The First International Meeting of Redemptorist Bishops was inaugurated in Rome on Monday 23 June 2025 with the Eucharistic celebration at the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the church where Saint Alphonsus de Liguori was consecrated bishop, organized by the General Government of the Congregation to coincide with the Jubilee of Bishops which will be held next Wednesday.
In the opening Eucharistic celebration presided over by Msgr. Michael Brehl CSsR, bishop of the diocese of Pembroke in Canada and former superior general, the 30 missionary bishops who came from different countries of the world renewed their devotion to the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. In fact, Msgr. Brehl, in his homily, recalled the two main works of Alphonsus Liguori addressed to bishops, in which he emphasized three important dimensions of the episcopal ministry:
- The bishop must be close to the people of his diocese,
- The bishop must be a true missionary,
- The bishop must be deeply concerned with the missionary, pastoral and spiritual formation of seminarians, priests, and religious.
Scholars of the ministry of St. Alphonsus, continued Msgr. Brehl, also found that St. Alphonsus recommended that every bishop always remember that you are consecrated by anointing and filled with the Holy Spirit, you are sent to bring the Good News to the abandoned poor!
Msgr. Michael Brehl concluded his reflection with this message: “Our vocation to follow Jesus as missionaries of hope and mercy always leads us to share in his suffering – perhaps especially as Bishops!”
After Mass, the bishops went to the Redemptorist community of Sant’Alfonso for a moment of fraternity, sharing and then lunch together. “It is a true blessing to have you among us as brothers in the mission and beloved members of the Redemptorist Family,” said Fr. Rogério Gomes CSsR, the superior general, greeting the group. “It is an opportunity to give thanks to God for the journey that each of you has travelled in your episcopal ministry, and also to celebrate our missionary identity, especially in this Jubilee Holy Year.”
The program of this First International Meeting, which will last until Friday, also includes a pilgrimage to Pagani and the celebration of the Eucharistic at the tomb of the founder, participation in the Jubilee of Bishops at the Vatican with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door and a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica, and an audience with the Holy Father. There will also be a formative moment, with two conferences: on the episcopal ministry according to St. Alphonsus and on the Redemptorist charism as a contribution to the episcopal service for the outgoing Church. On the last day, Friday, June 27, the bishops will participate in the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CSsR.
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