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?
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.
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.
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.
 | 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. |
