Testimony of Renée Pomarico, Communications Director for the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi and former APRA student

I earned a degree in Religious Sciences from the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum in 2011. My consecration to God in Regnum Christi led me to the university. I started with a degree in Education and Development at Anahuac University in Mexico. Later, I sought to obtain a license in Religious Sciences from Regina Apostolorum by participating in their distance learning program. I engaged in studying the material, one class at a time, over four years while working full-time in apostolate. It was truly a rewarding experience! My degree in Religious Sciences provided extensive support in academic, catechetical, spiritual, and pastoral fields.

From an academic perspective, the material I studied in Religious Sciences laid a solid foundation for my teaching career. I taught Apologetics, Faith and Revelation, Public Speaking, and Drama at the Immaculate Conception Academy for five years. Later, I became a Catechism teacher for candidates in consecrated life in Regnum Christi, as well as taking on the role of academic dean in Monterrey, Mexico.

In the catechetical field, my studies at Regina Apostolorum allowed me to dedicate time as a catechist in numerous parishes and other school programs over the years. I was also hired as the Director of Religious Education at the Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Providence, RI.

From a spiritual perspective, the content enriched my personal journey in faith, deepening my understanding of Scriptures and theological concepts. They formed the basis for the retreats I preached for adolescents, youth, and adults.

I consider the degree in Religious Sciences essential for my pastoral ministry. A solid foundation in philosophy, theology, and spirituality is necessary for a life dedicated to evangelization. The degree also allowed me to later obtain certification in Spiritual Direction from Divine Mercy University and to engage in vocational guidance in the Archdiocese of Monterrey, Mexico.

Some elements of the Religious Sciences program that I appreciated are:

• The choice of 8 books, one for each academic discipline, to read and write an essay on. Two of my favorites, to which I often refer, are:
  • Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
  • Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla
• The lessons on the Old and New Testament were fascinating and enriching for my spiritual life and pastoral ministry.
• Metaphysics is essential for understanding being and the order of essential and accidental properties. Thanks to this material, I significantly enriched my knowledge.

After obtaining the degree in Religious Sciences, I earned a master’s degree in Communication from Spring Arbor University in the United States. Currently, I am the Director of Communications for the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, based in Rome. I also continue to serve as a spiritual director.