It is a privilege and an honour to be present here today not only as a representative of the Superior General Fr Michael Brehl and the General Council, but in my personal capacity too. The Superior General cannot be present as he is present at the birth of a new Province in Slovakia.
I have happy memories of the province and of the members who have played an important role. My very first formator was Fr. Mathew Manjakunnel who welcomed me. We had Michael Naickanparampil who taught me and so many Redemptorists in India – Sacred Scripture. I remember my own classmates and then later some of my students whom I am glad to connect with, today, once again. What you celebrate today is not just the passage of time of 25 years. It is to celebrate what God has been doing in and through you. If I may adapt the words of St Paul… You could say that Michael Naickanparampil planted together with the other pioneers, some of whom are here today. Then it was watered by George Areeckal my classmate, followed by Clement Vadakedath, Joy Poonoly and all the confreres who worked along together. But it is God who gives and continues to give the growth. And what a good growth it has been. We were able to have a glimpse of it in the documentary.
To be a missionary as individual confrere and as a Province means communicating your experience of the Redeemer. It is about an attitude and an availability to go where we are sent, to do what the Mission through the Congregation calls us to do. And to do it as One Missionary Body as witnesses of the Redeemer proclaiming plentiful Redemption. So what we celebrate today is not mere dates and milestones. What we celebrate is precisely this – your generous availability, apostolic dynamism, willing service, and committed collaboration with various Redemptorist Provinces, working in countries in North America, Europe, Oceania and now Lebanon. Today you serve in 3 Continents and Conferences as well as the Generalate. Perhaps you will soon serve in all the 5 Conferences as members of the One Missionary Body.
We celebrate with you. We rejoice with you. We give thanks with and for you for what Jesus the Redeemer and Our Mother of Perpetual Help are doing in and through you. Congratulations and Felicitations!
Fr. Juventius Andrade, C.Ss.R.
Ex General Consulter and the Delegate of General Government
