Click here to subscribe to RSS feed version of Scala| S C A L A |
Where your heart is, there will be your treasure
|
| Redemptorist Newsletter | Number 35 |
Rome, Italy
March 16, 2008
Click here to subscribe to RSS feed version of Scala
NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES:
An update from Vietnam
Vienna – Munich Federation inaugurated
THE VATICAN AND REDEMPTORISTS:
Union of Superiors General meets with Holy Father
Father General named to 11th Synod of Bishops
Cardinal Vithayathil signs Marian dogma letter
Cardinal Vithayathil named President of Indian Bishops Conference
ACTIVITIES OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
Redemptorists welcome Paulists to Via Merulana
VITA APOSTOLICA:
Father Félix Cátala continues his series on the Consecrated Life
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
RYVM, North America, welcomes all to Eucharistic Congress in Quebec
PHOTO GALLERY (on-line only):
Photos from around the Redemptorist World
FEATURED MEDIA:
C.Ss.R.TV inaugurated
TRANSITIONS:
Professions, Ordinations, Anniversaries, Deaths, Electoral News
We are pleased to announce the inauguration of WWW.CSSR.TV
We bring together in one video website a place where the General Government can communicate visually and, when necessary, multi-lingually; a place where current Redemptorist videos, programming, and Redemptorist TV outlets now existing throughout the world can be accessed. We have also added streaming TV and Catholic news video sites that we believe you will find helpful and informative. You may want to print out this message and keep it nearby as you begin to navigate the site.
C.Ss.R. TV Home Screen:
On the red "home screen" click on the play button to take you to the presentations. To the right will be a scrolling translation of the first featured video. For now, it is filled with an explanation of the site in seven languages. Once the language of your choice scrolls on (they are approximately 20 seconds apart), put your cursor over the text to "freeze it" in place and read it leisurely. Clicking on the text will take you to an identical static page of information about the menu (http://cssr.tv/scriptcopy.htm). Beginning soon, this scroller will be used to provide translation summaries of the featured mono-lingual video.
If you desire "full screen viewing," click on the full screen icon at the bottom right of the viewing screen. To leave "full screen," press the "escape (Esc)" button on your computer keyboard. In the upper left hand corner of the viewing screen there is a link to our official website: www.cssr.com.
On this same home screen you will encounter a changing list of interesting Redemptorist videos from around the world. Click on one of the icons to begin viewing. These videos will be updated on a regular basis. The first feature will be accompanied by a translated summary in the text box. We invite your contributions. You can upload your video for consideration at: http://cssr.tv/upload. We ask that these uploads be NEW videos and not videos already available on other services. Usage of the video will be determined by its information value to the whole Congregation, timeliness, and production values.
The Menu:
On the first menu item you will find C.Ss.R. Videos. These videos are harvested from major internet video websites placed there by many different Redemptorist sources.
The second menu item is: Multi-Search Site. Here you can conduct your own search for videos by typing in a specific search word in the search box.
The third menu item is News Videos. Here you can access the streaming Redemptorist TV stations, TV Aparecida, Brazil and TV Trwam, Poland, as well as other Catholic TV stations from around the world in various languages. At the bottom, there is a silver menu where you can access Catholic TV and video news services in various countries and languages.
The fourth and last menu button is reserved for future use as a place where we will stream live and "on-demand" portions of our next General Chapter in October 2009. For now, this menu takes you to an explanation of what a General Chapter is.
I would like to thank our technical collaborator, Ron Ziuraitis, for the many weeks and months he has labored constructing this site and refining it to best suit our worldwide and multi-lingual video needs and interests in one convenient site.
An Invitation:
Once again, we invite you to use the site and to offer us your suggestions. Go to www.cssr.tv. We also invite you to print out this message, and this page, http://cssr.tv/scriptcopy.htm, to aid you in familiarizing yourself with the contents and navigation of the site.
To submit a video for viewing on the website, upload it at: http://cssr.tv/upload.
Happy viewing and...
Happy Easter!
Grace & Redemption for All!
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Rev. Vincent Pham Trung Thanh, C.Ss.R.
Provincial Superior
February 12, 2008
Dear Father General,
Thank you so much for your letter addressing to me and all Vietnamese confreres on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2008, especially for your concern and solidarity with us in our struggle for justice in Vietnam.
