Redemptorists

(Rome, Italy) With the pontificate of Pope Francis, the theme  “discernment” was propelled from the beginnings and the Alphonsian Academy wanted to explore its vast perspectives during a Convention held in the Great Hall (Aula Magna)  of the Higher Institute of Specialization on the 14th and March 15, 2018. To develop the theme – “Discernment: Fundamentals and places of exercise “,  several speakers were present, both professors of the Academy,  and experts from outside making the event an opportunity for a happy collaboration between Pontifical Universities and Faculties as well as other ecclesial realities.

A theology that does not stop at speculation but really listens is a theology that serves with concern the needs of the Church today. This is the perspective that has guided the two days of the Conference animated by the awareness that the Church – as Pope Francis affirms – needs to grow in the art of discernment.

The volume, edited by prof. Antonio Donato and Jules Mimeault, collects the contributions of prof. Paolo Asolan (Pastoral Institute “Redemptor Hominis” Pontifical Lateran University); Martín Carbajo Núñez (Alphonsian Academy); Elisabetta Casadei (Alphonsian Academy); Alberto de Mingo Kaminouchi (Alphonsian Academy); Antonio Donato (Alphonsian Academy); Maurizio Faggioni (Alphonsian Academy); Cristiana Freni (Alphonsian Academy); Michele Lavra (Jesuit priest, expert in the accompaniment of Ignatian spiritual exercises); Francesco Maceri (Pontifical Theological Faculty of Sardinia); Sabatino Majorano (Alphonsian Academy); Pietro Marini (Orientation Service for Young Friars Minor of Umbria and Sardinia); Martin McKeever (Alphonsian Academy); Chiara Palazzini (Pastoral Institute “Redemptor Hominis” Pontifical Lateran University); Fabrizio Pieri (Institute of Spirituality of the Pontifical Gregorian University)

Studia Moralia website

Alphonsian Academy website

(Rome, Italy) A few days after the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to young people, the General Commission of the Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry met in Rome.

The meeting was held from November 6 to 9, at the Generalate of the Redemptorists in Rome, five confreres representing five continents: Europe (Paolo Drobot), Africa and Madagascar (Christian Klú), North America (Matthew Allman, Santo Arrigo), South and Central America (Fabio Pascual), Asia and Oceania (Peter Balaswamy). Together with the members of the General Government, they tried to find a way to continue the indicated path of the synod. Fr General Michael Brehl, one of the Synod Fathers, showed us the direction at the beginning of our meeting: to listen to young people to learn about their lives, to interpret their lives with the Word of God, to invite young people to make the decision to follow Christ. All three steps are necessary for the journey of growth in faith and of vocational discernment.

The commission decided to update the “General Guidelines for Youth Ministry and Redemptorist Vocation” in the light of the indications of the Synod and of the XXV General Chapter. Recent General Chapter indicated us the signs of the time, that is the “wounded world”. The Redemptorists are convinced that it is necessary to go out to the young to accompany them in their search for the meaning of the life and vocation.

The commission also affirmed that effective youth ministry is possible only from the perspective of working together with the young people and not only for young people.

The next stage of the commission’s work will therefore be an experience of a common project together with the young, that is, the Alphonsian World Youth Day which will take place in Panama City during the World Youth Day in January 2019.

CONGREGATIO SS. REDEMPTORIS

Superior Generalis

October 21, 2018

World Mission Sunday

Prot. No. 0000 185/2018

WITNESSES OF THE REDEEMER:

In Solidarity for Mission to a Wounded World

Dear Confreres, Sisters, Youth, Lay Associates, and Young People,

On Sunday, November 11th, we will celebrate the annual World Day of Prayer for the Redemptorist Missionary Vocation. In this celebration, we will remember our Foundation Day (November 9th), and give thanks for the 286 years of witness to the Redeemer lived by generations of Redemptorist missionaries across the world.

