With this letter Father Rogério Gomes CSsR, Superior General officially declares the inauguration of the Jubilee Year for the tercentenary of the birth of St. Gerard, which will begin on April 26, 2025 and will end on April 26, 2026 – writes in his letter “On the third centenary of the birth of St. Gerard,” addressed to the confreres and the entire Redemptorist Family, which will be celebrated in the context of the Redemptorist mission.
Fr. General continues: It is essential that all activities are framed within the Year dedicated to Mission. St. Gerard was a missionary not only because of the charism of the Congregation, but because he applied his very own method of reaching out to the people. This leads us to reflect on the following: What is the mission of the Redemptorist Brother in the Congregation today, and why in some contexts do we still lack the presence of a Redemptorist Brother? In addition, we must consider the decrease in the number of Brothers in the Congregation, an issue that challenges us. I encourage the whole Congregation to live this moment of grace with enthusiasm, placing special emphasis on the promotion of the vocation of the Redemptorist Brother, especially in the shrines dedicated to St. Gerard.
Read the full text below:
Rome, 26 April 2025
Missionaries of Hope in the footsteps of the Redeemer
A YEAR DEDICATED TO MISSION
The Lord who sends us as missionaries and pilgrims of Hope in a wounded world
Lk 4:16-19, Mk 6:7-12, Lk 9:2-6, Ps 130:7 Const. 1-20, St. 01-020
ON THE OCASSION OF THE TERCENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF SAINT GERARD
DEAR CONFRERES, FORMANDI AND THE REDEMPTORIST FAMILY,
- We are about to celebrate the tercentenary of the birth of St. Gerard Majella, a Redemptorist missionary and religious brother, born in Muro Lucano (Potenza) on 6 April 1726 into a family of meagre means. A tailor by trade, he tried to enter the Capuchin order, but was not accepted. However, his determination to achieve sainthood led him to run away from home in search of his vocation. Despite initial rejections, he found a welcome among the Redemptorist missionaries, where he was professed as a brother and devoted his life to manual labour in the community. Throughout his life, he endured calumnies with meekness and patience. In the Sele valley, he carried out an intense apostolic work in isolated villages, distinguishing himself by his charity and dedication. He had a special gift for spiritual accompaniment, especially with the nuns who came to him for advice. His life was distinguished by simplicity, deep prayer and charity.
- With this letter, I officially declare open the Jubilee Year of the Tercentenary of the birth of St. Gerard, which will begin on 26th April 2025 and end on 26th April 2026. It is essential that all activities are framed within the Year dedicated to Mission. St. Gerard was a missionary not only because of the charism of the Congregation, but because he applied his very own method of reaching out to the people. This leads us to reflect on the following: What is the mission of the Redemptorist Brother in the Congregation today, and why in some contexts do we still lack the presence of a Redemptorist Brother? In addition, we must consider the decrease in the number of Brothers in the Congregation, an issue that challenges us. I encourage the whole Congregation to live this moment of grace with enthusiasm, placing special emphasis on the promotion of the vocation of the Redemptorist Brother, especially in the shrines dedicated to St. Gerard.
- To celebrate this Jubilee Year, the General Government, through the Brothers’ Commission, will organise a series of activities, including: the creation of a logo and a commemorative prayer, virtual meetings, a virtual meeting of the Superior General with candidates in formation to become Brothers, and an international meeting of Redemptorist Brothers in Italy. A monthly bulletin on the life of St. Gerard and other Brothers who have left an important mark on the history of the Congregation will also be issued. Historical material highlighting the role of the Brothers will also be created, based on research from the archives of the Congregation. Finally, a Communicanda on living the charism and vocation of the Redemptorist Brothers will be published.
- The (Vice)Provinces, Regions, Missions, Redemptorist communities, Shrines and Parishes have full freedom and creativity to explore the various aspects of St. Gerard’s life and mission. With regard to celebrations, there are many possibilities, for example:
- Organise Eucharistic celebrations and thematic novenas in Redemptorist parishes and shrines.
- Promote pilgrimages to places linked to the devotion to St. Gerard.
- Publish books and articles on his life, especially in the field of Redemptorist spirituality, highlighting also his social contribution.
- Spread his story and the meaning of being a Redemptorist Brother through social networks, television and radio, through programmes, podcasts, live broadcasts and videos.
- Promote formative events such as round tables and symposia, with the participation of the Redemptorist Family, especially lay people associated with our mission.
- Compose new songs in honour of St. Gerard.
- Involve all those in the Redemptorist Social Apostolate so that they get to know him and take him as an inspiration in their service to society.
- To make the figure of St. Gerard more widely known in the Redemptorist Houses of Formation at all stages, highlighting his importance as a Redemptorist Brother. Also, to include him as a theme of ongoing formation at (Vice)Provincial, Regional and Conference level for all confreres.
5. It is essential that (Vice)Provinces, Regions, Missions and Redemptorist communities share these events through the Scala News portal. In this way, the whole Congregation can be nourished by this spiritual richness and enriched by the creativity of the confreres in the celebration of our Saint and Brother Gerard.
6. Dear Confreres, Formandi and our Redemptorist family, may this Jubilee of the tercentenary of the birth of St. Gerard be a time of renewal for our Redemptorist Spirituality as well as for our missionary zeal and ardour. As we celebrate the Great Jubilee of Hope, let us remember that, like St. Gerard, we are Missionaries and Pilgrims of Hope. May his example inspire us on this journey, accompanied by our Mother of Perpetual Help and by our Saints, Blesseds and Martyrs.
Fraternally,
Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R.
Superior General
Original: Spanish
