Missionaries from the Kingdom of Christ

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The Missionaries of Christ the King ( it. : Missionari della Regalità di Cristo ) is a three-branches Secular Institute of the third Franciscan order . Under canon law it is also an institute of consecrated life . Its founders were Father Agostino Gemelli OFM and Armida Barelli . In some publications the term “Secular Institute of the Kingship of Christ” is also used.

history

Agostino Gemelli (1878–1959), the founder of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , saw the world as the God- determined place where the "kingship of Christ" should grow. He developed the idea of founding a mission community. On the basis of his worldview he came into being

  • 1919 the Missionaries of the Kingdom of Christ ,
  • 1928 the Missionaries of the Kingdom of Christ and
  • 1953 the missionary priests of the kingship of Christ .

These three branches were merged into a common secular institute after the Second Vatican Council .

Missionaries from the Kingdom of Christ

The missionaries of the Kingdom of Christ are today a secular institute of the Franciscan order. In 1953 they received papal approbation for a community of consecrated lay people. The community today consists of around 2500 members who serve in more than 30 countries on all continents . In 1980 they started their work in Germany.

Way of life

The members of the order feel called to a mission in the world community and are open to dialogue with other denominations and religions . They live with the common rules of the order of the Franciscans, meet monthly to exchange ideas, annually for retreats and take part in congresses and international encounters. They carry out their work in the parishes and church institutions of the assigned diocese . They do not live in closed religious communities, each missionary lives for himself in ordinary living conditions and is committed to the evangelical counsels of celibacy, poverty and obedience.

Mission priest from the kingship of Christ

This secular institute was founded on October 4th 1953 with 33 priests in the small church " San Damiano " near Assisi . The religious community spread to many Italian dioceses, and they also established branches in the USA , Germany and Poland . In 1971 they received episcopal approval and in 1978 papal approbation as a secular institute.

Today the secular institute has almost 300 priests; In addition to Italy , Germany and Poland, a small number of them also work in Africa and South America . The mission priests elect a council president and council at general assemblies, whose term of office is set for six years.

Way of life

The mission priests perform their service as diocesan priests at the locations specified by the local bishop . They do not form monastic communities, but remain connected to the community. This happens through monthly gatherings in prayer , retreats and spiritual discussions. Public relations work is supported by the bimonthly magazine "Ut unum sint" (German: That they are one), which is named after the encyclical " Ut unum sint ". This magazine provides suggestions and news, it is a cross-group platform.

See also

Web links