As I write to you today from the Synod of Bishops on Youth, I am reminded that our missionary vocation is at the heart of the Church’s mission. And this Synod reminds us that at the heart of the Church’s mission are young people, and most especially those who are wounded or marginalized, migrants or lost. Today we are called in a very special way to be prophetic and authentic witnesses to the Redeemer as we accompany many young women and men in the discernment of their vocation as missionary-disciples.

The Synod has reminded us of the wounds experienced by so many young people and families in the world today. Across the world, the large majority of migrants are young people. Many are driven from their homes by war, by poverty, by religious persecution. Others migrate from rural areas to urban centres seeking education, employment, a chance to improve their life. A great number of young women and children are the victims of human trafficking. Still, other young people are searching for meaning, for acceptance, for purpose.

Speaking recently of this reality, Pope Francis encourages us “not to be afraid of descending into the hell of the people… Suffering, be it human, social, that of conscience… we need to be there. Touch the wounds. And touching people’s wounds, you touch the wounds of Christ. [We] should never be afraid of this. It is a grace we receive from the hand of the Lord.”

As we prepare for this World Day of Prayer for the Redemptorist Missionary Vocation, we remember the Synod process initiated by the Holy Father and in which so many of us have taken part. The Synod Assembly which concludes on October 28 is not the end of the process. Pope Francis has invited us to continue to walk with young people as we prepare for the World Youth Day in Panama, and then to continue the Post-Synodal implementation phase in every continent, country and diocese. We walk together with our younger sisters and brothers in a process of discernment and commitment.

At the same time, we cherish and celebrate the growing number of lay men and women that God is calling to share our missionary vocation as Lay Missionaries and Associates. And we are grateful for the generous response of so many younger confreres and candidates in the process of Initial Formation.

Remembering the widow in the Gospel passage for Sunday, November 11, we gratefully celebrate those who from their poverty, “have given everything they had to live on”. The lives of our senior confreres who have persevered in their vocation with joy and hope are an authentic and prophetic Witness to the Redeemer who calls us in solidarity to touch his wounds today.

In this Spirit, I ask every Redemptorist community to celebrate this World Day of Prayer in every one of our churches. In past years, some have dedicated a particular petition in the prayers of the faithful, others have planned an hour of Eucharistic Adoration. Some have used the occasion to promote our missionary vocation with displays of information about the Redemptorists. And others have taken up the collection for the Redemptorist Solidarity Fund, most of which is used for the initial formation of Redemptorist missionaries, especially in developing nations. I urge you to be creative and thoughtful, and perhaps this year it would be a good idea to ask for ideas and involve groups of young people in the planning.

May we follow “Christ the Redeemer with hearts full of joy” (Cons. 20), confident that we are “sent as helpers, companions and ministers of Jesus Christ in the great work of redemption” (Cons. 2). May Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help, accompany us always. May St. Alphonsus, and all our saints, blessed and martyrs inspire us and help us by their prayers.

Your brother in Christ our Redeemer,

Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R.,

Superior General

(Rome, Italy) – The “Welcome Day” of the academic year 2018-19 took place on October 2, 2018, at the Alphonsian Academy, Rome, a day dedicated to welcome the new students who start their studies and come together to start the new academic year.

The Welcome Day of this year was inaugurated with the greeting of the outgoing president, Fr. Andrzej S. Wodka, followed by the presentation of the video of Pope Francis’s speech to the Congregation for Catholic Education in 2016, in which the Holy Father insisted on the true objective to which the service of teaching must tend, that is, the integral formation of the person, alternated with short clips concerning experiences of this approach carried out in various parts of the world.

“We must not be afraid to talk to the world! For this reason it is necessary to prepare for the difficult task of moral theologians, starting from a hermeneutics of complexity to correctly read the signs of the times “, with these words, Father Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R, Consultor General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer,  welcomed the participants on behalf of the Moderator General of the Academy, Fr. Michael Brehl.

“Administering a teaching and research centre, like the art of teaching, always requires a critical look at reality, to look for the best ways to make it a welcoming place for everyone and at the same time to reflect and produce knowledge in various fields of moral theology”, continued Fr. Gomes.