Personally I would like to express my gratitude to you for your continuing friendship and support. Besides, I think I'm also blessed by still having the great support of Father Joseph Cao Dinh Tri as Vicar Provincial. Undoubtedly without these fraternal friendship and supports I cannot fulfill my new duty.
We've just passed the first three days of the Lunar New Year with the joyful celebrations to honor Our Mother Of Perpeptual Help. In these days, many thousands of faithful gathered together in our shrines in Saigon, Hue and Hanoi, to pray for their own needs, and particularly to pray for our own Church in the struggle for justice.
Regarding the situation in Hanoi, after 40 days of peaceful protest and with the diplomatic intercession of the Vatican on January 30th, the Vietnamese government has agreed to restore the offices of the apostolic nuncio in Hanoi, but the problem of our land in Thai Ha still remains and continues in dispute. Nowadays, in spite of cold weather, day and night, many Catholics in Thai Ha are still gathering in the site to pray for justice. Please, continue to support us by keeping our confreres and our people in Hanoi in your prayer.
Austria - Germany
Vienna – Munich Federation inaugurated
Heribert Koger, C.Ss.R.
On March 15th the inaugural ceremony of the "Federation" contracted between the provinces of Vienna and Munich took place at the Redemptorist monastery of Wien-Hernals (St. Mary's Parish), Austria.
This federation is another effort in the Congregation's restructuring program, which the two provinces have been arranging for the past three years. In the course of this endeavor, the two respective provincial chapters finalized the contract in the spring of 2007.
The federation contract determines that the two provinces will remain autonomous with their own provincial superiors and their own ordinary provincial councils, whereas an extraordinary council will exist as a joint council ("Federation Council"), which will decide jointly on pastoral, strategic, financial and personnel challenges.
The relevance of the federation was highlighted by the presence of Most Rev. Fr. Joseph W. Tobin, Superior General, Fr. Jacek Dembek, Consultor General, and Fr. Joseph P. Dorcey, Secretary General, at the inaugural ceremony.
The federation will continue to maintain close cooperation with the neighboring provinces east and west.
Fr. Lorenz Voith, Provincial Superior of the province of Vienna, said that the inauguration of this federation was a milestone in Redemptorist cooperation in Central Europe.
THE VATICAN AND REDEMPTORISTS:
Vatican City
Father General participates in USG meeting with Pope
On Monday, February 18th, Father General, Joseph W. Tobin, as vice-president of the Union of Superiors General, participated in the meeting with the Holy Father to reflect on "some particularly relevant and important aspects of consecrated life." This was the first meeting of its kind between the Holy Father and the USG in twenty-five years. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received in an audience the members of the Executive Councils of the Union of Superiors General (USG for men religious) and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG for women religious).
Present during the February 18 audience with the Holy Father were Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State and Cardinal Franc Rodé, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL), Msgr. Agostino Gardin, secretary of CICLSAL, and 21 members of the councils of the two Unions.
Pope Urges Orders to Rediscover Original Charism (Zenit)
The key for religious orders, congregations and institutes to overcome a crisis of vocations is for them to live their love for Christ without concessions and to rediscover the original spirituality of their founder, says Benedict XVI.
In his address, which was published today (February 19th) by the Vatican, the Holy Father said: "We are all aware how, in modern globalized society, it is becoming ever more difficult to announce and bear witness to the Gospel. The process of secularization that is advancing in contemporary culture does not, unfortunately, spare even religious communities."
"Nonetheless," he added, "we must not be discouraged, because if -- as has been said -- many clouds are gathering on the horizon of religious life today, there also exist -- indeed they are constantly growing -- signs of a providential reawakening which gives rise to consolation and hope."
The Pontiff continued: "The Holy Spirit blows powerfully throughout the Church, creating a new commitment to faithfulness, both in the historical institutes and, at the same time, in new forms of religious consecration that reflect the needs of the times.
"What characterizes these new forms of consecrated life is a shared desire for a radical form of evangelical poverty, for faithful love of the Church, and for generous dedication to the needy with particular attention to that spiritual poverty which so markedly characterizes the modern age."
Aging congregations
Benedict XVI subsequently went on to refer to "the orders and congregations with a long tradition in the Church," noting how they have suffered a "difficult crisis due to the aging of members, a more or less accentuated fall in vocations and, sometimes, a spiritual and charismatic 'weariness.'"
The Pope underlined that today many young men and women "experience a strong religious and spiritual attraction, but are only willing to listen to and follow those who give coherent witness to their adherence to Christ."
