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Redemptorists
Redemptorists
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The Redemptorists, officially named the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Latin: Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris), abbreviated CSsR,[1] is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men (priests and brothers). It was founded by Alphonsus Liguori at Scala, Italy, for the purpose of labouring among the neglected country people around Naples. It is dedicated to missionary work and they minister in more than 100 countries. Members of the congregation are Catholic priests and consecrated religious brothers.

Key Information

The Redemptorists are especially dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and were appointed by Pope Pius IX in 1865 as both custodians and missionaries of the icon of that title, which is enshrined at the Redemptorist Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Rome. Many Redemptorist churches are dedicated to her under that title.

However, the Patroness of the Congregation is the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title "Immaculate Conception", of which St. Alphonsus was a strong propagator even before Marian Dogma was officially promulgated.

Foundation and development

[edit]
Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787)

Alphonsus Liguori was deeply moved by the plight of the poor living in Naples and the surrounding area and established his community with the aim of providing spiritual nourishment. Amongst his companions was Gerard Majella. In 1748 Alphonsus petitioned Pope Benedict XIV, to allow him to establish a congregation to minister to the poor in the area around Naples. Benedict agreed and the congregation was formed on November 9, 1732.

Within ten years of its foundation, communities had been established at Nocera, Ciorani, Iliceto, and Caposele. Due to political complications, there was an initial difficulty with the houses in the Papal States being separated from those in the Kingdom of Naples, but this was overcome in 1793 and the congregation soon opened houses in Sicily and other parts of southern Italy.[2]

The congregation was soon to move beyond the borders of present-day Italy. In 1785, two Austrians, Clemens Maria Hofbauer and Thaddeus Hübl, joined the Redemptorists. In 1786 Hofbauer and Hübl went to Warsaw, Poland where the papal nuncio gave them responsibility for the parish of Saint Benno in the New Town; their mission thrived until the community was expelled in 1808. In 1793, Hofbauer turned his sights on establishing communities in Germanic lands. Soon houses were opened in the south at Jestetten, Triberg im Schwarzwald, and Babenhausen. In 1818, a house was established in Switzerland at the abandoned Carthusian monastery in La Valsainte.[2]

19th century

[edit]

In 1826, at the request of the government of Austria, the Redemptorists established a community in Lisbon, Portugal, with the purpose of ministering to German speaking Catholics.[3] Other houses quickly followed in German-speaking areas: Mautern an der Donau (1827), Innsbruck (1828), Marburg (1833), Eggenburg (1833), and Leoben (1834).

The congregation also rapidly expanded into Belgium with communities at Tournai (1831), Sint-Truiden (1833), Liège (1833), and Brussels (1849). A community was even established in the Netherlands, at the time somewhat anti-Catholic, when a house was opened in Wittem in 1836. The revolutions of 1848 which swept over Europe caused much upheaval, and the Redemptorists were expelled from Switzerland and Austria and were at risk elsewhere.

The congregation thrived throughout the remainder of the 19th century; in 1852 there were four provinces, and by 1890 this had increased to twelve with communities having been established in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, England, Scotland, Spain, and Suriname.[2] The 20th century saw the continuation of expansion to where the congregation created new provinces, vice provinces, and missions in every decade, and established a network of lay associates and volunteers who work with the Redemptorists to bring the Gospel to the poor.

Apostolate

[edit]

Redemptorists are essentially a missionary society although their ministry is not confined to developing nations. According to their rule they are "to strive to imitate the virtues and examples of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer consecrating themselves especially to the preaching of the word of God to the poor"[This quote needs a citation]. Their labors consist principally in missions, retreats, and similar exercises.[3] In 2019, there were approximately 5,500 Redemptorists in 82 countries throughout the world.[4]

Preaching and parochial missions

[edit]

Alphonsus Liguori wanted his companions to be itinerant preachers of the Word of God. Traditionally, this has been the mainstay of the Redemptorists as they are well known for conducting parochial missions. The purpose of these parochial missions and the homilies preached by the Redemptorists is to "... invite people to a deeper love for God and a fuller practice of the Christian life."[5] In accordance with the instructions of Liguori, preaching is to be down-to-earth and understandable to all who are listening.

Shrines, sanctuaries and retreat houses

[edit]

In order to advance their mission and provide places of pilgrimage, the Redemptorists administer several shrines, which draw hundreds of thousands of people, the best-known being in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Philippines, Rome, and Singapore. The congregation operates many retreat houses where people of all walks of life, Catholic or otherwise, can spend some time in reflection, either individually or in a group.[5]

Redemptorists are caretakers of the Byzantine icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, depicting the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus and the instruments of the Passion. The icon was entrusted to them by Pope Pius IX. It is now enshrined in the Redemptorist Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Rome, and Redemptorists propagate devotion to Mary under this title.

