Saint Gerard, a living inspiration in following Jesus Christ

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Letter from the Father General on the occasion of the feast of Saint Gerard Majella

In the Jubilee of Hope and the three-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Saint Gerard Majella, Fr. Rogério Gomes CSsR, Superior General of the Redemptorists, invites us to rediscover the relevance of this brother who, with humility and love, reflected the Redeemer’s presence in everyday life. Saint Gerard continues to inspire us on our journey of faith, reminding us that holiness flourishes in simplicity and fidelity to the Gospel.

Rome, October 16th, 2025
Feast of Saint Gerard Majella

Missionaries of Hope in the Footsteps of the Redeemer
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, Stat. 01-020
TRICENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF SAINT GERARD

Dear Confreres, Formandi and Redemptorist Family,

  1. It is with great joy that we celebrate today the feast of Saint Gerard Majella, our beloved brother, in a deeply symbolic context: the Jubilee of Hope and the 300th anniversary of his birth. This celebration goes beyond a mere historical remembrance; it is a time of grace, an invitation to rediscover the beauty of holiness forged in the small and silent moments of everyday life.
  2. Celebrating Saint Gerard is not merely venerating a saint known for his miracles; it is, above all, allowing his life to continue resonating in the present as a source of inspiration and a call to authenticity in our following of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. Gerard allowed himself to be shaped by God’s love in the most ordinary situations, in humble tasks and daily relationships, revealing that the greatness of holiness often manifests itself in what is hidden and simple.
  3. He was a man with a heart open to God and a deep sensitivity to human suffering. He lived his Redemptorist vocation with radical fidelity, even in the midst of trials, showing that holiness does not mean the absence of pain, but rather a loving faithfulness in every circumstance. He knew how to listen with his heart, to draw near to others, and to become a sign of hope for the many who came to him. With simple yet tender gestures, he helped others rediscover the meaning of life, faith in God, and confidence in themselves.
  4. In this time of the Jubilee Year of hope, Saint Gerard continues to teach us to keep our feet firmly planted in reality, with its lights and shadows, and to keep our gaze fixed on the Redeemer, the source of all hope, for he is the hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rom 5:5). His memory challenges us to be a human and compassionate presence among the poor and the abandoned of today, not in an abstract way, but in a concrete, committed, and sensitive manner, attentive to the many forms of poverty in our time.
  5. I believe that Saint Gerard invites us to approach, in a Samaritan spirit, the many forms of poverty present in today’s world: “the poverty of those who lack material means of subsistence, the poverty of those who are socially marginalized and lack the means to give voice to their dignity and abilities, moral and spiritual poverty, cultural poverty, the poverty of those who find themselves in a condition of personal or social weakness or fragility, the poverty of those who have no rights, no space, no freedom” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te, no. 9). In his time, he was a sign of God’s merciful presence for these brothers and sisters. May he continue to be for us an example and an intercessor, so that we may always remain faithful to the charism that the Holy Spirit has entrusted to the Congregation.
  6. On this day when we joyfully celebrate the feast of Saint Gerard Majella, I wish to express a special word of gratitude to all our Redemptorist Missionary Brothers. Like Saint Gerard, many continue to bear witness, through their lives, to the beauty of a vocation marked by simplicity, generous service, and a discreet yet profoundly transformative presence in the midst of God’s people. They are men who, with humility and dedication, build the Kingdom of God in the ordinary moments of daily life, lovingly embracing the Redemptorist mission in all its dimensions. May the example of Saint Gerard continue to inspire and strengthen every Redemptorist Brother in his faithful and silent surrender to Christ the Redeemer and awaken the vocation to be a brother in the hearts of young people.
  7. Let us, therefore, ask for the intercession of Saint Gerard, that we may live and proclaim the Gospel with renewed courage, joy and hope; walking with the people, attentive to the signs of God in history, open to the action of the Spirit, and always remembering that holiness is built step by step, in the daily life we share with others, sustained by the grace of the Holy Spirit. May he help us to cross over to the other shore (cf. Mk 4:35; Communicanda 2/2025).

Fraternally

Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R
Superior General

Original: Spanish

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