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Giving our lives for plentiful redemption
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| Redemptorist Newsletter | Number 27 |
Rome, Italy
May 16, 2007
NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES
The Provinces of Lisbon and Madrid hold joint retreats
Ordinations bring joy to the Vice Province of Caracas
A close call in Zimbabwe for the Regional Superior
Aparecida to unveil monument commemorating Pope's visit
IN SPIRITU REDEMPTIONIS
May is Mary's month: Titles of Mary special to Redemptorists
ACTIVITIES OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Orbis 2006 printed and on the way to you!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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PHOTO GALLERY (on-line only)
Photos from around the Redemptorist World
FEATURED WEBSITES
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida
Official website of the Papal Visit to Aparecida
TRANSITIONS
Professions, Ordinations, Anniversaries, Deaths, Academic Achievements.
Our regular feature called "Transitions," found at the end of our newsletter, can sometimes be overlooked because it appears simply as a list of names and dates in various categories from various provinces, vice provinces, regions and missions far from our own fields of pastoral endeavor.
But they shouldn't be overlooked. Behind those names and dates lies the vitality of the Congregation. Behind them are the members of your religious family at work around the world for plentiful redemption. Behind them are fascinating stories of milestones reached in the lives of individual Redemptorists and of their provinces. Stories of life, life's achievements and goals, evangelization and evangelical witness, and yes, even death.
We do not have space to tell each individual story. But because each unique confrere touches Redemptorist milestones common to us all, each one of us knows in our heart and can identify with the joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams, setbacks and achievements that accompany these confreres along the journey.
So, without knowing the whole story of each name listed, we still are able to rejoice in this barest accounting of their achievements and perseverance. But, above all, as we pass over their names, let us pray for each one of them and continue to recommend them to the Redeemer in our personal and community prayers.
Grace and Redemption for all!
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
Provinces of Lisbon and Madrid
Retreat at Vila Nova de Gaia
Fr. Vicente García Garcia, C.Ss.R
The first series of retreats organized jointly by the Provinces of Lisbon and Madrid took place April 17- 20 in Vila Nova de Gaia.
At the meeting of the Provinces of Europe South held at Cortona, Italy in September 2006 to study "restructuring" in that area, there was a commitment to promote small inter-provincial activities that could open the way to more decisive collaboration. These retreats are in the context of this restructuring activity of the Provinces.
At the first of these retreats about fifty confreres from both the Lisbon and Madrid provinces took part. It was directed and animated by Fr. Alberto de Mingo, a member of the General Secretariat for Spirituality and the Director of our Higher Institute of Moral Science in Madrid.
With all the erudition of a biblical scholar, Fr. Alberto, a doctor in Scripture, in line with the Redemptorist tradition, offered the participants an analysis and a reflection on "The Biblical Images of Redemption," principally on the three concepts of Redemption, Victory and Sacrifice. In his meditations he particularly critiqued the interpretations that a certain theology has made of these images and the vision it has given of a type of spirituality and pastoral activity very often far from the biblical spirit. It is urgent, he said, to give back to these images not only their true perspective, but also to find a language suitable for today's world -- that is so lacking in understanding, often not without reason -- that will convey the character of the Good News of Christian salvation.
The Retreat, however, was not confined to meditations and lectures. There were also liturgical celebrations, a fraternal spirit, a dedicated staff and every convenience provided. In every way, the great hospitality of the Lisbon province must be loudly acclaimed.
It is hoped that these retreats, the second of which is to be held in El Espino (Spain) during the month of June, will not only enthuse those taking part in it, but also further the task of promoting the ‘restructuring' of the Redemptorist Provinces of Europe South.
Vice-Province of Caracas
5 Priests ordained to proclaim plentiful redemption
Alexander Nieves, C.Ss.R
‘Lord we praise thee and we bless thee for the great things you have done for us and we rejoice'. These words of the psalmist resound throughout the Vice-Province of Caracas, Venezuela, for the wonderful gift of five new Redemptorist priests: Suaín Durán, Alexander Jaimes, Jose V. Ramírez and Alexander Hernández, ordained on March 10, 2007 in Socopó, Barinas State, by Mgr. Antonio Linares, Bishop of the diocese.
