Rome, Italy Make text bigger | Make text smaller FROM THE EDITOR: CONFERENCE NEWS: FROM THE PROVINCES: ALPHONSIANUM: REDEMPTORISTS IN THE NEWS: SECRETARIAT FOR THE REDEMPTORISTINE ORDER: ANNOUNCEMENTS: TRANSITIONS:
“Dear Brother Bishops, I offer you a warm fraternal welcome on the occasion of your visit ad Limina Apostolorum a moment which is now sadly marked by the death of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil. Before you all, I wish again to give thanks to God for his able and willing service over many years to the whole of the Church in India. May our loving Saviour welcome his noble soul into paradise, and may he rest in peace in communion with all the saints.” Father Joy Poonoly of the Province of Liguori has sent us photographs of the services held for Cardinal Varkey in India. They can be viewed in the photo gallery of www.redemptorist.info . See below for more about the life and ministry of Cardinal Varkey. The Syro-Malabar Synod will convene on May 23rd to elect a new Major Archbishop and successor to Cardinal Varkey.
At the same time, a plan to recruit younger confreres from other units and Conferences of the Congregation who might serve in the French-speaking areas, and restructure the mission of the younger members of these three French-speaking Units in Europe is also underway. Fr. Pedro López Calvo, Provincial of Madrid, is the Superior General’s representative with delegated authority for this second process. Both processes aim to develop a plan for the future of the mission and presence of the Redemptorists in the French speaking countries in Europe.
We wish to iniciate what is called CEMI - Centro de Espiritualidade Mariana de Itabuna. (Itabuna Center for Marian Spirituality). Visit us at the following blog: www.itapiedade.blogspot.com
Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, where the Shrine of St. John Neumann is located, was appointed the special representative of the Holy Father for a celebration of St. John Neumann to be held in Neumann’s home town of Prachatice, Czech Republic on June 18th. The Baltimore Province, besides the celebrations already in the history books, has two more planned to honor St. John Neumann. On June 18th, they will conduct a closing celebration of the bicentenary of his birth at the St. John Neumann Shrine. Archbishop Edward Gilbert, C.Ss.R. of Trinidad-Tobago will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Archbishop Gilbert is a former member and Provincial of the Baltimore Province. Then, the Baltimore Province will conclude the Neumann Year June 24, 2012. Cardinal Rigali will be the main celebrant. The homilist will be Archbishop Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Secretary for the Congregation for Religious.
Christ is Risen! Grace and Redemption for all!
Rome According to the Decisions of the XXIV General Chapter (2.1-2.8), the General Council, during its Extraordinary Meeting from April 13-20, chose the Coordinators of the five Conferences from the candidates proposed by the Conference Assemblies. The Conference Coordinators will come to Rome for the June 13-24 Extraordinary Meeting of the General Council to come to a further understanding of their role and to participate in the Extraordinary Meeting.
Africa Editor’s note: There are many dramas playing out in the geo-political world. Some receive greater attention than others. The Ivory Coast, where we have a Mission, is a good example of news getting lost in the greater dramas of the world. Our Ivory Coast Redemptorist Mission began in 1993. At that time the Province of Madrid withdrew from the Vice Province of Matadi where they had been working with the Belgian confreres. But wanting to continue collaborating with the Church in Africa, Madrid sent a missionary team to the Ivory Coast. Presently, the Ivory Coast mission consists of Father José María Montes of the Province of Madrid and two native ordained deacons in perpetual vows preparing for ordination and another confrere in temporary vows. The two deacons will soon be participating full-time in the pastoral activities of the Mission after their approaching ordination to priesthood. The two houses, in the center of the country, one in Tiébissou and the other in Bouaké, are very clearly dedicated to the poor. The lack of personnel creates real difficulty for community life. Situations occur when one or the other missionary is alone for weeks or even months at a time. (Conspectus Generalis 2008; Catalogus, May 2011) Following is an update on the situation of our confreres in the Ivory Coast, which has been suffering under grave political uncertainty. On March 2, Fr. José María Montes wrote to me, relating the difficult situation which the Ivory Coast is going through, and of the consequences which