Other ministry

[edit]

As with most religious congregations, the Redemptorists are also involved in other forms of ministry such as parishes, education, youth and social communication. In recent years the congregation has increasingly become concerned with matters of social justice; as the Generalate website states "Redemptorists believe that the saving love of God touches the whole person and calls for the transformation of social injustice into respect for the dignity of all men and women".[5] The Redemptorist religious province of Cebu in the Philippines have made a specific commitment in this regard: "Moved by the poverty and dehumanised condition of our people, and encouraged by their faith and desire for justice ... We, the Redemptorists of the Province of Cebu, as an apostolic community dedicated through our vows, are called to respond to the urgent needs of our people, especially the most abandoned and the poor ..."[6]

Religious formation

[edit]

After an initial period of contact and discernment, the person seeking to enter the Redemptorists becomes a "candidate" and goes to live in one of the communities so that both sides might become better acquainted. This lasts about two years during which they learn about Redemptorist prayer, life, and ministry.[4]

Assuming that all goes well, the candidate then begins the novitiate, lasting a year. The novitiate year is crucial, for it is then "... that the novices better understand their divine vocation, and indeed one which is proper to the institute, experience the manner of living of the institute, and form their mind and heart in its spirit, and so that their intention and suitability are tested."[7] Thus, the novices are given the opportunity for longer periods of prayer and spiritual reading as well as silence in order to reflect on the vocation God is offering and nature of their response. The spiritual development of the novice is of particular focus, especially through spiritual direction. During the novitiate the history and constitutions of the congregation are studied in depth.

A simple profession is made at the end of the novitiate, and the person officially becomes a member of the Redemptorists for "By religious profession, members assume the observance of the three evangelical counsels by public vow, are consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church, and are incorporated into the institute with the rights and duties defined by law."[8] At this point it is normal to begin studying philosophy and theology at university level. During this time there is ample opportunity to experience a variety of ministries in which the Redemptorists are engaged, both in the member's home country and internationally. Temporary vows are renewed annually.

At the end of this period of formation, which lasts for a minimum of three years[9] perpetual profession (final vows) is made and ordination to the diaconate and presbyterate follows for those called to holy orders (i.e. to become a priest).[10]

As the academic programs come to an end, all Redemptorists in temporary vows are required to participate in a pastoral experience for a minimum of six months to a year, outside of a brother's home province.[4]

Religious vows

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A window from the office of St. Alphonsus Ligouri "Rock" Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri

As members of a religious congregation, Redemptorists embrace the evangelical counsels, taking the three traditional religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.[3] Poverty means that all possessions are held in common and that no member may accumulate wealth. Chastity means more than abstaining from sexual activity and its purpose is to make the religious totally available for service; it is also a sign that only God can completely fill the human heart. For a member of a religious congregation, obedience is not slavishly doing what one is told by the superior but being attentive to God's will by prayerfully listening to the voice of the person in charge. For the Redemptorist, the three vows challenge those values presented as being important by modern-day society. Recognising that the living out of the three traditional vows can be truly challenging, each Redemptorist takes a fourth vow and oath, that of perseverance.

Organization

[edit]

The Generalate is in Rome. The most fundamental unit of the Redemptorists is the local community in which members live together, combining their prayers, experiences, successes and failures, as well as any possessions for the service of the Gospel. Each community has a local superior who is chosen to exercise the ministry of leadership and the service of authority for the common good. The superior is assisted by a vicar and a group of advisors.

Local communities are organized into larger groups: Missions, regions, vice-provinces, provinces. A province is led by a provincial and his council, composed of elected members. In terms of governance, the members of each province elect representatives who gather in a Provincial Chapter. Vice-provinces usually look to a founding province to provide support in terms of personnel and finances until it is able to become self-sufficient. Otherwise, it enjoys the freedom and authority necessary to adjust matters to the particular needs of its mission.[11] Regions and Missions are normally communities established in new missionary areas and they depend on the founding province or vice-province.

