Redemptorist Spirituality Centre

  • Meeting of the General Secretariat for Redemptorist Spirituality in Rome, 20 January 2026.
    From left: Fr Ivel Mendanha, Fr César Torres Pantoja, Fr Serafino Fiore, Fr Krzysztof Dworak.

Origin and objectives

In 1998, the General Council established the Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality in response to the decision of the XXII General Chapter (1997), which had identified spirituality as the central theme of the six-year period. The Centre was entrusted with the task of developing a programme of renewal for the confreres, rooted in the Alphonsian and Redemptorist tradition.

Fr. Félix E. Catalá, C.Ss.R. (Province of San Juan) was appointed as the first director. The objectives of the Centre were defined in May 1998. In January 2001, the General Council appointed Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.(Province of Bangalore) as assistant director. During the following six-year period (2003-2009), the General Council confirmed the two fathers, Félix and Ivel, in their positions, in line with the provisions of the XXIII General Chapter (2003), which reaffirmed the importance of spirituality for the Congregation.

From 1 January 2011, the direction of the Centre was entrusted to Fr. Serafino Fiore C.Ss.R. (Province of Naples). In continuity with the previous experience and in dialogue with the General Government, Fr. Fiore further focused the objectives of the Centre, which can be summarised as follows:

  • To promote knowledge and deepening of Redemptorist spirituality at different levels within the Congregation, with particular attention to the Conferences.
  • To insert the specific Redemptorist spirituality within the broader ‘Life in the Spirit’ (XXII General Chapter C.Ss.R., 1997 – Postulate n. 4), at the service of the Church.
  • To address all professed Redemptorists, the Redemptorist Family (which includes numerous lay people and other religious families) and, specifically, the areas of initial and ongoing formation.

In the period 2015–2024, the direction of the Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality was entrusted to Fr. Piotr Chyła, C.Ss.R. (Province of Warsaw). From 2025, the role of director is held by Fr. Krzysztof Dworak, C.Ss.R. (Province of Aparecida).

Resources and initiatives

The Centre provides various resources for spiritual growth:

  1. Annual spirituality courses: Two to three courses per language, organised in the historical locations of the Congregation (XXI General Chapter C.Ss.R., 1997 – Postulate no. 4.1).
  2. Digital monthly prayer experience rooted in the Redemptorist charism to be sent to the entire Congregation and others interested in Redemptorist spirituality
  3. Animation of meetings and retreats: Organised at the (Vice-)Province or Conference level, upon request and according to availability.
  4. Collaboration with the General Secretariat for Redemptorist Formation: To respond to the needs of formators and candidates.
  5. Willingness to consider additional requests: From the Congregation or other ecclesial realities.

Library of selected articles and books on the theme of Redemptorist spirituality >>

Contact us: spiritualita@cssr.com