New Redemptorist mission in Albania...

We are well used to the fact that the numbers of active Redemptorists in Europe is diminishing: a concernshared with most Religious Congregations. However, we, in faith, take this as an opportunity: to give ourselves generously to areas we identify as missionary: whether in the developing world or closer to home. The Redemptorists of Europe have, this week, initiated a new missionary community in Tirana, Albania. Three confreres are involved in the new mission: Laureano (Madrid Province), Andrzej (Warsaw Province), Dominic (London Province). Each will be a sore miss to their home province, but each is a generous investment in the Redemptorist mission of the evangelisation of those most in need.

In 1967, Albania became the first officially atheist country in the world; ironically, one of the best known Catholics of the 20th Century was born in Albania: Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born in 1910, and beatified in 2003. In the years since the fall of the Communist regime, religion is no longer banned, and the Redemptorists are seeking to live out their charism of preaching directly the gospel of Jesus Christ, to those most in need.

This week the Holy Father Pope Francis is visiting Albania, providentially at the same time as the new Redemptorist mission is being established. Please keep this important apostolic endeavour in your prayers. More to follow as the mission becomes established...