Followed by this, as part of the project to prepare for the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church, Fr. Seamus Enright C.Ss.R. gave a talk, in English, on the theme: “St. Alphonsus crossing the Alps. The beginning of reception of Alphonsian Moral Theology in Europe “. The theme was based on the interaction and fruitful link between the Alphonsian moral theology and pastoral practice in a period and in a region, during the nineteenth century in France, of crucial importance for the history of moral theology. The speaker explained that a fundamental role in the transition from a religion of “fear” (a legacy of Gallican rigorism) to one of love was played by the introduction of the Liguorian approach in the French Church, in particular, thanks to figures like Mons. Devie and Thomas Gousset, influences that were then applied eminently in the ministry of the Saint, Jean Marie Vianney.

During the afternoon session of the day, after the first part of the programme there were  meetings of various language groups, and meetings of the students at different levels of study: those of the first year of License were able to benefit from the presentation and visit to the Library premises; second-year students, on the other hand, witnessed the presentation on other important steps towards the achievement of the title, that is, the topic discussions, real lessons held by the candidates etc.; finally, the PhD students participated in the first meeting of the seminar dedicated to the structure of the Doctoral work, on the topic of “spirituality”.

During the day, the participants were able to know more about the Institute of Moral Theology and everything concerning the educational programme, the Biennium study program, the Library and the details for each group of students interested in the License or PhD.

Andrea Pizzichini

2nd year student

Alphonsian Academy

CONGREGATIO SS. REDEMPTORIS

Superior Generalis

September 26, 2018

Prot. No. 0000 148/2018

Memorial of Blessed Gaspar Stanggassinger, C.Ss.R.

Patron of Redemptorist Youth Ministry

Dear Confreres, Sisters, Redemptorist Associates and friends,

Greetings from Rome! Once again, I am sending you another letter, but this time it is about the Synod of Bishops, on the theme of Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment, which will begin on October 3rd.

On Saturday, September 15, the Vatican published the list of the Participants for the Synod. There will be three Redemptorists participating as members of the Synod: Bishop Bryan Bayda, C.Ss.R., Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of Saskatoon, Canada; Bishop Ralph Heskett, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Hallam, England; and myself, Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., representing the Union of Superiors General. Fr. Sabatino Majorano, C.Ss.R., Province of Naples, has been named a Consultor to the Synod.

Once again, Pope Francis has surprised us with the process of preparation for the Synod. As you know, he expanded the process of consultation from which the Instrumentum laboris is prepared. In addition to consulting the Episcopal Conferences around the world, the process included an online questionnaire to which thousands of young people responded – from every continent, from a large variety of cultures, religions (and ‘no religion’), languages and experiences. Pope Francis also convoked the special Pre-Synod Meeting of 300 young people in Rome with several thousand other young people participating online. The 300 young people included many delegates with various ages and experiences who came from every continent, from all the major world religions, and from different cultures.

The preparation for this Synod has been an enormous and wide task which has already initiated the process of discernment which will form the basis of the Synod’s discussions. Many of you participated in the process in one way or another, and I thank you for this.

Over the past several months, the Union of Superiors General has studied the Instrumentum laboris seriously, especially during our General Assemblies. Recently, the ten Superiors General delegated as members of the Synod have also been preparing together.

As well, since July, I have participated in gatherings of Redemptorist Youth – in Granada in Spain and in Canandaigua in the USA. I encountered over 700 young people and invited them to share with me their reflections, concerns and hopes for the Synod, which many shared. In August in Brazil, I met with representatives of JUMIRE – Redemptorist Youth, including one of the Redemptorist Youth delegates to the Pre-Synod Meeting in Rome. I am impressed with how important this Synod is to so many young people. Their expectations are high.

As we studied the Instrumentum laboris together, the Superiors General have paid particular attention to the requests which the young people made to the Synod during the process of consultation. There are many such requests – almost thirteen pages in summary form. I invite you to read and reflect on the Instrumentum laboris with this in mind.

