The International Meeting of Redemptorist Brothers continues – Rome, 2026
The day after the international meeting of the Redemptorist Brothers, the participants went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Gerard in Materdomini. After a four-hour coach journey, the Brothers arrived at the sanctuary’s forecourt — that place which the Father General would later describe, in his homily, as a holy place, marked by the life and holiness of St Gerard: here he lived, worked, suffered and offered his life to God.
The visit to the museum and the Saint’s cell
With interest, but also with evident emotion, the brothers viewed the relics of St Gerard on display in the museum. Among these, the Saint’s room holds a special place, where he spent the final months of his life. Preserved there are the objects that belonged to the holy brother: the bed, a simple table, a large cross on the wall. And above the door, an inscription that sums up his entire spirituality: “Here God’s will is being done, as God wills and for as long as God pleases.”
The brothers also visited the “Hall of the Ribbons” and the exhibition of nativity scenes, significant stops on this rich spiritual journey.
Holy Mass at the tomb of St Gerard
The focal point of the visit was the gathering in the church, around the tomb of St Gerard. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., Superior General of the Congregation. In his homily, the Father General invited the brothers to reflect on the profound meaning of the pilgrimage:
“Dear Brothers, with this pilgrimage you are returning to the sources: to visit St Gerard. Coming here does not mean remembering the past, but allowing oneself to be touched by a presence that continues to be alive. Here, each of us, as a pilgrim, is invited not only to admire the holiness of St Gerard, but to welcome God’s call into our own lives, allowing ourselves to be transformed inwardly so as to return to the world with a renewed heart, open to the mission.”
The celebration was also attended by the priests accompanying the brothers, who assisted with translation, as well as the brothers from the local community and the nearby town of Pagani. At the end of the liturgy, the pilgrims also received rosaries from the Father General as a memento and then gathered for a commemorative photo at the Saint’s tomb, to mark this historic gathering.
The programme for the following days
In the evening, the pilgrims returned to Rome, where two more days of meetings await them. On Saturday 25th, a conference on the identity of the religious brother is scheduled, followed by the Eucharist presided over by Archbishop Alfonso Amarante, C.Ss.R., Rector Magnificus of the Lateran University. On Sunday, however, the brothers will gather for a solemn Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and will meet with their confreres from the international community of St Alphonsus.
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