The Superior General convokes the General Chapter every six years. The General Chapter is the primary governing and representative body of the Redemptorists, carefully examining the mission of the congregation in accordance with the spirit of Alphonsus Liguori and its traditions. The day-to-day international affairs of the congregation are handled by the General Council, which is composed of a superior general and six consultors. The General Council is both a directive and executive body.[11]

Regions and provinces

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  • South Europe: 6 provinces and 2 regions
  • North Europe: 8 provinces, 2 vice-provinces, 2 regions and 1 mission,
  • North America: 4 provinces (Baltimore, Denver, Canada (founded in 2019 and composed of the former Provinces of Edmonton-Toronto, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and Yorkton), and Mexico) and one vice-province (Extra-Patriam, for the Vietnamese Catholics).[12]
  • Latin America: 13 provinces, 11 vice-provinces, 4 regions and 2 missions.
  • Africa: 1 province, 5 vice-provinces, 2 regions and 5 missions.[13]
  • Asia-Oceania: 6 provinces, 5 vice-provinces, 4 regions and 2 missions.[11]

Regional development

[edit]

Africa

[edit]

In 1899 the Belgian fathers were requested by their government to take charge of a number of missions in the Congo State,[3] at that time a Belgian colony: Kinkanda, Kionzo, Kimpese, Matadi, Sonagongo and Lake Tumba.

In 1987 the Denver Province established a mission in Nigeria which was so fruitful that it soon became a vice-province. The members of the vice-province have made concerted efforts to involve the laity in their work. The Redemptorists also minister in Angola (1967); Burkina Faso; Ghana; Ivory Coast (1993); Madagascar (1967); Niger; Zimbabwe (established by the British Redemptorists in 1960 and revitalized in 1989)[14]

In 1990 the Indian Redemptorists began a mission in Kenya where there are several professed members.

In South Africa Redemptorists administer parishes in Cape Town, Rustenburg and Howick. There is also a convent of Redemptoristines sisters in Merrivale, KwaZulu-Natal. For the Redemptorists of Southern Africa "... Justice and Peace is part and parcel of everything we are and do. In the South African context ... we are called by the poor to a simple life-style and we cannot avoid the struggle of the outcasts and oppressed of the townships and the desperate plight of the poor."[15]

In May 2011 a number of allegations of child sexual abuse by a member of the institute in South Africa were revealed on the RTÉ programme Prime Time Investigates.[16]

Alan Shatter, the Minister for Justice and Equality, stated:

I have been in touch with the Garda Commissioner about this matter who, of course, shares my concern at the revelations in the programme. The Superintendent in charge of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit is being appointed to examine the programme. In particular, he will examine whether any criminal behaviour was disclosed which can be pursued in this jurisdiction.[17]

Australia and New Zealand

[edit]

The first house established was in Singleton, New South Wales, but during the summer heat missions were conducted in the cooler climate of New Zealand's dioceses. As Singleton was an unsuitable base, the community oversaw the building of a new monastery at Mount St Alphonsus, Waratah, New South Wales. It was opened on the founder's feast, 1887, just five years after the Redemptorists' arrival. In the first year at Waratah the community conducted 45 missions through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. A new house in Ballarat followed in 1888 and work began on a new monastery in the suburb of Wendouree. It was officially opened in September 1893.

With the south now being cared for by the Ballarat community, those in Waratah looked north to Queensland and the first missions were preached there in 1889. Missions began in Brisbane and its surrounds, with their success convincing the Archbishop to extend the programme to the far flung country parishes.

The first structure that was purpose-built for the Redemptorists in New Zealand was St Gerard's Church in Wellington in 1908.[18]

In 1927, the province of Australasia, which included Australia and New Zealand, was created. New Zealand became an independent province in 1970 and from New Zealand, the Redemptorists went to Samoa in 1972.[19]

The years after World War II were a time of rapid expansion. As well as ongoing participation in the development of the vice-provinces in the Philippines and in Singapore and Malaysia, further houses were opened in New Town in Tasmania and Townsville and Miami in Queensland. There were also communities established in New South Wales: Campbell's Hill, Concord, Fairfield West, Penrith and Yagoona. In Victoria, there were communities at Balwyn, Box Hill, Brighton, Wongarra and Yarraville. In Melbourne, the order also conducted a psychotherapy clinic and Training Institute, Hofbauer Centre, from 1977 until 1998.

The Redemptorist Lay Community formed during the 1980s and led to the Olympic Village Exodus Community in Melbourne's Heidelberg West area in 1998, attempting to meet identified emerging needs of local residents. The live-in members of the Exodus Community volunteer their services to the Community and its ministries. Another Exodus Community was later established in Wendouree West in Ballarat. Exodus Community is currently supported by 50 volunteers.

