life-after-RC

Corona's account of MM's death

[These are notes from a meeting held a month after the death of MM, in which Fr Corona describes the events which he witnessed. This may remind outsiders of how the Legion responded internally to the death of the founder, how the story was passed along to the rank and file who relied on no other sources, and how it contradicts other accounts. For those with access to Mexican television, Carmen Aristegui will have another piece on MM tonight 01.30.11]

¡Venga tu Reino!

 

PLÁTICA DOMINICAL

P. ALFONSO CORONA

2 de marzo de 2008

 

 

«Nuestro Padre. Últimos momentos con Nuestro Padre»

 

General

NP estaba muy tranquilo. Feliz de ver la unidad, el crecimiento de la Legión. Muy sereno y tranquilo. Con los achaques típicos de la edad. Nada fuera de lo común.

Nos esforzábamos por mantenerlo al día en las cosas de la Legión (LaRed, Forja, revistas de los centros, cartas). Si no podía físicamente, por lo menos sí de información y visión. Disfrutaba mucho de esas cosas.

Disfrutó muchísimo los álbumes de la apostólica. En Google Earth le mostraban la foto satelital de la apostólica, decía “qué joya tenemos allí”.

Muchas veces repetía que “ahí está el P. José Antonio”. Tenía claro que era la apostólica mater. Hace poco dijo “ahí es el alma mater de las apostólicas”. Le mostramos también una foto, así hacíamos con todos los centros poquito a poquito.

Tenía un especial interés en el último período por los consagradas, centro estudiantil, consagradas. Quizás tenía la ilusión verles florecer. Se puso feliz al saber que hubo una convivencia en el CE de 45.

El último período giraba en torno a la comida, ver un poco la tele o película, una corrida de toros. Se trataba de hacer descansar a Nuestro Padre. Los doctores no recomendaban que hubiera mucho cambio de personas.

 

"Our Father. Last moments with Our Father "
 
General
NP was very at ease. Happy to see the unity, the growth of the Legion. Very serene and at ease. With the typical ailments of age. Nothing out of the ordinary.
He struggled to keep up to date on the things of the Legion (La Red, Forja, legionary center's magazines, letters). If he could not do it physically, then at least he could share information and insight. He enjoyed a lot of those things.
He thoroughly reviewed the photo albums of the Apostolics. On Google Earth, a satellite photo showed him the apostolic, and he said "what a gem we have here."
He often repeated that "there is Fr. Jose Antonio." I knew that was the model apostolic school. He recently said "there is the alma mater of the Apostolics." We also showed him pictures so we were all a little at the centers (houses).
He was especially interested in the last period on the consecrated, precandidates. Perhaps had the vision of seeing them flourish. He was happy to know there was a retreat in the Centro Estudiantil with 45 boys, vocational prospects.
The last period revolved around food, watching some TV or movie, a bullfight. It was Nuestre Padre's time to rest. The doctors did not recommend that people with him change too much.

  

 

Últimos 15 días

El P. Álvaro mandó nota pidiendo oraciones. La intervención que le hicieron no era nada importante. Nada de vida o muerte. Todos estábamos tranquilos. Aunque a los 87 años cualquier intervención es notable. Una semana antes fuimos al hospital para los estudios (entrar y salir el mismo día). El doctor dijo que mejor se quedara allí para descansar. Pasamos la noche en el hospital. Esa noche NP tuvo un momento de mucha lucidez en que se acordaba de todo.

Antes (de los últimos 3 años para atrás) de todo se acordaba: todos los nombres, fechas… De 3 años hacia acá, de vez en cuando se le olvidaban algunas cosas, personas (de ese período que les digo).

Me hizo un repaso de toda la historia de la Legión con lujo de detalles, “como si estuviera dando una conferencia a los padres” (Gran Bendición, antes, después). “Así como en un flash me vino a la mente un período corto en que conseguimos 4 colegios (Madox…).

Estuvimos despiertos toda la noche recordando la historia. Él sereno y feliz, viendo las maravillas de Dios “qué maravillas tan grandes ha hecho Dios a través de mí”.

Le quitaron los puntos… y pudimos  regresar a casa.

Recuperación lenta. Comía poco. Así el jueves, el viernes. El viernes el P. Kevin M. hizo una pasta fresca (canelones rellenos de ricota y espinaca) se los comió con un gusto, feliz, platicador. Recordó anécdotas (mareada del P. José Sánchez, Acapulco…) y corrigiendo al padre fechas y lugares.

El sábado desayuno un poco más, casi normal, comió suficiente, en la cena cenó con un gusto, como hacía una semana que no cenaba, feliz. El P. Kevin había hecho un pay de manzana. No le ofrecimos helado. Durmió muy bien. En la mañana lo primero que pidió fue un poquito de helado de vainilla.

