Message of the XXV General Chapter

MESSAGE OF  THE XXV GENERAL CHAPTER

The theme chosen by the Redemptorists for 2016 – 2022 – “WITNESSES OF THE REDEEMER: in Solidarity for Mission to a Wounded World” – seeks to inspire and challenge the Redemptorist Family to a new missionary solidarity and availability for the sake of the Mission, as well as a conversion of minds, hearts and practices for the renewal and revitalisation of Redemptorist Consecrated Life.

We live in a wounded world – a world wounded by sin, by violence, by injustice, and by fear.  The degradation of the environment has wounded our planet.  There are the wounds of displacement and abandonment, especially for migrants and refugees.  So many young people are experiencing the wounds of alienation and loneliness.  There are also the devastating wounds of poverty, violence, war, and divisions which marginalise whole peoples and societies.

As Pope Francis stated in his homily for the World Day of Consecrated Life (February 2, 2017), the mission of consecrated men and women means

“discerning how God is walking through the streets of our cities, our towns and our neighbourhoods… [It] means taking up and carrying the crosses of our brothers and sisters. It means wanting to touch the wounds of Jesus in the wounds of a world in pain, which longs and cries out for healing”.

Redemptorists are being called to a deeper appreciation of their call to solidarity and availability: solidarity with God, with all humanity, and especially with the abandoned poor. Such solidarity is only possible because of God’s solidarity with us.  In the Eucharist, Jesus remains forever in solidarity with us, and transforms us into his living Body in the world today. Such solidarity is truly transformative – and sends Redemptorists forth together, in mission to this wounded world, as prophets of the plentiful redemption which God offers the world.