"It is interesting to note," he said, "that those institutes that have conserved and chosen a state of life that is often austere and faithful to the Gospel lived sine glossa have a wealth of vocations."
The Holy Father added, "Today, as in all ages, there is no lack of generous souls ready to give up everyone and everything to embrace Christ and his Gospel, consecrating his existence to his service within communities characterized by enthusiasm, generosity and joy."
Although describing this crisis as "worrying," Benedict XVI highlighted certain positive signs, "especially when communities have chosen to return to the origins and live in a way more in keeping with the spirit of the founder. In almost all recent general chapters of religious institutes the recurring theme has been precisely that of rediscovering the original charism, to then incarnate it and renew it in the present."
Such rediscovery "has helped give institutes a promising new ascetic, apostolic and missionary impulse," said the Pope. "It is along this road that we must continue, praying to the Lord to bring to full fruition the work he began."
Vatican City,
Synod of Bishops
Father General, Joseph W. Tobin, was one of 10 members and 2 substitutes of the Union of Superiors General selected to participate in the 11th Synod of Bishops to be held at the Vatican October 5 – 26, 2008. This will be Father General's 5th participation in a Synod of Bishops.
According to the Holy Father,
"The next General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will reflect on ‘The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church'. Among the Ecclesial Community's many and great duties in today's world, I emphasize evangelization and ecumenism. They are centered on the Word of God and at the same time are justified and sustained by it. As the Church's missionary activity with its evangelizing work is inspired and aims at the merciful revelation of the Lord, ecumenical dialogue cannot base itself on words of human wisdom (cf. I Cor 2: 13) or on neat, expedient strategies, but must be animated solely by constant reference to the original Word that God consigned to his Church so that it be read, interpreted and lived in communion with her. In this area, St Paul's doctrine reveals a very special power, obviously founded on divine revelation but also on his own apostolic experience, which confirmed anew the awareness that not wisdom and human eloquence, but only the power of the Holy Spirit builds the Church in the faith (cf. I Cor 1: 22-24; 2: 4ff.).
By a happy coincidence, St Paul will be particularly venerated this year, thanks to the celebration of the Pauline Year. The next Synod taking place on the Word of God will therefore offer to the Church's contemplation, and principally to her Pastors' contemplation, the witness also of this great Apostle and herald of God's Word. To the Lord, whom he first persecuted and then to whom he consecrated his entire being, Paul remains faithful even to death. May his example be an encouragement for all to accept the Word of salvation and translate it into daily life through the faithful following of Christ."
Rome, Italy
Cardinals' Letter Promoting Marian Dogma
Zenit
Following is a letter written by the five cardinal co-sponsors of the Fatima Symposium on Marian Co-redemption and sent to the world's bishops and cardinals asking them to sign a petition that asks Benedict XVI to proclaim Mary as the Spiritual Mother of Humanity. The letter was sent January 1, solemnity of the Mother of God, and signed by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, India; Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez, retired archbishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, C.Ss.R., major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, India, and recently elected president of the Indian Bishops' Conference; Cardinal Riccardo Vidal, archbishop of Cebu, Philippines; and Cardinal Ernesto Corripio y Ahumada, retired archbishop of Mexico City.
Dear Brother Eminences and Excellencies:
In May 2005, we, as cardinal co-patrons, sponsored a Mariological symposium convened on the subject of the cooperation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the work of human Redemption at the favored Fatima shrine in Portugal. After extensive theological presentations delivered by a significant number of cardinals, bishops, and theologians, we concluded the symposium by enacting a votum to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. The votum reads as follows:
Your Holiness, Benedict XVI,
In an effort to enhance the ecumenical mission of the Church, and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all its fullness, we, the undersigned cardinals and bishops who have convened in the favored Marian Shrine of Fatima (May 3-7, 2005), wish to express to you, Most Holy Father, our united hope and desire for the solemn papal definition of the doctrine of the Church regarding Mary Most Holy as the Spiritual Mother of all humanity, the Co-redemptrix with Jesus the Redeemer, Mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one Mediator, and Advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race.
In a time of significant confusion amidst the many diverse ecclesial bodies of Christianity, and as well among non-Christian peoples concerning this Marian doctrine, we believe the time opportune for a solemn definition of clarification regarding the constant teaching of the Church concerning the Mother of the Redeemer and her unique cooperation (cf. Lumen Gentium, n. 61) in the work of Redemption, as well as her subsequent roles in the distribution of grace and intercession for the human family.
