Fr. Emil, Fr. Dennis, and Br. Paolo joined leaders of men’s religious communities at the 2025 CMSM National Assembly in Maryland. The theme, inspired by the Jubilee Year—”Pilgrims of Hope”—invited participants to reflect on how their communities live out solidarity and fraternity while journeying together in faith and mission.

Hope in Today’s World

For decades, male religious in the United States have expressed solidarity through justice and peace work. Today, changing demographics and cultural shifts are reshaping those efforts. The Assembly reminded leaders that fraternity itself is part of the mission: walking side by side, rooted in hope.

Discussions explored leadership and the use of power, migration, options for the poor, the call to care for creation, and the pro-life witness in all its dimensions. Each theme was approached through the lens of fraternal life, inviting communities to consider how they can embody hope while responding to today’s most pressing realities.

Moving Forward

As our brothers return, we are reminded that the Assembly was more than a gathering—it was a step on the wider pilgrimage of the Church. May we continue to walk in hope, guided by unity and a shared mission in Christ.

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