R E S O U R C E S
R E S O U R C E S
SAN DIEGO — “We are an order formed of priests and brothers, and our purpose in the Church is the sanctification of the laity, especially young people.”
That’s how Father Martin Latiff describes his order, Miles Christi, which arrived in San Diego two years ago.
Founded in 1994 by Father Roberto Yannuzzi, who now serves as the order’s superior general, Miles Christi (a Latin expression that translates to “soldier of Christ,” or, in its collective sense, “apostolic army of Christ”) looks to accomplish this sanctification through three means: retreats, the intellectual Catholic formation of young people and spiritual direction.
And while the order’s patron saint is St. Joseph, and while it may have a special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, there’s also an Ignatian flavor to the retreats Father Latiff mentioned.
“The master of [Miles Christi’s] spiritual life is St. Ignatius of Loyola,” he said. The preaching of retreats, he said, particularly the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, is crucial to Miles Christi’s mission of sanctification.
Father Latiff says the order itself played a key role in his priestly vocation.
“When I was a teenager, I providentially met [Father Yannuzzi],” he said. “A friend invited me to spiritual direction.”
Father Latiff’s spiritual director ended up being Father Yannuzzi, who invited him to a retreat that featured the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
“That helped immensely in my discernment,” said Father Latiff.
He entered Miles Christi after completing high school, began novitiate studies and was ordained a priest in 2005. Three years later, Father Latiff’s community had to decide between staying in Detroit, where it had been since 2000, or expanding to San Diego. The members decided to increase their order’s scope.
“That was basically the reason for coming to the West Coast, to expand the apostolic activities of Miles Christi and have a presence in this particular area of the country,” said Father Latiff.
The priest pointed to the growth of the Miles Christi religious order as one reason for the decision to move to a new place.
He added, “We were very warmly received by [Bishop Robert H. Brom] and also by the other priests of the diocese.”
Miles Christi is an international religious order, with houses in Mexico, Argentina and Rome. For now, though, Father Latiff’s plan is for San Diego.
Upon being asked what Miles Christi will do in San Diego, Father Latiff immediately replied, “[Work] with young people, be that of high school, college and young adults, especially through the preaching of retreats.”
“We want to help young people grow in their spiritual life and in their love for Christ and the Church.”
The Southern Cross