Amid joy and rejoicing a great part of the Vice-Province, as well as many laypeople and confreres of the Bogotá Province, came together. In addition many diocesan priests and other religious communities joined in the festive spirit together with people from the town and surrounding country.
Three of the newly ordained priests, Frs. Suaín, Alexander Jaines and Alexander Hernández celebrated their first Mass in the parish of Christ, the King, Socopó, while Fr. Jose Ramírez celebrated in Pedraza la Vieja, Barinas State.
To put the finishing touches on the joy of the Vice-Province, on March 17 in the capital of Caracas, our confrere Jonathan Eduardo González Oviedo received his priestly ordination at the hands of Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas. Fr. Jonathan celebrated his first Mass in the Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Carmen of the Vicariate of ‘Brisas del Paraiso' in Caracas.
We echo the words of the ordaining Bishops who invited the new priests to fulfil their ministry faithfully and with dedication according to the evangelical counsels and the witness of St. Alphonsus Liguori, responding with an evangelical attitude to the new realities and challenges that the world offers today.
The whole Vice-Province of Caracas joins in the joy of these new priests and congratulates their families as the primary benefactors to the Congregation. We also congratulate all those who by their presence and collaboration accompany us, as well as those united with us in prayer everywhere. We continue to pray the Lord of the harvest that he may send laborers to proclaim plentiful redemption.
Zimbabwe
Having faith
Ronald McAinsh, C.Ss.R.
After months of work and great anxiety, the residency permit of Regional Superior Ronald Mcainsh was extended by the Zimbabwe government with only 12 hours to go before he would have had to leave the country. It was a great relief to everyone in the Region and the Region appreciated the prayers and solidarity shown by all during this time.
During the months of anxiously waiting, people asked me if we had a contingency plan. The answer is that we did not. The first reason was that whenever I mentioned it to my Council, they told me to have faith and that our prayers would be answered. I was confronted by 3 confreres who told me, "You are always talking about the power of prayer. Where is your faith?" So rather chastened, I put all thoughts of contingency plans aside. The other reason is that if I did have to go, as I indicated before, the members here could ensure that the Region continues adequately. The only problem would have been a greater focus for key people on administration and formation, thereby impoverishing their freedom for the apostolate, which we see as key. However, we are now happy that the situation appears to have been resolved.
Continuing on a positive note, we hope to have 3 ordinations this year: Tryvise Moyo to the priesthood in Bulawayo on April 16th, and then (subject to acceptance for Final Vows) two others for diaconate later in the year. This month we have received 5 postulants, and in addition seven students who are finishing their philosophy will be applying for the novitiate that begins in July.
Please continue to pray for peace in the country in the time leading up to the forthcoming General Elections. Once again, many thanks for the support.
Brazil
Aparecida
Monument to be unveiled
On May 13, the opening day of the Fifth General Episcopal Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida will unveil a commemorative monument near the exit ramp of the cathedral which houses the image of Our Lady of Aparecida.
The granite monument, which is 8 and a half meters high, and weighs 34 tons, was donated by Tambore Marble Company. The base of the monument measures 1.65 meters, and retains that size from bottom to top. The façade of the monument will be of polished stone and will bear these words:
According to the administrator of the Sanctuary, Father Helcio Vicente Testa, C.Ss.R., the idea of erecting a monument which would mark the date of the event already existed, but the type of stone to be used was still undecided until granite was chosen.
Father Helcio explained the choice in these words: "With regard to the kind of stone to be used, we were thinking of the solidity and the predominant characteristic it would represent. The Conference of the Bishops and the visit of the Holy Father to the Sanctuary are important events that will occur under the care of Our Mother of Aparecida, and for this reason the monument will be located near her image.
(editor's note: Since the monument had not yet been unveiled as the May issue of SCALA was being prepared, we do not have an image of it yet, but will publish the image next month.)
In Spiritu Redemptionis
Sean Wales, C.Ss.R.
The Madonnas of St. Alphonsus
When the Redemptorists undertook to make the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help "known throughout the world", little did they realise that Mary would make the Redemptorists known in the process. It seems strange then that the title with which we are so closely associated was unknown to St. Alphonsus. There can be no doubt however about Alphonsus' love and devotion to Mary, mother of the Redeemer. From a literary point of view Alphonsus' great work, The Glories of Mary, was one of his most successful, if controversial, publications.