It is of great importance, Holy Father, that peoples of other religious traditions receive the clarification on the highest level of authentic doctrinal certainty that we can provide, that the Catholic Church essentially distinguishes between the sole role of Jesus Christ, divine and human Redeemer of the world, and the unique though secondary and dependent human participation of the Mother of Christ in the great work of Redemption.
Therefore, Your Holiness, with filial obedience and respect, we wish to present you with this votum of our solidarity of hope for the papal definition of the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God as the spiritual Mother of all peoples in her three maternal roles as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces and Advocate, as the ultimate expression of doctrinal clarity at the service of our Christian and non-Christian brothers and sisters who are not in communion with Rome, and as well as for the greater understanding and appreciation of this revealed doctrine concerning the Mother of the Redeemer by the People of God at the outset of this third millennium of Christianity.
We thereby submit this votum accompanied by one possible formulation of the Marian doctrine which we, please God, pray may be solemnly defined by your Holiness:
Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of man, gave to humanity from the Cross his mother Mary to be the spiritual Mother of all peoples, the Co-redemptrix, who under and with her Son cooperated in the Redemption of all people; the Mediatrix of all graces, who as Mother brings us the gifts of eternal life; and the Advocate, who presents our prayers to her Son.
On June 7, 2006, our brother, Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, presented the above votum in Latin to His Holiness on behalf of all the cardinal and bishop participants at the 2005 Fatima Symposium, together with the published acta from the symposium. The Holy Father received the votum and the acta with an accentuated gratitude and his expressed intention to study carefully the acta.
We now write to you, brother cardinals and bishops, to inform you of this votum for the solemn definition of Our Lady as the Spiritual Mother of humanity and its essential roles, and respectfully request your own prayerful consideration regarding the possibility of adding your own esteemed assent to this votum to Our Holy Father. We have enclosed a copy of the original Latin votum for your examination and, if you felt so inspired by Our Lady, you would be free to sign and to forward it on to His Holiness.
Certainly, if it so pleased the Holy Father to proceed with this request, any final formation of the definition would in no manner be bound to the formulation of the enclosed votum, but rather left entirely to his unique charism as the Successor of Peter. It is also noteworthy that over the course of the past fifteen years, over 500 bishops have sent their request for this solemn definition to the Holy See, along with approximately 7 million petitions from the Catholic faithful worldwide.
We thank you for your prayerful consideration of this request on behalf of Our Lady, Mother of the Church and Queen of the Apostles. May she guide you in your discernment of this matter to the wisdom of Jesus Christ, our divine Redeemer, through the counsel of the Holy Spirit, all leading to the fulfillment of the perfect will of our Heavenly Father. With cordial best wishes in Jesus and Mary.
India
Cardinal Varkey Vathayathil, C.Ss.R. elected New President for Indian Bishops
Zenit
JAMSHEDPUR, India, FEB. 19, 2008. Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, 81, was elected the new president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.
Cardinal Vithayathil, major archbishop of Syro-Malabar Ernakulam-Angamaly, was elected today during the bishops' plenary assembly. He succeeds Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay and the president of the nation's Latin-rite episcopal conference, was elected as the first vice president.
Major Archbishop Isaac Cleemis Thottunkal of Trivandrum was elected the second vice president and Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes re-elected as secretary-general.
Varkey Vithayathil was born in 1927. He joined the Redemptorists and was ordained a priest in 1954.
In 1955, he went to Rome for his studies in common law and a doctorate on the origin and progress of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy.
Father Vithayathil was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II in 1997. In 1999, he was appointed the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and as the archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
He was elevated to cardinal in 2001. He is a member of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
"My priority is to make the three episcopal bodies -- the Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara and Latin Churches -- work together with greater cohesion, communion and cooperation in unity of spirit," he told AsiaNews. Even though "my election as president was completely unexpected given my age, [...] I humbly accepted."
The Syro-Malabar Church is made up of about 3.5 million of India's 16 million Catholics.
The new president said "the [conference] will try to use all the resources and personnel of the Catholic Church to ensure that in Asia, the poor and the vulnerable sections of society get a better deal, that the marginalized are embraced with the charity mission of the Church through education and health care services."
