One of the greatest gifts of religious life is welcoming and getting to know young people interested in our Redemptorist charism. As is tradition, the Baltimore and Denver Provinces organized the annual “Come and See” retreat in November, an opportunity for participants to discover the beauty of our mission.
This year, we welcomed 10 young people from different parts of the country, each with a unique story. The goal of the retreat is always the same: to showcase the best of Redemptorist life and help them understand what it means to be Missionaries of Hope for the poor and marginalized.
A weekend of reflection and action.
From the first day, participants were invited to reflect on a fundamental question: “How is God calling you to spread his love in the world?” This question set the tone for the entire retreat, offering a starting point for their personal meditations.
In addition to getting to know the community and visiting St. John’s University, the young people enjoyed a hands-on mission experience: the “Walk of Hope.” They spent the first night preparing sandwiches and aid packages for those in need in the neighborhood. This initiative opened their eyes to the realities of the world and how each of them can be part of the solution.
Pilgrimage and Personal Initiative
During the retreat, we had the honor of receiving Fr. Jack Kingsbury, director of the Shrine of St. John Neumann, who spoke on the theme of pilgrimage and personal initiative. Fr. Jack described the retreat as a form of pilgrimage, a journey that unfolds in stages: each moment can become an opportunity for reflection and growth.
In the second part of the day, Fr. Jack focused on personal initiative, which he called “the eighth gift of the Holy Spirit.” He emphasized the importance of going beyond the five pillars of formation and invited the young people to ask themselves, “How can I go beyond the basics?” Drawing on his own experience, he stressed that an essential quality for a Redemptorist is the ability to take initiative.
Addressing the participants, Father Jack recalled the parable of the woman and the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). “Our task,” he explained, “is to help find that lost coin, that lost hope, and return it to those who need it.”
A prayer for the future
We ask you to join us in prayer for all our students and for these young people, that they may continue to discern God’s call and bring his love to the poor and abandoned.
Adam Tran-Chung,
Source: denverlink, November 21, 2025
