Alvaro Corcuera Martinez del Rio
Encyclopedia
Father Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del Río (born 22 July 1957) is a Mexican
Roman Catholic priest
. He has been the Director General
of the Catholic Order of the Legionaries of Christ since January 2005.
was born on July 22nd, 1957, in Mexico City. His parents are Pablo L. Corcuera García Pimentel and Ana Francisca Martínez del Río Fernández de Henestrosa de Corcuera. He was baptized four days later at Christ the King and St. Monica Parish.
He was one of the founding students at the Legion
of Christ’s Irish Institute (“Instituto Irlandés") in Mexico City
.
In 1969, Álvaro traveled to Ireland along with a few other companions to form the founding group of the Legion's language academy now called Dublin Oak. It was during his stay in Dublin that he had his first inklings of what he claimed was a priestly vocation.
In 1981, recalling his stay in Dublin, he wrote: “The novices’ example, along with the unforgettable experience of being close to the founder Father Marcial Maciel and the other priests living there at the time, had a decisive impact on me. The opportunity to serve the different priests’ masses and above all just to be near the founder helped me to see with great enthusiasm the possibility of having Jesus Christ so close and giving him to others all over the world.”
On June 27th, 1971, Álvaro Corcuera became one of the founding members of the youth group of ECYD
(Education, Culture and Youth Development [a slightly misleading official translation from the original Spanish acronym, “educación, cultura y deportes,” which actually means “education, culture and sports”]).
Later he became a member of Regnum Christi, the lay movement affiliated with the Legion. Among other activities that year, he participated in the course organized by the Legion in Reajo del Roble (Madrid, Spain). It was here that he first thought of becoming a consecrated layman in Regnum Christi, a step he finally took on April 13th, 1975.
Seven years later, reflecting on his consecration, he said: “Joining Regnum Christi made me see that self-giving to Christ, wherever it might be, was the best gift that I could desire. Consecrated life was an experience that I could never completely assimilate because of its depth and greatness. It is a great gift.”
In 1975, he began studying for a degree in educational sciences at Anahuac University
(Universidad Anáhuac) in Mexico City, and graduated in 1979.
Álvaro and several other consecrated members of Regnum Christi volunteered as aides for Pope John Paul II’s first visit to Mexico in January 1979.
In September of that same year, Álvaro joined the Legion of Christ as a novice
. A year later, when asked about his motivation to make the decision, and he replied: “I discovered the main reason in the tabernacle, where you hear Christ’s call: “Come, follow me”. Leave everything and surrender yourself completely.”
He did his ecclesiastical studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (The Angelicum).
He was ordained a deacon
in Rome
, on June 29th, 1985, by Archbishop Santos Abril y Castelló, then Apostolic Nuncio to Bolivia
. On Christmas Eve that same year he was ordained a priest
in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rome by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, then prefect of the Vatican department now called the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
.
Father Álvaro earned a licentiate degree in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University
. He served as rector of the Center for Higher Studies in Rome until his election as General Director of the Legion and the Regnum Christi.
He was the founding rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
in Rome, from its establishment in September 1993 until the end of the 1999-2000 school year. During that period he served as secretary of the Committee of Rectors of the Pontifical Universities of Rome. On December 7th, 1999, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Anahuac University (Universidad Anáhuac) in Mexico City.
On April 20th, 2001, the Holy See appointed him a consulter to the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. And on January 2005 he was elected General Director of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi by the Third Ordinary General Chapter of the Congregation.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Roman Catholic priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. He has been the Director General
Superior general
A Superior General, or General Superior, is the Superior at the head of a whole religious order or congregation.The term is mainly used as a generic term, while many orders and congregations use other specific titles, notably:* Abbot general...
of the Catholic Order of the Legionaries of Christ since January 2005.
Biography
Father Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del RíoMartinez del Rio
-The Martinez del Rio Family:The Martinez del Rio family is one of the leading patrician families, prominent in entrepreneurship and cultural circles. The family has helped to shape Mexico's politics, economy and society from the time of Mexican independence from Spain, until the present day...
was born on July 22nd, 1957, in Mexico City. His parents are Pablo L. Corcuera García Pimentel and Ana Francisca Martínez del Río Fernández de Henestrosa de Corcuera. He was baptized four days later at Christ the King and St. Monica Parish.
