From October 13 to 19, 2025, the four Redemptorist communities of Venezuela met in Valencia, in the central region of the country, together with the Provincial Father, Mauricio Monroy, C.Ss.R., and the Provincial Treasurer, Pedro Ignacio Jaimes, C.Ss.R. The meeting took place on the occasion of the canonical visit of the provincial government to the active communities in Barquisimeto, Caracas and Valencia, and included the pre-chapter assemblies, aimed at gathering the contributions of the confreres in view of the next Provincial Chapter, scheduled for January 2026.
The meeting was a moment of sharing and mutual enrichment, characterized by meaningful experiences for all participants.
The week concluded with two particularly important celebrations:
- On October 16, the Redemptorist community commemorated the memory of Saint Gerard Majella, in a festive atmosphere for the 300th anniversary of his birth. Saint Gerard, a model of Christian discipleship and missionary zeal, continues to inspire his brothers and the entire Church.
- On October 17, Bishop Emeritus Nelson Martínez of San Felipe ordained Jhonny Vargas, C.Ss.R., as a deacon, and Ely Saúl Millán, C.Ss.R., as a priest, through the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer. In his homily, Bishop Martínez reminded the ordinands that, by configuring themselves to Christ, they are called to be faithful witnesses and missionaries of the Redemption, bringing the Gospel to every corner of the world. The prelate, who has repeatedly expressed his closeness to the Congregation and in particular to the community of Valencia, emphasized: “Never forget that you are sent on a special mission to bring the Gospel everywhere.”
Subsequently, a large group of brothers and seminarians accompanied Father Ely Saúl Millán, C.Ss.R., to his first Eucharist in his hometown of Mirimire, in the state of Falcón. Father Claudio Molina, C.Ss.R., the preacher of the ceremony, reminded him that the center of our table must be Christ.
These events have a particular significance, as they fall within the centenary of the Redemptorist missionary presence in Venezuela (1925-2025) and the canonization of the first two Venezuelan saints: San José Gregorio Hernández and Santa Carmen Rediles.
May God, in his infinite goodness, continue to bless the Redemptorist Congregation in Venezuela, so that it may generate abundant vocations for the mission in the Andean-Caribbean Province and throughout the world.
Redemptorists of Venezuela