Le dimos un poquito de helado (domingo), no le sentó bien. Le vino un bajón de salud. Consciente, sintió que le faltaba un poco de oxígeno. Los signos vitales perfectos, pero le pusieron oxígeno. Con eso volvió a normal. Platicaba un poquito menos. El domingo toda la tarde estuvo en cama, pero todavía consciente. Llegó el doctor y abrió ventanas… hacerle todo normal, pues es contraproducente que escuche murmullos. Comenzamos a hablar del dominó, el P. Álvaro de la Legión.

El lunes le llevamos un cuadro de la Virgen de Guadalupe, en una esquina con un crucifijo arriba. En su cabecera el crucifijo de Jerusalén con una piedra del Calvario. Una reliquia de JPII, el rosario de aceitunas de Getsemaní. En la madrugada sentimos necesidad de darle la unción, confesarlo. Durante todo el lunes bastante estable. La respiración un poco más forzada, no porque le faltara oxígeno, sino que poco a poco se iba apagando. Así a partir del lunes. No sufría nada, no le dimos ningún medicamento, porque no lo necesitaba.

La madrugada de lunes a martes, estuvo casi toda la noche despierto pero inconsciente, no se sabe hasta qué punto despierto o dormido. Allí la presión empezaba a bajar y subir con momentos alternantes, señal de que estamos en los últimos momentos. El P. Álvaro le volvió a administrar los sacramentos, repasando los mandamientos, oración del ECYD, confortándole para que se sintiera sereno.

La madrugada del martes a miércoles, estuve toda la noche diciéndole “esté tranquilo, la Legión está en buenas manos; están todos contentos, el Movimiento está creciendo”. Rezando en voz alta el rosario, el breviario.

Sentía que era una mano que sostenía.

A la mañana llegó el P. Eloy a celebrar su misa. Yo volví a celebrar la misa también. el PA iba a concelebrar con los otros padres. Mientras los padres desayunaban yo me quedé. A las 10.30 el llamé al PA para ver a qué hora venía, yo le dije “mejor véngase de una vez”. Me habían mostrados qué síntomas había que buscar (point of no return). Empecé a ver ciertos signos por eso le dije.

The Last 15 Days

Then Fr. Alvaro sent note asking for prayers. The intervention they did was nothing important. Nothing about life or death. We were all at ease. Although any intervention at 87 years of age is remarkable. A week before we went to the hospital for analysis (in and out the same day). The doctor said you better stay here to rest. We spent the night in the hospital. That night, NP had a moment of great lucidity in which he remembered everything.
He remembered everything about the past (until the last 3 years): all the names, dates ... In the last 3 years, from time to time he forgot some things, people (in this last period).
He gave an overview of the history of the Legion in great detail, "as if giving a lecture to the Legionaries" (Great Blessing, before, after). "As in a flash came to my mind a short period when we got 4 new schools (Madox ...).
We stayed up all night remembering the story. Serene and happy, watching the wonders of God "what wonders God has done so great through me."
They took of the stitches ... and we could go home.
Slow recovery. He ate little. So on Thursday, Friday. On Friday, Fr. Kevin Meehan made a fresh pasta (cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and spinach) he ate it with comfort, happy, talkative. Recalled anecdotes (dizzy P. Jose Sanchez, Acapulco ...) and correcting by himself dates and places.
Saturday a little breakfast , almost normal, he ate enough at dinner had dinner with a good appetire like a week ago. Dining, happy. Fr. Kevin made an apple pie. He offered him ice cream. He slept very well. In the morning the first thing he asked was a little vanilla ice cream.We gave him a little bit of ice cream (Sunday), did not sit well. It came a drop in his health. Conscious, he felt he needed some oxygen. Vital signs perfect, but gave him oxygen. With that returned to normal. Talked a little less. On Sunday afternoon he was all in bed, but still conscious. The doctor came and opened windows ... make everything normal, it is counterproductive to hear whispers. Started talking about dominoes, Fr. Álvaro and the Legion.
On Monday we brought a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, in a corner with a crucifix. At its head the crucifix from Jerusalem and a stone from Calvary. A relic of JPII, the rosary of olives of Gethsemane. In the morning we feel the need to give the anointing, confession. Throughout fairly stable on Monday. Breathing a little forced, not because he lacked oxygen, but gradually fading. The same starting from Monday. Did not suffer, we did not give any medication, because it wasn't necessary.
The early hours of Monday to Tuesday, most of the night he was awake but unconscious, do not know how much awake or asleep. There, the pressure began to drop and come up with alternating moments, a sign that we are in the final moments. Then Fr. Alvarado returned to administer the sacraments, reviewing the commandments, ECYD's prayer, to make him comfortable and feel serene.
The morning of Tuesday to Wednesday, I spent the whole night saying, "be serene, the Legion is in good hands, they are all happy, the Movement is growing." Praying the rosary aloud, the breviary.

I felt it was a hand holding.
In the morning came Fr. Eloy to celebrate Mass. I returned to celebrate Mass as well. Fr. Álvaro was going to concelebrate with the other priests. While the priests ate breakfast I stayed. At 10.30 Fr Alvaro called to see at what time he could come, I said "better get back at once." I was shown what symptoms had to be found (point of no return). I began to see certain signs so I told him to come immediately.