Missionary activity continues to flourish across Australia. Through parochial missions, preaching, retreats, adult education, teaching in universities, social justice work, counselling, accompaniment of indigenous communities, chaplaincies, devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, working with people on the margins of society and promoting the family through the Majellan magazine, Redemptorists have sought to highlight that people matter greatly to God.[19] For the Australian Redemptorists, the issue of social justice "... matters to the Redemptorists for it is at the core of our mission in the world."[20]

India

[edit]

Three Irish Redemptorists Mathew Hickey, Gerard McDonell and Leo O'Halloran from the province of Dublin with great zeal and missionary dynamism set on a task to proclaim the Good News and arrived in the Island country of Sri Lanka in the year 1938. The long cherished dream of the Redemptorists to establish a foundation in India was actualized in the year 1940 when the first community was established in Bangalore in 1940.

It was Hugo Kerr, the Provincial Superior of the province of Dublin who obtained permission from Maurice Bernard Departures, the Bishop of Mysore, to establish a foundation in Bangalore. In the Lent of 1941 St. Gerard's House at John Armstrong Road became the First Permanent residence of the Redemptorists. On 1 October 1945 the Indian Redemptorist mission became a Vice-Province and Mathew Hickey was the first Vice-Provincial. And the next ten years (from 1945 to 1955) saw great structural developments with Mt. St. Alphonsus (MSA) being built which would be the permanent house of the Studentate (7 June 1951) and the much awaited Holy Ghost Parish[21] was opened for public worship on 24 May 1953. It was during this time St. Alphonsus School with the help of Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes, began in the Students’ wing of MSA. The school was later moved to Davis Road which stands till today catering to the education of the poor children who come from the vicinity of the area. In July 1964 Sadupadesa College on Hennur Road was built to house students who would study philosophy. It is now turned into a Juvenate which is the first stage of formation (as of 2015). In July, 2010 Holy Redeemer Parish was erected in Sadupadesa.

The Vice-Province of Bangalore grew steadily facing all odds and overcoming all obstacles to become the province of Bangalore on 15 August 1972 and also took a momentous initiative in the year 1990 by establishing a Redemptorist community in Kenya, Africa. Now the mission has 7 indigenous priests along with the members of the province serving in the mission. The Province of Bangalore has also given birth to two other units, the Liguori Province of Kerala and the Vice-province of Majella along the western coast of India.[22]

As of 2011 there were some 260 Redemptorists in India, belonging to two Provinces, one Vice-Province, one Region and one Mission. The Region of Alwaye was established in 1992 and became a Province (Province of Liguori) in 2008. The Region of Mumbai was established in 1999 and was raised to the status of a Vice-Province in 2011. The Mission of Kenya began in 1990 and there are several perpetually professed Kenyan members.

The Philippines

[edit]

The first Redemptorists, belonging to the Irish province, arrived in Opon, Cebu, on 30 June 1906, setting up missions in Compostela, San Francisco and on the Camotes Islands.[23][24] From 1914 to 1928 further communities were established, the most prominent being: Luzon (where the Redemptorists preached the first mission completely in Tagalog), Lipa, Iloilo, Tacloban and Cagayan de Oro on Mindanao.

In 1928, the Philippines was divided into two vice provinces, each under a different province—the Cebu vice-province responsible for the Visayas and Mindanao under the Irish province; and the Manila vice-province responsible for Luzon under the Australian province, now headquartered at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran.

The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) had a profound impact on the Redemptorist Congregation and this resulted in them pledging themselves more strongly to the poor and disadvantaged in imitation of Alphonsus Liguori. When the political and social upheavals came in the 1960s and 1970s the Filipino Redemptorists stood in solidarity with those seeking justice and equality for they were to "... embrace the mission to proclaim by word and action, the Gospel of justice so that the poor's aspirations can be fully realised in Christ, the source of liberation."[25]

In 1996, the Cebu vice-province became an independent province, known as the Cebu Province.[23]

Vietnam

[edit]

Redemptorists arrived to Vietnam in 1925, with 66 missionary members from the Canadian Redemptorist Missionaries of the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine.[26] The Province of Vietnam was officially established in 1964, with apostles in major cities such as Ha Noi, Sai Gon, Da Nang, Da Lat, and more. Their activities briefly stopped by 1975, likely due to the fact that the Vietnam War resumed and the South was defeated.

