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Where your heart is, there will be your treasure
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| Redemptorist Newsletter | Number 32 |
Rome, Italy
December 16, 2007
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NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES
General House, Via Merulana: Congregation celebrates 275th Anniversary
Puerto Rico: Casa Cristo Redentor celebrates 40th Anniversary
Denver, USA: Liguori Publications celebrates 60th Anniversary
Oconomowoc, WI, USA: North American Institute for Redemptorist Historical
Studies.
Bolivia: Hailstorm damages Redemptorist Church in Vallegrande
THE VATICAN AND REDEMPTORISTS
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, C.Ss.R. seeks to strengthen Syro-Malabar Church
Cardinal Julio Terrazas, C.Ss.R. attends Consistory and visits the General House
VITA APOSTOLICA
Félix Catalá, C.Ss.R. presents the second installment on the Consecrated Life
PROFILE
Willy Jesena, C.Ss.R. reflects on 50 years of Redemptorist life
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Alberto de Mingo Kaminouchi, C.Ss.R. authors new book
PHOTO GALLERY (on-line only)
Photos from around the Redemptorist World
FEATURED MEDIA
Acoger y Compartir, Madrid Province
TRANSITIONS
Professions, Ordinations, Anniversaries, Deaths, Electoral News
Our General Council has just finished up a rigorous round of visitations and ten days of meetings to discuss the conditions and concerns of the Congregation around the world. After the Christmas holidays they will head out around the world again. http://www.cssr.com/calendars/CalEN.htm For most of us, it is difficult enough to maintain a focus on our local Redemptorist lives and ministry. What they do must seem to many as just a little bit crazy. The General Council must always maintain a"global vision" and constantly maintain a spirit of availability and physical stamina to endure the long journeys, the long meetings and always the unexpected. They truly deserve our thanks for giving their lives for plentiful redemption.
It makes you wonder sometimes how they do it. The answer to how they do it is clear if not always simple to comprehend or put into action. They follow in the footsteps of someone else who had"pazzo amore" and a"global vision" of redemption: Christ the Redeemer. As we enter into the Christmas season, let us all look a little more beyond our own immediate cares and concerns and follow the Redeemer in being a little bit more crazy about emptying ourselves to bring just a little more peace and light to God's people. In this Christmas season and in the coming New Year...
Grace and Redemption for All!
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
Rome
275th Anniversary observed at General House
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
On November 9, the 275th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation, the 100 + members of Sant'Alfonso, who come from every corner of the Redemptorist world, gathered in the community chapel at midday to observe the first of a three part celebration rededicating themselves to St. Alphonsus' vision and renewing their choice to follow our holy founder in the footsteps of Christ the Redeemer.
Father General, Joseph Tobin, Rector of the House, Darci Nicioli, and Vice Rector Bruno Visuri presided over the midday prayer service, which included readings and prayers from St. Alphonsus and prayers of praise and thanksgiving.
After the midday prayer ceremony, the community moved to the second stage of the celebration, which included bountiful aperitivi and a festive pranzo.
The third and last part of the festivities concluded in the evening with a concelebrated community Mass in the Church of Sant'Alfonso under the gaze of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. The occasion was made even more special by the visitation of the reliquary of St. Teresa of Lisieux, which was on pilgrimage to Rome. Our church was one of the few churches in Rome to host the remains of the Carmelite sister who's"little way" to sainthood prompted Pope John Paul II to proclaim her, like our founder, a Doctor of the Church.
Both these Doctors, on this 275th anniversary, gave the community members much inspiration to continue on their own spiritual and apostolic journeys.
Puerto Rico
40th Anniversary of Casa Cristo Redentor
Manuel Rodríguez, C.Ss.R., Provincial
Since the beginning of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in the eighteenth century, extraordinary preaching has been the chosen method of proclaiming the Good News to the poorest, the weak and oppressed (G.Statute 09). Retreat Houses have provided a means and opportunity for this preaching and almost every Redemptorist Unit has at least one Retreat House. What distinguishes the Casa Cristo Redentor is that it addresses all people in their human, spiritual and affective dimensions (Const. 6). For this purpose particular use is made of the sciences such as psychology, sociology, psychiatry etc. This method is intimately bound up with the mystery of the Incarnation, a mystery so dear to the hearts of Redemptorists from their founder St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.
In the chronicles of Casa Cristo Redentor, for 1967, the year of its foundation, there is an account of a Vice provincial Assembly in which the name of the new initiative was discussed. The chronicles tell us that one of the names proposed, consistent with the theology of the time, was ‘Casa Cristo Rey" (Casa Christ the King). In the Assembly the late Fr. Arturo Donnely, C.Ss.R, made an intervention declaring,"People come here not searching for a king, but for a Redeemer. I suggest the name ‘Casa Cristo Redentor (Casa Christ the Redeemer)". And thus was decided the name of this sacred place, a place where the Redeemer is encountered.
