In an atmosphere of profound fraternity and joy, our Andean-Caribbean Province celebrated the definitive incorporation of four young men into the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The solemn Eucharist took place in the Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bogotá, providentially coinciding with the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) on 15th of March and the memorial of our Redemptorist saint, Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer.
The celebration was presided over by Father Mauricio Monroy Cáceres, animator of the Andean-Caribbean Province, and was attended by fellow priests, formators, junior priests, postulants, religious sisters from families close to our charism, and numerous parishioners.
Called to be missionaries of hope
During his homily, Fr. Mauricio Monroy reflected on the journey of faith, recalling, based on the readings, that “God, when he chooses and calls, does not stop at appearances, but looks at what is in the heart.” He invited his brothers and the entire assembly to be instruments of light and to let themselves be guided by Christ to be true “missionaries of hope following in the footsteps of the Redeemer.”
Our new perpetually professed and their assignments
The four young men, who recently completed their preparatory formation (which took place between Cotuí, Dominican Republic, and Bogotá), prostrated themselves before the altar as a sign of total consecration. They subsequently took lifelong vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, along with an oath of perseverance.
With immense joy, our province now sends them to continue their pastoral service in the following communities:
- Jorge Andrés Campo Flor: Born in Cajibío, Cauca (Colombia). His vocational motto is “He went up the mountain, called those he wanted, and they went with him.” He will serve in the missionary community of Santa Helena del Opón, Santander.
- Reilander Antonio Aldana Vargas: Originally from Barquisimeto (Venezuela), inspired by Isaiah’s phrase “Whom shall I send? Here I am, send me,” he was assigned to the mission of Puerto Carreño, Vichada.
- Carlos Daniel Franco Ramírez: Originally from Andes, Antioquia (Colombia), his ministry will be guided by the motto “Miserando atque eligendo.” He will live out his commitment in the community of La Hormiga, Putumayo.
- Alexander Jesús Hernández Reyes: Born in the state of Falcón (Venezuela). With the motto “Come with me and I will make you fishers of men,” he was sent to serve at the Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto in Caracas, Venezuela.
The Missionary Cross: Symbol of Abundant Redemption
As a visible sign of their consecration, each of them received the missionary cross that accompanies our Redemptorist habit. The motto “Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio” is engraved on it, a reminder that their mission is to proclaim the love of Christ crucified to all humanity, especially the poorest and most abandoned.
At the end of the Eucharist, one of the professed expressed, on behalf of the four, his gratitude to God, to the Congregation, to their formators, and to their families, who joined in prayer remotely from Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador via the live broadcast. His closing words summed up the profound meaning of this celebration: “The Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us all to holiness (…), will help us respond with generosity and total dedication to his mission. Let us keep this in mind: the Lord does not ask for much; the Lord asks for everything.”
We entrust the vocation and perseverance of our brothers Jorge, Reilander, Carlos, and Alexander to the loving care of our Mother of Perpetual Help. Congratulations to our Andean-Caribbean Province!
Text submitted by Fr. Óscar David Tarazona Trujillo, C.Ss.R.
The celebration was streamed live on the YouTube channel of the Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bogotá.
