The Congregation of Holy Cross began its ministry in Chile in 1943 and has remained steadfast in serving the Chilean people ever since — despite decades of political upheaval and growing secularization. The struggle against the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, a Roman Catholic and daily communicant, in the late 20th century, and the lingering effects of his regime contributed to a deep erosion of trust in the Catholic Church. Compounding this, the sex-abuse scandal of the early 21st century drove many Chileans away from the pews.
As a result, one of the Congregation’s key missions in Chile is to rebuild trust between the Church and the Chilean public. The Congregation’s Director of Formation in Chile, Rev. Zach Rathke, C.S.C., explained the term that the community uses to describe this effort: “We use the word ‘reencantar,’” which means to “re-love…or rekindle the fire of the faith, especially in the young people, and we do that especially through relationships.”
One parish under Holy Cross leadership in Chile is San Roque Parish in Peñalolén, a commune within the Santiago Metropolitan Region. Recently, three Holy Cross seminarians living in Chile spent their summer break ministering at this parish. When they began their summer ministry, San Roque Parish did not have any organized way to reach and engage the younger demographic within the parish.
The seminarians were tasked with the goal of creating a youth group to remedy this problem. Knowing that they needed to successfully “reencantar” their hearts, they turned to music. Through the support of the Holy Cross Mission Center and its benefactors, they purchased an electric keyboard, an electric drum set, a chair, and a music stand. Using this equipment, they hosted music-making sessions for the parish youth, which piqued interest and enthusiasm; they then offered individual music lessons to any participants who were eager to learn.
These music lessons strengthened trust and built relationships among the young people and the seminarians. As a result, a youth group was formed, and currently, approximately 15 adolescents regularly attend. During the group’s activities, they learn about the faith and grow in community. With the academic year in full swing, the seminarians are currently primarily focused on their studies; yet, they still regularly assist with youth ministry at the Congregation’s various parishes in Santiago.
Although the students don’t currently use the instruments, the seminarians continue to play the instruments privately as a form of leisure. Fr. Rathke described their current use of the instruments as their “hobby,” which the Congregation encourages men in formation to cultivate, and he noted that they may return to public music-making in the summer when they have more time.
Reflecting on the impact of the instruments, Fr. Rathke expressed gratitude to the donors who supported this project: “This wouldn’t have been possible without donors, so we thank them in a special way.”
Provided by Madeline Thompson, Project Coordinator, November 2025
