As the Church and the Redemptorist family prepares to celebrate the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, We warmly invite the confreres and the faithful around the world to participate in a special nine-day online novena starting from 18th to 26th June and feast day on 27th June, preached by Fr. Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R., the General Consultor.
This year’s novena takes place within the context of the Redemptorist theme for 2026, dedicated to “Leadership at the Service of Mission.” Through daily reflections inspired by the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, participants will be invited to contemplate the qualities of authentic Christian leadership as revealed in the lives of Jesus the Redeemer and Mary, His Mother.
Drawing from the rich symbolism of the Icon, Fr. Mendanha will guide participants through nine reflections, each focusing on a particular characteristic of servant leadership. The novena will explore the virtues needed by leaders in the Church, society, family life, and religious communities—qualities that are essential for all who seek to follow Christ more faithfully.
A leader in the spirit of Jesus, the Servant Leader, is one who remains focused on the Lord and is able to guide, care for, encourage, and reconcile. Such a leader is faithful, compassionate, selfless, and courageous. These same qualities shine forth in the life of Mary, who continues to inspire Christians through her unwavering faith and loving service.
Throughout the nine days, participants will reflect on how they are called to exercise leadership in their own circumstances—not as a position of power, but as a ministry of service. The novena offers an opportunity to deepen one’s appreciation of the Christian vocation to be a source of hope and a witness to the Gospel in today’s world.
As members of the Redemptorist Family and as Christians committed to the Church’s mission, we are invited to become “Missionaries of Hope” in the footsteps of Jesus, our Servant Leader. Under the watchful gaze of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, this spiritual journey encourages us to grow in faith, generosity, and commitment to serving others.
The Redemptorists International (Scala News) invites everyone to join this online novena and prepare spiritually for the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. May these days of prayer and reflection help us become ever more authentic servant leaders, following the example of Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Day One: Focused on Jesus our Servant Leader
On the first day of the novena, the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help invites us to focus on Jesus, our Redeemer and perfect Servant Leader, whom Mary lovingly presents as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus teaches that true leadership is rooted in love, humility, selfless service, and obedience to the Father’s will, always seeking the good of others rather than personal recognition. Through Mary’s intercession, we are called to imitate Christ by becoming servant leaders who place God’s glory first and serve others with compassion and generosity.
Day Two: A Servant Leader is one who guides those entrusted to him or her
On the second day of the novena, Mary leads us to Jesus, the perfect Servant Leader who guides His disciples toward God’s Kingdom of justice, love, and peace. True leadership, following Christ’s example, involves listening attentively, discerning God’s will, providing clear direction, and serving with responsibility and humility. A servant leader fosters unity, remains faithful to the mission and charism of the community, and helps others recognize the signs of the times. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to guide those entrusted to our care with wisdom, compassion, and a constant focus on Jesus and the needs of the poor.
Day Three: A Servant Leader is one who cares for those entrusted to him or her
On the third day of the novena, Mary, the caring Mother of God, points us to Jesus, the Servant Leader who lovingly cares for all entrusted to Him. True servant leadership is expressed through attentiveness, compassionate listening, sensitivity to others’ struggles, and a commitment to nurturing their growth and well-being. Like the Good Samaritan and the Good Shepherd, a leader cares for the wounded, protects the vulnerable, and helps others flourish in their vocation and mission. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to imitate Christ by caring for others with charity, compassion, and selfless dedication.
Day Four: A Servant Leader is one who Encourages those entrusted to him or her
On the fourth day of the novena, Mary leads us to Jesus, the Servant Leader who constantly encouraged, strengthened, and restored hope in those who were struggling, excluded, or discouraged. True servant leadership inspires others by rekindling faith, nurturing their gifts, and helping them rediscover the beauty of their vocation and mission. Like Jesus on the road to Emmaus, a leader encourages with patience, trust, and gentle guidance, helping others grow in confidence and purpose. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to animate and inspire those entrusted to our care, fostering hope, unity, and missionary zeal.
Day Five: A Servant Leader is one who seeks to bring Reconciliation among those entrusted to him or her
On the fifth day of the novena, Mary leads us to Jesus, the Servant Leader who reconciles humanity with the Father and restores broken relationships through His mercy and love. True servant leadership seeks to heal divisions, rebuild trust, and foster communion by addressing conflicts with honesty, charity, and compassionate listening. A leader becomes an ambassador of reconciliation by building bridges, encouraging forgiveness, and transforming tensions into opportunities for growth and unity. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to imitate Christ by promoting peace, healing wounds, and leading others from conflict to communion.
Day Six: A Servant Leader is one who is lives a life of fidelity and integrity
On the sixth day of the novena, Mary leads us to Jesus, the Servant Leader whose life was marked by complete fidelity to the Father’s will and integrity in both word and action. True servant leadership is built on faithfulness, honesty, consistency, and moral courage, creating trust and inspiring others through authentic witness. Like Mary, who faithfully lived her “yes” to God throughout her life, leaders are called to align their actions with their values and commitments. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to serve with fidelity and integrity, remaining faithful to God, our vocation, and the mission entrusted to us.
Day Seven: A Servant Leader is one who is Humble
On the seventh day of the novena, Mary points us to Jesus, the humble Servant Leader who came not to be served but to serve, giving His life for others. True servant leadership is rooted in humility before God through obedience to His will and humility toward others through respect, love, and selfless service. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples’ feet and empowering them to continue His mission with compassion and dignity. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to imitate Christ’s humility, placing God’s purposes above our own and serving others with generosity and love.
Day Eight: A Servant Leader is one who is Selfless
On the eighth day of the novena, Mary points us to Jesus, the selfless Servant Leader whose entire life was dedicated to the good, healing, and salvation of others. True servant leadership places the needs of others before personal interests, serving with compassion, sacrifice, and a commitment to empowering others to grow. Both Jesus and Mary exemplified selflessness through their readiness to respond to the needs of those around them without seeking recognition or reward. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for the grace to imitate Christ by living generously, serving others wholeheartedly, and placing their well-being above our own.
Day Nine: A Servant Leader is one who is Courageous
A servant leader serves others with courage, humility, and selfless commitment, following the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus demonstrated courageous leadership through His unwavering faith, defense of truth, service to others, and willingness to suffer for God’s mission. Mary, the Mother of God, likewise exemplified courage through her faithful acceptance of God’s will and steadfast presence throughout Jesus’ life and Passion. Their lives inspire us to lead and serve our families, communities, and Church with courage, compassion, integrity, and fidelity.
Feast Day: The Compassion of a Servant Leader
Compassion is at the heart of servant leadership, as demonstrated by Jesus, who responded to human suffering with empathy, mercy, and loving action. His leadership was marked by caring for the sick, the marginalized, and the forgotten, empowering them with dignity and hope. Mary, the Mother of Perpetual Help and the Icon of Compassion, reflected the same compassionate spirit through her loving concern for others and faithful presence in times of need. Following the examples of Jesus and Mary, servant leaders are called to serve with empathy, mercy, and selfless care for all, especially the weak, poor, and suffering.
Follow the links below for daily reflections:
Website: www.cssr.news
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@scalanews8920 (Scala News)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSsR.en/ (C.Ss.R. – Redemptorists English)
