Every third Sunday of July, the Redemptorists all over the world celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Redeemer. This feast has its origins dating back to the 16th century and Venice, Italy. Then in 1749, Pope Benedict XIV gave the Redemptorists concession to celebrate it as a solemnity.
It is an expression of joy and gratitude for the great gift of redemption as expressed in the opening antiphon taken from the prophet Isaiah: 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God. For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation and with the robe of has covered me”. And also Psalm 88:2, “The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever: I will show forth your truth with my mouth to generation and generation”.
On Sunday, 16th of July, COREAM members attending the III Phase of the XXVI General Chapter gathered together to celebrate the Eucharistic celebration led by Fr Rogerio C.Ss.R Superior General at the Karen community in Kenya. During this special occasion, as we celebrated this significant titular feast of our Congregation, three brothers who are students of theology at the Mission of Kenya renewed their vows. They are Brothers Fredrick Omondi and Pius Juma from the Mission of Kenya and Bro Benedito Artur Parcule from the Mission of Mozambique.
In his homily, the Superior General reiterated that this feast recalls God’s wonders in the history of salvation through God’s generosity of giving his only son for the world’s redemption. He made a special invitation to the confreres present to pray earnestly to God for these three young men who were to renew their vows that they may become good Redemptorists, deeply be human, be available for the mission and that they may persevere to the end in the Congregation. Before the final blessings, Fr. Rogério invited all to sing the Salve Regina together with the brothers who had renewed their vows to implore the maternal care and constant intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Help.
by Fr Francis Sila C.Ss.R, from Kenya Mission