But he affirmed, evangelization is "not merely doing social work, but the explicit and direct proclamation of the message, works and promises of Jesus Christ. It is essential that we communicate the Good News with courage and commitment, bringing joy and fulfillment into people's life."
ACTIVITIES OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
Rome, Italy
Redemptorists Welcome Paulists
"All things work for good for those who love God" (Rom 8:28)
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
On Monday, March 3, 2008, at the Redemptorist Generalate on Via Merulana, on the steps of Sant'Alfonso Church, a delegation of American Redemptorists met with open arms a delegation of approximately 30 Paulists, seminarians, and lay associates attending "Hecker Week in Rome" celebrations observing the 150th anniversary of the Paulists being founded by Father Isaac Thomas Hecker (1819 – 1888).
Father Hecker founded the Paulists after having been expelled from the Redemptorists at this very location by Superior General Nicholas Mauron in August, 1857. Later in 1858 Pope Pius IX never approved the dismissal of Fr. Hecker; instead, Pius IX dispensed the first Paulists from their vows and gave them the authority to begin a new institute of religious life in America, The Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (C.S.P.). The Paulists were the first religious congregation of men to be founded in the United States.
Among the delegation of Paulists were Father John Duffy, President of the Paulists, and Father Paul G. Robichaud, Postulator for the cause of Father Hecker, which was formally opened on January 27, 2008 in New York City by Cardinal Edward M. Egan. Seven American Redemptorists serving in Rome, Joseph Dorcey, Gilbert Enderle, Gary Ziuraitis, Dennis Billy, Fred Brinkman, Charles Coury and John Vargas represented Father General, Joseph W. Tobin, who was away on province visitations. Father Darci Nicioli, Rector of Casa Sant'Alfonso was also on hand.
On March 2, a day before the handshakes on the Redemptorist steps, Father Dorcey, Secretary General of the Redemptorist Congregation, represented the Redemptorists at the Paulist Anniversary Eucharist and luncheon presided over by Cardinal William Levada at the Paulist Church of Santa Susanna, a comfortable stroll across the Esquiline Hill from the Redemptorist General House.
In an earlier correspondence with Father Duffy anticipating and welcoming the Paulists to Via Merulana, Redemptorist Father General, Joseph W. Tobin, noted that when he thinks of the events of 1857 - 1858 he is reminded of the wisdom of Romans 8:28. "Certainly, the providence of God transformed the suffering of Isaac Hecker and his companions into a fresh impulse for the evangelization of the United States and beyond," he wrote Father Duffy. He went on to say the Redemptorists left behind at the time of Father Hecker's departure "also suffered at the loss of their confreres, but then saw their suffering transformed into joy and gratitude" at the success of the Paulist mission in America.
After the greeting on the Church steps, a church that was under construction at the time of Hecker's 1857 visit, the delegations moved into the Church to view and pray before the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, given to the Redemptorists by Pius IX in 1866. The group then proceeded to the Church crypt where a brief history of Hecker's fateful visits with Mauron were retold by Father Robichaud and silent prayer was offered at the tombs of Father Mauron (1818-1893) and Father Edward Douglas, (1819-1898) a Scotsman, who at the time of Hecker's visit to Rome was the Rector of the House and english translator.
Next the delegation stepped into the garden, only a small vestige of the gardens that were present when Father Hecker walked them during his visit. The group also visited the 2nd floor library meeting room, the oldest remaining part of the Generalate. The configuration of the General House has almost totally changed since 1857 with very few remnants from that time. The delegation then made its way to the House chapel for a short prayer service. The strains of the Paulist anthem: "Lead us Great Teacher Paul" rang out in the Redemptorist chapel. In brief remarks, Father Duffy mentioned how he was moved by the Redemptorists waiting at the steps of the Church for their arrival and the hospitality shown them and noted the shared spiritual legacies between the Congregations.
Gaudeamus was held in the Common Room and many stories and impressions were exchanged among C.S.P and C.Ss.R. evangelizers all. A highlight was a small display of books from the Redemptorist library that contained the handwritten signature of Isaac Hecker. One had a sense of brotherhood and common roots among hosts and guests, laying aside the misunderstandings and difficult moments of Hecker's expulsion and departure from the Redemptorists as he sought to follow the Lord's call to evangelize America in a distinct way.