Redemptorist missionaries are still active in Vietnam to this day, and have sent members to other countries such as Australia, Thailand, Laos, Philippines, Angola, France, the US and Canada.[26]

United Kingdom and Irish provinces

[edit]
Vladimir Pecherin (1807–1885), one of the first Redemptorists to work in Ireland

Redemptorists arrived from Belgium in 1843, and the new province owed its great progress to Robert Aston Coffin, one of the band of converts associated with Cardinal John Henry Newman, Cardinal Henry Edward Manning, and William Faber in the Oxford Movement. Coffin was engaged in missions until he was appointed first provincial in 1865. During his administration new houses were founded in various parts of the United Kingdom, St Mary's Monastery at Perth being the first Scottish monastery opened since the Reformation. By 1910, the province had eight houses: Clapham in London, Bishop Eton in Liverpool, St Benet's Church, Monkwearmouth, Bishop's Stortford, Kingswood, Edmonton and a total membership of one hundred and twenty-three.[3]

Today the Redemptorists of Britain are engaged in a variety of ministries: the mission amongst the poor of Zimbabwe, a renewal centre in Kinnoull, Perth where people can spend time in prayer and reflection as well as parishes in Birmingham, Bishop Eton in Liverpool and London. Their goal is "to defend our joy in Jesus Christ and to bring to others Plentiful Redemption"[27]

In 1898 the houses in Ireland were constituted a separate province with the provincial house at Limerick. On 25 March 1901, the foundation of the juvenate house at Limerick was laid. The province of Ireland then comprised four houses: Limerick, Dundalk, Belfast, and Esker, Co. Galway.[3] In 1904, John Creagh orchestrated the antisemitic "Limerick boycott" by giving two antisemitic sermons that invoked the blood libel, blamed Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and called for a de facto boycott; under Creagh's watch, a number of Jews were violently beaten, and the majority of the Jewish population was driven out of Limerick after two years of near-total economic boycott.[28][29] Today, the provincial house is located in Dublin with other communities being found in Belfast (Clonard Monastery and the parish of Saint Gerard), Cork, Dundalk, Athenry in Galway, Limerick and four houses are established. The Irish Redemporists are involved in parish ministry, youth work, Redemptorist publications and retreats. They also help staff the missions in Cebu in the Philippines[30] Alec Reid, of Clonard Monastery, were instrumental in cross community initiatives, and helped facilitate the Irish Peace Process.[31] Reid also helped promote talks for peace in the Basque country.

North American Province

[edit]

United States

[edit]
John Neumann (1811–1860), the first US bishop to be canonized

In 1828 Frederick Rese, Vicar-General of Cincinnati, visited Europe in search of priests. While at Vienna he secured three priests and three lay brothers; they arrived in New York on 20 June 1832 and began working amongst the people of northern Michigan. In 1839 they were called to Pittsburgh to assume charge of the German congregation and from this time the care of German congregations became a prominent element of the Redemptorists in North America.[3]

The US province was erected in 1850 and one of the first tasks was the establishment of a seminary and the selection of a suitable place for a novitiate. Cumberland in Maryland, was chosen for the seminary and Baltimore for the novitiate. In 1868 the students were transferred to the new house of studies at Ilchester, Maryland and in 1907 the faculty and the students moved to Esopus, New York, on the Hudson River where a more spacious building had been erected.[3]

In 1882, the congregation sent priests to the Archdiocese of Washington and eventually established five parishes. In 1861 they opened a community in Chicago, Illinois. Soon after, due to the many successful missions they had given in the Archdiocese of St. Louis a house was opened at St. Louis. In 1871 an important mission house was opened at Roxbury, Boston and was dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. When, in 1883, a new parish was formed, the fathers of the mission church took charge.[3] (In 2009, its later basilica, of the same name, hosted the nationally televised funeral of Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, attended by President Barack Obama, three former US presidents and first ladies, among other dignitaries.)

From 1883 onward, the Redemptorists spread throughout most of North America and are present in a variety of states such as California in the west, Michigan and Illinois in the midwest, Washington, DC, and Baltimore in the northeast and Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas in the south.[citation needed]

North American Redemptorists are involved in giving parochial missions, social justice, retreats, youth ministry, ministry to adults with special needs, bioethics, publication of religious materials and chaplaincy work[32] as well as outreach to the Hispanic community, ministry amongst the poor, and helping to staff missions in the Caribbean[33] The Denver Province owns Liguori Publications, which publishes books and Liguorian magazine.[citation needed]

Canada and Caribbean

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In 1874 the Redemptorists were called to St. Patrick's Church, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the only church in that city for English-speaking Catholics. In 1878 they became the custodians of the shrine of Ste-Anne de Beaupré, near Quebec and then of St. Anne's, Montreal, a large parish in a very poor district of the city.[3] Two other foundations were quickly established in Canada: Saint Patrick's, Toronto and Saint Peter's, New Brunswick in 1881 and 1884 respectively.[citation needed]