I have been especially struck with their request to the Church to make the passage from Youth Ministry to young people to Pastoral and Evangelizing Ministry with young people. They ask the Synod to offer some indications which might help the whole Church to make this transition. The young people who took part in the consultation also offered some strong suggestions about how to do this.

Through the consultation and the pre-Synod process, young people are asking for greater listening and dialogue within the Christian community. They want to engage fully in the evangelizing mission of the Church – but to do so, they ask that their voices be heard. They greatly appreciated the pre-Synod process, especially the Pre-Synod Meeting in Rome, and ask that this kind of process begin in Dioceses, as well as parishes, schools, and local communities.

The youth and young adults who have taken part in the preparation challenge the Church to become a more authentic witnessing community – a ‘Church-going-forth’ in the spirit of Pope Francis and Evangelii Gaudium. They ask for dialogue about their real concerns, including the role and opportunities for women in the Church and in society; sexuality and identity; social engagement for the transformation of society and closeness to the poor; ecology and care for our common home; outreach to and inclusion of all young people, not only those with whom we agree; and special attention to refugees, migrants, diverse cultures, prisoners, unemployed youth. They urge the Church to strengthen its policy of ‘zero tolerance’ to all forms of abuse. They ask the Church to undergo the radical change and conversion necessary to make these dreams a reality and to create structures to facilitate this.

As members of the Redemptorist Family and missionaries called to bring the Good News to the poor, we cannot be deaf to these requests. In many parts of the Congregation, I have had the privilege to accompany the evangelizing missionary outreach of Redemptorists and young people in mission together. Let us continue to build on these good foundations and create even more spaces for authentic dialogue and mission, discernment and accompaniment.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, I ask that every community and each one of us pray daily for this Synod, for our Redemptorist Youth Ministry, and for Pope Francis. The Synod will open on October 3rd and close on October 28th. May it be a time of grace and hope, and may it offer new pathways for the whole Church in solidarity with our ‘younger’ brothers and sisters.

Your brother in Christ our Redeemer,

Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R.

Superior General

(Rome) The Press Office of the Holy See published the list of the Participants in the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which will take place from 3 to 28 October 2018.

Among the participants there will be the following Redemptorist confreres:

1.     As elected by the Union of Superiors General Rev. Fr. Michael BREHL, C.SsR.Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (The Redemptorists)

2.     As a member of the Pontifical Nomination His Eminence Rev. Cardinal Joseph William TOBIN, C.Ss.R., The Archbishop of Newark (United States of America).

3.     As a member of the representation of Great Britain (England and Wales) His Excellency Rev. Msgr. Ralph HESKETT, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Hallam (England)

4.     For the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Excellency Rev. Msgr. Bryan J. BAYDA, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Saskatoon of the Ukrainians

5.     As a Consultor Rev. Fr. Sabatino MAJORANO, C.Ss.R., Professor Emeritus of Systematic Moral Theology at the Alphonsian Academy of Rome

We wish our confreres good work and we join with St. Alphonsus in prayers for the outcome of this universal church event.

Scala News

On 20th June, 2018 eight of our novices made their First Profession here at Mt. St. Joseph, Kotagiri. Six of the newly professed belong to the Province of Bangalore while two of them belong to the Vice Province of St. Gerard Majella. They  are Br. Albert Ebin from Kochi,  Br. Charles from Kollegal,  Br. Camil Dung Dung from Odisha,  Br. Deepak from Jharkhand,  Br. John from Thalavady,  Br. Prasanta from West Bengal,  Br. Vernon from Mumbai and Br. Nishit from Mangalore. 
The Major Superiors of both the Province of Bangalore and Vice Province of St. Gerard Majella - Rev. Fr. Arulanandam and Rev. Fr. Ivel, participated and received the newly professed into the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. A good number  of confreres from other Redemptorist communities, the  religious from various communities in Kotagiri, the Parish clergy and some of lay people attended the ceremony. 

The Redemptorist Spirituality Course for the English speaking confreres started in Rome on 11th of June 2018 as confreres from nine units gathered at the Alphonsian Academy in Via Merulana, Rome. The Course ends on 1st of July according to the scheduled program.

