The meeting of the Secretariat for the Evangelisation of the Redemptorist Conference of Europe took place in Bonn from November 29 to December 1, 2022. The venue for the meeting was the religious house of the Redemptorists, who run the Catholic Josephinum College here.
The meeting aimed to summarise the work of the Secretariat in its various areas of activity: a partnership in mission, social ministry, youth and vocation ministry, and new missionary initiatives.
The prospects for implementing the indications of Phases I and II of the XXVI General Chapter were discussed. Among the topics discussed was the possibility of establishing a missionary laboratory in each of the three regions of the Conference of Redemptorists of Europe. The important role of the common formation of Redemptorists and the common formation of co-workers in mission from all over Europe was emphasised. Youth and vocation ministries are being prepared for World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023 and Alphonsian Day.
The presence in Bonn was also an opportunity to learn more about the apostolate run by Redemptorists and lay co-workers there. They run the Josephinum College, a Catholic school where more than 1,200 young people study. Those responsible for running this school outlined the process of pastoral work that is directed towards the young people studying at the school and their parents. Confreres from Indonesia who work in Bonn presented the missionary work in this Asian country and their ministry in Germany. A highlight of each day was celebrating the Eucharist together.
We thank the Redemptorist community of Bonn for their hospitality and warm welcome.
Fr. Paweł Drobot, CSsR