He was one of the founding students at the Legion
Legion of Christ
The Legion of Christ is a Roman Catholic congregation of pontifical right, made up of priests and seminarians studying for the priesthood. It was founded in Mexico in 1941, by Fr. Marcial Maciel, who directed the congregation as its General Superior until January 2005...
of Christ’s Irish Institute (“Instituto Irlandés") in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
.
In 1969, Álvaro traveled to Ireland along with a few other companions to form the founding group of the Legion's language academy now called Dublin Oak. It was during his stay in Dublin that he had his first inklings of what he claimed was a priestly vocation.
In 1981, recalling his stay in Dublin, he wrote: “The novices’ example, along with the unforgettable experience of being close to the founder Father Marcial Maciel and the other priests living there at the time, had a decisive impact on me. The opportunity to serve the different priests’ masses and above all just to be near the founder helped me to see with great enthusiasm the possibility of having Jesus Christ so close and giving him to others all over the world.”
On June 27th, 1971, Álvaro Corcuera became one of the founding members of the youth group of ECYD
ECYD
ECYD stands for Education, Culture and Youth Development. In translating the original Spanish Educación, Cultura y Deportes , the acronym was kept while changing the words slightly. It is a Catholic youth organization affiliated with the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi movement for youth aged...
(Education, Culture and Youth Development [a slightly misleading official translation from the original Spanish acronym, “educación, cultura y deportes,” which actually means “education, culture and sports”]).
Later he became a member of Regnum Christi, the lay movement affiliated with the Legion. Among other activities that year, he participated in the course organized by the Legion in Reajo del Roble (Madrid, Spain). It was here that he first thought of becoming a consecrated layman in Regnum Christi, a step he finally took on April 13th, 1975.
Seven years later, reflecting on his consecration, he said: “Joining Regnum Christi made me see that self-giving to Christ, wherever it might be, was the best gift that I could desire. Consecrated life was an experience that I could never completely assimilate because of its depth and greatness. It is a great gift.”
In 1975, he began studying for a degree in educational sciences at Anahuac University
Anahuac University
The Universidad Anáhuac México Norte was founded in 1964 as a central institution belonging to the Legion of Christ Educational Project. It offers more than 28 undergraduate programs, and more than 40 postgraduate programs....
(Universidad Anáhuac) in Mexico City, and graduated in 1979.
Álvaro and several other consecrated members of Regnum Christi volunteered as aides for Pope John Paul II’s first visit to Mexico in January 1979.
In September of that same year, Álvaro joined the Legion of Christ as a novice
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
. A year later, when asked about his motivation to make the decision, and he replied: “I discovered the main reason in the tabernacle, where you hear Christ’s call: “Come, follow me”. Leave everything and surrender yourself completely.”
He did his ecclesiastical studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (The Angelicum).
He was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, on June 29th, 1985, by Archbishop Santos Abril y Castelló, then Apostolic Nuncio to Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. On Christmas Eve that same year he was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rome by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, then prefect of the Vatican department now called the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for everything which concerns institutes of consecrated life and Society of Apostolic Life regarding their government, discipline, studies, goods, rights, and...
.
Father Álvaro earned a licentiate degree in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
. He served as rector of the Center for Higher Studies in Rome until his election as General Director of the Legion and the Regnum Christi.
He was the founding rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum is an educational institute of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome.It is sponsored by the Legionaries of Christ and the lay ecclesial movement, Regnum Christi.-History:...
in Rome, from its establishment in September 1993 until the end of the 1999-2000 school year. During that period he served as secretary of the Committee of Rectors of the Pontifical Universities of Rome. On December 7th, 1999, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Anahuac University (Universidad Anáhuac) in Mexico City.
On April 20th, 2001, the Holy See appointed him a consulter to the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. And on January 2005 he was elected General Director of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi by the Third Ordinary General Chapter of the Congregation.