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THE MIND AND HEART 2014 OF THE GENERAL FACTS GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IDEIAS LIFE THE CANADIAN WHO LEADS THE REDEMPTORIST MISSION AROUND THE WORLD

Fr. Michael Brehl ISLAM THE OUTSKIRTS 40 Testimony of an 22 in African confrere Street Ministry 1 Redemptorist Church Tacloban, Philippines

l Families occupied the Church after typhoon Yolanda passed in November, 2013. l The typhoon affected more than four million people in thirty-six Filipino provinces. l The winds of this powerful storm reached 300 kms. an hour, with even stronger gusts.

2 Redemptorist Church Gospel solidarity, which makes the Congregation commit itself to the poor, the needy and the oppressed, finds concrete expression in our community.

3 production staff

Publication of the Congrgation of the Most Holy Redeemer

Superior General Fr. Michael Brehl, CSsR

General Council Fr. Enrique López, CSsR Fr. Jacek Dembek, CSsR Fr. João Pedro Fernandes, CSsR Fr. Juventius Andrade, CSsR Fr. Alberto Esseverri, CSsR Br. Jeffrey Rolle, CSsR

Missionary Communication Service Fr. Rafael Vieira, CSsR Fr. Biju Madatakunnal, CSsR

Photos da República Ricardo Stuckert / Presidência Files, CSsR COVER Collaborators Simone Borges 6 MICHAEL BREHL Fr. Rafael Vieira Silva, CSsR Documents and letters reveal what the superior general of the Br. Diego Joaquim, CSsR Br. Michael Goulart, CSsR Redemptorist missionaries thinks, how he feels and foresees the future of the Congregation.

Translators Fr. Joseph P. Dorcey, CSsR Fr. Porfirio Tejera, CSsR Ms. Annalisa Pinca MISSION

Website ACTUAL www.cssr.com 20 JOHN NEUMANN

Editing Report of the treasurer +39 (06) 49-490-608 general about the [email protected] missionary work being done in Philadelphia, USA today Printing Scala Publications Rua Itororó, 144 Bairro São Francisco 74455-370 Goiânia-GO (55) 62 4008-2350 ALEC REID 14 TRIBUTE Ireland says good-bye to a Via Merulana, 31 great missionary of 00185 – Rome, Italy reconciliation and [email protected] peace

4 REFLECTION THE BIG PICTURE 28 ENRIQUE LÓPEZ 36 ANTONIO DE LUCA The vicar general of the An Italian Redemptorist bishop Congregation asks questions speaks of the urgente need for about the current situation of the a new evangelization of the ISLAM Institute and calls for a deeper European continent understanding of its mission Icon 40 DIALOGUE A Redemptorist from Niger highlights difficulties and challenges faced when living together with Muslims

ABANDONMENT 22 STREET-DWELLERS Brazilian Redemptorists are committed to serving those who find themselves at the extreme limits of poverty

ALBANIA 46 THE BEGINNING ICON APP Confreres from three European Units begin missionary work 16 CAMPO GRANDE 13 BREAD4TODAY in the eastern part of the International Congress The Australian continente and the community in Brazil discusses devotion Redemptorists offer a free being assisted grows in a to Our Lady of digitial app for daily signifcant way Perpetual Help meditation

5 cover

THE MIND AND HEART OF THE GENERAL

Letters and special messages to the confreres and Units reveal dreams, ideas and convictions of the leader of the Redemptorists on all continents

n Scala News

Friendly, generous, lively, playful, serious, deep, an excellent me- mory and, above all, one hundred percent Redemptorist. These ad- jectives could be the colors of one of the photographs that one might take of the superior general of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Father Michael Brehl. He was born in Toronto, the most populous city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario.

6 7 And before coming to know the members of the Congregation, SAINT ALPHONSUS he had already become a devotee “Let us recall the apostolic zeal of our of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. founder, the passion for that marked Last January 7th, he completed his prayer, the charity and understanding 59 years and has already lived with which he built the apostolic community. 38 years of religious profession How he always heard the pleas of the and 34 of priesthood. Son and abandoned and the poor, and how brother of journalists, he speaks we too would like to respond to the neediest in our days. May his spirit with simplicity, in a direct way inspire us to give our lives and always with clear summa- for Plentiful ries and fantastic images in order Redemption, so that we too to speak of the way of being and can preach the Gospel in a way the mission of the sons of St. Al- that is always new.” phonsus Liguori in the Church. Elected four years ago, he has traveled to the four corners of the earth to encounter Redemp- torists in their places of mission- ary work. And he has written to the confreres quite frequently.

SUPERIOR GENERAL

“It is a great privilege to be the superior general of the Congregation, because it is an act of confidence by my Redemptorist confreres who asked me to take this position. Indeed, the support, love and all the help I have received have made it possible to carry out this work. I feel very good because my brothers are with me on this journey.”

8 “It is a great privilege to be the superior general THE WORLD of the Congregation, “God dreams of a world where no one prepares for war, but all because it is an act of are disarmed. God longs for a world where people sit together confidence on the at the same table and every tear is wiped away. God promises a part of my world in which justice reigns and love unites people of all Redemptorist races, languages, beliefs and lifestyles. The lion and the confreres who lamb will lie down together, and a child shall lead them. God asked me to take speaks to the world with images and a language of hope this position.” that move the human heart.”

Michael Brehl P. Michael with the members of the General Council at the closing of the visit of the General Government

THE ABANDONED

The Redemptorists “A life of missionary dedication does not His letters and messages re- people can understand, so that necessarily put us in the veal what he thinks and feels it can touch their hearts and in- spotlight. It calls us to in the work of affirming and troduce them more fully to the explore new ways and means to proclaim the encouraging Redemptorists plan of God, which is that King- Gospel, often on the margins “We are Missionaries. This is dom of justice, love and peace and fringes of society. The our fundamental identity as proclaimed by his Son. (...) It is a Redemptorist missionary is followers of Jesus Christ in the challenge for the whole Church. not just an effective and spirit and tradition of St. Al- As Redemptorists we are re- dynamic preacher in the pulpit! Redemptorist phonsus and our Congregation. minded of a reflection by Father missionaries also work in Like St. Clement Hofbauer, we Francis Durrwell: our charism, alleys and slums, in areas and are deeply aware that we must which places us at the heart cities in the hinterlands, learn to preach the Gospel ever of the Church is missionary wherever the abandoned anew in every age, in a way that by its very nature (Const. 1).” and the poor are found.”

10 NECESSITIES develop its vocational ministry. which aims to evangelize the poor. They ‘aim at the libera- “The Congregation faces many This includes the promotion difficulties in some areas, such as: of our missionary vocation, tion and salvation of the who- missionary initiatives, urgent as well as the accompaniment le human person’ (Const. 5). pastoral needs, formation, of candidates. Thirdly, each Therefore, all these works are administration of temporal goods, very important for the vitality the service of leadership, the community must find specific development of projects, the ways to celebrate the Redemp- of our charism, but above all mediation and resolution of torist missionary vocation.” we believe they are necessary conflicts, technical skills and for the livelihood of so many competency, etc. Many of these cannot be undertaken due to the Restructuring brothers and sisters who need lack of personnel in the Unit or in “Restructuring is a slow pro- them so desperately. Thus, the the Conference. Experience has cess. But, as we are a con- social works developed by a shown us that some initiatives Redemptorist Unit seek to care have failed for this reason. On the gregation with members all other hand, there are other around the world, this is no for the dignity of the human positive experiences of confreres surprise. After all, it takes a person who has been redeemed working in different Units, helping long time to reap the fruits of by Jesus Christ.” to respond to these needs.” this work. We need to restruc- ture and we are working on it. Shrines Nevertheless, greater collabo- Vocational “Shrines have several special ration between Redemptorists features. The first is to be a me- “We are Redemptorist missio- from different countries, from eting place for people from di- naries: priests, brothers, sis- different parts of the world, is fferent parishes and different ters and lay men and women, needed.” THE ABANDONED parts of a country to gather for sent to preach the Gospel ever prayer and devotion. They are anew. Above all we are sent to Commitment meeting points that go beyond the abandoned and the poor. “Redemptorist social works are the parish or the diocese and Secondly, each Unit must disco- an expression of the missionary remind us that we belong to a ver concrete steps it can take to charism of the Congregation, larger Church.”