The Redemptorist presence in Canada was made a vice-province in 1894, where four more houses were opened. This province was initially dependent on the Belgian province. The West Indies were made a vice-province in 1904. There is also a house at Mayagüez in Puerto Rico. Spanish Redemptorists settled at San Juan. A parish with a population of 30,000 is confided to their care. On 26 July 1911, the Belgian houses of Canada were erected into a new province called Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.[3] On May 19, 1918, the English-speaking houses in Canada, with 83 Canadian members and nine foundations, were erected into a new province called Toronto Province. The dawn of the new province also heralded the expansion of the order in parishes across the country. This included parishes in Vancouver (1923), Edmonton (1924), Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (1927), Calgary (1929; 1931), Charlottetown (1929), Corner Brook, Newfoundland (1931), Grande Prairie, Alberta (1931), Saskatoon (1934), Dawson Creek, BC (1936), Nelson, BC (1938), Williams Lake, BC (1938), Athabasca, Alberta (1940), Wells, BC (1941), Claresholm, Alberta (1941), Winnipeg (1942) and Peterborough (1945).

The rising number of Redemptorists foundations in Western Canada led to the creation of the Edmonton Vice-Province in July 1945, which would be responsible for any foundations that were located west of the Ontario-Manitoba border. In July 1961, Edmonton achieved provincial status and took responsibility of 14 foundations and 80 members.

The Redemptorists continued to expand following the creation of the Edmonton Vice-Province and served in parishes in St. George’s, Newfoundland (1947), Edson, Alberta (1949), Sudbury, Ontario (1949), Whitbourne, Newfoundland (1950), Toronto (1950), Windsor (1952), St. John’s, Newfoundland (1956), and Hinton, Alberta (1958).

In 1996, due to declining numbers in both provinces, the Edmonton and Toronto Provinces were merged to become the Edmonton-Toronto Province.

The newly combined province continued to see the number of parishes administered by the Redemptorists shrink. They withdrew from Quebec City and Edmonton in 1999, Moose Jaw in 2002, Kelowna in 1999, 2002, and 2005 respectively, Saint John in 2006 and Sudbury in 2012.

On 12 August 2014 a court in Quebec approved a settlement by which the Redemptorists of the Province of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré will pay $20 million in compensation to people who had been sexually assaulted by members of the order while school students in their care.[34]

The Yorkton Province is an Eastern church branch of the worldwide Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, serving the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in North America and is based in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada.

On August 1, 2019, the Redemptorist Provinces of Edmonton-Toronto, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and Yorkton merged to become a new province called "The Redemptorist Province of Canada". The provincial offices of the new province are located in the Bedford Park neighborhood of Toronto.

Saints, Blesseds, and other holy people

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Saints

Blesseds

Venerables

  • Domenico Blasucci (5 March 1732 - 2 November 1752), cleric, declared Venerable on 23 May 1906
  • Vito Michele di Netta (26 February 1787 - 3 December 1849), priest, declared Venerable on 7 July 1935[35]
  • Joseph-Amand Passerat (30 April 1772 - 30 October 1858), priest, declared Venerable on 29 April 1980[36]
  • Alfred Pampalon (24 November 1867 - 30 September 1896), priest, declared Venerable on 14 May 1991
  • Giuseppe Maria Leone (23 May 1829 - 9 August 1902), priest, declared Venerable on 18 December 2024[37]
  • Antonio Filomeno Maria Losito (16 December 1838 - 18 July 1917), priest, declared Venerable on 30 September 2015[38]
  • Wilhelm Janauschek (19 October 1859 - 30 June 1926), priest, declared Venerable on 15 April 2014[39]
  • Bernard Alojzy Łubieński (9 December 1846 - 10 September 1933), priest, declared Venerable on 6 March 2018[40]
  • Francisco Barrecheguren Montagut (8 August 1881 - 7 October 1957), widow and father of Blessed María Concepcion Barrecheguren García and priest, declared Venerable on 5 May 2020[41]
  • Pelágio Sauter (9 November 1878 - 23 November 1961), priest, declared Venerable on 7 November 2014
  • Vítor Coelho de Almeida (22 September 1899 - 21 July 1987), priest, declared Venerable on 5 August 2022[42]

