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HomeShop at BookSurgeEducationNon-Formal Education"Our Father" Maciel, who art in bed: A Naive and Sentimental Dubliner in the Legion of Christ |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 3 customer reviews )
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5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
A Sincere Anti-testimony of the Legion of Christ Mar 04, 2009
By Marita J. Lapalm
Those who grew up in the context of the Legion of Christ or Regnum Christi are familiar with the testimonies that were given by members. Here, J. Paul Lennon gives what turns out to be a testimony of a realistic experience of the Legion of Christ - not just the positive spin one got from the private vows or promises, - making it almost an anti-testimony. This relationship to the spoken word, along with the accesible and vibrant tone of the book, creates an open quality to the text, in which the author presents his experience, but allows the reader to make their own interpretation. However, the intensity and depth of the spiritual struggles Mr. Lennon discusses lead to an empathy that is constructive towards a reading of the work. In addition, I would say that I found the work to be very evocative in terms of bringing memories of my own consecrated life into my head, and re-thinking them. In "El Circulo del Poder y la Espiral de Silencio," one of the writers discusses the Myth of the Foundation of the Legion of Christ, and I believe that books like Paul Lennons are effective towards a therapeutic reconstruction of that myth, towards a healing for the exmembers, and possibly even current members.
7 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Surviving the Legion of Christ Jan 28, 2009
By Paul Lennon
From age 17 to 41 the author was a member of the Legion of Christ, a lesser known but important Catholic Religious Order. Led by its charismatic Mexican Spanish-speaking leader, Fr. Marcial Maciel, who would be praised and supported by the late pope John Paul II, the Legion of Christ and its lay branch, Regnum Christi (Christ's Kingdom) have made deep inroads into the Traditional Catholic woodlands of North and South America and Europe. This is the story of a member whose relevance may consist in being one of the very first eight Irish-born members during the foundation period, of quickly becoming bi-lingual and of knowing Fr. Maciel personally -locking horns with him on a few occasions- and in being one of the handful of members who ever verbalized doubt or criticim of the Legion while still inside. The author's skepticism re Maciel's saintliness was born out by Vatican censure of the Legion Founder in May 2006. Leaving this mind-controlling organization after more than 23 years was a devastating experience but Lennon was not the first or the last to leave and survive. Recovery and healing have followed those harrowing years and he is thankful to the kindness of friends and strangers, ending with a big "Thank you" to them and to Life!
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL TESTIMONY! Aug 13, 2010
By D. SADLER
"Denver Dave"
This book contains a very powerful testimony of an amazing man on an amazing journey: before, during and after the Legion of Christ. As someone who has also had similar experiences with the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi movement, which is currently under review and reform, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to gain knowledge or understanding of these orders inside Catholicism. This insight comes from man who has experienced so much, learned and taught so much and helped so many who have left or tried to leave these orders--as well as their families. He has also sought to bring justice and healing to the masses - despite even being sued by the Legion at one time. I deeply honor and respect the work and testimony of this man who has helped many of us that have suffered though this crisis in many ways. More importantly, I respect his candor, sincerity and openness to discuss these issues even when he knew he would receive a great deal of turmoil, grief and criticism from even high ranked church officials. This man's honor, bravery and sense of decency are only few of the many qualities that I aspire to and hope to one day achieve. With the emancipation and solace I received from this book and the healing ministry of Mr. Lennon - I am that much closer!
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