The Mid-Sexennial Meeting of the Conference of Asia Oceania held from the 10th to the 15th of November at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam concluded on Saturday the 15th of November with a closing mass and message from Fr. Rogerio Gomes, C.Ss.R., Superior General.
Fr. General called on the members of the meeting to answer an important question as we look forward to the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation in 2032. What sort of Congregation do we want for the future? Using the Gospel passage of the widow and the unjust judge Fr. General addressed himself to the members stating: Jesus also poses a provocative question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” This question strongly resonates among us today. We could rephrase it: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find the Congregation still alive?” Or even: “Will He find faith among the professed members who have embraced the project of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer?”
Fr. General went on to add: “The Congregation did not begin with us, and it will not end with us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are merely collaborators of the Spirit, who continues the mission of the Redeemer in this world after His resurrection. We are not owners of the Congregation. It is not our private property. Just as Jesus did not claim the Kingdom of the Father as His own but collaborated in love for its fulfillment, so too are we called to serve with humility and dedication. St. Alphonsus did not found the Congregation for himself, but to fulfill the mission of the Redeemer.”
Fr. General then appreciated the group for the spirit of synodality with which the meeting was conducted and held and the valuable suggestions, feedback and ideas offered by the groups during the process of the Mid sexennial meeting.
At the closing session of the meeting Fr. General then gave an overview of the work ahead of the General government in the 3 years ahead and also thanked the Province of Vietnam represented by the Provincial Fr. Dominic Dong, for hosting the meeting, the Conference Coordinator Fr. Yoakim Ndelo, Frs. Edward Joseph of Bangalore, Peter Jittapol of Thailand and Ino Cueto of Malaysia Singapore for moderating the meeting and Frs. Ivel and Paul Vinh, General Consultors for their presentations during the meeting. He also expressed his thanks to the Secretary, Notaries, and support staff for their painstaking work during the meeting.
The meeting ended on a joyful note as the group celebrates with the Province of Vietnam its 100 years of the presence of the Redemptorists in Vietnam.
Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
General Consultor