A las 11.00 ya estábamos todos en torno a la cama con NP, tranquilizándole “aquí estamos con ud. la LG está en nuestras manos, ud nos ha educado…” (PA). Creo, para animarnos a nosotros. El PA ha tenido una fortaleza que es don del SpS.

Hacia las 11.20 les dije, “si no se van ya, no van a celebrar la misa”. Se fueron todos a la sacristía. Se fueron los padres. se estaban revistiendo, me quedé con NP. Vi que empezó la “amnea”. El doctor me dijo que cuando llegara ese momento se iban alargando los momentos de respiración. Comenzamos con la enfermera a contar los tiempos. A las 11.25 le dije “váyase corriendo y traiga a los padres”. Se pusieron alrededor de la cama, a animarle.

El PA comenzó muy sereno a platicar con NP. Sin ningún estertor o sensación de angustia, respiró y murió. De una manera tan sencilla, pacífica y serena, que la reacción nuestra fue un silencio al verle fallecer a las 11.28. El PA dice que nos invadió una paz tan profunda, es cierto, acabábamos de presenciar la muerte de un santo que no sabíamos qué hacer.

Yo tenía el ritual. Empezamos a rezar la recomendación del alma. Petición a los ángeles. Cuando terminamos el PA se acercó a NP le dio un beso y le digo “ya llegó, ya llegó, ya está feliz”.

PA dijo “ahora sí vamos a celebrar la misa”. Le pusimos un sudario, cuando cerró la boca quedó con un rostro muy sereno, en paz, dicen que es el edo. del alma cuando murió. Tuvimos la Sta Misa. Eramos 12, 10 sacerdotes y 2 señoritas consagradas. El PA habló de los cofundadores de la Iglesia, “también aquí somos 12”. Fue una misa muy serena, muy pausada. No sé cuánto duró la acción de gracias. Después sentí la necesidad de dirigir la oración por el Papa, por el director general, por los cofundadores. Terminamos la Cel. Eucarística. Las 2 señoritas se arrodillaron en la cabecera de NP. El P. Luis a dirigir el rosario. Yo no respondí el rosario.

Comenzó la preparación de papeles. Vino la casa funeraria para prepararlo para el viaje.

Al día siguiente me tocó revestirlo (calcetines, camiseta, todo, alba, estola, cíngulo, una casulla blanca que tenía guardada de esos 3 años para ese momento, lo peiné). Así llegó a México. Curiosamente salió un viernes primero, regresó a México un viernes primero. El funeral lo tuvimos en Cotija el sábado primero 2 de febrero para NP y todo cotijense una misa muy importante.

 

At 11.00 we were all around the bed with NP, reassuring "here we are with you. the Legion is in our hands, we have been educated by you ... "(Álvaro). I think, to encourage us. Fr. Álvaro has had a strenght that is a gift of Holy Spirit.
By 11.20 am I said, "if they are not all ready, they will not celebrate Mass." They all went to the sacristy. The priests were there, they were dressing up, I was with Nuestro Padre. I saw the start of the "apnea" The doctor told me that when the time came they would lengthen the time of breath. We begin with the nurse to count time. At 11:25 I said "run and bring the priests here." Were placed around the bed, to encourage him.
Fr. Álvaro began to talk very quietly with NP. With no rattle or feeling of anguish, he stopped breathing and died. In a manner so simple, peaceful and serene, our reaction was silence in seeing him die at 11.28. Fr., Alvaro says we were invaded by a peace so deep, it is true, we had just witnessed the death of a saint, and we did not know what to do.

I had the ritual. We started to pray the Commendation of the Soul. Petition to the angels. When we finished the Fr. Alvaro approached Nuestro Padre, kissed him and said "he arrived, he arrived, and he is happy."
Fr. Alvaro said "now we will celebrate the Mass." We put a shroud on him, when the mouth was closed with a face so serene, peaceful, they say it is the state of the soul when he died. We had Holy Mass. We were 12, 10 priests and two consecrated women Fr. Álvaro spoke of the founding of the Church, "also here we are 12." Mass was very calm, very paused. I do not know how long we stayed in thanksgiving. Then I felt the need to lead the prayer for the Pope, for the director general, for co-founders. We finished the Eucharist. The 2 ladies knelt at the head of NP. Fr. Luis led the rosary. I did not say the rosary.
Then the preparation of papers. Then came the funeral, and the preparation for the trip home.
The next day I had to dress him (socks, shirt, everything, alb, stole, girdle, a white chasuble I had saved for 3 years for this moment, combed him). He came to Mexico. Curiously he came on a first Friday, and he returned to Mexico on a First Friday. The funeral was in Cotija on the first Saturday, February 2, which was very important to NP and all the people of Cotija.

En la misa de exequias, NP estaba también con ornamento blanco.

