To honour the memory of the victims, cultivate prayer, be reborn and act together to overcome a crisis that has marked the history of every nation, Italy celebrates March 18 as the National Day in memory of the victims of Covid-19. The date chosen is symbolic: on March 18, 2020, the images of military trucks carrying coffins along the streets of Bergamo shocked the world, testifying to the beginning of the pandemic. In Italy, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus has caused over 196,000 victims and infected approximately 45% of the population from 2020 to today.”
Exactly 5 years ago
In December 2019, a lung disease appeared in Wuhan, China. In a short time, the “coronavirus” spread from one continent to another. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic. It was not necessary to declare that the virus caused a deadly disease. In Europe, Italy was hit hard, so much so that on March 18, 2020, images of military trucks transporting the coffins of the dead in Bergamo to other cities went around the world, showing the gravity of the situation. Lombardy had 300 deaths in a single day.
Our congregation also lived that dramatic experience of total isolation, but while the churches, schools and pastoral centers were emptying, it reacted by looking for a way to reach the most abandoned. In fact, in all the Redemptorist houses, an internet communication was immediately activated to coordinate and develop activities never before thought of in virtual mode. Proof of this is visible on our website, which never stopped informing about what our communities were experiencing and suffering:
- In India, one of the countries hardest hit by COVID, it was discovered that the more infections increased, the more solidarity from communities and assistance centers grew.
- In Haiti, only the Redemptorists continued to help the poor, who already did not even have enough to eat.
- In the United States and Australia, the faithful who attended our churches began to connect via social networks to follow the celebrations and pray together.
- In Ireland, despite churches being closed, the Redemptorists were able to reach many more people than before. Before the lockdown, visits to the Mont St Alphonsus site in Limerick were less than a thousand a day; during the pandemic, the live broadcast exceeded 7,000 visits daily. On Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19, 2020), more than 12,000 people tuned in to follow the liturgies at Mount St Alphonsus, a record.
- In Africa, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic went from being an unknown virus and distant news to becoming the enemy on the streets.
From many other parts of the world, we can gather testimonies of the commitment of the Redemptorists in the face of this new and unexpected challenge. Even in the cloistered monasteries, our Redemptorist nuns have been able to “teach” to pray many people who had distanced themselves from the Redeemer.
A blog, “Enfrentar al Covid-19 con solidaridad y esperanza” (Facing Covid-19 with solidarity and hope), was created in the General Curia to collaborate with our brothers in the difficult task of accompanying those most in need. But it is also necessary to remember that this pandemic has taken away several brothers who lived the Alphonsian charism in all its dimensions. Among the many sad news, we must remember that the first priest to die of COVID in Peru was a Redemptorist: Father Guillermo Ramírez Livia, followed by many others in different countries.
A sad memory, yes, but full of hope for all that we have learned to do for our congregation. A great effort was the realization of the XXVI General Chapter, both in its preparation and in the celebration itself. We also recognize how the pandemic has changed the apostolate of the traditional popular or itinerant mission of the Redemptorists. One of the apostolates most affected was precisely the Redemptorist popular mission, which is based on direct contact with the communities. The missionary teams had to adapt quickly, transferring much of their work to the digital sphere. In fact, this was one of the last activities to return to relative normality, due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Today, thanking God and the Redemptorist saints, after five years we can continue to live the Alphonsian charism with greater experience in the face of one of the greatest challenges of our modern history.
Scala News