In 1967 the then Vice Province courageously took on the project (Const.13). Financially, Retreat Houses are not self-supporting projects but fidelity to the Redemptorist charism of proclaiming the Good News determines projects and the steps to be taken. Recently the Province of San Juan made another bold decision to remodel the facilities in response to the General Government visitation and by this decision defining Casa Cristo Redentor as one of the most important apostolic priorities of the Province of San Juan.
Our desire for the next 40 years is that the Province continues to promote and support this most important project and that it assumes responsibility to prepare personnel for its development. We are grateful and have been fortunate that the personnel up to the present time have made every effort to carry out this Redemptorist missionary work, a work of real cooperation with Plentiful Redemption.
+Rubén Antonio González Medina, C.M.F.
Bishop of the Diocese of Caguas.
Shalom – Peace! In the Risen Christ!
With great joy we celebrate this special anniversary of Casa Cristo Redentor. Forty years of magnificent apostolic work where you have labored hard to sow in the hearts of our people the Good News of the Gospel. You Redemptorist Missionaries by your style of life have given witness to the truth that he who follows Christ, the perfect human being, becomes more human. You have done this by your ministry during the forty years existence of this Retreat House. I heartily congratulate you and urge you to continue to carry on your mission according to these words of Pope John Paul II addressed to you on the occasion of the third centenary of the birth of St. Alphonsus (1996):
"With St. Alphonsus it is necessary to stress Christ's centrality as the mystery of the Father's mercy in all pastoral work. The Redemptorists must never tire of proclaiming the copiosa redemptio, that is the infinite love with which God in Christ bends towards humanity, always starting with those who have the greatest need to be healed and freed because they are most affected by the harmful consequences of sin"
Courage! May God bless you with many vocations!
Sincerely in Christ, the Good Shepherd, your brother Bishop.
USA
Liguori Publications
60th Anniversary
Pat Declue
Liguori Publications in Liguori, Missouri, USA, began a year of celebrations in honor of the 60th anniversary of the founding of their publishing community. Father Maurice Nutt, C.Ss.R., was the guest speaker to Liguori employees on November 8, 2007. The Redemptorists residing at the Liguori Mission House and St. Clement Health Center who served at Liguori Publications over the years were recognized.
Father Joseph Tobin, Superior General of the Redemptorists, will arrive from Rome and address the employees on Friday morning, January 4, 2008. Father Gary Ziuraitis, Director of Communications, who worked at Liguori from 1983 to 1992, and was a columnist for the Liguorian until his appointment to Rome, will accompany him.
The Redemptorists began their publishing venture in 1913 at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with the Liguorian magazine. In 1947, the Redemptorists purchased a 120-acre estate twenty-five miles south of St. Louis, Missouri and moved the apostolate there. Today Liguori Publications carries thousands of titles and continues spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, inspired by the spirit of Saint Alphonsus Liguori.
All of Liguori's products are educational and pastoral in nature. In addition to Liguorian magazine, they publish Sunday parish bulletins, youth and adult catechetical materials for parishes and religious education programs, informational pamphlets, and both hard and soft cover books that inform consciences and inspire the heart.
Saint Alphonsus dedicated his life to preaching God's Word by proclamation and by pen. On this anniversary, we pray that Saint Alphonsus will continue to inspire and guide the efforts of the publishing community that proudly bears his name.
North America
North American Institute for Redemptorist Historical Studies
Oconomowoc, WI, USA
Jim Mason C.Ss.R. & Monte Kniffen
The Institute for Redemptorist Historical Studies of North America hosted its fourth public historical conference at the Redemptorist Retreat Center at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin USA from October 1-5, 2007.
Forty guests from all over North America and Europe gathered on Monday night of October 1st for a gracious Redemptorist welcome
On Tuesday morning, the 2nd, Sister Nancy Lee Smith, of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters of Monroe, Michigan, spoke on the making of Icons. Most of Nancy's life has been dedicated to becoming a disciple of this kind of sacred art and spirituality. She herself has created dozens of Icons that are on display in many sacred places of worship. She spoke of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and how it was, and was not, created according to the traditions of Icon making.
In the afternoon Daniel Korn, C.Ss.R., of the Denver Province, using a PowerPoint presentation, spoke of Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in North America and the World and Jim Mason, C.Ss.R., of the Edmonton-Toronto Province, later told the story of how the Edmonton-Toronto Redemptorists were able to put the Devotions on TV. That evening, the Liguori Publications video,"Our Mother of Perpetual Help," was shown to a very receptive crowd.
