Author Archives: Christian

Brief review of this year’s Recognition Day

Posted on

15. February 2026 by author

This year, ICDS Recognition Day fell on a Sunday. This enabled many groups and units to turn this day of the Lay Salvatorians into a real celebration. Here are a few snapshots from Australia, Brazil, and Austria. Venezuela sent special pages showing what happened there.
The General Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their participation and cooperation. It is a beautiful sign of unity that we can give to the world on this day.

If your unit also took pictures on the day but did not send them in, you are welcome to do so now. We will add them here.

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Feb. 8.: Lay Salvatorian Recognition Day + world prayer day against mordern slavery

Updated on

6. February 2026 by author

Christian

Two significant celebrations in one day for us lay Salvatorians. Perhaps not everyone is fully aware of this overlap. Nevertheless, some lay Salvatorians are already working today for liberation from modern slavery and against the many forms of human trafficking. This is certainly not the sole main apostolate of the lay Salvatorians, but it is an important task and a response to one of the signs of the times.
The documentation linked here is intended to tell us a little more about the life of Saint Josephine Bakhita and to strengthen us in our efforts to take up our apostolate for this cause and the cry for justice.

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A new Salvatorian Bishop

Posted on

31. December 2025 by author

Christian

We are delighted to hear that the Holy Father has appointed Father Milton Zonta, S.D.S., former Superior General of the Society of the Divine Savior, as Auxiliary Bishop of Criciúma, Brazil.

Father Milton is originally from Videira, Brazil, and has served the Salvatorian family with wisdom and dedication. His moving sermons and writings remain in our memories, and we are delighted that they will now continue and reach a wider audience in this new phase of his ministry.

We ask for your supporting prayers as far as possible for you.

May the Lord fill him with His love

May the Holy Spirit guide
and strengthen him in this new task.

May he feel His presence

with every breath he take.

In deep fraternal solidarity, together with Fr. Milton on the Salvatorian path,
the sisters and brothers of the International Community of the Divine Savior.

Posted in Event, Information, News, Vatican | Tagged Milton Zonta, Fr. Milton, Brazil | Leave a reply

Merry Christmas – Feliz Navidad – Feliz Natal – Joyeux Noël – Frohe Weihnacht

Posted on

21. December 2025 by author

Christian

Merry Christmas from the General Committee –
Feliz Navidad de parte del Comité General

A few words about the nativity scene depicted above

Algunas palabras sobre el belén representado arriba

Posted in Christmas | Tagged Christmas greetings, Christmas tale, Christmas thoughts | Leave a reply

Reflections on December 8, 2025

Posted on

11. December 2025 by author

Christian

English

Some of you may already be familiar with one or two of these thoughts, as they appear in letters of greeting to some units. However, I realized that this might also be of significance and interest to other units, which is why I am writing these following lines.

This year, many of us Lay Salvatorians were able to renew our vows together. For some, it was even the first time to take these vows and thus become Lay Salvatorians and part of the Salvatorian Family. A courageous step in times like these, when the world once more seems to be reeling because of us humans. So, the question arises again: What does it mean to be a Lay Salvatorian? Continue Reading

Posted in celebration, December 8th | Tagged December 8 | Leave a reply

A week of encounters in Rome

Posted on

15. October 2025 by author

Christian

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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Posted in Allgemein, Event, life, News, spiritual impulse, Vatican | Tagged GC, IJLG, Rome, Rome 2025, General Audience | Leave a reply

39th Salvatorian Meeting Day – Vienna/Austria

Updated on

30. September 2025 by author

Christian

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.

Posted in Event, from the units, Information, Lays, pilgrimage | Tagged meeting day, Vienna | Leave a reply

Guest at the US Unit General Assembly 2025

Posted on

6. July 2025 by author

Christian

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.