“Marian shrines have a special role, because a mother is always happy to gather together her children from everywhere.”

11 open letter Communicate in a renewed way

When the last general chapter asked Redemptorists to ac- cept the sexennial challenge of a new evangelization, this did not mean to say that current ways of evangelizing by the sons of St. Al- phonsus are weak, or even that it is necessary to change everything. Renewal is an original characteristic of the Congregation. The Con- gregation developed as the result of an effort to do the mission in a new way, not as it was done in the Kingdom of Naples, where the clergy were concentrated in the cities, leaving abandoned the goatherds on the mountains of Scala.

The work of internal communication of the Congregation has been done with special competence in the course of the last decades, but it was necessary that it be done in a new way, in order to resonate Fr. Biju Madatikunel, CSsR Director and be consistent with the chapter mandate. Apart from the names of so many confreres who could have taken on this task, the servi- ce of communication has sought to renew itself mainly along two lines: the management of information that is leaner, briefer and more objective, as today’s reader demands it, and the adoption of technologies more attuned to the digital revolution in progress.

The magazine “Redemptorists” appears as the fruit of this effort. You have in your hands a quick overview, bringing together the main facts and lived discussions of 2014, the challenges that were faced and, of course, the material that shows what over 5,000 mis- sionaries are doing around the world in order to evangelize in a renewed way. The main attraction of this first issue could not but be the exposition of the thoughts, dreams and convictions of the greatest promoter of this process. Father General exercises, with dedication and enthusiasm, the role of energizing the Redempto- rist world for an ever new way of evangelizing.

12 MESSAGES about social justice in such a way dation of Santuário Publications is that the reader might progress in connected to the Shrine of Our La- conversion to Christ. The “Liguori- dy of Aparecida and unites the faith an” represents the best of the of the pilgrim with a vehicle of com- Catholic tradition. For more infor- munication. Through the Publishing mation, in English, go to: House, the Newspaper of the http://www.liguorian.org. Shrine of Aparecida was also born, which, in all this time, has been South Africa printed without interruption. For Redemptorist Pastoral Publications more information, go to: http:// is a small initiative of the South Afri- editorasantuario.com.br. can Redemptorists imbued with the spirit of Saint Alphonsus Ligu- ori. The main purpose of this publi- A Gerardian Magazine cation is to ensure a pastoral ap- The magazine “In Camino con San proach that considers the context Gerardo” [On the Way with Saint in such a way as to give clarity, Gerard] publishes monthly articles brevity, simplicity and theological about Christian formation with spe- accuracy to the big picture. For cial reference to Redemptorist spiri- more information, in English, go to: tuality, above all, the spirituality of http://www.rpp.org.za. Gerard. “To begin anew with Christ” – the joy of the presence of the Ris- Brazil en One, “continuing” in the foot- Founded in 1900, Santuário APP steps of Christ the Redeemer. For (Shrine) Publications of the Re- The Redemptorists of Australia and more information, in Italian, go to: demptorists of São Paulo, is com- New Zealand have the pleasure of http://www.sangerardo.eu. pleting 114 years of existence. The announcing the release of the new Publishing House was born with a “Bread 4 Today” application, a Liguorian very clear objective: to facilitate prayer app for life. Go to: http:// The “Liguorian” magazine always evangelization through printed ma- www.cssr.org.au. communicates a joyful message terials, especially the evangelization about plentiful Redemption. With of the poor, because these people its own style and with a selection of are the reason for and identity of Send your e-mail special materials, it communicates our mission. Working with the poor [email protected] a significant pastoral message to is something very dear to the Re- Catholics about faith, about the demptorists, heirs of the missionary For reasons of space, messages may be published in a shortened form. practical life of a Christian and charism of St. Alphonsus. The foun-

13 briefs

Brothers New Venerable Scala News

n A Congress of and about n On April 15th, Francis Redemptorist Brothers, authorized the promulgation of which was attended by 24 the Decree on the heroic brothers and 4 priests from virtues of the Redemptorist, Fr. several different Wilhelm Janauschek. By virtue Redemptorist Units of Latin of this Decree, Fr. Wilhelm America and the Caribbean Janauschek has been declared was held from November venerable. 25-29 at Marianela house, in the town of Atyrá (Paraguay). St. John Paul II Mavambo n Fr. Danilo Bizacco shares: Fr. Alec Reid n The name Mavambo means “The Pope was recollected Genesis, or rather, a new start. in deep meditation before n With great sadness, the Brother Benjamin, CSsR, is the the Icon and did not move Redemptorists announce that Director of the Mavambo or speak to me. I was their confrere, Father Alex Foundation, Zimbabwe, completely flustered. Reid, died peacefully in a originally founded to educate Finally, after several hospital in on Friday children from ages 8-11 who minutes, he blessed the morning, November 29th, have lost the possibility of Icon of the Mother of (...) He was remembered going to school, usually Perpetual Help. affectionately during the because they do not have a funeral Mass. The Methodist birth certificate and cannot, Arquivo minister, Rev. Harold Good therefore, enroll in public declard: “Father Alex and I schools, or because they are were companions on a very too poor to pay the school important journey, the most fees. They are often orphans important of all of one or both parents due to journeys: the HIV/AIDS and have been journey of reared by their grandparents. Arquivo faith.” A Cyril Axelrod

n Deaf from birth, he was born into an orthodox Jewish family in South Africa in 1942, the Redemptorist missionary, Fr. Cyril Axelrod, was received by Pope Francis in March of 2014.

14

Arquivo PERPETUAL HELP

a model of discipleship to imitate. She is our mother, the one to whom we go when we are in trouble. When we need help, she is always there, ready to come to our aid. She is “perpetual help” – always ready to take us into the same embrace we contemplate in her icon. From the Cross, Jesus gave her this mission. Like St. Alphonsus before him, Pope Francis recog- nizes that Mary is a missionary. She is a missionary of the tenderness and revolutionary love of God. She is the missionary who draws near to us and accompanies us throughout life. With a few strips of cloth and a mountain of tender- ness, she transformed the cave in Bethlehem into a home to welcome the Word made flesh. With loving concern, she made sure that the wine would not stop flowing at Cana – when others didn’t even notice. With her heart pierced by the sword of suffering and sad- ness, she is at the side of all the suffering people of the world, in their desire for justice. As a mother, she wel- comes all to the table of her Son. Pope Francis says there is a “Marian style” to our mission of evangelization. St. Alphonsus believed the same truth. In Mary, our Perpetual Help, we see and believe in the power of tenderness to transform our world and change our hearts. With her, we too become n Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., superior general missionaries of tender concern for others. Oh, Mother of Perpetual Help, come join us in this Greetings from Rome, where we celebrate the mission. Bring joy, hope and tenderness to our sisters and feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Like the beloved brothers. Teach us to have no fear, even when we recog- disciple we have welcomed Mary into our homes and nize the signs of the passion and cross. With you, we can hearts. We turn our attention to her as to a mother, with share the joy of the Gospel with each and every one! all the love and reverence we should have as sons and May our celebration of the feast of Our Mother of daughters. (cf. Const. 32). Perpetual Help deepen our commitment to “preach the (...) Pope Francis calls Mary, Our Lady of care, in Gospel ever anew,” giving our lives for plentiful re- other words, Our Lady of Help (EG, 288). Mary is not demption. just a beautiful woman to contemplate. She is not only Your brother in the Redeemeer.

