As I have had already occasion to say on the second centenary of the death of St. Alphonsus, it is with great joy that I unite with all Redemptorists "in honouring the memory of a saint who was a master of wisdom for his time and who continues to enlighten the path of the people of God with the example of his life and teaching, as a light reflecting Christ, the light of the nations" (Apostolic Letter Spiritus Domini, AAS 79 [1987], 1365).

On that occasion associating myself with what had already been said by my predecessors, and after having recalled the fundamental features of the spiritual, moral and pastoral teaching of Alphonsus I wanted to stress "the advice that such a great father would give his children. This is expressed in his life, in his pastoral work and in his writings: fidelity to Christ and to his Gospel, fidelity to the Church and its mission in the world, fidelity to the people of our time, fidelity to the charism of your Institute" (Ibid. l.c. 1374).

What I said then deserves to be reconsidered and further developed in the perspective of the imminent Third Millennium, which demands from the whole Church a renewed enthusiasm for evangelization, nourished by a sincere conversion on the personal, community and social level.

2. The life and teaching of Alphonsus constitute an invaluable stimulus in this regard. From the moment of his "conversion" in 1723 his life was one of wholehearted and restless evangelizing zeal, according to the words of the Apostle Paul" I have no right to boast just because I preach the gospel. After all, I am under orders to do so. And how terrible it would be for me if I did not preach the gospel" (1 Cor 9,16). St. Alphonsus has pointed out that this apostolic zeal is a fundamental characteristic and indeed the specific purpose of his Congregation. The vitality and dynamism of the Redemptorist community during the two centuries of its history are rooted in this fidelity to its missionary dynamism. Among others, an eloquent witness of it is Gennaro Maria Sarnelli (1702-1744) whom I recently inscribed among the number of the Blessed. It is in this perspective that the whole Congregation and each member of it should continue to go forward because the Gospel is needed more than ever in the world of today.

It is necessary to proclaim strongly the fullness of meaning which Christ opens up in the life of a human being, the indestructible foundation he provides for values and the new hope he brings into our history. It is a preaching which must become incarnate in the concrete challenges which humanity today has to face and on which its very future depends. It is in this manner only that a civilization of love, so much longed for by all today, can become a reality.

3. The forms of this proclamation must continually be renewed in the light of possibilities and the needs of different contexts. Such a renewal has become more urgent today because of the rapid cultural and social evolution. This is particularly true of "parish missions" which have been the hall mark of Redemptorist preaching during the past two centuries. Fidelity to the Alphonsian tradition should combine with the courage to make timely adjustments so that the apostolic method may continue to respond to the expectations of the People of God.

Moreover, it is necessary to avail of the other modern means by which it is possible to communicate the truth to the men and women of today. Among the aspects which strike us in the work of St. Alphonsus is his commitment to the printed word. His numerous writings, his successive editions and translations, his capacity to express in simple language accessible to all the most demanding truths of faith and morals have spread his teaching among all classes of christian people. Following this example the Redemptorists of today should be stimulated to make an ever more effective use of the means of communication while remaining faithful to a simple, solid and clear style.

Preaching will be authentic if following the teaching method of Christ it becomes concrete in the patient direction of the conscience of each one as they gradually progress towards goodness and truth. St. Alphonsus strongly testifies that forceful preaching should include the welcome of a father and the patience of a doctor, especially in the sacrament of reconciliation, so that every person may open up to the action of Christ, the Saviour. Fidelity to the Founder requires particularly from Redemptorists such a capacity and such a commitment, indispensable for that "general mobilization of consciences and united ethical effort " which I am tirelessly pointing out as solutions for even the gravest problems, such as those concerning human life (Encyc. Evangelium Vitae, 95).

4. The more profound study of moral theology lies in this perspective. St. Alphonsus particularly committed himself to ensure that in all classes of the people of God the gap between faith and life style should be filled. The practical sense of the Founder must continue to stimulate his sons in their pastoral work, especially with regard to the renewal of the sacrament of reconciliation. It is imperative never to confine oneself to the sole proclamation of principles, without showing how they apply to daily life in a way which enables the conscience of every baptized person to follow a sure way. This Alphonsian practical sense requires that we be substantial and concrete in our response to the questions which are really important for people, while being faithful to the Gospel and the living Tradition in the Church. Moreover it stimulates maturity of conscience making it capable of throwing light, through the wisdom of the Spirit, on the complexity of the different situations of life.

