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A week of encounters in Rome

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The members of the General Chapter met this week at the Mother House of the Society of the Divine Saviour in Rome. The purpose of this meeting was to plan and organise activities for the next two years and, in some cases, beyond.
In addition to joint group formation through meditative and prayer elements, the main topics were the work and progress of the established ICDS committees, as well as how we can improve our communication and presentation to the outside world. A Zoom conversation with the lay group in Palestine was also on the agenda.
Part of this meeting was also participation in the public audience with Pope Leo XIV and a meeting of the International General Leadership Team. The main topics here were how we can improve our cooperation in order to achieve our goals and mission.

 

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39th Salvatorian Meeting Day – Vienna/Austria

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On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the 39th Salvatorian Meeting Day took place in Vienna City at St. Michael’s Parish with the theme “Have we fallen out of time – Why Lay Salvatorians?”

As always, it was a very joyful celebration and reunion of the Salvatorian Family in Austria. The keynote address was given by Christian Patzl, president of the International Community of the Divine Savior. He covered a wide range of topics, from the term “layperson” and its origin and incorrect interpretation, to the vocation of Lay Salvatorians and their tasks and Salvatorian mission. It was emphasised that Lay Salvatorians are on a permanent pilgrimage.

Various posters provided information about the history of lay Salvatorians in Austria and internationally, as well as the various focal points of their work.
A subsequent panel discussion deepened the insight into the development of lay Salvatorians from personal experiences, the perspective of Salvatorian religious members, the Salvatorian vocation as such, and the cooperation between the three branches.
A beautifully arranged Vespers service organized by the Lay Salvatorians concluded this very fraternal day.

 

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Guest at the US Unit General Assembly 2025

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The US Unit General Assembly took place from June 24 to 27, 2025, at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Benet Lake, WI. The main purpose of this assembly was to implement the ICDS statutes and thus establish the current ICDS unit in the USA. The existing sectors were brought together under the new ICDS umbrella and a leadership team was elected in accordance with the ICDS statutes. The oldest organization of lay Salvatorians worldwide thus paved the way for its entry into the ICDS. The transition was very simple, as it mostly only required renaming the offices. Only the auditors, who are now required, and those responsible for safeguarding, data protection, and JPIC had to be reappointed.

Fr. Silas Henderson, SDS, was recruited as facilitator and gave a very interesting presentation on the difference between apostles and disciples.

The meeting was characterized by a very lively exchange between the delegates, some of whom were meeting members from other sectors for the first time. Moving reflections by lay Salvatorians and intercessions during the daily Masses, as well as spiritually immersive prayer times, rounded off this moving and historic meeting.

Once again, many thanks for allowing me to participate as a guest.

 

 

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EU – Lay Salvatorian meeting 2025 UE – Encuentro de laicos salvatorianos 2025

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Review of the 8th European Meeting of Lay Salvatorians
from 29 May – 1 June 2025
in Leutkirch/Baden-Württemberg (Southern Germany)

 

Resumen del 8.º Encuentro Europeo de Laicos Salvatorianos,
celebrado del 29 de mayo al 1 de junio de 2025
en Leutkirch/Baden-Württemberg (sur de Alemania)

 

Relatório do 8º Encontro Europeu de Leigos Salvatorianos,
de 29 de maio a 1º de junho de 2025
em Leutkirch/Baden-Württemberg (sul da Alemanha)

 

Compte rendu de la 8e Rencontre européenne des Salvatoriens laïcs,
du 29 mai au 1er juin 2025
à Leutkirch/Bade-Wurtemberg (sud de l’Allemagne)

 

Rückschau auf das 8. Europäische Treffen der Laien-Salvatorianer
vom 29.5. – 1. 6. 2025
in Leutkirch/Baden-Württemberg (Süddeutschland)

 

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Pope Francis passed away

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Pope Francis has passed away this morning and with him a great man of the Catholic Church. May his humanitarian and social visions and his pioneering activities always remain in our good and wise memory and may we continue to draw advice and wisdom from his encyclicals.

Thank you, Holy Father Francis, for allowing us to share a part of the journey with you.

 

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Invitation to a brief reflection (not only for lent) – Invitación a una breve reflexión

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Invitation to a brief reflection

A listening heart is mindful and attentive,
willing and receptive, persistent and patient.

 

A listening heart seeks stillness and silence,
avoids all kinds of chattiness,
allows itself and others enough time.

 

A listening heart combines depth and breadth,
is open to surprises, pleasant and amazing things.

 

A listening heart creates enough inner space
to also keep safe what it neither understands nor grasps.

 

A listening heart can keep to itself what has been entrusted to it
and takes good care to always exercise discretion. Continue Reading

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St. Valentine’s day: Another attempt

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English

Let’s try a new attempt for Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries on February, 14th. Especially from the Anglican side, this day has become very fashionable and brings good sales to the flower and candy sellers. It is a celebration of “love”, which is expressed through small gifts to our loved ones. Just a commercial celebration or could there be more hidden here?

If you browse through the story, the tradition1 tells of two Valentines and distinguishes and mixes them at the same time. On the one hand, there is a Valentine of Terni and on the other hand a Valentine of Rome. But perhaps it is also one and the same person. Valentine of Rome is said to have married lovers according to the Christian rite as a simple priest, despite the prohibition by Emperor Claudius II, and was executed on February 14, 269. Valentin also gave flowers from his garden to the newly married couples. According to tradition, the marriages he entered into were “under a good star”. Bishop Valentin of Terni is said to have won over many people to the Christian faith by healing the sick in Rome. This brought him a charge in court and around the year 268 he was martyred by decapitation. Continue Reading

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