SAINTS AND BLESSED JANUARY 5TH – Saint John Neumann JUNE 30TH – Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli OCTOBER 16TH – Saint Gerard Majella JANUARY 14TH – Blessed Peter Donders AUGUST 1ST – Saint Alphonsus Liguori NOVEMBER 4TH – Blessed Methodius MARCH 15TH – Saint Clement Hofbauer AUGUST 25TH - Blessed Methodius Dominic Trčka, Blessed Vasyl JUNE 28TH – Blessed Mykolay Dominic Trčka Velychkovskyi, Blessed Zynoviy Kovalyk, Charnetskyi, Blessed Vasyl Velychkovskyi, SEPTEMBER 26TH – Blessed Gaspar Blessed Mykolay Charnetskyi and Blessed Blessed Zynoviy Kovalyk and Blessed Stanggassinger Ivan Ziatyk Ivan Ziatyk OCTOBER 5TH – Blessed F. Xavier Seelos NOVEMBER 6TH – The Spanish Martyrs 15 marian congress

CAMPO GRANDE AND THE 16 Fr. Dirson Gonçalves, Rector of the Shrine in Campo Grande, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Brazil, coordinated the work of a large team that welcomed the participants of the Congress

Before the beginning of the short talks, Father Michael Brehl, superior general of the Redemptorists, welcomed all the participants, declaring: “This is a historic moment for us Redemptorists. Almost 150 years ago, Pius IX asked us to make Our Lady of Perpetual Help known to the whole world. Today, there is no place in the world where this devo- The participants in the first International tion is not present.” Congress of Perpetual Help had the Then, the Archbishop of Campo Grande, Dimas Lara Bar- bosa, also addressed a word to those present: “It is a privilege opportunity to learn about experiences for us to host this event, because the Shrine of Our Lady of in the other Conferences Perpetual Help in Campo Grande is not only a point of refer- ence for the city but for our entire state, and this Shrine con- stitutes more than a special sign of the presence of the Re- demptorists. May everyone take care of the Mother of Perpet- ual Help.” Fr. Manny Rodriguez, Coordinator of the Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean of the Redemptorist Con- gregation, was the moderator of the activities during the morning session. He emphasized the significance of the ICON meeting: “We are here to venerate, to express our love for 17 Mary. We would like to encourage ca. The first day, today, will be the a ‘passionate’ devotion to Our La- moment ‘to see’. It will not be so dy of Perpetual Help. We want to much an analysis as a sharing. To- fulfill what Pope Pius IX asked of morrow, we would like to develop us, and the sharing of our experi- further the experience we are liv- ences will revitalize, spread and ing, with reflection on the various multiply this devotion.” aspects of the devotion, it will be The Coordinator of the Confer- the moment ‘to reflect’. And Thurs- ence also explained the methodolo- day will be the day ‘to act’. We will gy to be used during the Congress: have a time to stand up and take “The strategy that we intend to use action to strengthen this devotion is well known here in Latin Ameri- around the world.” Message

We have begun the journey to sionaries, was formidable, a sign the solemn 150th anniversary cel- that demonstrates Redemptorist ebration of Pope Pius IX entrust- love for our Mother of Perpetual ing the Icon of Our Lady of Per- Help and the common interest of petual Help to the Redemptor- all to promote a special time of ists. The Redemptorist Province grace for the duration of this an- of Campo Grande, together with niversary. There were 102 partici- the URB (Union of Redemptorists pants, from 28 countries, with In the openning congress of Brazil) sub-conference and the representatives from all five Con- Fr. Enrique López, vicar, Fr. Dirson Conference for Latin America ferences. This initiative, fully and Fr. Parron, provincial superior of and the Caribbean, has taken the supported by the general govern- Campo Grande, at the opening of the initiative to organize an Interna- ment, enjoyed the presence of our Congress tional Congress about this Icon, superior general, Father Michael so loved and popular throughout Brehl, at the beginning of the We tried to contemplate the the world. The coordination was work. Lady of Perpetual Help in her assumed by the provincial supe- The meeting was organized in original meaning as Icon. We rior of the Province of Campo order to share experiences, main- then reflected on its Mariology. Grande, Fr. Joaquim Parron, by ly regarding the Novena of the We meditated on the spiritual, the confreres of his Province, in Lady of Perpetual Help, reflec- pastoral and missionary message the person of Fr. Dirson tions on the Icon and its message, that flows from this Icon, and we Gonçalves, rector of the Shrine of and proposals for evangelization, dialogued about the dimension Our Lady of Perpetual Help in which will help improve and re- of popular piety and the liturgy Campo Grande, and by the lay new the mandate received 150 of the Icon, all aimed at renewing people. Campo Grande, a mo- years ago, to make her known our evangelization efforts. rainal city located in the cen- throughout the world. This first international event tral-east of Brazil, at the begin- It was wonderful to hear leads us directly to the proposed ning of the Pantanal in Mato about all that is happening in the theme for the celebration of the Grosso do Sul, received us very various parts of the world repre- 150th anniversary: “Mother of well. sented at the Congress, as well as Perpetual Help, Icon of Love”. The presence of confreres the opportunity to participate in The whole history of God’s Peo- from all the Conferences, as well the Perpetual Novena celebrated ple, through these 150 years, as many Redemptorist lay mis- with the whole People of God. marked by the personal, commu-

18 nal and pastoral dedication of generations of Redemptorist con- freres who spread this devotion, has been a profound and abiding experience of Mary’s maternal love, which accompanies us, with her attentive and serene look, ready to offer herself and the Help she carries in her arms, Je- sus, our Most Holy Redeemer. This Congress has rekindled in our hearts the love we have for our dear Mother of Perpetual Help. We leave here with a com- mitment to get involved and joy- fully celebrate this 150th anniver- sary. And we want to invite all Redemptorists, every Unit and Conference, together with us, to assume with creativity a new mandate to make her known and loved worldwide as the Icon of Love, a living expression of plen- tiful redemption. “Thank you for hosting this week here in Campo Grande. We have come here from all parts of the world, and we are happy to celebrate this day with you.”