Servants of God

  • Cesare Sportelli (19 June 1701 - 19 April 1750), lawyer and priest
  • Paolo Cafaro (5 July 1707 - 13 August 1753), priest[43]
  • Emmanuele Ribera (2 March 1811 - 8 November 1874), priest[44]
  • Johann Baptist Stöger (4 October 1810 - 3 November 1883), professed religious[45]
  • Vittorio Lojodice (25 July 1834 - 10 January 1916), priest[46]
  • Francesco Pitocchi (21 September 1852 - 13 June 1922), priest[47]
  • Celso Alonso Rodríguez (28 July 1896 – 29 September 1936), Martyr of the Spanish Civil War, declared as Servant of God on 8 May 2008[48]
  • Ángel Vesga Fernández (1 October 1886 – 1 October 1936), Martyr of the Spanish Civil War, declared as Servant of God on 8 May 2008[48]
  • Friedrich Grote (16 July 1853 - 30 April 1940), priest[49]
  • Antonio Solari (27 January 1861 - 14 July 1945), oblate, declared as Servant of God on 18 October 1995[50]
  • Marian Halan (28 September 1927 - 5 June 1952), professed religious and Martyr of Ukraine, declared as Servant of God on 6 July 2002[51]
  • Isidoro Fiorini (23 May 1867 - 24 July 1956), priest, declared as Servant of God on 24 September 2002[52]
  • Gioakim (Marcel) Nguyen Tân Văn (15 March 1928 - 10 July 1959), Vietnamese professed religious and martyr, declared as Servant of God on 7 January 1995
  • Danylo (Roman) Bakhtalovs’kyi (21 October 1897 - 6 October 1985), Ukrainian priest and founder of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Fatima, declared as Servant of God on 30 September 2005[53]
  • Ján Ivan Mastiliak (5 November 1911 - 18 September 1989), priest, declared as Servant of God in 2014[54]
  • Jorge Gottau (23 May 1917 - 24 April 1994), Bishop of Añatuya, declared as Servant of God in 2016[55]

Famous Redemptorists

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Educational institutions (partial list)

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See also

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Notes

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References

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The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists (C.Ss.R.), is a Roman Catholic clerical of men founded on November 9, 1732, by Saint Alphonsus Liguori in Scala, , to emulate Jesus Christ in preaching redemption to the poor and most abandoned souls. The order's charism emphasizes popular missions, parish retreats, and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of , with formal papal approval granted by Benedict XIV in 1749. Alphonsus Liguori, a former trained in civil and , established the congregation after experiencing a spiritual conversion, directing its members to prioritize apostolic work among rural populations neglected by urban clergy, thereby fostering widespread evangelization across and beyond. The Redemptorists expanded globally in the 18th and 19th centuries, establishing provinces in , , the , and other regions, producing notable figures such as Saint John Neumann, the first American-born bishop to be canonized, and Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer, who revitalized the faith in amid secular challenges. While the order has maintained a focus on moral theology—influenced by Liguori's equiprobabilism, which balances rigorism and laxism in ethical decision-making—it has faced internal tensions over adherence to its founding rule and external suppressions, such as during revolutionary periods in Europe, yet persisted through missionary resilience and canonical reforms.

Origins and Early History

Founding by St. Alphonsus Liguori

St. Alphonsus Liguori, born on September 27, 1696, near , , initially pursued a career in , achieving early success as a before a significant professional setback in 1723 prompted a profound spiritual conversion. Following his to the priesthood on December 21, 1726, he dedicated himself to missionary preaching among the impoverished and marginalized in and its environs, recognizing the acute spiritual neglect in rural . On November 9, 1732, in the town of Scala, Liguori formally founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR), gathering a small group of companions committed to a communal life of , , and obedience, with a specific apostolic focus on evangelizing the "most abandoned" souls in remote areas. The initiative received spiritual direction from Bishop Thomas Falcoia and the mystic Sister Mary Celeste Crostarosa, emphasizing imitation of Christ as Redeemer through preaching, sacraments, and direct service to the poor and spiritually destitute. The congregation's rule, drafted by Liguori, prescribed a rigorous yet adaptable lifestyle, with members residing in semi-isolated houses to facilitate beyond urban centers, prioritizing instruction and redemption over scholastic pursuits. Early years brought trials, as most initial companions departed within a year to form a separate group, leaving Liguori with only one ; undeterred, he recruited new members and reconsolidated the community, laying the groundwork for its eventual papal approval in 1749.

Initial Approvals and Expansion in Italy

The nascent congregation, founded in Scala near , faced initial ecclesiastical scrutiny but secured preliminary diocesan approvals in the Kingdom of Naples, enabling limited missionary activities among the rural poor and urban marginalized. By the early 1740s, it had expanded to establish additional houses, such as the community in Pagani, constructed between 1743 and 1745 under Alphonsus Liguori's direction, focusing on preaching retreats and popular missions. On February 25, 1749, granted formal papal approbation through the apostolic letter Ad pastoralis dignitatis apex, recognizing the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and approving its rules and constitutions, which emphasized apostolic preaching to the most abandoned. This pontifical endorsement overcame prior episcopal resistances and opposition from wary of mendicant-style orders, legitimizing the group's itinerant evangelization model. Post-approbation, the Redemptorists accelerated their footprint in , rapidly multiplying foundations within the next decade to include sites in and beyond, reaching an estimated quick spread across Italian territories by the 1750s amid growing demand for their rigorous moral preaching and sacramental ministry. This phase solidified their presence in the Neapolitan realm before venturing northward and abroad, with early houses serving as bases for missions that drew thousands to public exercises of devotion.

