The General Curia, Fr Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R, Superior General and the General Council along with the Economo General and Secretary General were on retreat from the 8th to the 13th February 2026 at Materdomini. This year, the tricentenary of the birth of St Gerard, the General Curia chose to make their retreat at the shrine of Materdomini, which houses the blessed relics of St Gerard Majella. The retreat this year was different as the General Curia chose to spend the days in silence, reflection, prayer and adoration. Each day was guided through a reflection at mass. On the opening day, Fr Francois Stanula led the reflection on the purpose of a retreat in the context of our mission as Redemptorists and specifically at the General Council. The Second day was led by Fr Nicholas Ayouba on certain aspects of Communicanda 2 on Mission. The Third day was led by Fr Gerard Hernandes on attentiveness to the sick and suffering, as the day was spent praying for the sick, being the World Day of the Sick. The fourth day was led by Fr Ivel Mendanha on the call to be a community of inclusion as part of our life and mission, following the example of Jesus, our Redeemer. The Final day was led by Fr General himself on the theme of Faith and Hope as nourishing our personal and community life and mission as Redemptorists today. The Closing mass was celebrated in the Basilica of St Gerard at his tomb.
The General Curia made their retreat in the midst of the warmth and hospitality of the Community of Materdomini, led by the Superior Fr Serafino Fiore, who welcomed the General Curia warmly on Sunday evening. This was a retreat with a difference, as the confreres spent much time in personal reflection and prayer, and in community prayer together in the morning, and then in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in the evening, led each day in turn by Fr Vicente, Fr Paul, and Bro. Larry and Fr Edward. During these moments of daily community prayer, the Council prayed for the many intentions of the Congregation, the confreres on challenging mission, the confreres and sisters in war-torn Ukraine, the confreres in different parts of the world where there is much violence, suffering and disasters of various kinds, and above all for the sick and suffering confreres. On the final day, each confrere picked up a piece of paper on which was written the name of a member of the curia, and all year, each confrere will pray for the confrere whose name he picked up as a sign of fraternal charity. The peace and quiet, the pure air, and the serenity of the mountains contributed much to the time of prayer and reflection, as well as to rest and peace.
A special moment was a visit to Teggiano, about an hour from Materdomini, to meet Bishop Antonio de Luca, C.Ss.R., Redemptorist Bishop of Teggiano-Policastro. Bishop Antonio de Luca warmly welcomed Fr General and the council to lunch, then led the curia on a historical tour of the Cathedral, the ancient seminary, now restored as the Episcopal Curia offices, and the town. It was a wonderful moment of fraternal sharing as the visit concluded with a blessing from Bishop Antonio de Luca with the relics of St Alphonsus and St Gerard.
Fr General, at the end of the retreat, on behalf of the General Curia, thanked Fr Serafino Fiore and the community at Materdomini, as well as the staff, for their hospitality, missionary availability to serve in the shrine, their witness of life and above all for the warm spirit of community life.
Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
General Consultor