Al día siguiente que fuimos a sellar el monumento le pusimos la Virgen de Guadalupe dentro del sepulcro.

Así han sido los últimos días. Mi experiencia personal es tan íntima que no se puede transmitir. No merecemos nunca la gracia de Dios. Esta mucho menos. He visto a un hombre santo que poco a poco se va a apagando como la vela del Santísimo. Sin preocuparse de sí misma. El chiste es que hay que transmitir la luz, el amor de Dios, y cuando Él quiere, serenamente apagarse.

El recordatorio. Hace mucho tiempo le había pedido el favor de hacerme el recordatorio. Nunca llegaba el momento. Un día estábamos platicando bien tranquilos (el 30 de noviembre). Le empecé a platicar de Tierra Santa, le dije que el lugar que más me había llenado de luz era Nazaret. Le dije “para mí el misterio más grande es la Encarnación”, me dijo “para mí también”. Dije, “ahora es el momento”. Salí al P. Óscar de la Torre y estábamos de acuerdo, NP dijo “bueno, vamos a intentar”. Empecé a temblar. P. Óscar “venga sí puede”. Con el P sosteniéndole hizo “et”. Volvió a poner y dijo “ya no hace falta  (apoyarme). Tardó casi media hora en esas dos palabras. No está corregido nada. Al final lo agarró, lo leyó y dijo “sí se lee”. NP salió feliz porque había escrito esa frase. Sus últimas palabras escritas, el resumen de su vida.

At the funeral Mass, NP was also laid out in white.
The next day we went to seal the monument we placed the Virgin of Guadalupe inside the tomb.

So those were the last days. My personal experience is so intimate that can not be transmitted. We do not deserve God's grace, never. Much less in this case. I saw a holy man who slowly goes out like a holy candle. Never worrying about himself. The idea is you have to transmit light, the love of God, and when He wants, quietly shut down.

The ordination card. Long ago I had asked him to write a phrase for my ordination card. The moment never came. One day we were talking rather quietly (30 November). I began to talk of the Holy Land, told him the place that was filled with light was Nazareth. I said "for me the biggest mystery is the Incarnation," he said "for me too." I said, "now is the time." I went to Fr. Oscar de la Torre and we agreed, NP said, "Well, let's try." He began to tremble. Fr. Oscar "yes you can" With the priest holding his hand he wrote "et". He moved and said "it is no longer necessary" (to be helped). It took nearly half an hour in those two words. I did not corrected anything. Finally I took it, read it and said "it can be read." NP was happy because he had written that sentence. His last written words, the summary of his life.

PREGUNTAS

la casa donde estuvo NP ¿qué se va a hacer?

No sé personalmente. Se compró. Supongo que en un futuro será para una comunidad legionaria. Sí la conservaremos, tiene un valor histórico inmenso.

 

NP en su estancia recibía llamadas de eclesiásticos

Algunas sí. El último que le llamó fue el Card. Darío que estuvo visitando NY Thornwood. Una llamada muy bonita en que NP estaba animando al cardenal. El Card. le decía, “lo que quiera, P. Maciel, si quiere voy allí ahora”. El Card. el día que se le avisó fue al CES, celebró con la comunidad, dirigió unas palabras “aquí ha muerto NP y todos estamos contentos”.

Algunos otros algún padre, algún bienhechor... No muchísimas.

 

Hay la posibilidad de que se vaya a Roma

No sé. Creo que por el momento no.

 

NP le dijo que le ofrecía un día de sus sufrimientos por sus sufrimientos

Don Pepe (¿Barroso?), uno de los que pudo hablar con NP un momentito, no mucho.

NP bien agradecido con todos los bienhechores. Quiso alguno que lo visitara. Luego ya no fue prudente ni posible. Él estaba consciente que sin los bienhechores y padres iniciales no habría nada

Cuiden mucho a los bienhechores (a ellos, sus almas, sus familias)

En Google le mostramos la Anáhuac y empezó a hablar de Don Santiago, los Zapata que los quería muchísimo (sus padrinos de ordenación sacerdotal). Hable con Chabe y dígale que sea su madrina espiritual. Era muy consciente de los bienhechores.

 

El hecho que NP no pudo estar en la canonización de su tío. Sentimientos de obedecer y reprimir esa explosión que uno quisiera ofrecer a NP

La celebración es más interna que externa. El pueblo de Cotija sí se sintió un poquito. Las circunstancias no permitieron que fuera así. Yo creo que a todos los legionarios en el mundo quisieran haber estado allí. Yo creo que nos ha unido más. Que somos un cuerpo unido. La imposibilidad física de estar allí con Nuestro Padre, ha sido algo que nos ha unido humanamente y que nos va a unir muchísmo. Hasta en eso Dios sabe lo que hace.

QUESTIONS
What are you going to do with the house where NP was?
I do not know personally. It was purchased. I guess in the future it will house a community Legion. Yes we will keep it, for it has immense historical value.
 
