Friday, March 20, 2026 — Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum/ free event in person and online/ With translation into ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

The Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome is pleased to announce a new  Study Day  dedicated to exploring Pope Francis’s encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The event, entitled  “The Encyclical on the Sacred Heart  Dilexit nos  in the Light of the Theology of the Saints and the Spirituality of Regnum Christi ,” will take place on  Friday, March 20 , from  8:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. in the  Athenaeum’s Main Hall  .

This initiative is presented as a natural continuation of the reflections developed last year, with the aim of delving more deeply into the central message of  Dilexit nos . The event seeks to illuminate how devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ—one of the richest expressions of Catholic spirituality—has been lived, explained, and transmitted by the great saints throughout history. It also aims to demonstrate the  vital link  between this spiritual tradition and the  charism of Regnum Christi , which finds its source and mission in the love of the Sacred Heart of Christ.

Throughout the morning, experts, teachers, and religious will offer a journey that spans from the medieval roots of the theology of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially in St. Bonaventure, to the luminous testimonies of modern saints such as Thérèse of Lisieux and Charles de Foucauld. The reflection will culminate in a contemporary perspective on how members of Regnum Christi are called to embody this spirituality of self-giving love today.

Program of the Day

8:30 –  Greetings from the Rector
8:40 –  Introductory Presentation :  From  Dilexit nos  to  Dilexit te  | Fr. Di Muro OFMConv.
9:10 –  Presentation :  Historical Development of Devotion to the Sacred Heart in the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi  | E. Martínez Albesa
9:40 –  Session I :  St. Bonaventure  | Sr. Daniela Del Gaudio SFI
10:10 –  Coffee Break
10:30 –  Session II :  St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. John of the Cross  | A. Tagliafico
11:00 –  Session III :  St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Claude de la Colombière  | Fr. Barrajón LC
11:30 –  Session IV :  St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Charles de Foucauld  | PJ Spence FFm
12:00 –  Session V :  The Spirituality of the Sacred Heart in the Lives of Regnum Christi Members  | PP Cerquitella LC
12:30 –  Questions and Round Table with the Moderators | Moderator: A. Tagliafico
12:50 –  Closing Remarks

Practical information

• Modality:  face-to-face (Master Classroom) and online.
• Language:  The event will be held in  Italian ; the  Zoom broadcast  will also have  simultaneous translation into English and Spanish.
• YouTube:  The full recording of the day will be available later on the Ateneo’s official channel.

With this meeting, the Faculty of Theology invites the entire academic and ecclesial community to contemplate, study and update a theme that —as Pope Francis reminded us— touches  the beating center of the Christian faith: the Love of the Heart of Jesus .

We look forward to sharing a morning of reflection, study, and spiritual renewal with you.

Link to register:  March 20: The Encyclical on the Sacred Heart “Dilexit nos” in the light of the Theology of the Saints and the spirituality of Regnum Christi – APRA