On March 7th and 8th, 2026, the traditional “Meeting of Redemptorist Laity in Shared Mission” of the Paraguay Regional Area was held at the Marianela House in Atyrá. The meeting brought together more than 70 lay people committed to the Redemptorist charism and spirituality. The central theme was ” Spirituality, Communion, and Mission: Pillars of Redemptorist Identity.” Also participating were several professed Redemptorists, a religious sister, and lay representatives from the regional areas of Argentina and Chile. All were members and associates of the Redemptorist Congregation. The Provincial Superior, Fr. Javier Machado, was also present. The meeting was led by Fr. Enrique López, and we received guidance from Mr. Juan Carlos López for the activities and presentation of the content.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of prayer, fraternity, and discernment. The commitment of the Redemptorist laity to continue proclaiming the Gospel with a renewed and dynamic missionary spirit was reaffirmed, especially among the most abandoned, in communion with the entire Redemptorist family and always in harmony with the Church. The main objective, as every year, is to continue deepening the awareness of the Redemptorist vocation, identity, and shared mission among Redemptorist laity and professed members. The aim is to strengthen Redemptorist identity and spirituality. The goal is to create spaces for dialogue that allow for recognizing the pastoral realities of the various parish communities in the region and province.
During the sessions, various formative and pastoral topics were explored. These included: the central references (people, places, and missions) in congregational history that define Redemptorist identity; the challenges of Communicanda #2 (2025): “Let us cross to the other shore”; the Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of Paraguay on the theme of the “Common Good”; the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Saint Gerard; the promotion of the Redemptorist Brother vocation; and the first two chapters of the Directory for Shared Mission. The meeting proved very positive and inspiring, and the participants left renewed in their missionary commitment.
Fr. Enrique López, CSsR.
