Looks like a whacky throwback to the Middle Ages
approved by pope JP II
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammo!
Here is Wikipedia
For all its wackiness their female branch, Regina Virginum (Queen of Virgins), seems to be in better canonical shape than the Regnum Christi.
Just like the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi its charism is very creative and unheard of(?):
The (Pontifical approval) decree goes on to state that the society is characterized by
the
defense of orthodoxy, purity of customs and the spirit of hierarchy, “as
well as the desire to rekindle in humanity the distinction between good
and evil
The
Heralds of the Gospel (
Latin:
Evangelii Praecones, abbreviated to
EP)
[1] is a
Roman Catholic International Association of Pontifical Right based in
Brazil.
[2] Founded by Msgr.
João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, the organization is active in 78 countries.
[3]
History
The Heralds of the Gospel is an International Association of Pontifical Right, the first established by the
Holy See in the third millennium, on the liturgical feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22, 2001.
Consisting mainly of young people, this Association is established in
78 countries. Its members practice celibacy, and are entirely dedicated
to apostolate, living in separate houses designated for young men and
young women. Their life of recollection, study and prayer alternates
with evangelizing activities in dioceses and parishes, with special
emphasis placed on the formation of youth.
Spirituality
The spirituality of the Heralds of the Gospel is based on three essential points: The
Eucharist, the
Virgin Mary and the
Pope.
These points are represented in the emblem that distinguishes them. The
three devotions can be seen in the symbol of the Heralds of the Gospel.
Symbol of the Heralds of the Gospel
Their
charism leads them to strive for perfection, while always searching for the pulchritude in all their daily actions.
Music
Seeing in culture and art efficacious tools of
evangelization,
the Heralds of the Gospel characteristically place special emphasis on
both choral and instrumental music. Hence, the Heralds have formed
various choirs and symphonic bands to bring their message of faith,
incentive and confidence to today’s humanity.
The principal musical ensemble of these neo-evangelizers – the
International Choir and Symphonic Band – was started in São Paulo with
members united from diverse nations. This musical ensemble has traveled
numerous cities, states, countries and continents, giving presentations
in churches, auditoriums and stadiums full of people thirsting for
beauty and spirituality.
Societies of Apostolic Life
As a further development of the
charism, the family of the Heralds of the Gospel gave rise to two
societies of apostolic life.
Virgo Flos Carmeli the priestly branch of the Heralds was born in 2005
with the ordinations of the first 15 priests, including the founder of
the Heralds of the Gospel. Regina Virginum the Feminine Branch was born
later on Christmas of the same year. Both societies received papal
approval in 2009, becoming a clerical society of apostolic life of
pontifical right and a feminine society of apostolic life of pontifical
right, respectively.
"Arising from within the Heralds of the Gospel, and sharing the same
values, the two new societies of apostolic life, however, have distinct
natures. Virgo Flos Carmeli – “Virgin Flower of Carmel”, in English – is
characterized as a clerical society, in other words, consisting mainly
of priests, while the society of apostolic life Regina Virginum – “Queen
of Virgins” – is formed by women.
According to the Vatican decree, Virgo Flos Carmeli “is born amidst a
loving and pertinacious catechesis on the Church and the Roman Pontiff,
as well as respect for the importance of sacralization, to the greatest
extent possible, of the values of temporal life.”
The decree goes on to state that the society is characterized by the
defense of orthodoxy, purity of customs and the spirit of hierarchy, “as
well as the desire to rekindle in humanity the distinction between good
and evil (...).” Virgo Flos Carmeli was founded by Msgr. João
Scognamiglio Clá Dias, E.P., founder and president of the Heralds of the
Gospel, and was erected by the then Bishop of Avezzano, Italy, the Most
Rev. Lucio Angelo Maria Renna, on June 15, 2006. The development of the
Heralds of the Gospel, presently active in about 70 countries, led to
the formation of the priestly branch and the later constitution of the
Clerical Society. Afterward, the Most Rev. José Maria Pinheiro, Bishop
of Bragança Paulista, where the Motherhouse of the Society is presently
located, requested Pontifical approval of Virgo Flos Carmeli from the
Pope. Regina Virginum, for its part, had its approval signed on April
26. According to the Vatican decree, the Society of Apostolic Life of
Pontifical Right, also founded by Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias,
“arose as an expression of the charism of the Heralds of the Gospel,
applied to the specific conditions of feminine life, striving to
manifest its own characteristics in a particular way within the
secularised world.”
[4]
References