Was NP getting calls from the Church during his stay?

Some did call. The last one was called the Card. Darius (Castrillón) who was visiting NY Thornwood. A very nice call, NP was encouraging that Cardinal. The Card. said, "What do you want, Fr. Maciel, are you where you want to be now? " The Card. later went to the community at CES, he said a few words, "Here NP is dead and we're all happy."

Some others called, a priest, a benefactor ... Not many.
 
There is the possibility of going to Rome

I do not know. I think not for the time being.
 
NP said one day he had offered his sufferings for their suffering

Don Pepe (Barroso ¿?), One of the NP was able to speak a moment, not much.

NP very grateful to all benefactors. He wanted someone to visit him. Then it was no longer prudent nor possible. He was aware that without the initial benefactors and priests there would be nothing of the Legion
Take good care of the benefactors (of them, their souls, their families)
With Google Earth, we showed him the Anahuac and began to speak of Don Santiago, the Zapatas wanted so much (their sponsors of ordination). Talk to Chabe and tell her to be her spiritual godmother. I was very aware of the benefactors.
 
The fact that NP could not be in the canonization of his uncle. Feelings of obedience and suppress the explosion that I would like to offer to NP
The celebration is more internal than external. The town of Cotija itself felt a little bit betrayed. The circumstances did not allow it to be so. I believe that all Legionaries in the world want to be there. I think that has united us more. We are a united body. The physical Impossibility of being there with Nuestro Padre, has been something that has united us humanly and there is much to unite us. Even so God knows what he does.

For contrast: Garza's version, Corcuera's words and the video of the scene.

Short-circuiting justice

Trastevere has an explosive piece, which I'll be tweaking all day (help appreciated). For now, Googelle offers this:

The papal delegate for the Legion of Christ, Cardinal Velasio de Paolis, with the invaluable help of Alvaro Corcuera and other superiors of the LC, appears to be weaving a blanket to cover the lofty aims of the Legion, the sexual abuse of its pederast and criminal founder, and engage in a renewal of a system that is taking in water on all sides, without promoting a serious investigation of other cases of pedophilia and abuse--not only by the founder of the order--and, what is even more serious, by incomprehensibly neglecting to deal with the victims who reported abuse during their time in the Legion and are still crying and waiting for justice.

Madrid, January 24, 2012 (For Trastevere) .- Twenty months after the Vatican made public a harsh condemnation of the criminal activities of the predator Marcial Maciel that would put in question the very existence of the charism of the Legion of Christ, a report that was filed with the Pope Benedict XVI and reported by the Visitators, and after the very Reverend Velasio de Paolis, then still archbishop, was appointed by the pope as papal delegate to bring order to the Legion and Regnum Christi (we still awaiting the findings of the tour for this movement of lay people and consecrated by Bishop D Ricardo Blázquez, who has presented it in a timely manner to their superiors, and whose ife is practically the same in substance in the Legion).

First Hand Accounts

The other thread, once again, was too long. Let's focus on what we really know, rather than heard. Scipio asks:

Monk: I find your testimony quite accurate of the inner culture around Maciel. But maybe you could share with us something more. In your book you say you worked quite close to Maciel: did you ever see him celebrate Mass in a private chapel, say the breviary or pray the rosary? Did you notice lack of piety? Itis a very strong red flag against holiness

How to form a cult

An excellent article was noted on the last [now unwieldy] thread, so we'll start fresh. How To Start a Cult outlines the critical elements that may very well have been embedded in the Legion from the start. It usually begins with "quality, ambitious, hardworking" members of like mind, with "above-average intelligence" and "high ideals."

There is also mention of peripheral difficulties that allow the member to throw himself into the group whole-heartedly. While this doesn't have to be universal, it speaks to the comments at the end of the last thread which suggested that dysfunctional people are more comfortable in a dysfunctional group (the corollary being that very healthy people are often repelled by the atmosphere). I think that's generally true (I've written in the past about how being an adult-child of an alcoholic shielded me from grasping the red flags, and RC life was simply a baptised version of my previous existence.) But that said, there were plenty of wonderful people whom I would never accuse of being unhealthy -- I'll reserve all judgements to the system, not the people (and thus a system that made them do highly questionable things).

See what you think, and perhaps this article will jar a few more truths loose, so that we can assess our L/R experiences even better.

Kudos for Katie

For those of you who remember many common sense comments by Katie in recent years, thoughtful contributions that added to the depth of our discussions at LARC, you'll be edified by her article on marriage found on Catholic Lane. She and her husband have been working hard to forward the discussion on personalism here, and it would be well worth your time to peruse their content and participate in their ongoing disussion group. I suggest you bookmark Catholic Lane, where she and many excellent writers appear regularly -- and kindly spread the word. That and similar sites will contribute enormously to the New Evangelisation, not to mention advancing the cause of authentic faith and freedom.

