“He called them to send them out to preach” (Mk 3:13)
From August 4 to 9, the San Alfonso formation house in Lima hosted an enriching vocational experience organized by the Redemptorist Missionaries of the Bolivia-Peru Province. Under the motto “He called them to proclaim hope,” 22 young people from different Redemptorist communities in Peru generously responded to the Lord’s invitation, willing to discern and deepen their calling.
For six days, participants experienced a journey punctuated by moments of personal and communal prayer, liturgical celebrations, reflection, and community life, guided by the vocation promoter. In a fraternal atmosphere, life stories, integration dynamics, and missionary experiences were shared, allowing the young people to gain a close and concrete understanding of Redemptorist religious life and its mission to proclaim the Good News to the poorest and most abandoned.
The gathering was not only a time to listen to God’s voice, but also an opportunity to deepen the spirituality of Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, whose passion for mission and closeness to ordinary people continues to inspire new generations. The atmosphere of brotherhood that pervaded the formation house strengthened the communion among the participants, who felt part of a large missionary family.
At the end of the meeting, each young person returned to their community with renewed hearts and the firm conviction that vocation is a gift to serve and proclaim hope, as the meeting’s motto states. The organizers thanked all those who made this experience possible and encouraged them to continue cultivating the calling God has planted in their hearts.
Fr. Victor Ernesto Alfonso, CSsR.