P. Michael Brehl, Father General

19 united states

Contempo- rary missio- nary work in the land of St. John Neumann

20 The Redemptorist mis- sionary, Fr. Carlos Viol, was in the city of Philadelphia, in the United States (USA), where the Shrine of St. John Neumann, the first man canonized in the United States, is found. Fr. Car- los Viol is the general treasurer of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and was in Philadelphia for the meeting of the Secretariat of Finance of the Congregation, which took think the fact that the saint’s Fr. Viol, despite not having place from November 10-12. body is found at the Shrine and large crowds of pilgrims, as in In Philadelphia, the Re- the constant presence of people other shrines, there are always demptorists of the Province of make this shrine a special place groups visiting the place. Baltimore are responsible for of prayer and contact with the “Speaking about pilgrimages St. Peter the Apostle Parish and mystery of God,” reports Fr. Vi- with a confrere who works at the Shrine of St. John Neu- ol. the shrine, he said that some mann, where the body of the The region where the Shrine groups coming from neighbor- Redemptorist saint is found. is found has always been ing dioceses are more common. “The Redemptorist Communi- marked by the presence of mi- But what caught my attention ty (Province of Baltimore) is grants. There are even celebra- was that there exists this con- welcoming and organized. I tions in Spanish. According to stant movement,” Fr. Viol said. JOHN NEUMANN

The Saint er, becoming the first Redemp- helping migrants and to educat- torist professed in America. ing children were and are trade- St. John Neumann went to For Fr. Viol, all these charac- marks of the Redemptorist the United States in 1836, when teristics of St. John Neumann, charism and were part of his he was 25 years old, a young canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul ministry.” seminarian from Bohemia. He VI, make the saint a true Re- Neumann, in his lifetime, was ordained a priest by the demptorist missionary: “His still found time for considerable Bishop of New York in the same zeal and missionary spirit are literary activity, beyond his pas- year, and carried out intense evident, whether by the fact of toral duties. He wrote numer- missionary activity, serving in leaving his country of origin or ous articles, published two cate- distant places of difficult access. in not simply remaining in the chisms and, in 1849, a history of In 1840, he joined the Congrega- sacristy. The option for the poor, the Bible for the schools. tion of the Most Holy Redeem- in particular, his commitment to

21 the abandoned EXISTENTIAL OUTSKIRTS

Brazilian Redemptorists participate in groups who accompany those living on the streets of large cities

22 23 n Simone Borges Scala News

To make Jesus in the Bles- sed Sacrament known and loved, revealing to the wor- ld the hidden presence of Jesus in poor and margina- lized sisters and brothers. This is the mission of the group “Children of Mercy,” a volunteer expression of Redemptorist Social Action, which is taking place in the Midwest of Brazil, in the city of Goiânia, in the state of Goiás. The group consists of about 50 pastoral workers, young and old, people of humble origins, liberal pro- fessionals, students, freelan- cers and housewives. They strive to be a sign of Jesus’ redemptive presence among A moment of reflection and prayer for the pastoral group “Children of Mercy” the people living on the streets of Goiânia, providing the minimum necessary for gregation of the Most Holy Help (the Mother Church of survival amidst the adverse Redeemer in Goiás. Cur- Campinas, in Goiânia), staf- conditions on the streets. rently, two Redemptorist fed by Redemptorist missio- In October, 2006, the Missionaries accompany naries. “The Eucharistic spi- group “Children of Mercy” closely the work of this rituality of the group ‘Chil- emerged within a group of group: Fr. Geraldo Magela dren of Mercy’ is a force that friends who were inspired Ribeiro and Fr. Welinton Pe- draws families, young peo- by the members of another reira Silva. ple, in short, all people of group imbued with Francis- The charism of the group good will, to the Eucharistic can spirituality, which cared is adoration of the Blessed presence of Jesus, being the for the poor and abandoned. Sacrament and love for the proclamation of the Paschal They soon found encourage- abandoned and homeless Mystery of Christ and stren- ment, and material and spi- poor. Their base is the Shrine gthening us for the mis- ritual support from the Con- of Our Lady of Perpetual sion,” explains Fr. Welinton.

24 The pastoral work is do- execution of what was plan- distribute a very nutritious ne voluntarily and generou- ned. On Mondays, during meal. sly by the members of the the wee hours of the night According to the Fr. We- group, or through the con- and early morning, they dis- linton, beyond meeting the- tributions of people who are tribute snacks, soft drinks, se needs, the project aims to sympathetic to the project. clothing, shoes, coats and give fraternal witness in de- They plan the activities and blankets; and at lunchtime, fense of the life of the poor the collection of material re- on alternate days throu- and abandoned, listening to sources necessary for the ghout the week, they also them and encouraging them

Several Units of the Congregation in Brazil do pastoral work with the homeless in precarious situations.

25 to have hope for better the homeless population in days; to make screening re- its organization into move- ferrals for those who truly ments. desire to recover from ad- “In the Street Ministry diction to narcotics and/or apostolate we go out to meet similar things; to train and those who suffer. We engage develop agents in order to them through listening and deepen the inspiration and assist them in their most ba- methodology of pastoral ac- sic needs. And, most impor- tion; to give visibility to the tantly, being the presence of issues of homeless people God’s love for and with and denounce violent and them, through our compa- discriminatory actions; to nionship, revealing that the support the articulation of Holy Church has its eyes turned toward them,” he says. Charism “Each of us who seeks to live Redemptorist spirituali- ty with the homeless popu- lation on the streets is called to be profoundly sensitive to the situation of the people and the society in which they live, and discover si- tuations of poverty and oppression that call for a res- ponse from us Christians.” “For me, every time we In this way Fr. Welinton go out to meet our homeless explains the strong link be- brothers and sisters living in tween the pastoral work do- the streets is always a new ne by the group “Children and challenging moment. In of Mercy” and the charism the face of every suffering of the Redemptorist Congre- human being who roams the gation. For him, in particu- streets we see the face of Fr. Geraldo Magela has been involved lar, the opportunity to live Christ who suffers destitu- in street ministry for many years in this experience is a real tion, a lack of resources, the different areas of Goiânia, Goiás challenge. failure of the state when it

26 insists on violent repression, “In the Street Ministry apostolate which claims the lives of so many more than the streets we go out to meet those do. We find the sharing of faith experiences among who suffer. We engage them these people who have no one on their side. We try to through listening and assist them in carry out works of mercy, aware that we are instru- their most basic needs.” ments of grace in God’s hands,” he says. n Fr. Welinton Silva, CSsR

27 reflection

Criteria that strengthen our missionary task n Fr. Enrique López, CSsR, vicar general of the Congregation Do not confuse the past with the future “The ‘abandoned’ are the poor, neglected and those tossed aside by society; those excluded from social and material goods.”

Even though the water is always Before this mission, we must fundamental dimension of our new, it is the same river that flows. recover the mystery of the spirituality. It invites us to open We cannot simply repeat the past. missionary inspiration, with ourselves more to God, to mercy, Everything changes and demands generous availability, creativity, to compassion and apostolic charity, new answers. This is the main apostolic charity and missionary to solidarity, to fraternal life in challenge. The XXIV General dynamism. We are active agents of a community, to the suffering, to the Chapter (2009) asked us for a new new vision of the Kingdom of God, poor and abandoned. availability, a new solidarity, a new sent to show the unconditional love prophecy and a new missionary of Jesus Christ, to promote an With the grace of God, we must mystique. As a Congregation we inculturated evangelization, an seriously fight against our selfishness, have to discern and make concrete incarnated spirituality, the value of against material, intellectual and choices. As a community we have to people’s life and dignity, a culture of spiritual “self-indulgence,” against open ourselves to God’s will: freedom, justice and solidarity, with personal and pastoral laziness, listening attentively to the voice of a profound sense of responsibility. against that “clericalism” which the Holy Spirit, recognizing the signs separates us from people, against of the times, looking for and None of this will be possible without attitudes typical of “bureaucratic accompanying the most abandoned, personal and communal conversion. officialdom,” against the paralysis of especially the poor. The We know that this is an internal, arrogant discussions, against “abandoned” are the poor, the congregational matter. A real review “gossiping” that destroys and empty neglected and those cast aside by of life is needed, taking responsibility talk, against rivalries, jealousies and society, those excluded from social for our current situation, without competitions that divide us, against and material goods, the oppressed deceiving ourselves, but seeking a petty interests and “politicking” that and suffering. These are also the change for the better. We must plague our communities and people, communities and social renew our hearts, our spiritual profoundly affect our pastoral action, groups “cast aside” by the Church, motivations, and strengthen the against the inability to open the spiritually abandoned and those mystery of the missionary ourselves to others and a new who feel excluded from the Church. inspiration. Ongoing conversion is a mentality.