Behind that very public work there lay a life time of personal relationship with Mary. When still only 27 years of age he painted what we call "The Madonna of St. Alphonsus" described by Rey-Mermet in terms of a mystical vision: "Surrounded by the twelve stars of the Apocalypse, Mary's fine and intensely spiritual face transcends ordinary art. None of Raphael's Virgins inspires one with such a longing for silence and prayer".
Alphonsus always reckoned August 29th 1723 as the day of his conversion. The infamous law suit was over, his life was at a cross-roads and it was to the little church of Our Lady of Ransom in Naples that he went and dramatically left his sword on the altar. The Mercerdarians - Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy - had been founded in the 13th century by St. Peter Nolasco to ransom slaves from captivity. Its members were even prepared to offer themselves in voluntary slavery to redeem those already captive. Our Lady of Ransom and that particular church in Naples remained for Alphonsus a sacred memory as he gave his life for abundant redemption.
Alphonsus had a very special place in his heart for the grotto at Scala and for his own mystical experiences there in the early days of the Congregation. He used to refer to ‘Our Lady of the Grotto' remembering the graces he received there: "When I was young I often spoke with the Virgin who gave me advice on all the matters of the Congregation." When asked by Fr di Constanzo, his last confessor, what she said to him, he replied "Many wonderful things!" In his old age he was often heard to exclaim "Oh my grotto, my grotto, How I wish I could enjoy the grotto!"
Alphonsus kept a reproduction of the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel on his desk and would invite his visitors to pray to the Madonna under that title. Originating in a very early Albanian icon, Our Lady of Good Counsel (or The Madonna of Paradise) was very popular in Alphonsus' part of Italy as the actual icon was kept in Genazzano –between Rome and Naples. Devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel had received papal approval in 1682, fourteen years before Alphonsus' birth.
Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception was so significant for Alphonsus that he took a vow to defend this teaching and invited the first Redemptorists to do the same. He chose for patroness of his new religious family Mary, under the title of Immaculate Conception. For Alphonsus devotion to Mary was but part of our relationship to Jesus the Redeemer; in the Immaculate Conception he saw a vision of a redeemed humanity, in which Mary had a unique place but in which every human being is called to holiness. Alphonsus' Mariology was pastoral and practical. He knew what dry Jansensim could do to the human spirit, and what the warmth and joy of a redeemed humanity could be.
When it came to the question of how Mary continues to share in the work of redemption, Alphonsus had few qualms about promoting devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of grace. He understood Mary's universal motherhood as giving her an unparalleled place in the economy of grace. If we are all called to give our lives for abundant redemption, then Mary can be seen to do so pre-eminently and to be a ‘co-redeemer' with us all under the guidance of the Spirit. We are described as "helpers, companions and ministers of Jesus Christ in the great work of redemption" and so none is more so than Mary, Mother of the Redeemer.
Modern writers on Alphonsus rightly draw attention to the vivid and emotionally charged atmosphere of Borbon Naples. In his devotion to Mary, Alphonsus was in fact always pastorally sensitive to his readers. He wanted to present a Madonna who was close to the abandoned poor, he wanted to touch the hearts rather than the heads of his readers; he wanted to give people a devotional praxis which would deepen their radical conversion to Jesus the Redeemer.
Love is the key to Alphonsus' devotion to Mary and love is the key to the tradition of pastoral Mariology which we have inherited. Love is the key to the Glories of Mary and love is the meaning of how Mary still serves the mystery of redemption "as the perpetual help of God's people in Christ."
(editor's note: In the forthcoming edition of ORBIS 2006, Ivel Mendanha discusses another icon dear to St. Alphonsus during his time at Deliceto: Our Lady of Consolation.)
ACTIVITIES OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Rome, Italy
ORBIS 2006
The 2006 edition of ORBIS has been printed and is on its way to all the provinces via your unit headquarters. We have shipped enough books for each community to have 3-5 copies. We ask the unit superiors to re-distribute ORBIS to your communities in a timely manner. Father General kindly announces its availability, which we reproduce here:
Dear Confreres,
I am happy to announce to you the latest edition of Orbis, an annual publication of the Office of Communications of the General Curia. Through words and images, Orbis seeks to connect Redemptorists across the globe and, at the same time, reach out to those who share our missionary efforts. This edition for the year 2006 imitates the wisdom of the scribe who was praised by Jesus for his ability to "bring from his storeroom both the new and the old" (Matthew 13, 52). Some articles will transport the reader across the centuries to the origins of our Congregation, while others will invite reflection on contemporary problems and new missionary methods.
