(Cordoba, Argentina) The National Meeting of the Redemptorist Family 2019 has been successfully concluded last week in Villa Allende, province of Córdoba., motivating us with this motto, “Together with Mary and Alphonsus, we live the shared mission”, where the thematic proposal was to deepen what is already being considered.
We started with the theme “Disciples – Missionaries”, reassessing the vocation given in baptism as a call and a sending to continue the evangelizing task of the Church; Then we went into the theme of “Redemptorist Charism”, making a tour (imaginary) of the places that St. Alphonsus lived, rediscovering his availability to the Lord who through the Spirit inspires him to the formation of the congregation. Later, we participated in the retreat “The senses as tools of the missionary” to announce the joyful message of the Redeemer, and finally we addressed the theme “Shared Mission”, making a tracking of what we have been going through, with new proposals, work that has been done by communities of origin.
They have been days of joyful, committed encounters; eager to share the experiences we bring from our communities. We celebrated the Eucharists where the clear and profound homilies synthesized the theme of the day; music; the signs…. they predisposed us to fill us with the love of the Lord. Children, adolescents, and young people also participated with siblings who prepared specific topics and activities were conducted for them
We have the participation of the community of Uruguay and the presence of Father Mario Garay of the community of Paraguay, as well as priests, religious men, and women of the different communities of Argentina.
“The joy of the Gospel that fills the life of the community of the disciples is a missionary joy” this reflection expressed by Pope Francis in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (EG 21), becomes life in the shared mission that we religious and laity carry out, and that in this meeting we wanted to continue to shed their wealth.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for us! And always take care of your missionary children.
Yully Santillán,
Lay missionary, Saint Gerard Parish, Tucumán, Argentina
