joseph grew up within Regnum Christi and close to the Legionaries of Christ; his aunt, Lorianne MacDonnell, is a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, and his uncle, Tony MacDonnell, is a Lay Consecrated Man of Regnum Christi. As a young boy, Br. Joseph often “celebrated Mass,” offering perhaps the first glimpse of his priestly vocation to come!
Attending Catholic schools, Br. Joseph met Fr. Adam Zettel, LC, at a youth conference, and then served two years as an RC missionary in Hamilton, Ontario. Loving every moment of these missionary years, he went on to attend Test Your Call retreats at Cheshire, leading him to the aspirancy and candidacy programs, and today, the novitiate.
Br. Nicholas Reddy, LC
Georgia
A graduate of Duke University, where he first met Duke’s chaplain, Fr. Juan José Hernández, LC, Br. Nicholas’ vocational journey deepened through encounters with Regnum Christi young adults in Atlanta. After graduating, he worked for a global marketing firm while becoming increasingly involved in RC young adult missions and retreats with the Legionaries. This past fall, he joined a Tool Kit discernment group, later visited Cheshire for a Test Your Call retreat, and ultimately entered the aspirancy.
Br. Joel Thomas, LC
Georgia
Br. Joel began considering the priesthood while still in high school, when he realized that Christ was not an abstract concept, but a real person with whom he could have a deep friendship. Active in his high school youth group and his parish of St. Brendan’s in Atlanta, Georgia, which is served by the Legionaries of Christ. Br. Joel met with Fr. Hans Candell, who works at Sacred Heart Apostolic School, and visited Cheshire for their Test Your Call retreats at Thanksgiving and Christmas. By January, he had joined the aspirancy program.
Br. David Urda, LC
Alberta, Canada
Growing up in the province of Alberta, Canada, Br. David’s youth was dedicated to excelling in hockey, and he was eventually accepted into the Elite Hockey League, Alberta’s top-tier development league. But during this time when hockey was his only focus, Br. David came to realize that God was being relegated to second place in his life, when he should be his number one priority. Starting to think about the priesthood, he attended a high school seminary in Canada, but felt called to a more missionary life, leading him to the Legionaries of Christ.
You can find out more about all the seminarians currently attending the novitiate at Legionary Brothers – LC Cheshire.
Learn More
The novitiate of the Legionaries of Christ offers retreats and opportunities to grow closer to Christ and explore one’s calling.
Interested in exploring your own call? Visit LC Vocation – LC Cheshire for tools and events to help you discern God’s will for your life and respond to his unique call for you.
To learn more, visit their website at lccheshire.org or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.