On Wednesday morning, the 3rd, Gil Enderle, C.Ss.R., of the Historical Institute in Rome, told the story of Louis Florent Gillet, C.Ss.R. Enderle went into detail on Fr. Gillet's vocation, his coming to America, his establishing St. Mary's parish in Monroe, his founding of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary -- the IHM Sisters -- his release from Redemptorist vows, his travels to Gethsemane in Kentucky, his work for some Bishops, his eventual return to Europe where he joined the Cistercians and eventually became the Abbot of his monastery, and how the IHM Sisters were eventually able to bring his body back to Monroe for final burial.
In the afternoon Jim Mason, C.Ss.R. spoke at length of the very interesting life of Fr. James B. Sheeran - husband, father, priest, Redemptorist Chaplain in the American Civil War, his 1600 page War Journal, his release from the Redemptorists, his becoming pastor in Morristown, New Jersey and his death in April, 1881.
Later that same day, Carl Hoegerl, C.Ss.R., of the Baltimore Province, spoke of Blessed Francis X. Seelos' involvement in the American Civil War (as Rector of the seminary in Cumberland), and his meeting with President Lincoln at the White House requesting that the Redemptorist seminarians not be inducted into the Union Army.
On Thursday morning, the 4th, Harry Grile, C.Ss.R., of the Denver Province, spoke of the history of the early Juvenates of the St. Louis Province, and Gary Lauenstein, C.Ss.R., also of the Denver Province, spoke of some better-known Novice Masters from all the North American Provinces. George Rassley, C.Ss.R., of the Denver Province, capped off the conference by speaking about the history of the former Oakland Province and especially the formation system that they had.
At the banquet supper, Dr. Paul Laverdure, was presented with the Seelos Award for his major contribution to the history of Redemptorists in North America.
Bolivia
Hailstorm damages the Mother Church of Vallegrande.
Estanislao Augustyn, C.Ss.R
The province of Vallegrande is located in the southeast in the Department of Santa Cruz and is divided politically and administratively into five municipal sectors: Vallegrande, the Capitol of the same province, Moro, Pucará, Postrervalle and El Trigal.
According to the statistics for 2004, the population of the Province of Vallegrande is 27,870 with the greatest concentration in the Municipality of Vallegrande with a population of 16,837 inhabitants. This is 61% of the total population spread over 7007 particular localities.
At present the Municipality of Vallegrande has one of the highest levels of emigration and the lowest level of population increase in Bolivia, particularly noticeable since the decade of the 80's because of long periods of drought. Economic stagnation, the few options for employment and a desire for higher wages are the main reasons for the younger generations to leave Vallegrande in search of better opportunities.
The Municipality of Vallegrande consists of 80 rural communities and 10 barrios in the urban area, with levels of poverty reaching 56%, which means that more than half the population lacks the basic necessities for normal life: drinking water, toilets, bathrooms and other necessities. Vallegrande's influence in the nation has been and is undeniable. We find its presence in decisive moments of our history, not always spectacular but always evident. Vallegrande, since the time of its foundation as the city of Jesús y Montesclaros de los Caballeros, has been the real connection binding the Andes and the Plains. At present its people, whether at home or abroad, work incessantly to raise children in Vallegrande who will preserve their Province enthusiastically so that Vallegrande never dies. A town with such a heart never dies.
At present the people of Vallegrande are very distressed as a result of the severe hailstorm of October 21 that did considerable damage to fruit crops and also destroyed the roof of the Mother Church. The Church was built in 1944, under the direction of Fr. Marck and was blessed by Bishop Augustin Arce y Mostajo on January 26 1950. This followed the first Church, which was blessed on November 25, 1744 and lasted for two centuries. When Fr. Marck demolished the old Church in 1944 he found a girder with the date 1744.
When the Redemptorists arrived in Vallegrande 29 June 1929, they began a new style of missionary parish that involved them in the daily lives of the people. Fr. León took charge of El Trigal, Fr. Leonardo of Moromoro and Fr. José of Vallegrande. In 1933 the Bishop of Cochabamba asked the fathers to take over Pasorapa as well and later Comarapa. In many communities there are still memorials to this period. For example, The Mission Cross with the inscription ‘Save your Soul'. However, the Mother Church is without doubt the greatest pride of the people of Vallegrande, for its architecture and the form of its construction.
The people of Vallegrande are anxious to take immediate action to preserve this edifice that has played such a part in its history. It is a great challenge because the hailstorm not only destroyed the roof of the Church but also the parish hall that served for so many cultural activities. Similar damage has been done to the Youth Center that the parish supported for the youth of the area, providing special formation suited to their needs. The Municipal Council has declared the city of Vallegrande a disaster area as well as the surrounding districts and proclaimed a drive to raise funds to preserve the Mother Church, recognized nationally for its distinctive architectural characteristics.
