The Associate Members of the Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality form the General Secretariat for Redemptorist Spirituality. This group had its first in person meeting on the 20th January 2026 at the General Curia in Rome.
The Meeting was attended by Fr Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R. (General Consultor responsible for Redemptorist Spirituality), Fr Krzysztof Dworak, C.Ss.R. (Director of the Redemptorist Spirituality Centre in Rome), Fr. Serafino Fiore, C.Ss.R (Rector of Materdomini and associate member), and Fr César Torres Pantoja, C.Ss.R. (Conference Coordinator of the Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean). The other members, Fr. Krzysztof Bielinski, C.Ss.R. (Professor of the Alphonsian Academy in Rome), Fr Yoakim Rambaho Ndelo, C.Ss.R (Conference Coordinator of the Conference of Asia Oceania), and Fr José Afonso Tremba, C.Ss.R., were not able to be attend the meeting for different reasons.
The meeting began with a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit of God led by Fr Ivel by a few words of welcome. Fr Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R. (Superior General) then addressed the group via zoom from Brazil. He thanked the group for its presence and work and detailed the challenges that the Congregation faces at this moment in fostering and deepening our Redemptorist Spirituality highlighting the necessity of holding precious the rich memory and heritage of the Congregation while at the same time moving forward with creative fidelity responding to the ever-present challenges that we face at different levels. Fr. Rogério called on the group to respond to the needs of the Congregation at this time so as to promote an appreciation of our Redemptorist Spirituality and History by offering a variety of aids that would assist the Confreres and Partners in Mission in deepening and growing in our Redemptorist Spirituality.
Fr Krzysztof presented the day’s agenda and spelt out the purpose and mission of the Centre for Spirituality. He outlined the activity of the Centre in the light of the Plan of the General Government and presented some of the proposed activities for the coming years 2026 to 2028. Some of the matters that were taken up were a discussion with suggestions for the forthcoming Courses in Redemptorist Spirituality, the preparation of resources and aids for prayer and reflection for the confreres and partners in mission, possible publications in the official languages of the Congregation on different themes on Redemptorist Spirituality, continuation of the Series on Redemptorist Spirituality and finally a plan for a reflection series for the year 2026 dedicated to Leadership for Mission in the Congregation. The group planed for two online meetings in the month of May and October this year as well as the next meeting in person next year in the month of January in Rome.
The group concluded its meeting by joining the General Council for the celebration of the Eucharist in the Chapel of the General Curia.
Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
General Consultor
