Evangelization
The challenge of the popular missions in Albania
The Redemptorist charism, in our history of ministry to the Church, stands out above all for the popular missions. But we know that already in the early days, with the experience of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer in Central Europe, the Redemptorists had to find new ways to realise their founding charism. In Albania, the Redemptorists arrived in 2014 in a context of missionary urgency, given the lack of sufficient priests to minister to the Catholic faithful. The Redemptorist community has taken up the ministry in Kamëz, probably the country’s...
read moreOnline meeting of the Secretariats for Evangelisation and for the Brothers
On 2 and 3 February, the Secretariat for Evangelisation of the Conference of Europe met in a video conference. During the meeting, reports were given on the activities of the individual working groups, including the preparation of the 2022 International Youth Meeting in Torun. The members also discussed the working document for the First Phase of the General Chapter and gave some points of view for further reflection. The members of the Secretariat for the Brothers in Europe also dealt with the working document for the First Phase of the...
read moreChristmas 2021 – Letter of the Coordinator (20.12.2021)
“Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1, 78.79 . Dear confreres, Dear sisters, Dear partners in mission, There are situations and times when we are particularly attentive and receptive to the promise of Christmas. In the Gospel according to Luke, for example, this is captured in the words of the Benedictus, the words of the hymn in which the surprising, human and world-changing...
read more“Go & share” – RYVM Meeting 2022 in Toruń
Dear Confreres Superiors, Pastors, Youth Pastors and Leaders of Youth Communities, Only eight months remain until the next edition of the European Redemptorist Youth and Vocational Ministries Meeting. It will take place in Poland from 27th to 31st July 2022 at the Redemptorist parish St. Joseph in Toruń, Bielany. The motto of the event is: “Go & Share”. As we remember, the last event took place in 2018 in Granada, where about 700 people gathered. We are counting on the presence of young people from your Provinces. The age of...
read moreAlbania: a new confrere and a visit of the Europe Coordinator
New confrere in the Mission of Albania On 11 September, Fr. Zbigniew Kwiecien, coming from the Province of Warsaw, joined the interprovincial community in Albania. This assignment is not his first missionary experience, for he has spent years in Argentina, announcing the Good News in the great steppes of South America. He has also carried out his ministry in his home province, both in parishes, schools and parish missions preaching. With his incorporation, the Mission of Albania counts three confreres again, two from Poland and one from...
read moreEuropean preparatory meeting in Torun
The Redemptorist Youth Ministry coordinators, leaders and volunteers across Europe gathered recently (24-26 September) for the European preparatory meeting in Torun, Poland. The purpose of our meeting was to help plan and discuss the next Redemptorist Youth Congress that will take place at the end of July 2022. The meeting started with Mass and then a wonderful gathering of introductions and connections with old and new friends from all across the different Provinces of Europe. We spent time reflecting on all our ministries with young people...
read more100 years since the arrival of the Redemptorists in Slovakia
With the presence of Father Pedro Lopez, General Consultor, the celebrations of this Redemptorist Jubilee took place: 100 years since their arrival in Slovakia and the foundation of their first monastery in Stropkov. The three-day celebrations were organised by both Redemptorist Units present in the country – the Province of Bratislava-Praha and the Vice-Province of Michalovce. It was in Stropkov that the main celebrations of the significant jubilee took place. On Friday evening, the feast was opened with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by...
read more200 years of Redemptorist presence in Bischenberg, France
The Bischenberg community in Bischoffsheim was supposed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Redemptorist presence in August 2020. Delayed by Covid-19, the celebrations finally began in May 2021. The climax of the jubilee year took place on Saturday the 17th of July and Sunday, July 18. The joy of a community that celebrated 200 years of Redemptorist presence in faith and in the commitment that shared the Redemptorist charism. During this jubilee time, the Bischenberg community recalled the efforts of the Redemptorists in popular...
read more“The Glories of Mary” in Albania
Paraphrasing our Father and Founder and author of “The Glories of Mary”, we could begin these lines by saying: “Beloved Redeemer and my Lord Jesus Christ, we unworthy servants of yours, knowing how pleased you are with those who seek to glorify your Most Holy Mother, whom you love so much and wish so much to see loved and honoured by all, have thought of publishing this little article which speaks of her glories.” First of all, one could notice that Albania is not really a ‘Land of Mary Most Holy’, since its inhabitants, even non-Catholics,...
read more12 New Blessed Redemptorists: Vicente Renuncio Toribio and 11 Companions
Pope Francis, after considering the positive conclusions of the analysis conducted by the historians, theologians, cardinals and bishops, consultors of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on the life, virtues and martyrdom of the servants of God Vicente Renuncio Toribio and 11 companions of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, has approved the promulgation of the Decree on their martyrdom. The 12 missionaries, six priests and six coadjutor brothers, members of the two Redemptorist communities of Perpetual Help and Saint Michael...
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