On Friday, September 19, an online meeting was held for the first time between Redemptorists in Media Ministry and collaborators—confreres and lay people—with Father General Rogério Gomes and members of the General Council. Nearly 80 people from various units of the Congregation participated. The meeting was moderated by Father Edward Chacón, Secretary General and head of the Communications Commission.
The meeting began with a greeting from the General Government, an introduction by the members of the Communications Commission, and the participants involved in the Media Ministry, both through mainstream media such as television, radio, and publishing, and in the digital world with websites and social media.
The message of the Superior General
In his address, Fr. Rogério Gomes expressed gratitude to all Redemptorist in Communication and Media Ministry for their service, recalling that communicating means evangelizing . He recalled the example of Saint Alphonsus, capable of creatively using the means of his time, and emphasized that communication must be empathetic, truthful, and a bearer of hope.
He introduced the new document with the Guidelines for the Redemptorist presence on the internet and social media, entitled Missionaries in a Digital World , inviting everyone to continue to be a voice and light in the evangelizing mission.
Father General concluded his speech with words of encouragement:
Dear confreres and collaborators in the Redemptorist mission through communication: continue to be a living presence of the charism in the digital world, on radio, on television, in the press, on websites, and on social media. Always be a bridge, a voice, and a horizon, especially for those who have no voice or vote in society; for those who remain blind or deaf because they have not yet received a liberating word; and also for those who, confused, do not know which path to follow.
[ Read the full message below ]
Presentation of the document Missionaries in a Digital World
Subsequently, Fr. Grzegorz Ruszaj and Fr. Jonas de Padua, members of the Communications Commission, presented the salient points of the new document, which aims to guide and accompany the members and collaborators of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in their mission of witnessing to the faith and proclaiming the Gospel also in digital spaces.
Dialogue and sharing
The third part of the meeting was dedicated to questions and sharing experiences. The meeting was a valuable opportunity to get to know each other better, share experiences, and strengthen our sense of communion in mission. It also provided a shared reflection on the missionary journey in the field of communications, which today more than ever is crucial for bringing the Good News to the world.
GR / Scala News
Message from the Superior General to the Online Meeting of Redemptorists in Communication and Media Ministry
- First of all, I wish to express my deep gratitude to each one of you, confreres, religious men and women, and lay people who, with generosity and dedication, offer your talents in the service of communication in our Congregation. Thanks to your work, in its many expressions and initiatives, the message of the Gospel resounds with strength and hope, reaching countless hearts. Therefore, today, on behalf of the General Government, I wish to acknowledge and thank each of you for your valuable evangelizing service. At the same time, I reaffirm that communication is not an accessory in our missionary life, but an essential part of the Redemptorist charism: to communicate is to evangelize, to bear witness, to proclaim the Abundant Redemption. Therefore, I encourage you to continue this mission with joy, dynamism, truth, depth, and creativity. Thank you very much!
- I would like to begin with these words of Pope Francis addressed to the participants in the Jubilee of Communication: “I just wanted to say a few words about communication. To communicate is to step outside of oneself a little in order to share what is mine with the other. And to communicate is not only to go out, but also to encounter the other. Knowing how to communicate is a great wisdom, a great wisdom!” (Pope Francis, Jubilee of Communication, Paul VI Hall, January 25, 2025). I believe that this simple definition of communication leads us to a profound reflection…
- General Statute n. 022 states that “the Congregation accepts with open-mindedness and employs in the service of pastoral ministry the means of social communication that contribute so much to spreading and consolidating the kingdom of God, whether they be literary, popular, or scientific publications, artistic activities, or audiovisual techniques. The Chapters should study matters concerning the exercise of the apostolate through these means, and the (vice)provincial governments should provide adequate formation to those members of the Congregation who are suited to this task.”
