Twenty Redemptorists from thirteen countries gathered in Rome to begin the Redemptorist Spirituality Course. During the first week, they visited the Alphonsian sites of the Eternal City and studied the history, moral theology, and Constitutions of the Congregation before moving on to Ciorani.
A beginning at Casa San Alfonso
With great enthusiasm, we, twenty Redemptorists from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Haiti, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, and Spain, gathered at Casa San Alfonso in Rome. We came to discover and experience the origins of our Congregation, to renew our enthusiasm for our religious vocation within an apostolic and missionary community.
On September 7, we began the course with a general presentation by its director, Fr. Krzysztof Dworak. Frs. Inácio and Wagner showed us the Historical Institute, the Library, and the General Archives of the Congregation, where we were able to admire the diary of Saint Alphonsus and other original writings of our Founder. In the afternoon, we went out with Fr. Cristian to visit the Alphonsian sites in Rome: the Quirinale, the ancient residence of the Popes, where the Rule was presented; the place where Saint Alphonsus stayed; and the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where he was consecrated bishop. The evening Mass was presided over by Fr. Gerardo Hernandez, General Consultor.
The official opening: a pilgrimage to the origins
On the 8th, the course director offered us a historical journey through Christian spirituality, complemented in the afternoon by a spiritual experience drawn from various books of Sacred Scripture. The course officially opened mid-morning, with a Eucharist presided over by our beloved Father Rogério Gomes, Superior General. He encouraged us to live these three weeks as a “pilgrimage” to our origins, allowing ourselves to be seduced by the call to this apostolic and missionary vocation. We must bring to our communities that newfound strength by “connecting” with the richness of our foundation, walking in the same places where Saint Alphonsus walked, and reliving the founding experiences of our missionary Institute.
With the Pope, at the Dicastery and in the catacombs
On Wednesday, we had the honor of being present in St. Peter’s Square to participate in the general audience with Pope Leo XIV. Afterward, we visited the Dicastery for Consecrated Life, led by Father José Carlos, who works there, as did Father Richard. In the afternoon, Father José Carlos, our Procurator General, explained the history of our Constitutions, and Father Inácio presided at the Eucharist.
On the 10th, we visited the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, where we celebrated Holy Mass, and then the Basilica of St. John Lateran. In the afternoon, Father Inácio gave us a very informative account of the centuries surrounding the life of St. Alphonsus, focusing on the Kingdom of Naples. Later, Father Agustín, Secretary of the Alphonsian Academy, introduced us to the Academy and its connection to the Lateran University.
The Brothers, Alphonsian morality and the memory of the Blessed
On the 11th, Brother Larry Luján, General Consultor, presented the history of the Brothers within our Congregation. In the afternoon, Father Maikel Dalbem, a professor at the Academy, explained the essential elements of Alphonsian moral theology, reminding us that the practice of loving Jesus Christ is a true Christian morality of charity. Raised in rigorism, Alphonsus was able to convert to the kindness of God and understand morality as a response to the divine love manifested in Christ.
At 6:30 pm, we joined the community in Eucharist in memory of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa, who guided us in the first steps of our Redemptorist identity, keeping in mind the female branch of this founding charism.
From Sant’Agata de’ Goti to Ciorani
On Saturday the 12th, we set out for Ciorani, which will be our home for the next two weeks. Along the way, we visited the beautiful town of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, where Saint Alphonsus served as parish priest for thirteen years. After visiting the cathedral, we visited his room in the Diocesan Museum and saw how his presence endures in the affection of his diocese. He stood out from other bishops for his great closeness to the people: he visited all the parishes and reorganized a diocese known as “neglected” due to the disorder in the lives of the clergy and the poor formation of the faithful. During that period, he wrote more than one hundred works. His memory endures to this day, with the official naming of the square in his honor and a beautiful statue of the holy bishop.
We then reached the monastery of our Redemptoristine nuns and celebrated the Eucharist with them. Afterward, they invited us to lunch: we introduced ourselves, sharing our lives and our various ministries. Finally, we arrived in Ciorani, where we were warmly welcomed by Father Laureano, the rector of the house, who the following day explained to us the most important aspects of the “Motherhouse,” the first building owned by the Congregation.
Father Manolo Redondo Moreno — Ciorani, September 13, 2026