The funds required are huge and for this we have to count on the friends of the Redemptorists, because the rainy season has begun and the damage could continue to increase enormously. Since the roof and ceilings are destroyed the water can dampen and mold the walls, injure timber joints, damage works of art, furniture and cause interior flooding. For us the people of Vallegrande, it is a time for immediate action as our Church needs our solidarity.
THE VATICAN AND REDEMPTORISTS:
India
Syro-Malabar Church seeks fuller jurisdiction
UCAN
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil says the simmering inter-rite tension in the Indian Church can end only if the Vatican grants the two Oriental rites countrywide jurisdiction. Cardinal Vithayathil says ignorance among the Latin clergy and laity about the rights of the Oriental Churches is the main reason for the lingering tension in the Indian Church.
The Second Vatican Council, he elaborated, wanted the Oriental Churches to flourish "with fresh apostolic vigor" and fulfill their missionary task. "Do you think the Vatican would want to keep the Oriental Churches as mummified museum pieces?" the Cardinal asked, referring to Latin prelates insistence on confining the Oriental jurisdiction to Kerala alone. Cardinal Vithayathil expressed dismay over what he said was the Vatican's laid-back approach to the rite problem. The Syro-Malabar Church synod, he added, has petitioned the Vatican several times for jurisdiction over its people outside Kerala.
"The Holy See seems to prefer the bishops of India settle our inter-ritual problems. I do not know what pressures are mounting on the Holy See not to concede to (our) just demands," the SMC leader added. Cardinal Vithayathil recalled that in 1987, Pope John Paul II had urged the Indian bishops to educate their clergy, religious and laypeople on the rights of the ritual Churches. The same pope reiterated this demand when the Indian Latin bishops met him two years later. "Unfortunately this education has not taken place. That is the main cause for the unfortunate happenings in Latin dioceses outside Kerala," the Cardinal explained.
According to the cardinal, members of his Church are increasingly becoming aware of the rights granted by the Second Vatican Council and the two codes of canon law, one for the Latin Church and one for the Oriental Churches. He regretted a recent incident in which some Syro-Malabar Catholics in Delhi archdiocese had to celebrate Sunday Mass inside a Hindu temple complex. The local Latin parish, where they used to hold the service, denied them permission to continue as had been arranged. The Oriental and Latin bishops have discussed inter-ritual matters for the past 40 years, the Cardinal pointed out, but "the progress has been extremely slow with regard to accepting the claims of the Orientals."
The SMC leader refuted charges that Syro-Malabar bishops and clergy divide the laity in the name of rites. "Disunity is caused not because of the diversity of the ritual Churches in the same place, but because of the evils of envy, unhealthy competition and lack of charity," he suggested. Cardinal Vithayathil went on to say many Latin bishops fear they would lose support if Oriental dioceses came up in their territory. According to him, his Church contributes 70 percent of Church personnel for the Latin dioceses in the country. He dismissed as baseless the Latin-rite prelates' argument that different rites give a counter-witness to the Gospel in India, where Catholics form only 1.8 percent of the population. The country has "ample room" for various Churches to evangelize without rivalry or confusion, he countered.
The cardinal wants all Churches to be given jurisdiction over their people throughout India as soon as possible. Such a move, with some Vatican-approved norms, would prevent confusion and rivalry among the rites, he said.
Rome
Cardinal Terrazas, C.Ss.R. visits the General House
November 26, 2007
Editor's note: The Consistory of Cardinals was held in Rome on November 24 – 25. Cardinal Julio Terrazas, Redemptorist, and Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, was in attendance. Cardinal Terrazas was able to stop in at Sant'Alfonso the following week to enjoy pranzo with the community and fellow Bolivian confreres living in the house. Following pranzo, Father Luis Roballo was able to spend a moment with Cardinal Terrazas for a quick word.
Father Roballo: Welcome, Cardinal Terrazas, to the General House in Rome and we extend to you a greeting from Scala Newsletter and, through it, from the whole Congregation. Cardinal Terrazas, we would appreciate a word from you to all the Confreres.
Cardinal: Thank you for this opportunity to return for a visit with and to be close to all the confreres of the Congregation. Of course, my word is always a word of encouragement, of gratitude for the charism which we all live together, of gratitude to the Lord and gratitude to the Congregation but also of renewed dedication to continue serving our Church, especially our Church of Latin America which suffers such pain and such testing.
