Redemptorists celebrate 100 years in the country

The Redemptorist Church Congregation in Cebu marked its one hundred years of missionary presence in the Philippines and in the whole of Asia yesterday.

It was on June 30, 1906 at Opon that the first Redemptorists Congregation set foot in the Philippines.

Fr. Joseph Tobin, Superior General of the Redemptorists Congregation said that the birth of Asian Redemptorists which began at Opon, a century ago, now makes it possible for Redemptorists to bring the charismatic inspiration of their founder Saint Alphonsus Liguori to many nations of this continent.

"Redemptorists are grateful for the deep commitment of the Filipino people to Jesus Christ, a commitment that finds expression in enthusiasm, creativity, piety and the struggle to create a society that is founded firmly on justice and solidarity. On the other hand, the Philippines has received the deep love and unwavering devotion of the Redemptorists who have served here with the preference for the abandoned poor," Tobin said.

At 3:00 p.m. yesterday, the celebration kicked off with a talk delivered by Father Karl Gaspar on "Redemptorist in the Philippines 1906-2006" at the St. Alphonsus Seminary gym and was followed with a welcome of visitors in a barrio fiesta setting.

Today, all delegates will have their pilgrimage to Opon at 8:30 a.m., to be followed by a Mass to be officiated by Fr. Jovencio Ma, the provincial Superior of Redemptorists in the Cebu province.

There will also be a cultural show at the St. Theresa's Auditorium to be staged by Kaliwat. Tomorrow, June 30, there will be a gathering of Redemptorists at the Holy Family retreat house to renew old friendships, share stories and just be together.

A Ligouri lecture will be conducted by Fr. Amado Picardal at the St. Theresa's College Auditorium. The celebration will culminate with a Eucharistic Mass with Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal as the main celebrant and Rev. Fr. Joseph Tobin as the preacher at

around 5:30 pm.

On July 1, there will be an assembly in the presence of Rev. Fr. Tobin for Redemptorists in the province of Cebu and Manila as they continue to look forward to another hundred years of their missionary presence in the country and in the whole of Asia. - Jasmin R. Uy