January 1, 2023 is the 61st anniversary of the death of twenty Spiritan confreres – nineteen Belgians and one Dutch – who were killed in Kongolo in the present-day Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since its inception, SOMA has been responding and will continue responding to several of the Laudato Si’ goals, namely: Response to the Cry of the Earth, Response to the Cry of the Poor, and Ecological Economics.
In addition to our 150th Anniversary, the Spiritans of the United States Province wish to celebrate Holy Ghost Prep on its 125th Anniversary this year.
One of several events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Spiritans in the United States was a 663-mile pilgrimage in November through western Louisiana.
On November 20, 2022, St. Mark the Evangelist in Harlem, NY recognized the 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Province of the Spiritans with Mass and a celebration.
This month, we’re honoring the men and women from Africa who have pioneered the Catholic faith! Black Catholics have had a huge impact on the history and traditions of Christianity. Spiritans have had a role in the evangelization of Africans and African-Americans since its founding.
In the spring, we sent a donation of $35,000 from the U.S. to aid in this mission which included $25,000 from the Spiritan Office of Mission Advancement and U.S. Province and $10,000 from Duquesne University. Fr. Marek has graciously sent us an update of the situation in his area and some insight into how our donations were put to use.
On October 3, Carol Serafin, Ian Nettleship, and Tom and Janet Berna renewed their commitment to the Lay Spiritans in a ceremony at the Spiritan Center Chapel.
On September 9, we celebrate the Feast of Blessed Jacques Laval to honor the "Apostle of Mauritius," a man who worked tirelessly to empower and care for a forgotten people.
Fr. Ralph Poirier, C.S.Sp. of Bethel Park, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, died peacefully at ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Bethel Park, PA. He was 85 years old.
Matt Broeren, C.S.Sp. is at the midway point of his Pastoral Mission Experience with the Group of Brazil South West, in Sao Paulo Brazil, and on Friday, July 22, 2022, he renewed his Vows as a Spiritan for three years.
The Spiritans of the U.S. Province gathered for their Annual Retreat in June under the theme “Led by the Spirit: Living into the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.”
The Institute For Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University held a Mass Celebrating The 150th Anniversary Of The Spiritans In The U.S. at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel On Xavier University Campus. Fr. James Okoye, C.S.Sp. presided.