this situation implies for foreigners living there, which are serious enough for the Spanish Embassy to have written to its citizens: “Faced with the progressive deterioration of the situation, and the growing anti-foreign feeling, we urge all Spanish citizens resident in the Ivory Coast to leave the country during this time.” Fr. José María Montes’ own reaction can be summarized in his own words to me: “Well, Pedro, here I am, and here, God willing, I’ll stay. But these are delicate times.” At the root of the problems, he continues, is the existence of two presidents, each of whom is trying to debilitate the other until he gives up the fight for power. In view of such a situation, Fr Montes explains, life is complicated: “Goods are in short supply and the banks throughout the country have closed, and thus I can’t even withdraw the money which you have sent us from Spain. However, I don’t want to talk only of woes, there are also joys. Like the 65 catechumens who were baptized at Easter.” He ends by asking me to pray for this people, and affirming his oneness with the whole Redemptorist family, and his desire that God multiply the effort made in establishing the Congregation in Ivory Coast, for the service of the African Church. The situation in Ivory Coast is especially dramatic in these last few days. Following 6 months in which the country has found itself with two presidents, one who used to govern, and the winner of the recent elections, the latter has decided to use arms in order to take by force what he won at the ballot box. In a short space of time, Outtara, who has the support of the UN and of the West, has been able to gain control of the whole country, except the capital, Abidjan. It is here that the fiercest fighting has been seen during these days. Hundreds of Ivorians have been killed. Likewise there is talk of forced disappearances, extra-judicial executions, rape and murder. Our missionaries, who have been urged by our Embassy to leave the country in the face of such a grave situation, have decided to remain in Ivory Coast. Thanks be to God they are well. We wish them, and the people of Ivory Coast the best. On another front, Spanish National Radio 5 opened its ‘Topic of the
Day’ program on 2nd April by presenting a special focus on the difficult
situation in Ivory Coast, for which Fr. José María Montes was invited
to participate live. In his interview, he was able to explain that
the country has sunk into chaos, and that the boycott of the port
by European ships is precipitating shortages in basic necessities,
supplies and medicines. He also pointed to the fact that hundreds
of refugees have arrived in the parish, where they are being fed with
the help of international organizations. He affirmed that he won’t
leave Ivory Coast “now when people need his help.” Worldwide Editor’s note: A congregation with as much history as ours, also has a rich history in brick and mortar. Here are few newsnotes about several of our venerable institutions. Casa Sant’Alfonso Rome is currently undergoing a face-lift. Scaffolding covers the entire frontage of the building as tuckpointing and repairs are being done under the watchful gaze of our building supervisors, Fathers Johanny Álvarez Castro (Vice Province of San Salvador) and Régulo Gaitán (Province of Bogotá). The worked started in March and is expected to continue until late June. 
The Baltimore Province has announced that the Mount Saint Alphonsus, Esopus property will be leased (rented) on a long term basis to a group called Bruderhof (Church Communities International). The Bruderhof, a Christian group that fled Germany during World War II, said it will farm some of the land around Mount St. Alphonsus. In Mt. Saint Alphonsus’ early days, the Redemptorist brothers used to do the same! The Bruderhof live a common life, sharing all resources as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Bruderhof members remain actively involved in the neighborhoods that surround its communities, and in the world at large. Bruderhof members serve on school boards, volunteer at prisons and hospitals, and work with local social service agencies to provide food and shelter for those in need of help. The arrangement will allow five Redemptorists to continue living in the gate house situated near the entrance to the property and continue their local ministries. The Redemptoristine sisters will remain in their convent until June 2012. The Redemptorists will also retain access to the Redemptorist cemetery on the property. “We're very pleased to have found a great fit for the Mount,” said Stephanie Tracy, spokeswoman for the Redemptorists. Local town officials in Esopus, New York seem equally pleased that a reliable, long-term tenant for the property has been found. 
