From 21 to 25 October, the CSsR Secretariat and the OSsR Service Commission met in the Monastery of Scala to discuss and reflect on some important themes for the journey of all the Communities of the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer. Usually this meeting was to take place in the General House in Rome, which is currently being renovated, and for this reason, the Monastery of Scala was chosen as the place for the meeting.
The members of the CSsR Secretariat present were:
Superior General Fr. Rogerio Gomes (President)
Fr. Piotr Chyla – Rome (In charge)
Fr. Patrice Nyanda – Togo
Fr. Paul Pazhangattu – Bangalore
The members of the Service Commission were:
Sr Gabrielle Fox – Ireland
Sr Magdalena Schuman – Ireland
Sr Ewa Dobrzelecka – Poland
Sr Veronique Neault – Canada
Sr Imma Di Stefano – Italy
This meeting had not taken place since before the pandemic and was necessary above all in view of the organization of the General Assembly of the Order, to be convened according to the OSsR Constitutions at least every 9 years. The last one was convened in 2012. The members of this Secretariat also considered other topics to reflect on, in light of the current challenges that the Order is called to face with careful discernment. Some of these topics are: the revision of the Constitutions and Statutes in light of Vultum Dei Quaerere and Cor Orans, the current state of the Federations of the Order, the ongoing formation of the sisters and vocational promotion.
During these days of meeting and mutual exchange we were able to experience moments of fraternity and sharing among ourselves (representatives from five continents were present!) and with the Scala Community, praying together also in different languages. Particularly significant was the concluding Eucharistic Celebration experienced in the Grotto of St. Alphonsus; a place very dear to all of us Redemptorists.
In his speech, Father General encouraged us with these words: “The path that awaits us is full of challenges, but also of great hope and beauty. You are not alone. You are accompanied by the Spirit and the memory of Mother Celeste Crostarosa, of Saint Alphonsus, of Redemptorist saints and of the Holy People of God… You are called to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the different monasteries and to continue the path that the Redeemer points out to you. May the Holy Spirit, the Mother of Perpetual Help, Mother Celeste and Redemptorist saints guide you and inspire you at every step, so that you may be ever more faithful to the charism of the Order. So be it. Amen.”
Sr. Concetta Di Stefano, OSsR.
