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ECyD
ECyD is an international Catholic youth organization affiliated with the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi. ECyD’s purpose is to help adolescents form strong friendships with Christ and others, become authentically Christian youth, and build up Christ’s kingdom on earth, starting in their homes, schools, and parishes. ECyD members make commitments to say certain prayers, utilize the sacraments, receive spiritual direction (usually from Legionaries or consecrated members of Regnum Christi), perform apostolic work, and participate in group activities, such as weekly meetings and retreats with other ECyD members to strengthen themselves spiritually. ECyD membership is open to youth ages 11 to 16 and has tens of thousands of members in 30 countries worldwide. As part of the larger and very controversial Regnum Christi and Legionary of Christ Movement, ECyD is often criticized for its emphasis on recruitment and accused of manipulative tactics.

Name
The meaning of the acronym "ECyD" was changed in 2011. Originally, the acronym was "ECYD" which stood for Educacion, Cultura, y Deportes which translates to English, Education Culture and Sports. “Sports” was changed to youth development in English speaking ECYD groups. In 2011, a team of lay people, Legionaries, and consecrated members of Regnum Christi met to update ECyD’s mission and identity. The group changed the acronym to ECyD, which now stands for Experiences, Convictions, and your Decisions. The team believes that this new name reflects what “happens in the heart of youth when they experience a life-changing moment of grace.”

Spirituality
ECyD has a Christ-centered spirituality, based on the spirituality of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi. The purpose of Regnum Christi, the Legionaries of Christ, and ECyD is to spread the kingdom of God on earth through personal love of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church lived out through apostolic work. ECyD members share in this spirituality by making commitments to guide them in their relationship with Christ and to help them become authentic Christians. ECyD members strive to develop the virtues of charity, sincerity, friendship, purity, generosity, and joy. Upon joining ECyD, a member commits to be a better friend of Christ, say specific prayers such as the rosary and the ECyD morning and night prayers, practice virtue, and do apostolic work (service project).

Stages
There are four stages of ECyD, each with its own theme, symbol, and commitments. Entrance into each stage is called “Incorporation” and usually takes place within a Mass. These incorporations are usually offered at ECyD retreats or summer conventions. After participants have made their commitment, they are given the symbol for their stage. All the stages require daily prayers, biweekly confession, communion with other ECYD members, and monthly apostolic work.

Stage One
Stage one (ages 11-13) is Love of Mary. In this stage, ECyD members focus on developing their relationship with the Mother of Christ and imitating her virtues and love of Christ. Stage one’s symbol is a rosary ring. The daily commitments of the 1st stage include praying an Our Father and the ECyD prayer in the morning and a Hail Mary and the ECYD night prayer in the evening.

Stage Two
In stage two (ages 13-14), Love of Christ, ECyD members develop a deep and personal friendship with Jesus Christ, especially through love for the Eucharist. The symbol for the second stage is a pocket copy of the New Testament. In addition to the commitments of first stage, a stage two ECyD member says an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be in the morning and at night. A nightly Act of Contrition, decade of the Rosary, and reading and reflection on the Gospels are also commitments of the second stage.

Stage Three
Stage three (ages 14-15) is Love of the Church and the Pope. During this stage, ECyD members cultivate their love and knowledge of the Church and increase their zeal for defending the Church and saving souls. In addition to previous commitments, members make Eucharistic visits and keep a balanced daily schedule, keeping as free from laziness as possible. The symbol for this stage is a small cross.

Stage Four
Stage four (ages 15-16) is love for ECyD. In this stage, members develop their spirituality and personality though ECyD. There are no new commitments for this stage, but members strive for deeper fulfillment of the previous commitments. The symbol for this stage is a candle, since members strive to be a light to the world.

History of ECyD
ECyD was founded in Mexico by Marcial Maciel in 1970. From 1972 to 1973, ECyD clubs were founded in Salamanca, Spain; Monterrey, Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico; Crystal Lake, Illinois; Rome,Italy; and Madrid, Spain. The first international ECyD convention was held in Ontaneda, Santander (Spain). Currently, ECyD clubs exist in thirty countries. The future of ECyD is uncertain, given the current instability of the Regnum Christi and Legionaries of Christ movement due to the revelation of the sexual misconduct and double life of their founder, Father Maciel.

Programs
ECyD is affiliated with several youth organizations under the Regnum Christi, and the Legionary of Christ umbrella. For girls, these include Challenge, Pure Fashion, leading K4J and Mission Youth. The boys' programs include ConQuest, Mission Youth, leading K4J and other leadership activities. Members of these other groups do not have to be ECyD members, but ECyD members are expected to be leaders within the groups. Participating in these organizations fulfill ECyD members’ apostolic commitments whether through activities in their clubs (Challenge or Conquest) or missionary work through Mission Youth.

