The Redemptorist community in Indonesia joyfully welcomed Fr. Rogério Gomes, CSsR, Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, who arrived in Weetebula on 29 June 2026, accompanied by Fr. Kimi Ndelo, CSsR, Coordinator of the Redemptorist Conference of Asia-Oceania (ASIOC).
During his visit to the Novena Community in Weetebula, the Superior General met with confreres from the various communities of the Vice Province. The gathering was marked by a spirit of fraternity as Fr. Rogério shared reflections on the life and mission of the Congregation throughout the world, the challenges facing the Church today, and the continuing call to missionary renewal. His words encouraged the confreres to remain faithful to the Redemptorist charism and to respond generously to the needs of God’s people.
On 30th June, the Feast of Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli, CSsR, the Redemptorist family celebrated several important milestones in the journey of formation. During the Eucharistic Celebration, five confreres made their Perpetual Profession in the Congregation:
Br. Andre, CSsR.
Br. Ari, CSsR.
Br. Arkadius, CSsR.
Br. Leonardo, CSsR.
Br. Novensius, CSsR.
On the same occasion, fifteen students made their First Profession, while twenty-eight novices officially began their Novitiate Year. These celebrations were a visible sign of God’s continuing blessing upon the Congregation and a source of hope for the future of the Redemptorist mission in Indonesia.
The Superior General also travelled to Waingapu, the place where the first Redemptorist missionaries arrived in Sumba. This visit recalled the rich missionary heritage of the Congregation and renewed the commitment to continue proclaiming the Gospel among the people of the island.
On 2nd July 2026, Fr. Rogério presided at the blessing and inauguration of the St. Alphonsus Redemptorist Postulancy House in Laipori, East Sumba. The celebration brought together confreres, diocesan priests, religious sisters, benefactors, friends, and many members of the faithful.
The new postulancy stands on land of nearly twenty hectares, generously donated by the Government of East Sumba in the 1960s in recognition of the contribution made by the Redemptorist missionaries to the development of the local community. Today, this same land continues to serve the mission of the Congregation by becoming a house of formation for future Redemptorist missionaries.
The establishment of the postulancy is a significant investment in the future of the Congregation and of the Church in Indonesia. It expresses confidence that the Lord continues to call young people to follow Christ as missionaries of Plentiful Redemption, especially in service to the poor and the most abandoned.
As the Superior General’s pastoral visit concluded, the confreres expressed their gratitude for his presence, encouragement, and witness of missionary leadership. His visit strengthened the bonds of fraternity within the Congregation and reaffirmed the shared commitment to the Redemptorist mission.
The history of the Redemptorists in Sumba began with the courageous witness of the first missionaries. Today, that missionary seed continues to grow through new vocations and renewed apostolic zeal. May the Lord continue to bless the Church in Indonesia, strengthen the vocation ministry of the Congregation, and raise up many generous missionaries who will bring the Gospel and the message of Plentiful Redemption to future generations, both in Indonesia and throughout the world.
Fr. Willy Ngongo Pala, C.Ss.R.