- Communication has always been at the heart of our history, since the founding of the Congregation. St. Alphonsus, in his time, did not have radio, television, the internet, or social media, but he knew how to use the means available to him creatively: simple and accessible writing, music that evangelized, painting and art that spoke directly to the people, especially the simplest ones, without access to school or culture. He understood that, in order to proclaim the Gospel, it was necessary to find a language capable of touching people’s hearts, awakening faith, and encouraging Christian life. His popular songs, his clear writings, and his images became authentic instruments of evangelization and social transformation. Alphonsus reminds us that communication is not only a technique, but an authentic missionary attitude, made up of charisma, closeness, passion, and conviction. It is significant to note that, throughout the expansion of the Congregation, our saints, blesseds, and pioneers always found creative ways to communicate the Gospel, seeking to engrave it in the minds and hearts of people in order to transform their lives.
- In this sense, Redemptorist communication has two fundamental dimensions: the empathetic and the telepathic. It is empathetic because it seeks to understand the other, to put oneself in their place, to welcome their reality and context in an integral way, and then to bear witness to the facts with truth and justice. It is telepathic because it aspires to reach deeply into hearts and minds, generating encounter, trust, and communion. Communication that is not true does not promote communion; on the contrary, it generates confusion. Even a painful or difficult event, when communicated with empathy and telepathy, helps people to understand it and to discern more clearly the path to follow. I believe that today, one of the great problems of communication in many areas is the lack of commitment to truth, superficiality, and the manipulation of interests. All of this lacks empathy and telepathy.
- Theologically speaking, God himself is communication. The Gospel according to St. John states: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Jesus announces the Kingdom of God with parables (cf. Mt 13:1-52), using simple images from everyday life: the sower, the yeast, the hidden treasure… so that everyone could understand his message. His communication sought to generate encounter, closeness, hope, and transformation. At Pentecost, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages” (Acts 2:4), so that each person “heard them speaking in his own language” (Acts 2:6-11). The Holy Spirit thus broke down cultural and linguistic barriers, making the Good News accessible to all. Communication, then, belongs to the divine horizon: God reveals himself, speaks, draws near, and allows himself to be understood in order to create communion and transform lives.
- From this perspective, Redemptorist communication is not a set of empty words that are lost in the wind: it has content, meaning, and mission. Its goal is to break down barriers and make itself accessible to all. It seeks to touch the heart, enlighten the mind, and transform life. True communication helps men and women discern the truth, without allowing themselves to be manipulated by interests or ideologies. We are called to proclaim the reality of events with clarity, honesty, and fidelity, in a way that fosters the formation of conscience and promotes the freedom of the sons and daughters of God. Thus, the mission of the Redemptorist communicator is not limited to informing, but goes further: it consists in forming, educating, inspiring, and opening paths of hope. Every message, every word, every image or sound shared must be an expression of our missionary charism, capable of generating encounter, promoting justice, and awakening solidarity. For us, communication is an authentic act of evangelization.
- Today we face a great challenge: a world saturated with fake news and manipulation. We need communicators and communities capable of discerning between truth and falsehood; people who are not mere repeaters of lies, but authentic witnesses to the truth (cf. Jn 8:32). In this context, we ask ourselves: what specific contribution can we offer as Redemptorist communicators? How can our communication centers contribute more broadly to the building of a just and fraternal society? How can we be a credible alternative to the large networks and platforms that often prioritize economic logic over ethics? Sometimes we feel like little David facing the giant Goliath (cf. 1 Sam 17:1-52), but our mission is to remain faithful to the Gospel, communicating with courage, clarity, and hope.
- Redemptorist communication must be filled with hope. Our mission is to help people discover new horizons, especially in difficult times: not to let themselves be overcome by fear or despair, but to find in the Gospel the strength to move forward. In this sense, the words of Pope Francis take on special meaning: “I dream of a communication that knows how to make us companions on the journey of so many of our brothers and sisters, so that in such turbulent times we can rekindle hope in them. A communication capable of speaking to the heart, of arousing not impetuous reactions of closure and anger, but attitudes of openness and friendship; capable of betting on beauty and hope even in the most seemingly desperate situations; of generating commitment, empathy, interest in others. A communication that helps us recognize the dignity of every human being and care for our common home together.” (Encyclical Letter Dilexit nos, 217). He adds: “I dream of a communication that does not sell illusions or fears, but is capable of giving reasons for hope” (Message for the 59th World Communications Day, Rome, January 24, 2025).