Redemptorists are keenly aware of our dependence on the benevolence of others. So, on behalf of the Congregation, I thank all those who share our passion to ensure that the Good News continues to be proclaimed to the abandoned poor.
Sincerely yours in Christ the Redeemer,
Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Superior General
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1. The five newly ordained priests of the Vice Province of Caracas pose for a photo.
2. Members of the Lisbon and Madrid provinces met in an inter-provincial retreat in response to the Southern Europe region's efforts to begin to restructure.
3. Lisbon/Madrid inter-provincial retreat
4. Lisbon/Madrid inter-provincial retreat
5. The artwork on Father General's 2006 Christmas card seemed to anticipate a revival of interest in the artwork of Brother Max Schmalzl, C.Ss.R. (1850-1930), a member of the Munich province, an accomplished artist.
6. The Denver Province, through the kindness of American author Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles & Christ the Lord Out of Egypt), came into possession of a set of stations of the cross painted with oil on copper by Brother Max Schmalzl and put them on display at the provincial headquarters and on the internet. http://www.redemptorists-denver.org/Resources/flash_archives/
7. Schmalzl: Oil on Copper: The Crucifixion
8. Schmalzl: Oil on Copper: Jesus speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
9. This month the Holy Father is visiting Brazil for the opening of the Celam V Bishops' Meeting, which will be held at our Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. Shown is a poster announcing the visit of our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, to Aparecida this month.
10. Our Church of Sant'Alfonso was the site of a rare event on Sunday, April 22 when Redemptorist Iraqi student Meyasser Moussa was ordained a deacon in the Syrian-Antiochean rite during the course of a Latin-rite liturgy. From left to right standing: Father Elie Warde, Father Aysur Gsko, Archbishop Mikhael Al-Jamil, and Father Sharbel Samoele. Kneeling is Meyasser Moussa, C.Ss.R.
11. After the ceremony, newly ordained deacon Moussa poses with dignitaries: From left to right: Father Bruno Vissuri, C.Ss.R., Prefect of the Church of Sant'Alfonso; Father Aysur Gsko; Father Elie Warde; Father General; ordaining prelate Archbishop Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Auxililary Bishop of Syrian Antioch in Lebanon; newly ordained deacon Meyasser Moussa, C.Ss.R.; Father José Vidigal, C.Ss.R., Prefect of the Collegio Maggiore; and Father Sharbel Samoele.
Our featured websites this month is from Aparecida Brazil, where the Bishops' Conference and The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida had established these special links for the Pope's visit (Portuguese language):
http://www.santuarionacional.com/vivencias/papa/bentoXVI/
http://www.visitadopapa.org.br/links.php
Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of transitions visit the Officialia site
First Profession of Temporary Vows:
Luis Edgardo Chihuallante Ménedez, Province of Santiago, February 2, 2006
Oscar Reinaldo Cuadra Silva, Province of Santiago, February 2, 2006
Alfredo Ignacio Conde, Vice Province of Perú South, February 2, 2007
Teodardo Clemente Humanatoma Quispe, Vice Province of Perú South, February 2, 2007
Oscar Ángel Macetas Quispe, Vice Province of Perú South, February 2, 2007
Daniel Giancarlo Ronceros Paucar, Vice Province of Perú South, February 2, 2007
Francisco Enrique Chamorro Quijada, Province of Santiago, February 2, 2007
Carlos Armando Hinostroza Herrera, Province of Santiago, February 2, 2007
Tomás Cabrera, Province of Buenos Aires, February 28, 2007
Profession of Perpetual Vows:
Richard Edwin Alí Huisacayna, Vice Province of Perú South, March 15, 2007
Antony Eslim Campos Tacuche, Vice Province of Perú South, March 15, 2007
Franklin Huamanñahui Aguirre, Vice Province of Perú South, March 15, 2007
