From October 13 to 17, we, the confreres of the Pedro Donders Province, lived a historic and grace-filled moment as we celebrated the First Provincial Chapter in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This event was the fruit of a long journey of preparation, discernment, and communion among the brothers from the former units of Buenos Aires, Paraguay, Resistencia, and Santiago.
Our main task during the Chapter was to approve the Provincial Statutes, which will now guide us as Redemptorist missionaries of this new Province. It was a demanding yet deeply enriching process, sustained by prayer, dialogue, attentive listening, and above all, a profound love for our vocation and mission.
These days were a true time of grace and fraternity, during which we tangibly experienced the presence and action of the Spirit, who urges us to keep building communion. Our diversity of origins and experiences became a shared treasure—a living sign of the common hope that unites us.
In harmony with the General Chapter and the wider Church, we renew our desire to be missionaries of hope, committed to the men and women of our time. Inspired by Communicanda 2, “Let us cross over to the other side,” we want to be bold in evangelization and continually renew our missionary spirit through ongoing and profound formation.
Celebrating this first Chapter at Villa San Ignacio, a place where Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio once prayed and shared with others, filled us with deep gratitude. His example, along with the spirituality of Pope Francis, continues to enlighten our journey of pastoral conversion and missionary service.
With hope and joy, we move forward together, trusting that the Lord who has begun this good work in us will bring it to completion.
Fr. Sergio Elías Stang, CSsR.
Province of Pedro Donders
