Throughout July 2025, the Region of Zimbabwe had the joy and responsibility of hosting 14 Redemptorist brothers from five different units across Africa for an intensive program of preparation for solemn vows. Held at the Redemptorist formation house in Harare, the program ran from 1 to 31 July, weaving together prayer, study, fraternal life, and mission in a vibrant rhythm of formation.
The participants came from:
Vice Province of Nigeria (1)
Vice Province of Madagascar (1)
Mission of Mozambique (1)
Mission of Kenya (5)
Region of Zimbabwe (6)
Together, they formed a truly intercultural community, bound by a common vocation and a shared journey toward lifelong commitment in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
Rooted in Formation, Grounded in Mission
The preparation program was structured to deepen both the personal and communal readiness of the brothers for perpetual profession. The curriculum reflected the Congregation’s commitment to holistic formation, one that integrates spiritual depth, intellectual engagement, emotional maturity, and a profound sense of missionary identity.
Facilitators included a rich and diverse mix of voices: diocesan clergy, lay professionals, religious, and secular experts, a testament to the Church’s shared responsibility in forming hearts for mission. Their presence offered the brothers a balanced and real-world engagement with the challenges and graces of religious life today.
Among the key inputs and sessions offered during the month were:
- The Canonical View on Abuse Cases: Addressing Church law and the Congregation’s responsibilities in creating a safe environment for all.
- Safeguarding and Boundaries: Practical guidance on ethics, respect, and healthy ministerial conduct.
- Redemptorist Spirituality and Charism: Exploring the legacy of St. Alphonsus and the contemporary expressions of Redemptorist life and mission.
- Psychology and Human Development: Facilitating greater self-awareness, emotional maturity, and interpersonal growth.
Each topic was delivered with pastoral sensitivity and practical wisdom, helping the brothers reflect deeply on the implications of their vows and their readiness to embrace a lifelong missionary commitment.
Encounter Beyond the Classroom
While the classroom sessions provided intellectual and spiritual nourishment, the brothers also shared in moments of community bonding and cultural exchange. These experiences reminded everyone that formation is as much about the heart as it is about the head.
One of the most memorable excursions was a visit to the Masvingo National Monuments (Great Zimbabwe), a historic site rich in heritage and symbolic of endurance and identity. This trip was more than sightseeing; it was a time for reflection, fraternity, and simply enjoying one another’s company beyond the structured environment.
Other community-building activities included group recreation, prayer vigils, and informal cultural nights where brothers shared songs, dances, and stories from their home countries. What emerged was not just a deeper understanding of the Redemptorist charism, but a lived experience of brotherhood across borders. As one brother remarked: “We came from five different units, but after this month, we leave as one Redemptorist family, different tongues, one heart.”
Welcoming and Witnessing
The month began with a joyful Opening Mass on 3 July, celebrated by Fr Kenneth Macharaga, C.Ss.R., Regional Superior of Zimbabwe. His words invited the brothers to fully immerse themselves in the process: “Let this time form not only your minds, but your hearts. The vows you prepare to profess are not only a promise to God, but a gift to His people.”
The program also coincided with the canonical visitation of Fr Nicolas Ayouba, C.Ss.R. (General Consultor) and Fr Paul Vinh, C.Ss.R. (Secretary for Formation), who celebrated Mass on 15 July and witnessed the renewal of vows by 13 brothers, a powerful reminder of the journey these young men are making toward final profession.
A Formation That Breathes
As the program ended, there was a feeling of gratitude and renewed zeal. The Region of Zimbabwe not only provided the logistical and academic framework but also created a home, a space where the young Redemptorists could listen deeply to the call of the Redeemer and say their “yes” with freedom, joy, and maturity.
The Region remains united in prayer with these brothers as they move toward their solemn profession, confident that the One who called them is faithful.
With Him, there is Plentiful Redemption.
The Media Office,
Redemptorists Region of Zimbabwe
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