Christmas Message from the Superior General

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Prot. N°: 0000   260/2024
Rome, 25th December 2024

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Missionaries of Hope in the Footsteps of the Redeemer
YEAR DEDICATED TO FORMATION FOR MISSION
The Lord who instructs us to rekindle the gift of God dwelling in us
Const. 77-90, St. 050-085; Mt 10:5-15, Lk 9:1-6; 2 Tm 1:6

Dear Confreres, Formandi, Redemptorist Bishops, Redemptorist Youth (RYVM), Lay Missionaries, our Former Redemptorist Seminarians and All Our Redemptorist Family;

  1. Christmas invites us to deepen our spirituality. The writings of St. Alphonsus, together with his hymns and those of other Redemptorist missionaries, help us to meditate on the meaning of this event that transformed human history: God becomes flesh and dwells among us. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory…’ (Jn 1:14). This sublime act of taking flesh in the womb of a humble woman of Nazareth, Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, reveals the closeness of God to humanity. By breaking down barriers, he inaugurates a new time, full of hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rom 5:5), ushering in the great Jubilee of history.
  2. If we reflect on the event of the Incarnation (cf. Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-38; 2:1-20; Jn 1:1-14) in the Redemptorist theological tradition as the great event of the Jubilee of history, and we consider the foundation of the Congregation as the inauguration of the ‘Jubilee Year’ of the Lord’s favour; (cf. Lk 4:18), we can affirm that the Jubilee Year decreed by Pope Francis is profoundly linked to abundant copious redemption. Therefore, as Missionaries of Hope, who follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer, we are called to live and proclaim this inexhaustible redemption, bringing a message of liberation and renewal to everyone we meet. This is our contribution to the Jubilee Year of the Church.
  3. Hope is full of light and frees us from darkness. No wonder the prophet Isaiah proclaims: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of shadows, a light shone on them” (Is 9:1). Pessimism, on the other hand, is characterised by the absence of light and horizon. It is narcissistic, it withdraws in itself, dwells on pathological memories and fosters a subculture where ‘the worse the better.’ In contrast, the hopeful gaze of self-criticism does not avoid dark situations, nor does it give in to them. On the contrary, it turns them into opportunities to grow and improve life around it. Self-criticism is linked to conversion and creative fidelity. From this perspective, the world is seen as a gift from God. Against this background, what vision do we want for our Congregation, our Conferences, our (Vice) Provinces, Regions, communities and Redemptorist consecrated life as a whole? The view of pessimism that leaves us in the dark, or the view of self-criticism that transforms, builds and fills us with hope? If the Child of Bethlehem is our Hope and our Light! there will be no place for darkness in our hearts!
  4. At this Christmas time, I ask that we remember in our prayers the situations of war, terrorism, violence and so many other realities of death and suffering that affect our world, especially in the places where the Congregation is present. It is not an easy task, but as Missionaries of Hope we are called to be God’s balm and medicine for those who suffer from these wounds. Likewise, let us not forget our confreres who are also going through moments of suffering in their lives.
  5. The fragile Child of Bethlehem challenges us to be heralds of hope and redemption, and to courageously continue our mission in this world.  May the light of Christmas kindle our hearts and illuminate the whole year 2025, with its joys and sorrows. In hope we have been saved (cf. Romans 8:24), and that hope has a name: the Redeemer. Therefore, we are Missionaries of Hope, walking in the footsteps of the Redeemer.

On behalf of the General Council, the Coordinators, the Officials of the Curia, the members of the Secretariats and the Commissions of the General Government, we wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN EXCELLENT 2025!

Fraternally yours,

Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R
Superior General

Original: Spanish

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