First Canadian elected as Superior General of Redemptorists

Rome, Italy, Nov 4, 2009 / 21:33 pm

The Redemptorists have elected Fr. Michael Brehl, formerly the Provincial of the Edmonton-Toronto Province, as the new Superior General for the order.

Fr. Brehl, who was introduced to the Redemptorists while he was a university student, was impressed by their dedication to issues of peace and justice as well as their involvement with the poor. “So far,” he says in his online biography, “it’s been an exciting life – and it’s lived up to the promise I first experienced at Gerard House all those years ago.”

Father Brehl is the first Canadian to be elected Superior General of the Redemptorists, who were founded by St. Alphonsus Ligouri in 1732. Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955, he professed his vows as a Redemptorist on August 15, 1976 and was ordained to the priesthood on March 15, 1980.

Since finishing formation, completing a theology degree, and being ordained, Fr. Brehl has worked in numerous capacities. He has served as a parish priest, been on a retreat team, directed the Redemptorist's formation house and been elected to three terms as the Provincial of the Province of Edmonton-Toronto.

Fr. Brehl described getting to know the Redemptorists all over the word as one of the highlights of his experience.

In his free time, Fr. Brehl writes, “I’ve always tried to stay active – and I enjoy sports of many kinds: cycling, running, squash, golf. As well, I like reading, crossword puzzles, and movies.”  He says he has made many good friends in different places and that he  values cultivating those relationships.

For the next six years, Fr. Michael Brehl will be living in Rome at the Redemptorist General House, executing his duties as the Superior General.