28 The criteria that strengthen our brothers) are not the “sole missionary task owners” of the Redemptorist charism. We must promote n We must respond with greater collaboration, association for pastoral agility to the actual pastoral action, to awaken the urgencies and demands of missionary spirit in everyone, evangelization: in very diverse giving greater vitality to the places, cultures and social Redemptorist charism. contexts. We are lacking a reform, a “restructuring” understood as a n We must allow ourselves to be change of mentality, a spiritual led by the principle of “mercy.” conversion, a change in our We must embrace this undeniable structures and forms of reality: many people and human organization, always seeking groups continue to suffer all kinds greater closeness to the people. of shortages and violence We lack more pastoral flexibility in (affective, gender, sexual, the decisions of leaders and economic, cultural, social, political, superiors as well as in the etc.). Many are discriminated missionary attitudes of confreres against and oppressed, victims of in the trenches. the most diverse types of abuses of power. There are many poor n We must have greater openness people who are unemployed, to solidarity, a spirit of association hopeless, abandoned, excluded with other Redemptorist Units from society and the Church. and related organizations in order Mercy is the correct response to to optimize human (professed the suffering world. Redemptorists and lay women and men), spiritual and material n We Redemptorists are sent to resources. Redemptorist bring hope and announce the provinces should not be plentiful redemption of Jesus competing against each other. Christ. Let us recall the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” The n We must open ourselves more principle of “mercy” is what and more to active and reciprocal moves us to respond to the collaboration with lay people suffering of others. Mercy is God’s (men and women) who share the principle. It is God who moves us mission, spirituality and charism of to react and respond to human our Congregation, and also, with suffering. It is the movement of so many religious women and God through Incarnation and men who have similar charisms. Redemption. The response of Professed confreres (priests and “mercy” must always be personal,

29 communal, pastoral and social. It and proactive action. It is not a “glorious past” that no longer is not sentimental, paternalistic or question of repeating the past exists. Those who say “we have individualistic compassion. It must nostalgically. Neither is it useless no future” confuse the future with be accompanied by concrete or destructive criticism. It is the past. But, the future does not actions. availability, openness, forgive. It continues there firmly collaboration, solidarity, before us. It will be distinct, but n We must be moved by active association with others and there it is “looking to pass the hope. Real hope is always action. concrete action. time.” If we demand that the You have “to do something.” future come before its time, it will Theoretical reflection and n We must have a realistic vision of surely resist. It knows how to discourse are not enough. The the future. One may strive and wait. It has more patience than us. poor teach us to live hope. When struggle, but there are no We have to change our attitude we have everything, and solutions guarantees about the future. No toward the future. are at hand, there seems to be no fantasy or imagination guarantees need for hope. But when we lack the future. It makes no sense to n Many things will change. Life everything, when we see no dream of recovering an alleged teaches us that the whole future is results and everything is going based on cycles of birth, death wrong, that’s when it takes a lot of and new life, each with its faith, hope and trust. moment in a process of change. To choose means “to leave n Hope is certainly the daughter of something” in order to take on a outrage at injustice, but also of “new project”: to die and to be creative imagination. It is born again. The authentic future is indignant; it criticizes and everything that is based on complains. But it also proposes creative fidelity and drives us “something new, an alternative or beyond the present. something different.” It does something new. Hope requires n In our prayer let us ask for the Move us with some very important attitudes gift of creative fidelity. May we such as patience, dialogue, active hope. be faithful to the Redemptorist perseverance, the ability to Authentic hope is charism and mission. This is our recover (resilience), flexibility and always action. You present and our best hope for a very good sense of humor. the future. We always have “to do remember St. Clement Mary n Our hope is well founded in the something.” Hofbauer. May the Lord God love of God, in the resurrection of help us to follow His will, Jesus Christ, in the mystery of preaching the Gospel “again and redemption. Hope lives in the in a way that is always fresh,” incarnation and is realized in the with renewed hope, renewed spirit of struggle. It is not a matter hearts and renewed of regret, but rather of positive structures.

30 “Make her known throughout the entire world.” Pius IX

Entrusted to the Redemptorists 150 years ago Participate in the initiatives of your community in preparation for the Jubilee of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help being entrusted to the Redemptorists in 1866.

31

At the National Shrine of Aparecida, São Paulo, Brazil the Redemptorists studied new theological challenges

MORAL THEOLOGYTHEOLOGY

32 n www.a12.com

The Saint Alphonsus Seminary Guest House, together with the Center for Redemptorist Spirituali- ty (Ceresp), received renowned experts for the Inter- national Redemptorist Congress of Moral Theology, which began on July 27th and continued until the 1st of August.

MORAL The Congress assembled Redemptorist moralists THEOLOGY and professors THEOLOGY of moraltheolgy

33 The purpose of the event was to discuss the greatest challenges for moral theology at the present time. According to Father Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., professor of the Alphonsian Academy and mem- ber of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, the participants reflected on topics such as classi- cal moral theology, contemporary French phenomenology, theologi- cal ethics in the digital world, and surveillance and security in a technological society, among oth- er subjects. The Congress gathered Re- demptorist moralists and profes- sors of moral theology, other Re- demptorists interested in the sub- ject, non-Redemptorist moralists and lay people coming from vari- ous countries like Angola, Argen- tina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Co- lombia, Ecuador, Spain, the Phil- ippines, India, Italy, Japan, Nica- ragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, the United States and Vietnam. Father Enrique López, C.Ss.R., vicar general of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, eval- uated the Congress positively. “This is an academic Congress, where studies, research work and other contributions are presented, where we have interaction be- Fr. Rogério Gomes, professor at the Alphonsian Academy, coordinator of the tween the speakers and the shar- Congress ing of work done in small groups. In this way we hope to motivate has already been held in Canada, Shrine of Aparecida on August people and awaken even more in- the Dominican Republic, Thai- 1st, the feast of St. Alphonsus Li- terest in theology.” land, , Colombia and twice guori, Patron of Moralists and Fr. López explained that this is in Italy. Confessors and founder of the the eighth congress, which is held The closing Mass of the Con- Congregation of the Most Holy every four years. The encounter gress was held at the National Redeemer.

The encounter has already been held in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Poland, Colombia and twice in Italy

34 Participants of the the Congress, representing the five Conferences of the Congregation in front of St. Challenges Alphonsus Seminary On the third day of the Moral moving outward from the same faith Theology Congress, the main aim of in a manner that could be under- the well-known Spanish Redempto- stood by all in a given polity; this rist moral theologian, Marciano would obviously permit space to en- Vidal, was to configure a sufficiently ter into a dialogue with other dis- valid discourse on the moral aspect courses. of Christian living. He did this Vidal divided his talk into two from two aspects: ad intra main parts (what he called “mo- and ad extra. On the one ments”) to achieve his main aim: 1) hand, he viewed a pub- Historical Moment: in going through lic discourse on Chris- the Christian moral tradition as it de- tian morals from within veloped in the course of history the faith itself so that (Primitive and Patristic; Medieval the entire body of Scholastic theology; Post-Tridentine Christian belief would Casuistry and the Renovation at Vat- be conserved. On the ican II), he showed the main pecu- other hand, he visualized liarities that the theological-moral discourse has taken. 2) Systematic Moment: taking off from the teach- ings of Vatican II, he sought to re- spond to the demands of a would- be-Public Discourse, that would be critical and really ‘public’ at this present moment.

