Fr. Antonio Niemiec, CSsR, had the grace of leading the second spiritual retreat of the Redemptorist missionaries (priests, religious, and juniors) in the Province of Curitiba from April 23rd to 25th, 2024.
The first spiritual retreat occurred in Manaus fifteen days ago. On this occasion, approximately 60 confreres who live and work in various locations in southern Brazil, in the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Acre, participated.
The theme of the retreat was “The missionary identity of the Redemptorist.” The program included various reflections, namely: the spiritual retreat as an opportunity to be reborn to one’s vocation; Church, your vocation is the mission; the mission as an identity of the Redemptorist in the Constitutions of the CSsR; called to collaborate in the mission of redemption in the world; option for the poor according to Saint Alphonsus and in the Constitutions of the CSsR; missionary spirit and liturgy of life.
The program also included daily Eucharistic celebration, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, penitential celebration, Marian devotion, and personal desert experience. May the retreat experience encourage us to live our Redemptorist religious consecration and missionary identity with fidelity and generosity!
Thanks to the brothers of the Province of Curitiba for their fraternal and generous welcome.
Fr. Antonio Niemiec CSsR*
(*) Fr. Antonio Niemiec CSsR, was national secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union of Brazil from 2018 to February 2024, published numerous books on missionary activity and participated in important ecclesial congresses. He inaugurated the V National Missionary Congress in Brazil in November 2023 and collaborates with the Brazilian Episcopal Conference (CNBB).