Dalmer Julio Jirón Deza, Vice Province of Perú South, March 15, 2007
Pedro Magallanes Torres, Vice Province of Perú South, March 15, 2007
Justo Antonio Miranda Zavala, Vice Province of Perú South, March 15, 2007
Ordination to the Priesthood:
Riginaldo Nascimento Padilha, Province of Campo Grande, April 14, 2007
Anthony Albert Bidgood, Province of Edmonton-Toronto, April 14, 2007
Petro Chornij, Province of Lviv, April 15, 2007
Vitalij Kotyk, Province of Lviv, April 15, 2007
Roman Lahish, Province of Lviv, April 15, 2007
Vasyl Linytsia, Province of Lviv, April 15, 2007
Andrij Tsikalo, Province of Lviv, April 15, 2007
Roman Zhyravetskyj, Province of Lviv, April 15, 2007
Deaths:
Rev. Wendelin Seper, 87, Province of Vienna, April 2, 2007
Rev. Peter Joseph McGowan, 76, Province of Baltimore, April 2, 2007
Rev. Domenico Pirozzi, 85, Province of Naples, April 4, 2007
Rev. Jan Cygnar, 67, Province of Warsaw, April 7, 2007
Rev. Jean Lassonde, 84, Province of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, April 7, 2007
Rev. Joannes (Gilvan) Liefrink, 77, Province of St. Clement/Region of Netherlands, April 11, 2007
Rev. Manuel Iglesias Iglesias, 81, Province of Madrid, April 13, 2007
Rev. Angelo Vassanelli, 88, Province of Rome, Aril 23, 2007
Jubilees:
60th Jubilee of Ordination:
Leopold Preβner, Province of Munich, May 4, 2007
50th Jubilee of Profession:
Johannes B. Stubenvoll, Province of Munich, May 19, 2007
Beverley McGuire, Province of Canberra, May 24, 2007
25th Jubilee of Profession:
Joseph Waiyakorn Suksawat, Vice Province of Bangkok, May 1, 2007
Carlos Ronquillo, Vice Province of Manila, May 22, 2007
Gerardo Matriano, Province of Cebu, May 27, 2007
Eliodoro Reteracion, Province of Cebu, May 27, 2007
25th Jubilee of Ordination:
Terrence James Moran, Province of Baltimore, May 22, 2007
Michael Adam Koncik, Vice Province of Richmond, May 22, 2007
Defense of Doctoral Dissertation:
On December 4, 2006, Mario Boies, C.Ss.R., Province of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Moral Theology at the Institute of Moral Sciences in Madrid. The title of his thesis is: "Pyschologie et Morale: Réception de la psychologie cognitive-développementale au sein de la théologie morale postconciliaire.¨
Collegio Maggiore, Rome, May 2007:
Defense of Doctoral Dissertation:
Luis Carlos Jaime Murillo, C.Ss.R., Province of Bogotá, successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Biblical Theology at the Gregoriana in Rome. Thesis: "Pobreza y seguimiento de Jesús a la laux de Lucas 9,57-62."
Josef Bunar, C.Ss.R., Province of Bolivia, received his doctorate from the Gregoriana in Philosophy. Thesis: "Filosofia de Dios según José Ortega y Gasset. Desde la vida vivida hacia la afirmación filosófica de Dios".
Licentiates:
Oscar Johnny Arias Pineda, Province of Bogotá, received his licentiate from the Gregoriana in Missiologia. Tesina: "Las misiones populares redentoristas renovadas."
Henry Louis Beauchamp, Province of San Juan, received his licentiate from the Accademia Alfonsiana in Moral Theology. Tesina: ¨Se la non violenza è parte dell'essenza della Vita Consacrata".
Carlos Eduardo Catalfo, C.Ss.R., Province of São Paulo, received his licentiate from the Gregoriana in Dogmatic Theology. Tesina: "Desafios à teologia da encarnação na América Latina. Uma primeira aproximação a partir da teologia de Jon Sobrino."
Kamil Dráb, C.Ss.R., Vice Province of Michalovce, completed his studies in Fine Arts at the Centro Alleti in Rome. See the article about Father Dráb and his artwork in Orbis 2006.
William Ikre, C.Ss.R., Region of Nigeria, received his licentiate in Moral Theology from the Accademia Alfonsiana. Tesina: Distribution of Resources in the River-Delta of Nigeria: A Study in Distributive Justice."
Celestine Okah, C.Ss.R., Region of Nigeria, received his licentiate in Spirituality from the Teresianum. Tesina: "Union with God as Fullness of Humanity. Spiritual-theological reflection on Teresa of Avila."