Fr. Marciano Vidal, one of the great theologians of our time, gave conferences during the Congress

35 the big picture

Dangerous fundamentalisms feed on that cultural narcissism that isolates, separates and ignores n Mons Antonio de Luca, bishop redemptorist Europe, a continent to be re-evangelized “The old continent, cradle of civilization and culture has nurtured its identity, drawing on the great values of Christianity”

The art, the architecture, the great cathedrals, the majestic monasteries, the music, the values of solidarity, the legislative heritage, everything has received a particular adhesive bond in Christian roots. Today the face of Europe appears changed. It is without anchors and points of reference. Different and conflicting values, without a hierarchical standard, are opposed and combined in a strange mixture that does not help identities, nor strengthen a sense of belonging. Profound contradictions and considerable fragility emerge. A climate of growing secularization has produced a Europe lost and confused about its roots and its identity. On the one hand there are the just demands for the dignity of the person and his/her rights. On the other, there is an exasperated exaltation of the individual who, in the name of an alleged privacy, remains but lonely and isolated. In part, subjectivism inspires this harmful ethical relativism that confuses freedom with arbitrary authority, and that self- determination that has inspired the renunciation of education, and has forgotten the healthy personalism that Europe has generated and nurtured since forever. Even the effort of a leveling rationalism that seemed to have the pretext of eliminating God definitively, has instead produced only an anthropological drift and still there is a growing awareness that “without the Creator the creature vanishes” (Gaudium et Spes, 36). Indeed, the theological crisis has generated an anthropological crisis, about who is man, what are his rights, his potentials, the sense of limits, and respect for a criterion that not everything that is scientifically possible is also ethically permissible. It calls for the elimination of the sacred and wants to reduce religious experience to a product of the imagination or a personal, private phenomenon. And in the meantime, in the face of a growing and renewed demand for spirituality, many alternative forms of esoteric and superstitious beliefs and practices (horoscope, astrology, nature worship, etc.), which cannot satisfy the thirst for the Divine and the Transcendent, which is located in the heart of every man and every woman, abound and grow. Economic systems, based on consumption, which for a time constituted certainty, have ended up producing new and more painful forms of poverty and destitution, with an incalculable increase of wealth in the hands of a few. Europe is experiencing a

36 dramatic loss of confidence and hope. The demographic collapse and exaggerated aging make of the European union a continent in a precarious situation with respect to the future. Certainly the history of the European continent evokes the great achievements in terms of rights, science and the promotion of the person. It has also favored the birth of the great religious orders and academic centers that have contributed to that widespread anthropological sensitivity for the respect of the dignity of the human person, and especially the expansion of the Gospel in countries and territories that have severely tested the boldness and courage of the daughters and sons of this European continent. Therefore “Europe today must not simply appeal to its former Christian heritage: it must in fact be capable of deciding again its future in the encounter with the person and message of Jesus Christ.” (Synod of Bishops – First Special Assembly for Europe, Final Declaration (December 13, 1991), 2). And the familiarity and the encounter with contemporary culture in which the Gospel must be proclaimed as well cannot and should not result in a dangerous weakening of the radical demands of the Gospel that are made concrete in respect for the dignity of each person, and for the whole person, in the protection of creation, in hospitality and in the challenge of multiculturalism. A renewed humanism is the mission that belongs to Europe. Faced with this great task, linked to its history, escape is impossible. Nor is it enough to deny its own Christian roots, but only by understanding again the passion for unity, the beauty of responsibility, and the duty of hospitality will it be possible to build a new Europe for a new generation of young people hungry for authenticity and the future. The younger generations find it difficult to dialogue with the Church. Often they do not even understand the reasons. But certainly the question of God remains one of the most immediate appeals that we must be able to meet head on in light of a new On November 26, evangelization. Every renewed commitment to evangelization must rediscover its 2011, Pope connection with culture and with knowledge: “The split between the Gospel and culture is undoubtedly the drama of our time, as it was in other times. Therefore every Benedict XVI effort must be made to ensure a full evangelization of culture, or more correctly of nominated cultures.” (Evangelii nuntiandi, 20). Dangerous fundamentalisms feed on that cultural narcissism that isolates, separates, and ignores. The recomposition of differences Antonio de Luca passes through the humble listening to the reasons of others, and the mutual exchange that enriches and consolidates human coexistence. And in this Europe can certainly as bishop of take advantage of the historical heritage and the links with Christianity that have given Teggiano- this continent a unique and original face. The new evangelization that it is up to Europe to do, must take into account that the Christian soul of this continent has not Policastro, disappeared but is only dormant. It must be awakened and brought back to its succeeding Mons. reasonable considerations. The Church, institutions, culture, must discover that educational alliance which will restore vigor to the great values of family, life and Angelo Spinillo, education, which in the context of a comforted freedom and democracy can also be who was ways to restore hope and life to a historic phase in Europe, which today seems to be decidedly in decline. Human mobility and the cultural resources of which Europe is the nominaged bishop guardian do not extinguish hope. of Aversa

37 anniversario

JUBLILEE OF ENTRUSTING

38 Representatives from Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, Latin America and members of the general government of the Congregation

JUBLILEE OF ENTRUSTING THE ICON Phase I: January, 2015 – December, 2015 “To strengthen and attend to our love for the Mother of God.” The first phase is a preparatory year, which will help us renew our devotion to the Mother of God. The Center for Redemptorist Spirituality will prepare for the whole Congregation the modules that will help us reflect on our religious consecration and at the same time provide material for deepening our reflection on the role of the Blessed Mother in consecrated life.

Phase II: 2016 “Mother of Perpetual Help: Icon of Love” – Celebration. The second phase will be a season of celebration, through which the Congregation around the world, together with all who venerate Mary under the title of Perpetual Help, will organize events to help us reflect on the love and devotion to Mary as the Mother of Perpetual Help. The high point of these events will be the celebration in the Shrine of Rome, where the participation of Pope Francis is also expected. The various Units and Conferences are asked to organize some important activities, especially on the feast day, June 27th. Phase III: 2016-2017 The renewal of the mandate of Pope Pius IX “Make her known to the world” – the missionary dimension. The purpose of the celebration of the Jubilee is the renewal of our commitment, expressed in the mandate of Pope Pius IX: “Make her known to the world.” The greatest challenge is to revive and refresh our service of evangelization, especially through the spreading of the Icon as a means of evangelization. Responsibility for this commitment will fall especially to the Units and Conferences of the Congregation.

39 living together

40 Fr. Ibrahim Seydou lives in Rome and studies Arabic and Islam

DIALOGUE WITH ISLAM A Redemptorist from n Scala News Niger highlights Father Ibrahim Seydou is a very special African Redemptorist mis- difficulties and sionary. The son of a country that suffers from enormous economic and social difficulties, he speaks about dialogue, peace, reconciliation and challenges faced in perseverance. Niger not only suffers the consequences of having 65% of living together with its territory covered by the Sahara desert, but it also faces the difficulties of coexistence between religions that have had a history of peaceful re- Muslims within one’s lations but are now threatened by increasing unrest in neighboring Ni- geria. The fruit of a marriage between the only Christian in a Muslim own family and family with a Catholic, Father Ibrahim always attended family celebra- tions, hearing about both the Bible and the Quran. He confesses that community among uncles and cousins, the talk was always difficult, but respectful. Engaged in learning languages that will enable him to deepen his study and practice of inter-religious coexistence, he says he is crazy about singing, playing guitar and the drums and the martial arts are his favor- ite sport. He has a simple idea for facing the complex challenge of coexistence

41 Members of a Christian church pose with Muslims in front of a religious center in Niger

between Christians and the peo- pray five times a day, while we speaking, the state is secular and ple of Islam: “it is necessary to only pray once a week, on Sun- respects religious freedom. In accept people as they really are day, and this is not normal for theory, religion is considered a and not because we want them to them. They think we do not fast private affair. According to the be a certain way.” The practical and that we do not respect the Christian organization “Open difficulties in the application of laws of forbidden foods, like not Doors,” however, there is one this principle are manifested eating pork, which is a sin for main factor that generates the mainly by the ignorance that them,” he explains. persecution of Christians in the members of one religion have Islam arrived in Niger over country, which is Islamic extrem- about the other. “According to ten centuries ago and today it is ism. It is estimated that currently many Muslims I know, we do not the religion of 98% of the popula- there are between 50 and 150,000 pray as much as they do. They tion, but even so, constitutionally Christians in Niger. “I think the “To gain an understanding of God is very difficult. But we always strive to define the meaning of the path of religion.”