The Historic Redemptorist Perthshire monastery faces closure if a land sale falls through.The 141-year-old St Mary's Monastery faces an uncertain future due to a planning dispute with the local civic leaders. The historic Perthshire monastery could be closed because of a dispute over land development. St Mary's Monastery at Kinnoull Hill had hoped to secure enough money to guarantee its future by selling a plot of land to developers. The Redemptorists, who run the 141-year-old monastery, has agreed to sell the plot, but they will only receive money in exchange for it being granted planning permission to build 19 homes on the site. Development authorities for Perth and Kinross Council met recently and were urged by planning officers to reject the proposals, as they considered them not in line with development policies for the area. The building, which offers spiritual retreats and wellbeing courses, has recently undergone an extensive program of repairs to its exterior, funded in part by Historic Scotland and the council. The Monastery, however, is facing financial difficulties and needs the land sale to go through to ensure that it continues its long association with the area. Father Gerald Mulligan said: “It is with a heavy heart that we contemplate the end of our association with Kinnoull Hill and Perth. We had hoped a sensitive development with minimal impact on our setting and improved access to Kinnoull Hill would be possible. It is a crushing blow to realize that our entire future is now at risk. I well understand that there are some concerns, but people need to realize there is strong support as well.We would urge all elected members to consider carefully the gravity of the crisis we face. The wrong decision will close St Mary’s and end the relief and support we give to so many people in need.” Efforts will continue to obtain the necessary approvals. 
The College Essen in Essen, Belgium celebrated it’s 100th anniversary on April 29. The College of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (pictured below) was founded as a Redemptorist minor seminary in 1911 for the Province of Flanders. It witnessed and endured the hardships of two World Wars. The College, now known as Collegio Essen, is now a Catholic school under the pastoral care and direction of a lay Redemptorist Associate.The school is now completely extern students, with no more boarding school possibilities. In 2011 there are about 200 pupils in the primary school and 542 in the secondary school. Both girls and boys attend the school. There is a Redemptorist community in the monastery which is attached to the College. The 100th anniversary celebration featured Father General as homilist. The liturgy was in Flemish. There were many Redemptorists from Flanders, the Netherlands, several from Germany, and one confrere from French-speaking Belgium. Essen is now part of the St. Clement Province, which encompasses the former units of Flanders, Switzerland, Netherlands and Cologne, Germany. The Provincial headquarters is in Wittem, Holland – another magnificent Redemptorist structure.
Rome, Alphonsianum
The presentation, held in the Aula Magna of the Alphonsianum, was given by Professor Chendi, professor at the Camillianum and official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The guests included Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; Cardinal Raffaele Farina, Archivist of the Vatican Secret Archives; Bishop Enrico Dal Covolo, Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University; Archbishop Pietro Marini, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses; Archbishop Joseph Tobin, Secretary for the Congregation for Religious; Lady Anne Leahy, Canadian Ambassador to the Holy See, Msgr. Barthelemy Adoukonou, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, P. Renato Salvatore, Superior General of the Camillian Fathers; Mons. Damiano Marzotto, under-secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and our own Father General, Michael Brehl, who is the Supreme Moderator of the Alphonsianum.  After the customary academic presentation of the book, Father Tremblay spoke words of gratitude and appreciation to all who contributed to the book and expressed his joy in being able to exercise his ministry all these years as a theologian at the service of the Church. The afternoon concluded with a prayer by Father Mimeault composed by Father Tremblay to St. Teresa of Lisieux, patron of Father Tremblay’s study group. Refreshments and fellowship followed.
The Alphonsian Academy continues to influence the life of many local Churches through its graduates. Recently, Pope Benedict named the auxiliary bishop of Santiago, Chile, Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib, Metropolitan Archbishop of Concepción, Chile. And Father Peter Comensoli, of Wollongong, Australia, will become the auxiliary bishop of Sydney, Australia on June 8th. On May 4th, the Academy held its annual festive dinner in honor of its patron, St. Alphonsus. The celebration is moved to May from August in order that the guests and colleagues of Rome's academic institutions may participate. To help sustain the ministry of the Academy, Father General has appointed a commission to study the financial needs of the Academy and to analyze and to make proposals for the work of the Development Office. Father Pedro López Calvo (Provincial of Madrid) is chairperson of the commission, serving with Fathers Martin McKeever (Alphonsian President), Luis Roballo (Executive Secretary of the General Secretariat for Formation), Régulo Gaitán (co-supervisor of buildings), and Alfeo Prandel (Econome of the Academy). Cochin, India The Cardinal, who headed the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, collapsed while celebrating Mass on 1 April and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died, reported the Asian Church news agency UCA News. The 84 year old prelate had suffered from heart problems. Auxiliary Bishop Bosco Puthur of Ernakulam-Angamaly will take over as administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church and must convene a Synod which will elect a new major Archbishop. Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram to express his condolences and recalled "the Cardinal's dedication and service to the Syro-Malabars and to the universal Church." Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, praised Cardinal Vithayathil as a "great missionary and exemplary priest, who contributed a lot for the growth of the Church in India and the Syro-Malabar Church." "He was a man of deep faith who was loyal to the Church. He worked strenuously for the good of the Church even in his illness," said Cardinal Gracias. He also was "an effective administrator who took bold decisions for the good of the Church in India." Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal of Trivandrum, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, said Cardinal Vithayathil worked to unify India's three ritual Churches. The Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Catholic Church, traces its origin to St Thomas the Apostle. The Vatican made the Syro-Malabar Church self-governing in 1992, but retained the right to decide on administrative matters for Syro-Malabar dioceses outside Kerala. In 2006, the Cardinal reiterated his call for more rights for Syro-Malabar Catholics. He said thousands of Syro-Malabar Catholics who live outside their Church jurisdictions "have no parish, church or institutions" and have followed "the Latin traditions for more than 50 years." "He knew he would have to face death soon, and, even as he was preparing for it, he remained concerned about earthly life and society. He did not give the impression that he was afraid of death. He placed his trust in God and the good Christian life God helped him to lead," the Cardinal said. Cardinal Vithayathil was ordained a Redemptorist priest in 1954. He taught for 25 years at the Redemptorist seminary and several other seminaries in Bangalore. He was elected provincial of Redemptorists in India and Sri Lanka in 1978, a post he held for six years. He was also president of the Conference of Religious India, the national body of India's religious major superiors. Of India's more than one billion people, 2.3 per cent are Christian and about 1.6 per cent are Catholic. The Catholic Church has 161 dioceses in India; 128 of them are Latin rite, 27 belong to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and six dioceses belong to the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. SECRETARIAT FOR THE REDEMPTORISTINE ORDER:
Rome The Redemptorist Secretariat for the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer met in Rome on October 25-26, 2010. As has been the custom since the very beginning of this Secretariat, Father General, Michael Brehl, invited some Redemptoristine Sisters to join in for this meeting: the members of the Viva Memoria Commission, Sr. Joan Calver of the Liguori, USA monastery, Sr. Magdalena Schumann of the Lauterach, Austria monastery but presently serving in the Dublin, Ireland monastery, and Sr. Ewa Dobrzelecka of the Bielko-Biała, Poland monastery. Their principal task was to consider the responses from all the Redemptoristine monasteries to his letter of May, 2010, and to formally initiate the preparation for the next General Assembly of the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer. Following the recommendations from the Monasteries, the Secretariat took the following decisions about the General Assembly:
Taking into account all the responses received from the monasteries, it was determined that the principal themes for this General Assembly would be: -The spirituality of the Order. The monasteries clearly expressed the desire to have more Sisters involved in the preparation of the Assembly. They also expressed some recommendations about the membership of the Secretariat and the Viva Memoria Commission. Those recommendations were taken into account in the following decisions: Fr. João Pedro Fernandes, C.Ss.R., General Consultor from Angola, will join the Secretariat. (He joins Fr. Emilio Lage, president; Fr. Sabatino Majorano, Ignatius Dekkers, Gabriel Boudreault, Mirosław Grakowicz, Augustin Phaiboon Udomdej, and Ronald McAinsh) The Viva Memoria Commission will continue to fulfill their mandate as they are presently constituted. The Preparatory Commission for the next General Assembly will include the Secretariat, the Viva Memoria Commission, and two Sisters suggested by a large number of monasteries – Sister Gabrielle Fox from the monastery in Dublin, Ireland and Sister Chantal Lussier from the monastery of Ste-Therese in Quebec, Canada.
Spirituality: Sr. Joan Calver, Fr. McAinsh,
Fr. Majorano The next meeting of the Preparatory Commission was held in Rome on May 5-6, 2011. The main agenda item was to prepare a first draft of an Instrumentum laboris for the Assembly.
History of the Congregation, Vol. I/ii in English
Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of Transitions visit the Officialia site First Profession of Temporary Vows: Profession of Perpetual Vows: Ordination to the Priesthood: Jubilees - June 50th Jubilee of Ordination: 25th Jubilee of Profession: 25th Jubilee of Ordination:
Deaths:
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