1st meeting of young Redemptorists, Province Bolivia Peru

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Challenged in the Call ‘ – Lima, 13 – 18 January 2025

From May 2024, when the First Meeting of Redemptorist Youth was called, all the Redemptorist communities in Bolivia and Peru have been challenged to be present at this meeting, held in the Retreat House El Milagro – Cieneguilla – Lima – Peru.

The presence of more than 200 young people is a challenge for those of us who see with hope the renewal of youth and the identification with the Charism and Spirituality of our Congregation.

The distance has not stopped them; some have made a journey of almost four days, and they are clear about participating in this fraternal meeting.

If we only look at the young people, we are sure that they rejuvenate the mission, and even the rocky roads do not stop them. They keep the joy and faith even on rugged roads. That is the Youth Church of Hope.

We have started the youth meeting by invoking the presence of the God who calls us, unites us and challenges us.

Fr. Boris Calzadilla, our Provincial Superior, and 12 priests, two professed and one nun, have been close to this meeting, with their dynamism and accompanying the young people.

Enlightened by the Gospel of St. Mark (10, 17ff), we listened attentively to the voice of the one who calls us and challenges us: ‘Empty yourselves, and be filled in these days with God…’. Fr. Boris.

The first day culminated in tremendous shared joy, with prayers, songs, and dances accompanied by contagious smiles. Thanks to the young people for their overflowing creativity.

‘Challenged in the Redeemer’.

In the following days, we have made known our foundation, returning to the beginnings of a history of grace and mercy. Our Redemptorist Spirituality invites us to return to humility, from the manger to embrace the cross, from the gaze of Redemption, and nourish ourselves with the Eucharist as the centre and vitality of our spirit and mission.

Sharing from the diversity of cultures and realities, invites us to value each brother and sister in the mission, all are important and necessary.

Sharing music expresses our cultures and the great joy of evangelising from our youth.

Each young person always has something to say and offer so that together, we can journey in the shared mission of the Redeemer.

At the closing Eucharist, the young people were sent to live this jubilee year of hope with a concrete, practical, and genuine commitment, knowing that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Jesus, with whom we have placed our hope.

May we prayerfully follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer together with our Good Mother.

P. José Luis Ramírez CSsR
Redemptorist Missionary