Clubs
Challenge Girl’s Club is a place for girls to grow in their Catholic faith, make friends, and grow in virtue. ECyD is the heart of Challenge Club. Challenge's mission is “to evangelize and transform the world by forming today’s young girls to give their very best to others so that Christian culture will prevail in the hearts of everyone they meet.” Challenge uses virtues education, Gospel reflections, service projects and activities to help girls develop and grow in their Catholic faith. There are also leadership opportunities within the club. Older high school girls can work as Team Leaders within the club, often planning lessons, activities, and projects for their teams of younger girls. Many girls hear about and join ECyD through participation in Challenge. Challenge has over 4000 members in the US and Canada and clubs range from 20 to 200 members. There are similar clubs operating under Regnum Christi throughout the world. In Spanish speaking countries Club Alpes, or Club Giro is the equivalent to Challenge.

ConQuest Boys Club has three levels, Conquest Father and Son Program (ages 5-7), ConQuest Junior Program (ages 8-10), and the ConQuest Club (ages 11-16). Similarly to Challenge, ConQuest promotes development of virtue, leadership, character, and spiritual growth “within an atmosphere of adventure.” In Spanish speaking countries, Club Faro is the equivalent to ConQuest

Pure Fashion
Another affiliate program of ECyD is Pure Fashion, an international faith-based program encouraging young women (ages 14-18) to discover their value and femininity. Pure Fashion includes a seven week model training program during which girls learn about public speaking, presentation, fashion, and faith. The program culminates in a fashion show. '''

Mission Youth
Mission Youth is an apostolic group affiliated with Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ that gives teens and young adults ages 14 and older the opportunity to evangelize. Programs include Holy Week Missions, Extreme Missions, and World Youth Day Missions. Many ECyD members participate in these mission programs as their apostolic work. A unique program available to ECYD members is the Mission Corps, formerly known as the ECYD coworker program. Participating members can travel to other Regnum Christi or Legionary of Christ sites in different cities around the world. These summer-long programs usually involve working in children’s camps, teaching English, conducting missions, working in ECYD conventions, or working in the local Challenge or Conquest clubs or their international equivalents. Participants live with consecrated members of Regnum Christi and experience community spiritual life. They can choose to apply for a program in their home country or another country based on interest, parental consent, and mission needs. In addition to retreats and camps, often offered through Challenge and Conquest, ECyD members can attend ECYD Conventions where they can meet and receive spiritual formation with other ECYD youth.

Controversy
ECyD has been subject to controversy because of it affiliation with Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ, which have both been subjects of controversy for some time. The Legionaries and Regnum Christi are often accused of elitism, over zealous recruitment, especially of youth, and of having a cult-like atmosphere. Recruitment is a part of the ECyD movement and members are encouraged to bring friends into the clubs. Critics of ECyD claim that the Challenge and ConQuest clubs are aimed at recruiting members into ECyD and are separated by gender to emphasize discernment a=of vocation at a young age. Critics also claim that the clubs groom members that have useful qualities for the club and will attract other girls and boys into the clubs. Some believe that the clubs downplay their involvement in Regnum Christi and many parents are unaware that their children are becoming involved in the larger movement. Controversy increased due to the revelation of the scandalous behavior of the Legion and Regnum Christi founder Fr. Marcial Maciel. In 2010, a former mistress of Regnum Christi's founder, Marcial Maciel and their two sons revealed on public radio that they had been sexually abused by their father, Maciel. Marciel had already been charged with abusing seminarians previously and resigned from active leadership of Regnum Chrisit and the Legion of Christ in 2006. Iincreased. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI announced a visitation of the Regnum Christi movement. Archbishop De Paolis led this visitation which included a revision of the order's constitutions. Legionary of Christ Activity has been either banned or limited in St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese, Columbus, Ohio Diocese, and Miami, Florida Archdiocese. As many consecrated members of Regnum Christi and Legionary priests have left the movement in the wake of the scandal, the future of ECyd and other Regnum Christi affiliates is uncertain.

Useful Links
ECyD: http://www.regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?se=364&ca=198&te=820&id=26937

Challenge: http://www.challengeclubs.com/

ConQuest: http://www.conquestclubs.com/

Mission Network: http://www.missionnetwork.com/

Pure Fashion: http://www.purefashion.com/

ReGAIN:http://www.regainnetwork.org/