With St. Alphonsus it is necessary to reaffirm in all pastoral work the centrality of Christ as the mystery of the Father's mercy. The Redemptorists must never tire of proclaiming "plentiful redemption", that is the infinite love with which God in Christ bends down towards humanity, beginning always with those who have most need of healing and liberation, because more marked by the evil consequences of sin. May it be true of his sons today what the Founder affirmed of himself and his companions "As for us we speak of nothing else but of the Passion of the Redeemer in order to leave souls bound to Jesus Christ" (Opera, Vol.III, Turin 1847,289). May the pastoral commitment of the entire Congregation continue to lead people to meet the crucified Christ, that is with "the love that he has shown for us on the Cross" (Practice of the love of Jesus Christ: Ascetical Works, Vol. 1, Rome 1933, 5).

5. For this reason we must never tire of proclaiming the divine mercy. The admonition of St. Alphonsus is still relevant for all pastoral work: " We must be persuaded that conversions made solely through fear of divine punishments do not last long.... if the holy love of God does not enter the heart, perseverance will be difficult". Therefore "the principal task of the preacher" should be "in every sermon he preaches to leave his hearers inflamed with holy love" (Opera, Vol. III, Turin, 1847, 288).

From this conversion centered on love arises the constant striving for sanctity. By making them experience the intensity of the mercy with which God bends down towards human beings to heal and liberate them, St. Alphonsus succeeded in making all, even the most humble and the poorest, rediscover the call and the path to sanctity: " the religious as religious, the secular as secular, the priest as priest, the married as married, the merchant as merchant, the soldier as soldier and so on speaking of every other state" ( Practice of the love of Jesus Christ, cit., 79). At the same time he includes a manifest evangelical zeal in this sanctity which leads to the assumption of responsibility for one's own milieu.

The commitment to the promotion of the laity, ever more aware of their baptismal dignity and responsibility, is essential for a Church wishing to respond to the challenges of the third millennium. The Redemptorists have always been very close to people. Today on the part of the laity, especially young people, there are more demands for a greater participation in the life and mission of religious. These have already found a first response in the directives decided at the last General Chapter of the Congregation. It is a path on which to proceed with courage while respecting the specific characteristics of the lay life as well as that of the religious.

6. St. Alphonsus never tires of insisting on the necessity of being faithful to the choices and manner in which the Redeemer has been the Good News of God among us. In the primitive rules of the Congregation "following the example" of the Redeemer was affirmed as a fundamental law. The Incarnate Word shares our condition, becomes for us a presence and an experience of God, and subsequently proposes himself as a clear and decisive message including ultimately his Cross and Resurrection. The Spirit continues to guide the Church along the same path (cf. Lumen Gentium, No. 8). St. Alphonsus asks his sons to witness in an ever clearer and resolute manner to the necessity of continuing on these same pathways of Christ: incarnation and sharing, clear witness, being frank and meaningful in preaching, generous participation in the deprivations of the Cross. All are essential for anyone who wishes to evangelize with apostolic efficiency.

Above all it is necessary to remain faithful to the choice of the Founder for the most abandoned people. It was precisely because of such a choice that the Congregation came to birth in 1732. It was a radical choice in favour of those who were relegated to the margins in pastoral work itself. The world of the abandoned became the world of Alphonsus. It must remain the world of every Redemptorist as the result of continual discernment at the very heart of diverse ecclesial situations in order to be able to respond promptly to urgencies as they become apparent.

All this is meaningful for the entire People of God in its intensified commitment to the new evangelization and conversion in preparation for the third millennium. Faced with old and new situations of neglected people, the Church must continue the action of the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety nine who are safe and goes in search of the lost sheep (cf. Luke 15, 4-7).

7. Such a commitment is impossible without constant spiritual renewal. St. Alphonsus never tires of repeating in accents that are rich in love and confidence: " He who is called to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, shall never be a true follower of Jesus Christ, nor shall ever become a saint if he does not fulfil the purpose of his vocation and has not the spirit of the Institute, which is to save the souls most destitute and most spiritually abandoned, such as the poor people of the countryside. This was already the purpose of the coming of the Redeemer who stated: The Spirit of God... anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor" (Opera, Vol. IV, Turin 1847, 429-430). And for this reason he confided in the powerful intercession of Mary to whom he had entrusted himself and his Congregation.

I gladly make my own these words and prayers of the Founder, confidant that his example may inspire not only the Redemptorists and Redemptoristines but the whole People of God to an ever greater yearning for the fullness of sanctity in the generous service of our brothers and sisters.

With these wishes I impart to you and to the entire Congregation as a pledge of continual affection, a special Apostolic Blessing.
 
 

Castel Gandolfo.

An unofficial English translation of the original Italian text by Fr. Anthony Mulvey CSSR, Rome