Many people of the world and the Catholic church are celebrating February 8 again. You remember why?
It’s the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she became a Canossian nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. She was declared a Saint in 2000 and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General have designated February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.
On February 8, Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness Continue Reading
Merry Christmas from the General Committee –
Feliz Navidad de parte del Comité General
A Christmas story | Un cuento navideño | Une histoire de Noël | Uma história de Natal | Eine Weihnachtsgeschichte |
This video shares three perspectives from members of the Salvatorian Family on “The Pactum” of Blessed Francis Jordan. The Pactum is the covenant that Blessed Jordan made with God. It grounded him in his commitment to do God’s will in founding the apostolic mission of the Salvatorians. This video is to help viewers explore and reflect on their own personal pact with God.
ENGLISH | ESPANÕL | FRANÇAIS | PORTUGUÊS | ITALIANO | POLSKI | DEUTSCH |
With this message, the General Committee of the ICDS wishes you all a blessed and enriching Foundation Day!
Since the Encyclica Laudato sii at the latest, it has been clear that the Catholic Church is committed to preserving and protecting the environment. Pope Francis is making many efforts to encourage people to use the earth’s resources better and, in particular, more sustainably. Last but not least, the catastrophic effects of climate change should be a reminder to all.
The Vatican news portal “Vatican News“1 has published some important information on the subject in recent days. Among other things, the Pope highlights the need for alliances that promote care for Creation and peace.
1 → The news are available in different languages – Las noticias están disponibles en varios idiomas
Four members of the General Committee of the ICDS met together at the motherhouse of the Society of the Divine Savior in Rome this week. There were two important meetings on the agenda: the last face-to-face meeting of the General Committee before the ICDS General Assembly in 2024 and the International Joint Leadership Group meeting with the Generalates of the two Salvatorian religious branches. Most of the topics were connected with the upcoming General Chapters and the General Assembly, such as the proposals recommended by joint commissions of the International Joint Leadership Group. Despite different points of view, both meetings were very productive.
Dear sisters and brothers, dear members of the Salvatorian Family,
Although we on the General Committee had been aware of Rita’s failing health for some time, the news of her passing hit us hard. The moment when our thread of life is woven to its end is unknown. And so it says in the Book of Isaiah 38:12 :
My dwelling, like a shepherd’s tent, is struck down and borne away from me; You have folded up my life, like a weaver who severs the last thread.
Some Salvatorian lay people have written words of remembrance which can be read here on behalf of many others:
Our dear Rita beat us to the date of heaven…Her departure leaves a void in the ICDS and in the Salvatorian Family, not only in his native Belgium, but also internationally, due to her active role both in the General Committee of the ICDS, and for her participation in some of the joint commissions of the 3 branches such as “the Justice, Peace and Defense of Life Commission” and the “Salvatorian Identity and Mission Commission”.
With a jovial, cheerful and open spirit, reflecting both her vocation as a school teacher and her vocation to follow Christ as a Lay Salvatorian, Rita worked tirelessly for the development of Lay Salvatorians in the world and for the fraternal union of the Salvatorian Family, putting their gifts at your service. Continue Reading
As you can read in our post from yesterday already, the ICDS is very happy to welcome our new sisters and brothers in Tanzania. Some Lay Salvatorians from the US have guided the development process over a long time and supported them with materials, were also present at the ceremony. Here is their story and report (→ click on the picture below to open the document)
Pope Francis has published an Apostolic Exhortation building on his 2015 encyclical: “Laudate Deum”. We’re not reacting enough, he says, we’re close to breaking point. He criticizes climate change deniers, saying that the human origin of global warming is now beyond doubt. And he describes how care for our common home flows from the Christian faith.
A cry, a call also addressed to the Salvatorian laity. Our challenges of the time also urge us to question and, if necessary, reorient our activities and apostolates with regard to environmental impact and the climate crisis. The world needs us and we are called to respond to the challenges (signs) of our time. It is not only the big changes or improvements that count, which we as individuals or small groups can hardly achieve. But the many small things in our everyday lives can make a big difference if we question them and change them accordingly.
Get more information here → Vatican News
Laudate Deum text in several languages
El Papa Francisco ha publicado una exhortación apostólica basada en su encíclica de 2015 “Laudate Deum”. No estamos reaccionando lo suficiente, dice, estamos cerca del punto de ruptura. Critica a los negacionistas del cambio climático, diciendo que el origen humano del calentamiento global está ahora fuera de toda duda. Y describe cómo el cuidado de nuestra casa común emana de la fe cristiana.
Un grito, una llamada dirigida también a los laicos Salvatorianos. Los desafíos de nuestro tiempo también nos urgen a cuestionar y, si es necesario, a reorientar nuestras actividades y apostolados en relación con el impacto medioambiental y la crisis climática. El mundo nos necesita y estamos llamados a responder a los desafíos (signos) de nuestro tiempo. No sólo cuentan los grandes cambios o mejoras, que nosotros, como individuos o pequeños grupos, difícilmente podemos conseguir. Pero las muchas pequeñas cosas de nuestra vida cotidiana pueden marcar una gran diferencia si nos las cuestionamos y las cambiamos en consecuencia.
Más información → Vatican News