Fr. Evandro New Superior General of the Resurrectionists

The 34th General Chapter of the Congregation
of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

On June 28, 2023, during the 34th General Chapter of the Resurrectionists, held in Rome under the theme "Journeying Together in Hope," the capitulars elected Fr. Evandro Miranda Rosa, C.R.  as the Superior General of the Order for the next six years. Thus, Fr. Evandro has become the first Brazilian-born and member of the South American Region to fulfill this position in the 187 years of the existence of the Congregation of the Resurrection.

Fr. Evandro was born on July 21, 1975, in Mairiporã, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. His home parish is the Imaculate Conception Parish, in Franco da Rocha (SP), on the outskirts of São Paulo, in the territory of the Diocese of Bragança Paulista (SP). It was in this parish that Fr. Evandro received all the Sacraments of Christian initiation and celebrated his first Mass. Likewise, it was the original environment where Fr. Evandro became acquainted with the Congregation of the Resurrection, who staffed the parish.  

Formation to religious Life and Priesthood

Fr. Evandro joined the Novitiate program of the South American Region of the Congregation of the Resurrection in Curitiba, Paraná (PR), Brazil, in 1995 and professed his first vows on February 02, 1996. It was also in Curitiba (PR), that as a seminarian, he studied philosophy at the Studium OSBM. In December 1997, he was transferred to Rome, Italy, and became a member of the Collegium Resurrectionis Romae. He studied Sacred Theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University, where he graduated with a Sacred Bachelor's Degree of Theology. During this period, Fr. Evandro professed his perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Resurrection and was ordained Deacon in the Church of the Resurrectionist Generalate in Rome, on February 02, 2000 and April 28, 2000, respectively. On September 08, 2001, Fr. Evandro was ordained to the priesthood in the church of the "Risen Christ," in Franco da Rocha (SP), by the laying on of hands by the bishop of Hamilton, Bermuda, His Excellency Robert J. Kurtz, C.R.
As a priest, Fr. Evandro continued his academic life, pursing further theological studies.

Priestley Ministry

Troughout his 22 years of priesthood, Fr. Evandro has been prevalently engaged in the process of formation of new priests and has carried on administrative offices in the Congregation of the Resurrection. . It was also in 2011 that Fr. Evandro was first elected to be member of the general government of the Congregation of the Resurrection. During the first six-year term, he developed the role of General Procurator and local Superior of the Roman House of the Resurrectionists. In 2017, during the 33rd General Chapter of the Resurrectionists, Fr. Evandro was chosen as Vicar General. Since then, abreast with the activities of Procurator General, Fr. Evandro served also as Econom General of his Order. Meanwhile, Fr. Evandro provided some pastoral assistance upon request in Italian parishes as well as in English speaking parishes staffed by the Congregation of the Resurrection in the USA, Canada and Bermuda.

The elections of the General Councilors took place on June 30, during the sessions 28 and 29. Fr. Robert Rapińczuk (Polish Province) was elected 1st general councilor, Fr. Andrzej Gieniusz (Polish Province) was elected 2nd general councilor, Fr. Krzysztof Swół (Polish Province) was elected 3rd general councilor.

Capitulars and Theme

Accepting anew the Risen Lord's call to discern the signs of the times so as to best fulfil the charism and mission of the Congregation of the Resurrection in the present context, the Chapter delegates gathered at the Congregation's Generalate in Rome from 20 June to 6 July 2023. Inspired by the Spirit's unique gift to the founders of the Congregation, delegates came from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Poland, Tanzania, and the USA.

All the activities related to the Chapter were guided by the theme "Journeying Together in Hope," which adverts to the Emmaus narrative (Luke 24:13-35). This theme was represented through the following Logo:

Fr. Evandro and all the chapter delegates expressed their gratitude to Fr. Paul Voisin, C.R. for his ministry to the entire Congregation over the last six years as Superior General.