Father Roballo: Speaking of Latin America, we have just had that great event in Aparecida. Could you, a major participant in the Conference, tell us a little bit about the significance of Aparecida for Redemptorists, no matter what part of the world we happen to live in?
Cardinal: I think that the discovery and renewed insistence on the notion that we are"disciples-missionaries" places the Redemptorists squarely before immense challenges, huge and new. The challenges have to do with how we bring every one of our people, every believer, into contact with the Lord. How do we help them to become disciples in truth and proclaimers of joy to all in the midst of such sorrow or amid other messages that are driving people even to lose their sense of human dignity? I believe it is an extraordinary moment for the Congregation to be able to capture this dimension of Aparecida – what we have lived and sensed and written about there. It was practically under the shadow of the Virgen of Aparecida and in close proximity to the missionary thrust which our Congregation gives to that Shrine.
Father Roballo: Thank you so much, Cardinal Julio Terrazas. We thank you in the name of the whole Congregation and we wish you as always blessings from the Lord in all your great responsibilities.
Cardinal: Thank you.
Vita Apostolica
For the Service of the Most Abandoned Poor
Félix Catalá, C.Ss.R.
After outlining some basic characteristics of Religious Life in general, let's now consider a fundamental aspect of Redemptorist religious life.
The Redemptorist Congregation truly follows the example of Christ in the apostolic life, which comprises at one and the same time a life specially dedicated to God and a life of missionary work (Constitution 1).
The Chapter members who wrote our new Constitutions and Statutes wanted to embody the rediscovery of our uniqueness as Redemptorists through the term vita apostolica. In response to the demands of the II Vatican Council they reached back to the origins of the Congregation and found there, in the intuitions of Alphonsus and his companions, a desire to respond in a new way to the needs of the Church. The abundant study, reflection and discussion carried out by Redemptorists before the 1967-1969 General Chapter prepared the way for the new Constitutions and gave depth and breadth to the work of the Chapter.
The beginning of our Congregation in November, 1732, was somewhat of a disaster. Each of those who came together at the time had a different vision of what the new Institute was to be and to do. At the end of the short meeting there was no agreement. The group breaks up within a short period of time. There had to be another beginning. In the meantime Alphonsus pursues his intuition and Brother Vitus gives him the support he needs. The new Institute goes through a slow process of birth without a written Rule.
By 1743 Alphonsus has clarified, along with his new companions, a vision of the Congregation and a stronger sense of identity. In 1748 he presents to the Holy See a request for approval of the new Institute. Shortly after the approval by the Holy See (1749) he writes what amounts to the first commentary on the life and purpose of the Congregation (Consideration XIII).
It is significant that Alphonsus asked the Holy See to approve not only a new Institute but also a new Rule. At the time the Holy See was open to the approval of new Institutes if they were deemed opportune. However, the new Institutes were asked to assume one of the Rules approved by tradition and adapt it to their ministry. Alphonsus insisted on a new Rule, one that would give expression to a new response.
He was firm in stating that the new Institute would have a single purpose or end. The accepted view of religious life spoke of two ends: the sanctification of the members and apostolic ministry. Alphonsus' passion was to respond to the needs of the most abandoned poor as Jesus himself did. The sanctification of the members would come about in giving themselves wholly to this mission. He centered his vision on the very mission of Jesus Christ, not on a part or dimension of his divine mission (the teacher, the healer, etc.). In the documents where he considers the Congregation with the precision of a lawyer's mind, he asserts that the Congregation, in having one single purpose or end, integrates into a fundamental unity the mystical or contemplative dimension with the ministerial or apostolic work.
You must also consider, as Saint Thomas teaches, that if the contemplative life is in itself more perfect than the active, nevertheless, the mixed life, that is to say, a life that intertwines prayer and action, is the most perfect for such was the life of Jesus Christ. This is the life of all well ordered communities of laborers, particularly of our Congregation (Opuscoli relativi allo stato religioso).
This intuition of Alphonsus, as expressed in the Rule he wrote, was changed by the Holy See to conform to the accepted view of the two ends. Alphonsus will put in writing his own clarification in the well known Consideration XIII. And yet, this expression of the two ends remains in the text of the Rule until Alphonsus' formulation was rediscovered by the new Constitutions.
This intertwining or integration of prayer and action defines a life style that is neither monastic nor secular. Our challenge today is to spell this out, guided by our new Constitutions. The metaphor that guides us should not be that of a seesaw, that is, that at times we should be more mystic or monastic and at other times more practical, more ministerial, according to the dimension one neglects. Both should be present, at one and the same time, in each and all circumstances of our life. In preserving this basic unity we give expression to our missionary charism in the Church. In continuing the mission of Jesus Christ we seek to shape a consistent lifestyle that integrates a deep union with God and with the most abandoned poor in Jesus. In this way our religious lifestyle is in itself missionary, whether we are studying, recreating, praying or at work in ministry. We cannot take a"vacation" away from our religious life without wounding our vocation.