42 Testimony I worked for three years in a parish where we had a commission for inter-religious dialogue. The people who comprised that commission were all Muslim and Christian leaders. We worked with this commission and went to seven locations throughout the country. We did three days of talks on the sources of dialogue in the Quran and Islamic traditions on the one hand, and the sources of dialogue in the Bible and Christian tradition, on the other hand. By doing this, we tried to increase awareness about each of the traditions. To speak about Jesus Christ as the Son of God with Muslims is not easy. To speak about the meaning of the cross and the death of Jesus is also not easy. However, we did it and we were able to talk about many other issues that were not easy to discuss. I am convinced that it is possible to be together, to discuss together and to know each other’s religion. It is very important to enter into dialogue with others, even when it is complicated. Unfortunately, sometimes dialogue can be very difficult or even impossible. In this case, dialogue becomes an arms “dialogue,” a war “dialogue” and a violence “dialogue.” The consequence of this type of “dialogue” is death because of the stupidity and silliness of the human species. Amidst this situation, there is a prayerful dialogue. This type of dialogue can bring us the hope to walk forward. Today, the world wants more people who don’t just pray but who put into practice, more witnesses than “loudspeakers.” But the fact is that, above all else, it is a process of faith. This means that first we have to believe and work and finally, to stop to pray! There are many people who believe in this kind of dialogue. Deep in my heart I pray for all religions. I pray for Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, people who profess traditional religions, Muslims, Christians. Because we are, before all else, human beings.

Fr. Ibrahim Seydou, CSsR

problem is that too little knowl- and other practices considered the group’s performance stan- edge of other religions can lead to non-Islamic by them. They are dard,” states the organization. conflicts and misunderstand- known for their proselytizing “The future of the Church in ings,” adds Father Ibrahim. “To campaigns. “The creation of a Na- Niger is worrisome. The overall gain an understanding of God is tional Islamic Council in 2003 re- dynamic of the country indicates a very difficult. But we always try, ceived wide support from Sufi potential increase in pressure and through language, to define the leaders who saw it as an instru- violence. A considerable segment meaning of Revelation, the path ment to control Izalas who have of the southern part of the country of religion. Speaking about God been involved in a series of vio- seems prone to Islamic hostilities. is not easy, but it is not impossi- lent incidents over the past few The increase of radical Islam in ble among believers,” he notes. years. The primary danger of northern Nigeria and in Mali also The organization “Open movements like Izala, are its effort contributes to the deterioration of Doors” informs us that there is a to crush everything that they con- the religious situation in Niger. In radical Islamic group called Izala sider ‘perdition for Muslims,’ addition, churches are not pre- in Niger. Just like the Izalas in Ni- which includes minority religions pared for greater pressure from Is- geria and Benin, the Izalas in Ni- like Christianity. As recent history lamic extremism,” according to the ger reject the Sufi origin of Islam has shown, violence is still part of organization “Open Doors”.

43 this and that

Scala News Fr. FRANCESCO Antonio de Paola

n Celebrations for the second centenary of the death of Fr. F. A. de Paola, the second superior general of the C.Ss.R., were held on November 15-16, in the Redemptorist community of Frosinone. The centenary, strongly desired by Fr. Giuseppe Orlandi, was promoted by the Roman Province with different initiatives. On Saturday, November 15th, on the premises of the Oratory of Saint Gerard, the historical work of Fr. Vincenzo La Mendola, entitled Fr. Francesco Antonio de Paola, The Opus Award Haiti Redemptorist (1736-1814), a biographical profile from the n Fr. Joe Maier, C.Ss.R. n September 17, 2014, will be a letters, was presented. was designated date difficult to forget. Finally, one of three finalists to the delight of all, the new for the annual Opus Award, School of St. Gerard in Port- a prestigious award, which au-Prince, Haiti, was “recognizes inaugurated. It was the most the unsung heroes who, anticipated day of the last four

Scala News guided by faith and years. More than six hundred by an entrepreneurial spirit, Haitian boys and girls gladden are those who the classrooms, the courtyard overcome the most and the corridors with the persistent sound of life that bursts out. A social problems of the world.” small group meets in the hall in The Opus Award which the inauguration is is given every year to celebrated. There were some recognize the unsung heroes words of thanks from the of any faith tradition, regional superior of the who, around the world, Redemptorists, Fr. Kenol, and are solving the the blessing of water which most persistent social then served, for sprinkling and problems today. blessing the entire building.

44 Scala News Venerable Pelágio Sauter

n On November 7, Pope Francis declared the Servant of God FR. PELAGIO SAUTER, (1878-1961) CSsR to be Venerable, authorizing the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the Decree on his heroic virtues. in Radio Maria Bangkok n This past November 29, n The children of Father 2014, Radio Maryja Joseph Maier’s (Maria), which belongs to Redemptorist Center of the Redemptorist Province Mercy, located in the heart of Warsaw, celebrated the of the Bangkok slums tell, 23rd anniversary of its in their own way, the story foundation, in the of the birth of Christ presence of more than 10

Scala News through their paintings. thousand listeners and “Some of these children friends (the so-called are Catholic, but most are Family of Radio Maryja). Buddhists,” affirmed Father They came to Torun, Joe, who has worked in Lebanon Poland, to thank God and the slums since 1973 and pray for the work of Radio has created the n At the request of the general Maryja, for the Foundation for Human government, two confreres Redemptorists who work Development – the from the Province of Liguori in there and for their co- Center of Mercy. This India, Fathers Binoy workers. center has created schools Mandapathil and Antony Binoy for children, a home for Uppumackal, reached Lebanon orphans, for the victims of to continue the mission begun abuse and for the by the Belgian Redemptorists of abandoned and has, the Province of San Clemente. furthermore, founded a They arrived in Lebanon on hospice for children December 1, 2014, to officially infected with HIV/AIDS. join the Mission.

45 missionary front

THE BEGINNING IN ALBANIA

The Redemptorist mission in Albania has just begun. The material and spiritual situation in this part of Europe makes the presence of the Congregation meaningful.

46 n Fr. Laureano Del Otero, CSsR iliary bishop of Tirana-Durazzo, in 75th birthday. They also had a the rectory of the Cathedral, where meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio It was 5:20 a.m. when Fathers the confreres remained for two in Albania, who urged them to Laureano Sevillano Del Otero, weeks, devoting themselves to the love the people and to have “the Dominic O’Toole and Andrzej Mi- study of language, participating in smell of the sheep” on them, citing chon, the first three Redemptorists various church meetings, and Pope Francis. to go to Albania, landed at Tirana, making their first contacts with the During the stay in Tirana the the capital of Albania. The sky was Albanian . The community visited the future mis- filled with clouds and the prepara- day after their arrival the mission- sionary site of Kamëz and also The Redemptorist mission in Albania has just begun. tions for the imminent visit of the aries were received by the Arch- held meetings to discuss the de- Pope in the “land of the eagles” bishop of the capital, Archbishop tails of the mission, which had The material and spiritual situation in this part of Europe could be seen along the road. Rrok Mirdita, who said that the ar- been moved forward to Monday, The community was welcomed rival of the Redemptorists in the September 22nd, for several rea- makes the presence of the Congregation meaningful. by Bishop George Frendo, OP, aux- diocese was a precious gift for his sons.