Since Fr. Michael Brehl, the Superior General could not be present for the opening mass due to the general visitation in Nigeria, Fr. Alberto Eseverri, C.Ss.R., the Vicar General, presided over the mass at 11.30 am. As the Church celebrates the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, Fr. Alberto reflecting on the gospel message emphasized that all of us need to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near at hand. “We need to take up our own crosses and share with the people as we continue the journey of faith”, he continued. “For us Redemptorists, it is a time to live our Redemptorist Spirituality, a time of continual conversion to the commitment in Jesus.” He also reminded the confreres that those participating in the course are not just tourists but Redemptorists who are constantly striving to follow the Redeemer closely.

During the course, the confreres will spend the first four days in Rome reflecting on the history and mission of the Congregation, based on Constitution and Alphonsian Missionary Theology. They leave for Scifelli on the 6th day morning and visit Tivoli and Quintilliolo. On the 7th day Fr. Piotr will give a session on the Spirituality and Spiritual Life. The participants will then depart for St. Agatha of Goti and visit the Redemptoristine Sisters and Materdomini in the noon.  After two days of sessions on Bible and Alphonsian Spirituality by Fr. George the confreres will visit Naples where they will be instructed about the history of the place in the life and mission of the Congregation. Then they will travel to Muro Lucano and Deliceto, near Materdomini.

On the 15th day, the group will go to  Ciorani via Scala. The following day Fr. Cristian will be taking a lesson on Lay Collaborators and Brothers whereas Fr. George will speak on St. John Neumann. The next day, the confreres will spend time in group discussions and sharing on the challenges today and then there will be a short session on Blessed Sarnelli by Fr. George. Later the group will go to Marianella and Naples and then visit Pagani. On  June 30th Saturday, the group will visit Pompei and return to Ciorani and on Sunday 1st of July the group will return back to Rome.

There are altogether 17 confreres participating in the Redemptorist Spirituality course: Frs. Ray Douziech & Francis from Toronto Province, Fr. Gift from Zimbabwe Province, Frs. Melroy Correa and Henry Fernandes from Vice-Province of Majella, Frs. Francis Makhal, Petrus Barla, Sanjay Ekka, and Gnanaprakasam from Bangalore Province, Frs. OUEDRAOGO Evariste Wende-Kote & BOURGOU Dimanchi from West Africa, Fr. Paul Kuzhimannil Matthew from Baltimore Province, Frs. Aidan McMahon, Neil Bryan Lesaca & Richie Cuaton from Cebu Province and Frs. Joseph Thundathil & Annathukuzhiyil Scaria from Liguori Province.

On the Eight of June, which this year happened to be the feast of the Most Holy Sacred Heart of Jesus, six of our brothers - Bros. Ananth Raj, Deepeck Bage and Narisetti Thambi Joseph (who belong to the province of Bangalore) along with Bros. Juvance Serrao, Noel Mascarenhas and Angelo Francis Rodrigues (who belong to the Vice province of Majella) made their perpetual vows at our Holy Ghost Church.

The Eucharist was presided by Rev. Fr. Arulanandam CSsR and was concelebrated by Fr. Ivel Mendanha CSsR (the vice provincial of the vice province of Majella who preached) along with many Redemptorists.

The parents and relatives of the brothers were also present along with friends and well-wishers.

The preacher, Fr.Ivel broke the word and explained to the congregation and especially to those who made their vows on how the Christian life should be centered on Christ,in Christ and lived with Christ.
After the almost two hour long Liturgical Ceremony, all of us gathered in the refectory at Mt. St. Alphonsus for the felicitation meal. Seven Brothers ((including Bro. Bipin from the province of Liguori who made his final vows in his province) were greeted with our traditional wish, Vivat in eternum while they cut the cake.We then had the delicious food that was prepared by our kitchen staff.

We wish our brothers God's blessings and may they be the instruments of God's act to the people and situation to which God sends them in the name of Jesus the Redeemer.
May Mary our Mother's perpetual help be always with them.