Garza's version of events

The following account is from the RC State of the Section meeting held in Atlanta on Sunday, 9/25/2011, at 7:00 pm, during which Fr. Luis Garza, LC was asked: "Was there a cover up?" His answer is summarised as follows:

November 2004 was the 60th anniversary celebration in Rome and all was fine. But shortly afterwards, the Holy See began an investigation to finally lay to rest the accusations against Maciel. The Vatican began the investigation thinking that he was innocent and just wanted to clear his name for the sake of history, but later, as the investigation proceeded, they realized that he was guilty.

Garza said, “But we did not know this--we learned it later from the press.” Garza said that around this time Maciel was evasive and vague. He went to Cancun for two or three months. Then a lady appeared. (Garza was referring to Norma.) In September or August of 2005, Maciel went to Cotija and he stayed there for two or three months, but the lady was there too. Some consecrated ladies were staying with the lady (Norma.) Garza said that "very few thought this was an affair." Garza said "but Maciel's brother became concerned." The brother told Maciel that this would destroy his work, it would destroy what he had spent his whole life building.

But, according to Garza, dementia ensued for Maciel, and he wasn't thinking or behaving rationally. They somehow got Maciel's nephew involved [original notes not clear here] but Maciel went and spent time in Colombia, and then he went to Houston. And he would only allow the lady to travel with him.

Finally, in February 2006 Malen Oriol went to speak to Garza about her concerns. Malen asked Garza to intervene. She claimed that the lady was taking advantage of Maciel.

At about that time, the CDF called Fr. Alvaro and told him that Maciel was guilty [Garza did not say what he was guilty of] but the CDF did not provide proof and Garza did not believe the CDF. [Yes, that's what Garza said. He said "I did not believe the CDF." At this point Garza apologized, saying he was sorry he did not believe the guilt at that time.]

Then he mentioned John Allen [reporter for the National Catholic Reporter] and that there was a leak to the press, but Garza still thought Maciel was not guilty. So he said that the problem was where to take Maciel? Rome? No, that wouldn't do. Mexico? No, no good either. So they decided to send him off to Jacksonville, FL.

He mentioned that Maciel's uncle, San Rafael Guizar, was to be canonized on October 15, 2006, and Maciel was insisting that he would go attend the celebrations. Apparently LCs had a tough time keeping Maciel away from the event.

Then Garza described being in Jacksonville with Maciel and Norma and how he began to think that perhaps there WAS something wrong. He said that at one moment he looked at her and said, it's true, isn't it? And Norma broke down crying, so relieved to finally be recognized as Maciel's wife, saying, "We've been together for 28 years."

He described her as not very educated, and said that women were better suited for this type of situation -- so he had the consecrated women talk with her to get the rest of her story. He actually said that the consecrated women involved with taking care of Norma (they were assigned to be her companions/caretakers per Maciel's wishes) “deserve a statue or something." He said that this was all at the end of 2006.

So then in February/March 2007 they tried to start figuring out what to do, because Garza had done his own private investigation (including having DNA tests run.) He described being on an airplane and getting the email saying that the test results for Normita were "positive." He forwarded the email to Alvaro, who replied, asking "positive yes? or positive no?" Garza's point was that they still just could not believe that Maciel had a flesh & blood daughter.

Anyway, they started to think that they needed to "tone down" the Maciel image. But Alvaro was rather stuck, because everybody just wanted to hear more and more about Maciel. Garza said that he knew for certain (from DNA tests) that Normita was Maciel's daughter around September/October 2007.

In December 2007 Maciel got the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Garza was there and described Maciel's reaction as very strange to him. Said he did not act as someone who had just been told he had only a few months to live. Garza ordered a type of "lock down" at the Jacksonville house where Maciel was living. The LCs who were attending to him were told to stay put--they would not be given new assignments. It was not explicitly stated that Norma and her daughter were living there, but it did sound like it. In any case, they were around a lot. And Maciel had previously told Norma to stay away from Garza. (Maciel told Norma that Garza "would do evil" to her.)

So Maciel died on January 30, 2008. The LCs had asked Norma to convince him to confess before death, but he would not. At the very end, when Maciel was in a coma, Fr. Alvaro absolved him.

And Garza and Alvaro were wanting to keep things toned down on Maciel's passing, but unfortunately, there was a Men's Convention in Cotija at the time, so more people came than were wanted or expected.

Garza said that they started to tell some, about 50 LCs in November 2008, because they decided to make the truth known very slowly. He called it a "great miscalculation," because in January 2009 the news was leaked to the press. He said that the situation was very badly managed and resulted in "disenfranchising" many. He repeated that they did not try to cover this up, that that would have been like trying to cover the sun with your finger.

When asked if Maciel ever admitted to wrongdoing, he said no. He described Maciel as a psycopath whose moral knowledge was very weak.

It must be noted that this answer was met with a standing ovation from the RC members present.