47 The first three Redemptorists in Albania, Fathers Laureano Sevillano Del Otero, Dominic O’Toole and Andrzej Michon, landed at Tirana, the capital of Albania.

On Sunday, September 21st, dated Mother Teresa square. In his your hearts, peace in your nation. Pope Francis visited Albania, the homily, the Pope defined the Church Peace!” The Pope recalled the past first European country to be visited as a missionary community. Several suffering of the Albanian Church by the Holy Father. The confreres times he repeated the greeting of and, referring to the image of the ea- had the privilege of getting very peace: “peace is not just a greeting, gle on the national flag, invited the close to Francis, since the Albanian but also a gift. Dear brothers and sis- Albanians to fly high. In the after- bishops and priests present were not ters of Albania, I come among you noon, the confreres attended the so numerous. Many people of other today, in this place dedicated to a meeting of the Pope with priests and religions, with their religious lead- humble, grand-daughter of this religious in the Cathedral, where ers, and government officials were land, the blessed Mother Teresa of two witnesses told of their religious also present at the celebration. An Calcutta. Repeat for me this greet- experience during the time of the amazing flood of people had inun- ing: peace in your homes, peace in atheistic, communist dictatorship. The first community: Kamëz

Monday, September 22nd, will Thanks be to God! Catholic families who migrated be written with golden letters in the The Redemptorist community from the northern mountains have history of the Congregation. After received the mission to serve the established themselves. Luz and Ka- receiving the papal blessing, in a car Catholic community of Kamëz, in- salle are rural populations where the provided by the diocese (with only cluding the parish of St. John Vian- humble lifestyle reveals a survival two seats, so one of the confreres ney, the parish of the nearby village economy. The roads are in very poor had to sit in the back), the communi- of Luz and the area of Kasalle. In all condition, and the wounds of aban- ty traveled the 10 kilometers to three places the Eucharist is celebrat- donment and poverty are visible. Kamëz. At 5 p.m. the three Redemp- ed, even though Kasalle and Luz This is our Albanian “Scala”. torists entered, for the first time, have only a small chapel without The Catholic population num- what henceforth will be the first Re- electricity and running water. bers about twenty thousand people. demptorist community in Albania. Kamëz is a large urban center where The community has settled into the

48 parish of Kamëz, which consists of eign missionaries who feel solidarity said that he wants the parish com- the church and the parish house, both with the first steps of our communi- munity to help its new parish in need of some repairs. The commu- ty. priests, since it is a privilege to have nity is learning Albanian, but English One of the things that greatly three priests at their service. He also is the language for morning prayer surprised the confreres is the age of expressed the hope that our pres- and interpersonal communication. the Catholic community. Most of the ence here will be long and fruitful, Every day the Liturgy of the Hours people who participate in the Eu- resulting in the growth of the parish and the Eucharist are celebrated be- charist are teenagers and young community of Kamëz. At the same fore the icon of Our Lady of Perpetu- people. But there are some older time he recalled that there can be no al Help, which was given to Father people too. We were told that mid- church without priests. For without Andrzej in Poland. All members of dle-age Catholics do not go to priests there are no sacraments. the community participate together church because their faith was not Therefore he asked all to pray for vo- in the prayers and the Eucharistic cel- cultivated during the reign of com- cations. ebrations. From day one the Eucha- munism, because all churches in the The Redemptorist mission in Al- rist has been celebrated in the Alba- country were closed or destroyed. bania has just begun. The material nian language and this is a source of The young people of Kamëz are a and spiritual situation in this part of great joy for the faithful. very great help to the Redemptorist Europe makes the presence of our The beginning of this missionary community, in order to understand Congregation significant. The pres- adventure has not been easy, espe- the reality of and speak with the ence of young Catholics in a church cially when the faithful ask the con- faithful. that has suffered much, but has re- freres to celebrate in their homes. On Sunday, October 5th, the mained faithful to the Gospel, is rea- Given the difficulty of the language, feast of Blessed Francis Xavier See- son for hope. The prayers and the the help and assistance of other los, Archbishop Mirdita celebrated support of the whole Redemptorist priests and religious have been an Mass in order to present the Re- family are necessary so that this little enriching experience of commu- demptorist missionaries to Kamëz. seed of the Gospel might bear abun- nion. The church in Albania is small In his homily he said he was happy dant fruit. And it is hoped that other but very friendly. Given the shortage that we will take care of this parish Redemptorist missionaries might of priests in the country, the majority that has one of the largest Catholic have the desire to participate in this of the clergy and religious are for- communities in the country. He also adventure.

49 acknowledgement

I have finished my activities at the service of the general government with a heart full of gratitude n Fr. Rafael Vieira, ex Director of Communication The joy of being a Redemptorist From administrative services to the work among the most remote and poor populations of abandoned countries there is always a Redemptorist working with confident trust.

2014 began with great the central administration to the organizing global news coverage of expectations in the communication most remote social works with the the Congregation, using more office of the general curia and ended very poor populations of the most dynamic and current technological with a generous decision of the abandoned countries on earth, there tools. In July, when I had the general government to replace the is always a Redemptorist facing opportunity to see my family again in director of communications in order difficulties, but working with Brazil, I went for a cancer prevention to allow for some necessary health confidence. test, and was surprised by an accident: care treatment. Indeed, during that One particular group moved me in the doctor perforated my intestines. I time, I lived great experiences that the first months of our work: the passed many difficult weeks in the marked my journey forever. The members of the general hospital. In early September, another problematical work of implementing government and Father General. terrible surprise: the post-traumatic a strategic communication plan was We – all Redemptorists of the world stress awakened in me the anxiety mixed with a sudden surgery and a – are privileged to have a disorder known as panic attacks. serious psychiatric diagnosis. In all coordinating group with excellent Since that time I have remained in these moments I could feel the human and spiritual qualities. The treatment in Brazil. In its December comfort, support and joy that being superior general and the general meeting, the general council accepted a Redemptorist has brought consultors form a team with whom my resignation and appointed to my life. it is a pleasure to live and work. The Fr. Biju Madatikunel as the new When we started the others who work in the general director of communication for the communication work in the Roman curia are also welcoming and kind. Congregation. I finish my activities at office, in September of last year, The confreres who form St. the service of the general government even with the presence of Fr. Gary Alphonsus community also give with a heart full of gratitude. Everyone Ziuraitis, I went through moments of valuable witness to solidarity and was very kind to me and I thank profound reflection on the human support for those who have a special everyone, with all my soul, directing dimension of the Congregation. It is mission in Rome. myself especially to a Redemptorist a world of fraternity, with vivid We designed a strategic plan for who inspires me to be a Redemptorist expression on every continent. For communication, which the general with always greater passion: Father everywhere we look, we find a government approved in its Michael Brehl, one of the most Redemptorist full of life and September meeting and, from that simple, intelligent, generous and enthusiasm, carrying out its mission. moment, we spent months trying to dedicated men I have ever met. From the characteristic services of put into practice the ideas of Thank you very much, Fr. Michael!

50 General Twitter “Why not gather together a group of priests, who will dedicate themselves solely to those so sadly abandoned?”

ALPHONSUS LIGUORI 1696 – 1788

CONGREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER

VIA MERULANA, 31 ROMA – ITALY

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