The Redemptorist Basilica in Michalovce, Slovakia, hosted a retreat before Blessed Methodius Dominic Trčka’s feast. From 25 to 27 August 2021, Fr. Miroslav Bujdoš, C.Ss.R. spoke to the local faithful and pilgrims for three days. He reflected on the disappointments that seem to be an intrinsic part of human life. “Have you ever been disappointed by God?” – he asked the participants. But he did not stop at this question alone. “And what would you say if we turned the question the other way – has God ever been disappointed by man?”.
In each homily, Fr. Miroslav sought answers to these questions, sought the right attitude to take when we are disappointed when we have been disappointed when we carry disappointment within us. The retreat was attended by the faithful and the Redemptorist confreres of the monastery of Michalovce.
On Saturday 28th August, a walking pilgrimage took place. For the ninth year, pilgrims walked from the birthplace of the Servant of God Fr. Jan Ivan Mastiliak, C.Ss.R. to the basilica in Michalovce, where the relics of Blessed Methodius Dominic Trčka are kept. 90 young and older people took part in the 30 km pilgrimage, whose main organiser is Father Atanaz Mandzak, C.Ss.R.
On Saturday evening, in the presence of numerous faithful and diocesan priests, the liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Milan Chautur, C.Ss.R. After the Holy Liturgy, they prayed with the request for healing and anointing with the blessed oil. On Sunday, the main celebrant was Archbishop Cyril Vasil, S.J. Father Metod Lukačik CssR, superior of the Redemptorist vice-province Michalovce, recalled the 100th anniversary of the Redemptorists in Slovakia and 20 years since the beatification of Methodius Dominic Trčka.
We thank God that in such a difficult time as the pandemic, we were able to celebrate a feast in honour of our confrere Blessed Methodius Dominic Trčka.
P. Miroslav Bujdoš, C.Ss.R.
