Frs. Kudakwashe Kariviro, CSsR and Erick Makova, CSsR. share their experiences on the Redemptorist Spirituality Course. Altogether 23 participants from nine countries completed the Course in Rome, beginning with foundational sessions, Mass with the Superior General, and reflection on missionary renewal and Alphonsian spirituality. Then the pilgrimages across key Redemptorist and saint-related sites in Italy—Rome, Ciorani, Scala, Materdomini, Naples, and Montecassino—deepened their formation through lived experience, prayer, and historical context.
It’s our pleasure to write and share our reflection on the Redemptorist Spirituality Course with our confreres and lay associates, in our Province of London and in the Region of Zimbabwe. We all embarked on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and arrived in Rome on June 1, 2026, from South Africa and Zimbabwe, respectively. It was a great experience in Europe since it was our first time being out of Africa.
Our Spirituality Course officially commenced on June 2, 2026, as 23 participants—Redemptorists and one lay collaborator—gathered in Rome. Representing nine countries and diverse units, we convened in a small aula at the Alphonsian Academy for our first session. The morning began with a warm welcome and an introductory conference on Christian spirituality, led by Fr. Krzysztof Dworak, CSsR, Director of the Centre for Spirituality in Rome.
At noon, we had an opportunity to celebrate the opening Mass together with the members of the General Council, with Fr. General Rogério Gomes presiding. Fr. General addressed us during his homily with a message of a call to Remember and Renew. He said, “You have begun a pilgrimage to the places marked by the life and sanctity of our Founder and the Redemptorists of our historical beginnings. Over the next three weeks, you will visit these sacred sites. As you walk in their footsteps, recall your own first call—the moment that brought you to the Congregation and continues to sustain your missionary vocation. Remember when you heard Jesus say, ‘Follow me!” He was so passionate as he continued to share his reflection. He said, “I hope these days of the Spirituality Course will become a time of spiritual renewal for you, rooted in a personal encounter with the Redeemer. May this be a true retreat for each of you.”
It was also a great experience to reflect on the recent Communicanda 2/2025, renewing the missionary call with the words of Jesus: “Let us go over to the other side.” In this spirit, we were not only invited to study Redemptorist spirituality but to experience it concretely by walking through the landscapes and places where the Congregation was born. We had deepened our understanding of Alphonsian spirituality while sharing an intercultural experience of fraternity, prayer, and mission. The first days of the course took place in Rome. We had the privilege of visiting some important Alphonsian sites in the city, the Catacombs of Saint Callistus, and attending the Papal Audience in the Vatican. We also had some reflection on Formation, and it is said that Formation rooted in place is one of the distinctive aspects of the Spirituality Course: so, the conferences and reflections we had were offered by Redemptorist professors, and are enriched by pilgrimages to the places most deeply connected to the Congregation’s origins.
From Rome, we travelled to Ciorani, stopping first in Sant’Agata dei Goti, where Saint Alphonsus served as bishop for thirteen years. Then, we visited the Museum of Saint Alphonsus and celebrated the Eucharist with the Redemptorist Sisters, which was our first encounter with our sisters. Late in the afternoon, we left for Ciorani, the Mother House of the Congregation, where we stayed for two weeks. Ciorani was home, and we visited all the places whilst commuting from Ciorani. We visited Scala — cradle of the Congregation, where Saint Alphonsus underwent his profound interior conversion and where the Congregation was founded on November 9, 1732. We had another opportunity to meet and celebrate Holy Mass with our beloved, ever-smiling Redemptorist Nuns.
We also witnessed the birthplace of Saint Gerard Majella three hundred years ago in Muro Lucano, and late in the afternoon, we visited Deliceto, where he lived for four years in formation. In Materdomini, we also witnessed the wonders of Majella; we saw the amazing and historic WELL in the life of Gerard. We also walked the streets of Marianella, and visited Liguori’s house, where Saint Alphonsus was born, and to Naples, where he was baptized, practised law, and made the decisive turn that led him to abandon his legal career and dedicate his life entirely to the abandoned and the poor. We also visited Pagani, where Alphonsus spent the final years of his life and died in 1787.
On the return journey to Rome, we had another opportunity to visit another historic and amazing place, Montecassino — one of the most important centres of Benedictine spirituality in the world, marked by centuries of prayer, silence, and fidelity to the Gospel.
We had the privilege of meeting the Provincial, Fr Richard Reid CSsR, in Rome, and he showed us around the beautiful and historic Basilica, which had a link to our founder, St. Alphonsus.
We also want to express our profound gratitude to Fr Joseph Musendami CSsR who is studying in Rome. He took us around Rome visiting important places especially those we did not manage to visit during the Spirituality Course. Thanks Padre!
Frs. Kudakwashe Kariviro CSsR and Erick Makova CSsR.
(Source: redemptorists.co.uk/)