Bringing others to heaven

A common theme in the Regnum Christi Movement is the task to bring others to heaven. For years we were told that our vocation to RC was a privilege and a duty -- and we had to live it faithfully not only for the sake of our own souls (to turn our back on the Movement was to turn our backs on God) but also for the sake of others -- because their salvation also depended on our fidelity. For example:

I have seen so many people happily, smilingly take on responsibility for every person's soul who crosses their path. I distinctly remember one talk where we were told that we would be asked in heaven, "And who did you bring with you?" meaning "Who did you save in your time on earth?"  And we should be able to pull a whole wagon full of people up to the pearly gates.

It should be recognised, of course, that those who enter heaven do so by the Blood of the Lamb, and we are charged with sharing that salvific message.BUT, things are not what they seem. Grace flows where it will, and even when one person says something that resonates with a neighbour, there are so many other unseen collaborators praying and sacrificing that have paved the way for that moment. I find it sheer pride and folly to "count coup" as it were, and take credit for what is truly part of the divine mystery. (I touched on this somewhat in this column.) Ah well.

Could readers expand on this, their experiences with this in apostolic dialogue, spiritual direction and guided meditations? And could we put this unCatholic thought to bed once and for all?

ADDENDUM: Ok, this has jogged an old story loose:

I attended the Atlanta women's convention in the mid-1990's which was a lovely affair. Very inspiring in the usual RC way. It was stressed over and over that our vocation to RC was life-changing, world-changing, and that so much depended on our constant evangelisation. So much so that I knew that every personal encounter was laden with supernatural meaning and eschatological import.

Thus it began on the plane heading home. As I sat in my seat, waiting for someone to take the place next to me, I knew that failure to proselytise would mean that one less soul would know of his critical vocation -- and that vocation might even be to the Movement. It was a "seat of destiny!" A young man sat down, and I trembled with excitement (and fear) wondering if I would be responsible for a priestly vocation! I hardly knew how to begin, but knew I had to say something.

Long story, short. The man bolted off the plane as soon as possible, leaving behind a woman he probably considered certifiable. I look back on the exchange (even all these years later) with chagrin and embarrassment. Not only did I NOT bring a man to Christ, to the priesthood or even the Movement, but I'm sure it darkened his understanding of our faith and his ability to respond to any promptings of the Spirit. Rather than being "fool for Christ," I was a "goon for Maciel" and am appalled that I could have behaved so badly. And yet I did. God forgive me. I take full responsibility for my action, but I also know how I came to that perverse understanding of apostolic zeal.

Humility is an integral part of healing, and heartfelt repentance is the only way to grow.

Hearing from the new priests

From this source:

Rome .- It's been three hours since the Mass of ordination for 50 new priests (49 of the Legionaries of Christ and one Somascan priest) and inside the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, there's still a big party. For the last 13 hours hundreds of relatives who come from around the world are excited to find those guys who have just devoted their lives to the religious congregation that can not shake the memory of the sins of its founder, Father Marcial Maciel Degollado.

They hug, cry, laugh. They are excited because their loved ones achieved a dream: priestly ordination. They, the families, have just received communion from the hands of the new priests. Fathers, mothers, brothers, uncles, cousins ​​and friends have witnessed the promises they made before men and before God. They have seen the anointing of the hands with sacred chrism and believe in their Catholic faith, there is a new Christ among them, and that his hands are blessed. They want to receive his blessing and kiss his hands. Gone are the sufferings of knowing they are in another country, in other lands. Far away were the doubts of what they experienced when the world media reported that the chief of the Legion had sexually abused children and adolescents. Years passed, and, finally, came the great day.

They all look happy. There are Gabriel Abascal, Juan Pablo Aviña, Andres and Juan Pablo Botero, Jose de Jesus Bustos, Luis Eduardo Camarena, Julio Cesar Chaparro, Steven Costello, Dalla Vecchia Orivaldo, Javier de Anda and another 40 new priests. 50, still dressed in white just said "present" when the ordination ceremony was ready to begin, the ritual that just lasted over three hours.

It's Monday, December 12, 2011, day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and for many, perhaps the most important day of their lives. Only they know how many insecurities they had to fight, how many dilemmas they faced and how did they they found it possible to offer their body and soul to the priesthood within the congregation that in recent years has faced serious scandals because of Marcial Maciel, now repudiated by the Vatican.

Sacrilège à nouveau

Father Garza, settling into his new position as territorial director of North America, has issued a letter to members of the Movement, and I hadn't gotten past the fourth paragraph when I began to steam. Please understand that everything is slowing down, people are taking time away and I'm happy to leave the entire matter of reform on a back burner while they sort things out. But then we have a statement like the following, and must conclude that  n o t h i n g  will change -- the Legion has ever conflated itself with the Church, and they bluntly reiterate that a vocation to the Movement is no different with the very baptismal call itself. Consider this:

I have witnessed the love and self-giving of so many Legionaries, consecrated members, and other members of the Movement, and I know that everyone wants to live according to what God is asking of us. I know that everyone is making a big effort in this process through which God is leading us, and I admire each one's perseverance and fidelity to God's plan even though, in the concrete situation, the more "reasonable" option would have been to leave everything and go somewhere else. I know that God sees this faith and hope and that Christ is telling each and every one of us, "Blessed are those who believe without having seen" (Jn. 20:19-31). It hurts me to think that some have left, and I will continue thinking of them as brothers and sisters. In the end, we have all sought to do God's will and we can't forget all that we have shared and lived through together.