- Today, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer has a wide variety of media outlets: radio stations, television networks, publishing houses, magazines, digital portals, social networks, audiovisual productions, podcasts, music, posters, and other resources that reach millions of people. In some places, these instruments are highly developed and technologically advanced; in others, they are carried out with few resources, but always with the same missionary zeal. The common thread running through all these expressions is creativity, the fruit of our Alphonsian tradition. Among us, the desire to proclaim the Gospel in ever new ways remains alive, with the audacity of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, who reminds us: “The Gospel must always be preached in a new way.” This spirit continues to impel us to communicate with courage, sensitivity, and fidelity to the Redemptorist charism. The question then arises: what language should Redemptorist communication use to proclaim the Gospel in ever new ways, without falling into superficiality?
- Not all (vice)provinces, regions, and missions have a television channel or radio station, but all use the internet and social media as instruments of communication and evangelization. Considering this common reality and the importance of communication inspired by the Redemptorist charism and values ( ), the General Council, together with the General Commission for Communications, has prepared Guidelines for the Redemptorist Presence on the Internet and Social Networks (cf. Prot. 0000 003/2025, September 19, 2025, approved ad experimentum for two years). This document offers guidelines for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to responsibly assume its evangelizing mission in the digital world. Inspired by the missionary tradition of St. Alphonsus, these guidelines emphasize that the internet is a new Areopagus in which Redemptorists are called to bear witness to the faith with authenticity, closeness, and creativity, reaching out especially to those who are most distant and vulnerable. Online presence must be consistent with the charism, based on truth, quality, and respect, avoiding superficiality, offensive language, and ideological divisions. The text insists on the need for ongoing formation in digital ethics, responsible communication, data protection, cybersecurity, and the proper use of symbols and titles. It also addresses the role of artificial intelligence as a support tool, provided it is used with human discernment and without dehumanizing communication. A central point is the creation of safe digital environments, with clear protocols for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, the prevention of cyberbullying, and accessible reporting mechanisms. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between Redemptorist units, the use of official channels, and clarity in personal and institutional responsibilities. In conclusion, it affirms that digital evangelization is not only a technological opportunity but a true missionary field that requires prudence, responsibility, integrity, and fidelity to the Redemptorist charism.
- Finally, I would like to remind you that, for us Redemptorist missionaries, priests, brothers, and laypeople, communication has a mystical dimension. It is not limited to the use of techniques or the best technologies, but arises from a profound experience of encounter and communion with the Redeemer and with the poorest and most abandoned. To communicate is to reveal, through words, gestures, and even silences, the divine presence that dwells in every human being. It is making visible the action of the Holy Spirit, who speaks in the depths of every heart and creates communion beyond cultural, linguistic, or technological boundaries. Communication with mystical roots is not simply the transmission of information, but a living witness that awakens faith, arouses hope, and generates social credibility.
- Dear confreres and collaborators in the Redemptorist mission through communication: continue to be a living presence of the charism in the digital world, on radio, on television, in the press, on websites, and on social media. Always be a bridge, a voice, and a horizon, especially for those who have no voice or vote in society; for those who remain blind or deaf because they have not yet received a liberating word; and also for those who, confused, do not know which path to follow. It is up to you to offer the light of truth, capable of illuminating hearts and fostering discernment that transforms lives.
- May Mary, the great communicator of the Father’s Word, together with the Redemptorist saints, blesseds, and martyrs, bless each one of you and inspire your mission to continue building, through communication, a more just, fraternal, and hopeful world.
Thank you very much, everyone!
Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R
Superior General
Rome, September 19, 2025
Original: Spanish