Constitution 22 brings together nicely all the elements implied in the vita apostolica, the life of a community at the service of the Gospel in the following of Jesus Christ.
The whole purpose of community life is to have members, like the apostles, in a spirit of genuine brotherly union, combine their prayers and deliberations, their labors and sufferings, their successes and failures, and their material goods as well, for the service of the Gospel.
The charism of the Congregation does not consist of the sum of the charisms of the persons that belong to it. The Congregation has received its purpose and charism from the Spirit for the service of the most abandoned poor, for mission. In the lifestyle of the Congregation one has to watch out for two dangers: the individualism that, in neglecting the community structure of our charism, undermines the fundamental unity of our vocation, and the totalitarian ideas that strip the charism of the freshness and dynamism that springs from the diversity in community life and from the (cultural) demands and needs of the poor.
Activism, in its negative sense, comes about when the dynamic unity of spiritual life and apostolic work is neglected. Instead, the one dimension is juxtaposed to the other and a lot of activities are carried out which do not have their center in the charism lived as community. The Congregation exists for evangelization, for mission, and its members will feel the burden and the weight of the demands of the Gospel, learning to grow at the same time in the contemplative dimension and in the faithful response to the needs of the most abandoned. The Redemptorist lives his spirituality vibrantly with the people in the midst of his activities and his heart beats with missionary zeal as he prays, reflects and studies. All of this, as in Jesus' own life.
Korea
Remembrances of a Golden Jubilarian
Willy Jesena, C.Ss.R.
Editor's note: Although I would like to, it would be impossible to put the remembrances of every Redemptorist Jubilarian in Scala. But this remembrance sent into SCALA struck me as having some"universal and international themes" that, in the light of restructuring, any Redemptorist can relate to. Enjoy!
Fifty years a Redemptorist! I could hardly believe it. But that's what I am celebrating this whole year of 2007. My age? 70 years (an important event in Korean culture). A priest? 45 years. Two other reasons for thanksgiving! Actually the exact date of my group's profession is July 2nd, the old date of the feast of the Visitation of Mary. Eleven of us began the novitiate but only seven were professed. After profession day, our Thai companion went to Oconomowoc, USA, for studies. The Manila confreres headed for Ballarat, Australia ,and we, from Cebu , went to the Bangalore studentate in India. There we studied and related with Indians, Irish, South African, and Sri Lankan students. It was a fruitful exposure to foreign cultures. The death of Fr. Sean Kelleher, some weeks ago, reminded me of his keen interests in us, his Scripture students. A similar caring spirit was also shown by our Indian and other Irish mentors those bygone days.
In 1961, six of us were recalled to Cebu to begin a new studentate with six Irish students and a newly professed Filipino. Our formators were all Irishmen. Unknown to us, we had in our midst, two future Bishops: Ireneo Amantillo and Emmanuel Cabajar, and two future general consultors: Louie Hechanova and Emmanuel Cabajar. Fr. Rudy Romano, the martyr for social justice, was also in our community. Four of us were ordained in our Cebu church, the first Filipinos of our Vice Province to be ordained in the Philippines. Sometime after that we were sent to various Houses to begin our pastoral ministry. I was in parish missions for seven years, in parish ministry for a few years, 15 years in formation work, and another few years in the Vice Provincial Council. The most challenging apostolate came when I was 54 years old. I was chosen to be one of the three pioneers of the Korea foundation. I felt like a young man once more! Together with the Korean confrere, Fr. Manyong Lee, and the Thai, Fr. Phaiboon Udomdej, we began to build a community which is now a Region.
Fifty years was just like yesterday, but if I were to write an autobiography I might have a volume of hundreds of pages recounting the mercy and blessings of our good God. Looking back now, I am very happy to have pioneered a mission team with the lay missionaries in Western Visayas. Philippines. The lay missionaries, other confreres, and I did a lot of missions in mountains, valleys, and city slums. The students in formation whom I journeyed with in pre-novitiate, novitiate, and post novitiate formation are now leaders in the various units of the Asia-Oceania Region. What I dreamed of doing, they now do; what I could but can no longer do, they continue doing. This certainly is a great joy!
One day, to lift up my drooping spirit, I tried to recall the barrios, towns, and cities where I had given missions. I also remembered groups of people I had on retreats, in spiritual directions, in formation, in migrant workers ministry, and in foreign mission. To my surprise and consolation, I believe I have helped over 100,000 people! How could I be discouraged after that!