This is not even the meat and potatoes but the prologue, and already we find a slap at those who left, who didn't have the faith of the apostles remaining Legionaries, and a reminder of his own pain. As has been stated over the years, it's always painful for Legionaries to live (unless they're actually victims, and then they are marginalised and forgotten because of the sorrow caused by having to remember them).  

It's late, the link is here, and perhaps you can wade through it yourselves -- though their trials and difficulties seem to have nothing to do with expressing contrition (or making restitution) but are related to the "beautiful task" of "returning to a foundational charism." How that works when their history is what it is remains a mystery, but they are resting securely, knowing that Jesus' words seem to have been precisely tailored to this situation.

UPDATE from "AnonObserv" in the combox:

Garza's absolutes have been part of the nomenklatura's strategy for some time. Those absolutes: 1) To keep insisting on a pre-existing charism, perfect and beautiful, even glorious for those suffering the present humiliations because of its supposed existence. 2)Power and authority at the end of the day are more important than charism. "Togetherness", all being under the same tent, is achieved not by the charism itself ofcourse, but by the supreme moderator controlling all. Authority is how they keep unity since in effect there is no charism.

I find it odd that LG should all of the sudden appeal to the history of 3rd orders, when for decades the LCs insisted that the RC was not a third order. Ofcourse I would agree with the latter given you need a charism for that, and even now when the Holy See's delegate is asked what that is, his response is, "Una Bella Domanda."

So we see the cult dynamics in full force still in this writing, especially in the insistence on the exercise of surrender to God's will which always goes in line with the organization's self-interest. Those who leave are considered, subtlely or implicitly, failures, heretics to the great cause.  Note that everything is about the virtue of faith, nothing about the content of faith. The shot he takes at reasonableness is meant to keep membership from going there, from discerning the signs about whether God has been present in the historical witness of founder; about what really lies underneath the facade of orthodoxy and youthful glitter.

Fanaticism comes from suspending the judgement of reason enlightened by faith- and here we refer to the content of solid theological faith. Just as Jim Jones put his people above the Bible, so the LCs put themselves above an authentic charism shown in its witness.

UPDATE II: A recent comment has jogged this thought loose, or at least framed it in a way I hadn't adequately understood previously. As Christians, we submit to divine revelation and attach ourselves to manifestations of the Spirit, because we are weak, defective creatures. These gifts are treasures which guide us to holiness and invite us to be humble instruments in a larger plan.

Garza's premise is exactly backwards, because it says that the Holy Spirit hasn't made himself known yet, but since the members are good, well-intentioned and virtuous (being tenacious and charitable) then the Spirit is bound to follow and clarify the mission. Unfortunately, not only is "the cart before the horse" but there is grave pride and presumption in banking on their own human strength to drive the reform. It is backwards because they are not only not responding to a legitimate invitation (remember, their leader was "devoid of religious sentiment") but barging in, saying "we're here (and we're pure of heart!) so you must make room for us."

Rebounding after leaving

A long-time reader poses two important questions:

I am writing because I am writing a series on my blog about 'cult-life thinking' as I experienced YET ANOTHER cult experience after leaving RC. (You'd think I'd learn, right? ;) But I have gained so many blessings and insights into my own weakness through this last experience, which was actually a much worse personal experience than I had in RC as it was local and we were directly targeted when we left.

1. I was wondering if you had some links I could refer to that are general principles of cults that I could link to (and also research) for my blog. I know you have extensive wisdom on this topic, and I am still stumbling through even my own insights, and would love some 'back up; and 
2. I would also like to ask you if you have heard of a sort of 'rebound' after leaving a cult (like RC) where someone ends up in the same ditch again... I find my last three years' experience interesting.

For starters, I will always recommend Steve Hasson's "Freedom of Mind" site, which is filled with exellent information, anecdotes and data on many cults. Another source is ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) which has many ongoing activities, presentations, and workshops, as well as a comprehensive database. Their next international conference will be in Montreal this summer (5-7 July, 2012).

The reason these larger bodies help so much is that they show the common elements that create cultish environments. Regain and LARC have not charged this Movement with cultishness lightly. There is a wide body of research and documentation that stands behind such allegations, and the data from decades of evidence in this case allows certain conclusions to be drawn regarding the Legion. In that respect, cult awareness groups can be very helpful in dissecting one's experience -- although the healing process requires that a person set aside his/her prejudices and engage in a humble pursuit of wholeness.

If others want to provide more resources (books, sites, videos) in the comboxes, I'll bring them up and begin a list.