The Paulist mission in the United States is evangelization, reconciliation and ecumenism. It includes city center parishes, missionary centers for the unchurched and unreconciled, parish missions and a prolific media ministry that includes radio, internet, and motion pictures on the life of Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day. The Paulists, besides their church in Rome, also have ministries in Canada and Israel.
Vita Apostolica
Religious Life 4
Félix Catalá, C.Ss.R.
Before proceeding to a consideration of the vows, it is important to take a closer look at our religious profession. It gives us the context for the vows. Constitution 47 offers the starting point: "Profession is deeply rooted (intime radicatur) in baptismal consecration, and is a fuller expression of it (plenius exprimit). Consequently, by this act, the members are incorporated in a particular way into the mission of Christ as ministers of the Gospel, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (a Spiritu Sancto ducti)".
In our Constitutions the term "consecration" is employed to refer to baptism. Our profession as Redemptorists is seen as a "fuller expression" of the baptismal consecration. Our identity and mission are rooted in the identity and mission of the Church, of the consecrated People of God. Profession does not lead the Redemptorist to an elitist state of perfection, a life higher or better than that of other members of the Church. Religious life is conceived as integrated into the Church; it is not a caste but a way of life. Through his profession, the Redemptorist is called to become a radical sign and witness as he is assumed (peculiariter assumuntur) into Christ's own mission.
The vows can only be understood and have meaning as concrete expressions of a total, radical consecration to God. In fact, this total, radical giving of self to God is the vow behind the vows, the fundamental vow we make in our profession. Take God and the praxis of a radically lived faith out of the picture and religious life looses all meaning. Perhaps much too often the problem with the vows lies precisely in the absence in one's personal and community life of the center that brings it all together. To put it in other words, one does not enter religious life in order to live the vows but to live a unique relationship with God, to live a prophetic life that witnesses and manifests the wonder of God's love, fidelity and mercy. Otherwise our life and lifestyle will prove to be senseless, filled with annoying norms, prescriptions and empty rituals.
By profession, the Redemptorist is reserved only for God. This entails a renunciation of the world: do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world (Rm 12, 2). But this does not mean a flight or escape from the world. The Redemptorist is conscious of being sent into the world but knows that he is not to conform to the schemes of the world. He sees the world as in need of salvation and in need of the means to make this salvation a concrete reality. He knows that his commitment is to be in, with and for the world – and accepts the implications of commitment to social justice that derive from his profession. The Redemptorist is taken out of the world to be sent into the world. The renunciation is fundamental in order to live the Redemptorist way of life. They renounce themselves with all they possess to become followers of Christ, and to be all things to all (Constitution 49). Our life is one of continual conversion whereby we live a lifestyle of being in the world but not belonging to the enslaving powers of this world. Conversion of heart and continual renewal of mind should characterize their whole daily life (Constitution 41, 1). The Redemptorist seeks that interior freedom which brings unity and harmony into his life (Constitution 41, 2).
Our religious life is a gift that proceeds from the impulse of the Holy Spirit. As a gift of the Spirit to the Church, it is inherently prophetic, a catalyst for the transformation of society according to the dynamic of the Kingdom of God. Redemptorists are led by the Holy Spirit to become ministers of the Good News of Jesus, the Christ. Our missionary life sets out to give life, energy and hope to people through the proclamation of the Kingdom and its values. At the same time, the proclamation of the Good News of the Kingdom is carried out critically, denouncing evil and sin, all that oppresses human beings and prevents them from living in the freedom and love of the Spirit of Christ.
Ever attentive to the signs of the times (Constitution 2), the Redemptorist's life and mission becomes a challenge to both oppressors and the oppressed to enter into the new way of life of the Kingdom of God. Through the total dedication to Christ of our religious profession, we are called to become signs and witnesses before people of the power of his resurrection, proclaiming the new and eternal life (Constitution 51).
This way of life requires a discipline of seeking God in the depths of human experience and of fidelity to the call of the Spirit. A life of contemplation grounded in the Gospels is essential to religious life. As we become more and more aware of God's merciful, loving and saving presence in the world and its history, we can lead others to respond in gratitude to the source of all life and blessings.
Let us ask Jesus Christ to give religious his holy love and the desire to become saints . (St. Alphonsus)
For reflection:
1. What is your understanding of religious life? How does it shape your vision of the vows?
2. What role does the Word of God play in your living out Redemptorist religious life?
3. How are we to understand and live today Alphonsus' perspective on distacco?
4. How is your religious life (personally and as community) concretely prophetical in your region?
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Quebec, Canada
Eucharistic Congress 2008 welcomes Redemptorists, laity & RYVM
Santo Arrigo, C.Ss.R.
