Resurrectionist Ministry
Some religious congregations are very focused on specific
ministries, but the Congregation of the Resurrection,
not without focus, has always remained open to the
calling of God’s Spirit, at any time and in any
place. We are reminded of the words of Pope Pius IX
in 1850 to our General Chapter: “Organize yourselves
in a way that will do most good for the church”.
At the very beginning, our founders found themselves
working in Paris France, assisting Polish immigrants,
and helping to create a better society for them. In
1857 Father Semenenko tried to clarify the ministry
of the Congregation indicating that the members would
be involved in the administration of parishes and the
education of youth.
For many years these were the primary ministries of
the Congregation of the Resurrection throughout the
world. Our members taught and ran many high schools,
universities, colleges and seminaries in North and
South America and in Europe. As well, other members
ministered in parishes as pastors and associates.
In 1981, following the Second Vatican Council our
rule was rewritten, maintaining the spirit of the founders
along with the spirit of the council. The following
powerful statement about our ministry is found in the
new rule:
“We believe
that God calls us to work together for the resurrection
of society, bringing his live and love to all: through
our personal witness, through the witness of our life
in community, and through our community apostolates,
primarily through parish work and teaching. This also
requires that we build, and teach others to build,
a Christian community in which we all can experience
the hope, joy, and peace of Christ's Resurrection.”
Many of our members have branched out into a variety
of ministries – some working for the Vatican,
others working in marriage tribunals, hospital chaplaincies
and other individualized ministries approved by the
community at large. Clearly, though, they are working
in a spirit of service to the church, where they are
needed, and they are working toward the resurrection
of society, as our constitutions call us.
Today you will find members
of the Congregation of the Resurrection working in
almost every continent of the world. Some teach, some
run parishes, some are evangelists in mission work
(Africa and South America), others proclaim God’s
word through youth ministry, adult ministries and in
various other ways. Our community is at the service
of the church, listening to God’s spirit call
us wherever God should will, and always working for
the resurrection society and the building of God’s
reign here on earth.
For more information about participating in our work,
please contact vocation@resurrectionist.net. If you
would like to help us by supporting our work financially,
please contact superiorgeneral@resurrectionist.net
