about the beacon program
we help gather, form, and launch mission-driven families
The world needs not just faithful families but those bold enough to engage and evangelize society. Catholic parents increasingly seek to deepen faith at home and nurture a family sense of mission.
We see the potential of the Catholic family as the domestic church where apostolic hearts are formed.
The name
BEACON was the name chosen because it is a symbol of what mission-driven families do. They stand tall as unshakeable foundations of light that guide people towards holiness and, eventually, Heaven.
We hope to help families live up to the Gospel call of being light for the world:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
- Matthew 5:14-16 -
how we do it
The journey through the BEACON program rests on four complementary elements: Community, Accountability, Accompaniment, and Commitment.
Families participate in small groups of 3–5 households to live the program together, experiencing formation and mission quests through interactions at four levels—parent-child, parent-parent, the whole family, and families together. Parents engage in accountability through periodic check-ins and are encouraged to hold regular dads’ or moms’ meetings for prayer and program review. Spiritual accompaniment is provided by a Legionary of Christ priest and a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi, who mentor the families with a mutually agreed schedule of guidance.
Each family commits to a set of eight monthly “quests” for four months (start dates are flexible), which are the practical actions that bring the program to life. These commitments, combined with the peer community, parental accountability, and sacramental/spiritual accompaniment, form an integrated structure designed to form families as missionary disciples and accompany them on their apostolic journey.
The Team
The BEACON program was created and is currently managed by the ECYD directive team of New Orleans, Louisiana under the direction of Father Jaime Lorenzo, a priest with the Legionaries of Christ, and assisted by Maria Knuth, a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi. Both serve as spiritual guides and mentors to youth and families of ECYD and Regnum Christi around the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Contact us
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