As I write this on a bright autumn day, I remember the many people who have touched my life in my home country, across the Asia- Oceania Region, and western countries. You might be one of them? I am grateful to you all. Thank you very much. I am especially thankful to my Korean confreres for their care. Above all, our loving Father deserves the highest praise and thanksgiving. Please pray for me together with our Mother of Perpetual Help. May the remaining years of my life be a deepening of friendship with Him who has the fullness of redemption and a loving service to His people.
Join me now and let us praise the Lord!
Madrid
Symbols of Salvation: Redemption, Victory, Sacrifice
Alberto de Mingo Kaminouchi, C.Ss.R.
Sigueme, Salamanca 2007
Editor's note: Alberto de Mingo Kaminouchi, Madrid Province, is currently the director of the Higher Institute of Moral Sciences in Madrid, sister school to the Alphonsianum.
At the beginning of the sexennium, the General Government gave the responsibility to the Spirituality Secretariat to reflect upon and to bring into being some new materials designed to update our theology of Redemption. The idea of writing this book came from those discussions. It is an attempt to re-think some of the words which express the Christian experience of salvation, from the viewpoint of a re-reading of some New Testament texts.
The three symbols studied in this work – redemption, victory over evil, and sacrifice – are no doubt central; however, they are balanced on a razor's edge, because, on one hand, poor usage of them can contaminate seriously the perception of God, and, on the other hand, to forget about them would involve an unpardonable impoverishment.
Paging through the biblical sources makes it possible to sample in the symbols of salvation something of the notions which these transmit; not in vain, they call to our sensitivity and invite our contemplation. But they also make us think. Reinterpreted in each generation, they renew thought, language and activity, thus favoring a fruitful dialog between Christian tradition and contemporary thinking.
1. Casa Cristo Redentor Retreat Center celebrates 40 years of service in Puerto Rico.
2. The Redemptorist Church in Vallegrande, Bolivia
3. The interior of the Church in Vallegrande.
4. The roof was severely damaged by a hailstorm on October 21, 2007. This is the view from the interior showing the light shining through the holes.
5. The North American Historical Institute met in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin USA in early October.
6. Sister Nancy Lee Smith, a Monroe IHM, whose order was founded by a Redemptorist, Louis Gillet, makes a presentation on icons to the participants of the North American Historical Institute.
7. Father George Rassley, C.Ss.R., is a living legend in many parts of the Congregation. Noted for taking photos, this time he gets his photo taken with his blood sister, Sister Mary Rassley, a Scranton IHM., at the Historical Institute meeting.
8. The International Community of Sant'Alfonso Rome gathers in the community chapel at midday to celebrate the Congregaton's 275th Anniversary.
9. The reliquary of St. Teresa of Lisieux visited the Church of Sant'Alfonso on November 9th.
10. Father General delivers the homily at the evening liturgy commemorating the 275th anniversary and welcoming the reliquary of St. Teresa of Lisieux.
11. Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, C.Ss.R., poses with Darci Nicioli, Rector of Sant'Alfonso, Serafino Fiore, Vicar General, and confreres and fellow Bolivian countrymen in the Collegio Maggiore, Faustino Calcino Llave, C.Ss.R., studying Spirituality and Richard Nelson Flores Cruz, C.Ss.R., studying Pastoral Theology. With them is Rev. Giorgo Perez, Santa Cruz diocesan seminarian formator.
12. Father General, Joseph Tobin, sends Christmas Greetings to all the confreres. The Nativity is from the works of Brother Max Schmalzl, C.Ss.R. (1850-1930)
This month's featured website is from the Madrid Province called:
Acoger y Compartir – To welcome and to share. http://www.acogerycompartir.org/
It is a multi-faceted site that offers the viewer both information on many mission areas of the world, especially in Africa, and also resources to grow in one's own spiritual life such as this link to a multi-lingual daily prayer site: http://www.sacredspace.ie/ and opportunities to share in the mission activity described within.
Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of Transitions visit the Officialia site
First Profession of Temporary Vows:
Nicholas Kibara Kamundi, Mission of Kenya, July 15, 2007
Gerald Mugendi Mbuba, Mission of Kenya, July 15, 2007
Joseph Nyongesa Wabwire, Mission of Kenya, July 15, 2007
Djassible Christophe Djamongue, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2007
Baaba-Mata Siméon Djiwa Fébé'étiba, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2007
Raogo Jacques Koalaga, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2007
Lougnoaga Gilbert Yougbare, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2007
Cyprien Dianzenza Ngoma, Vice Province of Matadi, September 8, 2007
Hugues Matondo Nlandu, Vice Province of Matadi, September 8, 2007
Denis Mbuangi Ngimbi, Vice Province of Matadi, September 8, 2007
Paul Mukanya N'Kongolo, Vice Province of Matadi, September 8, 2007
Profession of Perpetual Vows:
Lamoussa Justin Ouedraogo, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 7, 2006
Ronaldo Sabino de Pádua, Province of São Paulo, November 10, 2007
Ordination to the Priesthood:
Konradus Doni Kelen, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Imanuel Gesi, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Leonardus Laka Hoaratan, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Laurensius Lino Maran, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Augustinus Malo Bulu, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Plasidus Pole Unaraja, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Paulus Sani Koten, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Yakobus Umbu Warata, Province of Indonesia, September 26, 2007
Alex Bercasio y Samiana, Vice Province of Manila, October 20, 2007
Dennis Despues y Caunceran, Vice Province of Manila, October 20, 2007
Brian Espejo y Lajara, Vice Province of Manila, October 20, 2007
Remar Soliza y Maullon, Vice Province of Manila, October 20, 2007
Jorge Eduardo Díaz Cárcamo, Province of Santiago, November 9, 2007
Carlos Eduardo Caballero Pimiento, Province of Bogotá, November 25, 2007
Alcides de Jesus Orozco Orozco, Province of Bogotá, November 25, 2007
Jairo Silva Jeréz, Province of Bogotá, November 25, 2007
Deaths:
Rev. Lorenzo Alvarez Verdes, 73, Province of Madrid, November 1, 2007
Rev. Stanislas Prin, 84, Province of Lyon-Paris, November 4, 2007
Rev. Joseph Bernard MacGillvray, 90, Province of Edmonton-Toronto, November 7, 2007
Rev. Jesús Samaniego Dulanto, 84, Province of Madrid, November 20, 2007
Rev. Carmine Manuli, 86, Province of Naples, November 30, 2007
60th Jubilee of Profession:
Patrick Sheils, Province of Dublin, December 8, 2007
Cornelius Hannigan, Province of Canberra, December 8, 2007
Evencio Buitrago Guitiérrez, Province of Bogotá, December 8, 2007
60th Jubilee of Ordination:
Alfons Ziober, Province of Warsaw, December 21, 2007
Antônio Borges de Souza, Province of Goiás, December 28, 2007
50th Jubilee of Profession:
Josef Ambühl, Province of Saint Clement/Region of Helvetica, December 8, 2007
Norbert Lang, Province of Saint Clement/Region of Helvetica, December 8, 2007
Oskar Lang, Province of Saint Clement/Region of Helvetica, December 8, 2007
25th Jubilee of Profession:
Johanny Gerardo Alvarez Castro, Vice Province of San Salvador, December 16, 2007
Carlos Domínguez Domínguez, Vice Province of San Salvador, December 16, 2007
Francisco Árias Magallanes, Vice Province of Perú South, December 30, 2007
Pedro Larico Fernandez, Vice Province of Perú South, December 30, 2007
25th Jubilee of Ordination:
William Terrance Heng Seng Lee, Vice Province of Ipoh, December 12, 2007
Felix Fariña Vásquez, Vice Province of Pilar, December 18, 2007
Gerardo Eliezer Vargas Rodríquez, Vice Province of San Salvador, December 28, 2007
Rubén José Jaime Carrasco, Province of Mexico, December 28, 2007
Electoral News:
Rev. Alex Wandile Dingiswayo elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of South Africa.
Confirmed November 2, 2007.
Rev. José Rafael Prada Ramírez elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Bogotá.
Confirmed November 3, 2007.
Rev. Noel Antonio Londoño Buitrago elected Vicar Provincial of Bogotá.
Confirmed November 3, 2007.
Rev. Joseph Cao Dinh Tri elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Vietnam.
Confirmed November 9, 2007.
Rev. Henryk Józef Kaczocha elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Resistencia. Confirmed November 9, 2007.
Rev. Miguel Ángel Mártinez Cantero elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Pilar. Confirmed November November 3, 2007.
Rev. Antoni Niemiec re-elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Bahia.
Confirmed November 17, 2007.
Rev. Manuel Leocárpio Soares re-elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Manaus. Confirmed November 17, 2007.
Rev. Pedro Sergio Sanabria Galaeno elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Asunción. Confirmed November 20, 2007.
Rev. Geraldo Freire Soares elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Recife. Confirmed November 22, 2007.
Rev. John Somphong Teowtrakul elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Bangkok. Confirmed November 22, 2007.
Rev. Euclides Pedro Cembranel re-elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Porto Alegre. Confirmed November 26, 2007.
Rev. Vitor Edézio Borges elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Porto Alegre.
Confirmed November 26, 2007.