The Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Rev Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., participated in the First Assembly of the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Province which took place from 28 to 31 October 2024 at the Casa de Hospedagem and the Seminário Sant’Alfonso, in Aparecida, Brazil.
This first meeting of the Province erected on November 9, 2023 brings together the Redemptorist Missionaries of the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The assembly is held in the midst of the celebrations of the 130 years since the arrival of the German Redemptorist Missionaries in Aparecida and the first anniversary of the birth of the province.
In his message, Father Rogério Gomes congratulated the Province on its first year and recalled the importance of fraternization and reflection on the 130-year history of the arrival of the Bavarian missionaries:
“Remembering is making what happened pass through the heart again. I think this is a moment of fraternization, reflection and gratitude to God and the pioneers. It is an opportunity for the group to see itself as a missionary body, as our constitutions tell us, with its potential and with the desire to continue this Redemptorist history, building a solid path based on participation and mutual listening.”
The assembly concluded last Thursday, October 31, after days of communion, celebration and reflection.
Following the prayer in the Chapel of Saint Alphonsus, a recap of the initial 12 months of the province’s existence, which united the missionaries from Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, was conducted.
The ordinary Councilors of the Province, Fr. Carlos José da Cunha, C.Ss.R., Fr. Américo de Oliveira, C.Ss.R., Fr. Fábio Evaristo, C.Ss.R., and Fr. Roque Alves, C.Ss.R., gave insights into the work carried out by the different fronts of the Province and answered questions during a “question and answer” moment.
The final speech was given by the Provincial Superior, Father Marlos Aurélio da Silva, C.Ss.R., who highlighted the main results and challenges of this first year of the Province, and listed the projects for the next two years of the three-year period.
Scala News
photo: a12.com