We, in North America are priviledged to be hosting the upcoming Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City, Canada. Delegates from all over the world are making the pilgrimage to come and be a part of the Congress. Redemptorists and Lay Collaborators will be active with presentations and workshops, Eucharistic Adoration, and the pilgrimage site of Ste. Anne de Beaupre.
If Redemptorists from around the world are coming and bringing a delegation, they are invited to attend an evening social organized by Redemptorists and associates from North America RYVM (Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry). This event will be on Monday June 16th in Quebec City. It is required that you respond to this invitation, with your number of attendees, to help us plan and accommodate the group in our space. Please respond to this invitation by Friday April 4, 2008. Contact Santo Arrigo C.Ss.R. at vocations@redemptorists.ca
If Redemptorists are interested and willing to help possibly staff a Redemptorist Display during the Congress, they should contact Santo Arrigo C.Ss.R. by Friday April 4, 2008.
1, The Vietnamese faithful celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 9th at our Church in Thaí Ha, Hanoi, Vietnam.
2. Vast crowds of the Hanoi faithful expressing their faith in the Lord and devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help during the Lunar New Year.
3. (Photos 3 – 7 by L'Osservatore Romano). On the Feast of the Presentation, February 2, Father General participates at the annual concelebrated liturgy held at St. Peter's for Religious.
4. Father General, as Vice President of the USG (Union of Superiors General), was invited to concelebrate at the high altar with Cardinal Franc Rodé, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL).
5. After the liturgy, His Holiness, Benedict XVI met with the congregation assembled in the Basilica. Here he is greeting Father General.
6.On February 18, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received in an audience the members of the Executive Councils of the Union of Superiors General (USG for men religious) and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG for women religious). Father General is pictured on the left with his back to the camera.
7. Father General on the right. Present during the February 18 audience with the Holy Father were Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State and Cardinal Franc Rodé, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL), Msgr. Agostino Gardin, secretary of CICLSAL, and 21 members of the councils of the two Unions.
8. On March 3, Paulist priests, seminarians and laity came to Sant'Alfonso to retrace the steps of their Founder, Isaac Thomas Hecker, C.S.P. They were welcomed by a delegation of Redemptorists.
9.Father Dennis Billy explains to the Paulist guests the outline of the tour they will be taking.
10. The visitors at the tomb of Father Nicholas Mauron, the Superior General at the time of Isaac Hecker's dismissal from the Congregation, hear a recounting of those fateful days.
11. A prayer service is held in the House Chapel. Father Dorcey blesses the participants at the request of Father Duffy, President of the Paulists.
12. Father Duffy, C.S.P., holds up a volume from the Library that holds the dedicatory signature of "Isaac Hecker, C.Ss.R." given to the library while Father Hecker was still a Redemptorist.
We are pleased to announce the inauguration of WWW.CSSR.TV
Please go to and read this month's editorial for a full explanation and description of the site.
Schedule permitting, Father General will send a brief Easter greeting by video to the Congregation and we hope to have that online by Easter Sunday.
In the meantime, presentations on the Home Screen include Father General on the life of St. Clement in english, a news video about the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Redemptorist bishops meeting the Pope in Italian, a visual tour of St. Alphonsus Church, a historic landmark in New Orleans, USA, with a music soundtrack, and an introduction to our mission in Suriname in portuguese.
Each month we will notify you of updates to the "Home Screen."
Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of Transitions visit the Officialia site
First Profession of Temporary Vows:
Luke Dong sung Kim, Region of Korea, February 14, 2007
Michael Hyo Young Kim, Region of Korea, February 14, 2007
Jeferson Santos Leite, Vice Province of Bahia, January 6, 2008
David Leonardo Hernández Hernández, Vice Province of San Salvador, January 13, 2008
Louis Dantil, Province of San Juan, January 13, 2008
Eduardo González Oquendo, Province of San Juan, January 13, 2008
José Ribeiro Novais, Province of Porto Alegre, February 3, 2008
José Anésio David, Province of Campo Grande, February 10, 2008
Profession of Perpetual Vows:
Pedro Miguel Diaz, Province of Buenos Aires, January 12, 2008
André Ricardo de Melo, Province of Goiás, February 2, 2008
Sidney Martins da Silva, Province of Goiás, February 2, 2008
Alexandre de Assis Peixoto, Province of Goiás, February 2, 2008
Vinícius Pires da Silva, Province of Goiás, February 2, 2008
Igson Monteiro da Silva, Vice Province of Manaus, February 2, 2008
Wilson Marques Dias, Province of Campo Grande, February 10, 2008
Ordination to the Priesthood:
Raimundo Periera de Lima, Province of Porto Alegre, January 12, 2008
Rodrigo Augusto de Souza, Province of Campo Grande, January 12, 2008
Joseph Mukondua Zungulua, Vice Province of Matadi, January 13, 2008
Emmanuel Nakati Kiala, Vice Province of Matadi, January 13, 2008
Celso Vieira da Cruz, Province of Campo Grande, February 2, 2008
Deaths:
Rev. David Januarius Tither, 87, Vice Province of Manila, January 31, 2008
Rev. Francisco Neves Marcelino, 84, Province of Goiás, February 2, 2008
Rev. Gerard Hennus, 73, Province of St. Clement/Region of Vlaanderen, Feb. 3, 2008
Rev. Heinrich Valter, 82, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, February 3, 2008
Rev. Edward John McDonough, 86, Province of Baltimore, February 11, 2008
Rev. Marcel Brochu, 91, Province of Sainte-Anne de Beauprè, February 14, 2008
Rev. Yaroslaw Dybka, 78, Province of Yorkton, February 17, 2008
Rev. Tito Furlan, 77, Province of Rome, February 19, 2008
Rev. Emilio Dayen Duc, 99, Province of Bolivia, February 19, 2008
Br. Achille (Théophhile) Speybrouck, 75, Region of Belgium-South, February 22, 2008
Rev. Léo.Paul Goulet, 73, Region of Port-au-Prince, February 22, 2008
Rev. Joseph Xavier Steffes, 93, Province of Denver, February 23, 2008
60th Jubilee of Profession:
Henricus Braat, Province of St. Clement/Region of Nederland, March 16, 2008
50th Jubilee of Profession:
Gérard Charbonneau, Province of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre, March 15, 2008
Jean Ngô Văn Đào, Vice Province Extra Patrium, March 19, 2008
Hubert Attermeyer, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, March 25, 2008
Wolfgang Cholewcznski, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, March 25, 2008
Hermann Döring, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, March 25, 2008
Christian Zyzik, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, March 25, 2008
50th Jubilee of Ordination:
Brian Quillinan, Province of Canberra, March 16, 2008
Peter O'Donnell, Province of Canberra, March 16, 2008
John O'Neill, Province of Canberra, March 16, 2008
Patrick O'Neill, Province of Canberra, March 16, 2008
Miguel Zaieg Fakiani, Province of Buenos Aires, March 22, 2008
Juan Emir (Juan) Suárez Vinay, Province of Buenos Aires, March 22, 2008
Vicente Rivetto Segnorile, Province of Buenos Aires, March 22, 2008
Juan Carlos Páez Lencinas, Province of Buenos Aires, March 22, 2008
Walter Augustino Bellini Quagliaro, Province of Buenos Aires, March 22, 2008
Max Kühn, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, March 30, 2008
Electoral News:
Rev. Michael Gerard Kelleher elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Dublin. Confirmed February 4, 2008.
Rev. Piotr Chyła elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Warsaw. Confirmed February 7, 2008.
Rev. Jordan Hamma elected Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Kagoshima. Confirmed February 11, 2008
Rev. Mario Boies elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Saint-Anne de Beaupré. Confirmed February 14, 2008
Rev. Régis Pellerin elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Saint-Anne de Beaupré. Confirmed February 14, 2008.
Rev. Edmund Hipp re-elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Munich. Confirmed February 24, 2008.
Rev. Larry Michael Kondra elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Yorkton. Confirmed February 24, 2008.
Rev. Petro Baran re-elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Lviv. Confirmed February 24, 2008.
Rev. Peter Pidskalny elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Yorkton. Confirmed February 26, 2008.
Transfer of Novitiate House:
The Novitiate House to Hongchon, Kanwon, Korea. February 29, 2008.
Suppression of Houses:
"Domus sita" in Kamakura, Japan. February 29, 2008.
Domus "Sarnelli House" in Seoul, Korea. February 29, 2008.