Charism, Spirituality, and Theology

Mission to the Poor and Abandoned

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori on November 9, 1732, in Scala, , centers its charism on evangelizing the "most abandoned," particularly the rural poor and spiritually neglected around who lacked access to sacraments and preaching from established clergy. Liguori, after encountering impoverished shepherds in the countryside, resolved to form a community dedicated to itinerant missions among these populations, emphasizing direct proclamation of Christ's redemption to those on society's margins. This focus arose from his observation of causal neglect: urban priests prioritized wealthy parishioners, leaving remote areas devoid of pastoral care, which Liguori addressed through simple, relatable sermons on God's mercy. Theological underpinnings draw from Christ's preferential , as articulated in Luke 4:18, where Redemptorists interpret their role as continuing ' mission to the captives and oppressed by offering spiritual —confession, instruction, and consolation—to the economically destitute and morally adrift. Constitutions of the congregation mandate preaching "to the poor and most abandoned," defined as those physically isolated or spiritually forsaken, with early efforts involving house-to-house visits and outdoor homilies tailored to illiterate audiences. By 1749, papal approval under Benedict XIV reinforced this as the order's defining , distinguishing Redemptorists from contemplative or elite-focused orders. In practice, this mission manifests in structured preaching cycles, where communities conduct multi-day missions in underserved locales, integrating on redemption with immediate sacramental aid, as evidenced by Liguori's own campaigns that converted thousands among ' outskirts by 1732–1740. Adaptations over centuries have extended to urban slums, migrants, and disaster-struck regions, yet fidelity to the original charism persists, with the 2022 general chapter reaffirming service to the "poorest" amid modern institutional risks of dilution. Empirical outcomes include sustained growth in membership—peaking at over 10,000 priests and brothers by the mid-20th century—tied to verifiable impact in evangelizing marginalized groups, though challenges like have tested resolve since Vatican II.

Moral Theology and Probabilism

The moral theology of the Redemptorists centers on the teachings of their founder, St. Alphonsus Liguori, who developed a systematic approach emphasizing pastoral guidance in and the formation of amid doctrinal disputes like . Liguori's framework prioritizes the dignity of the penitent, rejecting both excessive rigorism and laxity, and integrates theological principles with practical application for missionaries serving the poor. This approach influenced Redemptorist preaching and spiritual direction, fostering a theology oriented toward redemption and rather than mere legalism. Liguori's seminal work, Theologia Moralis, first published in 1753–1755, addressed the crisis in 18th-century moral theology by advocating equiprobabilism as a resolution to debates over probabilism. Probabilism holds that, in cases of regarding an action's lawfulness, a solidly probable opinion favoring may be followed, provided it is supported by learned and not frivolous, even if the stricter view holds greater probability. Equiprobabilism, Liguori's moderated version, requires that when opposing opinions are equally probable, the safer course—typically restricting —should prevail, but permits adherence to a truly probable benign opinion when supports it, balancing caution with freedom of . This position countered Jansenist rigorism, which demanded adherence to the more probable opinion (probabiliorism), and tutiorism's overly strict demands, while avoiding the excesses of lax probabilism. Redemptorists adopted Liguori's equiprobabilism as central to their theological charism, applying it in popular missions to alleviate and guide the abandoned in moral decision-making. His methodology, praised for its clarity and orthodoxy, earned papal approval; commended it in 1893 for promoting faithful love toward and neighbor. The Congregation's ongoing formation in moral theology reflects this legacy, with Liguori declared a in 1871 partly for resolving these controversies through reasoned, evidence-based . Critics, including some post-Vatican II theologians, have questioned probabilism's emphasis on opinion over absolute norms, yet Liguori's system remains a benchmark for integrating probability with intrinsic moral principles in Catholic thought.

Devotion to the Redeemer and Mary

The Redemptorist charism emphasizes devotion to Jesus Christ as the Most Holy Redeemer, focusing on his merciful redemption of humanity, particularly the most abandoned souls, through his passion, death, and . St. Alphonsus Liguori established the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on November 9, 1732, with the explicit purpose of imitating Christ's example in evangelizing the poor and marginalized, proclaiming the "plentiful redemption" available in him. This devotion manifests in practices such as preaching missions centered on Christ's redemptive love, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and meditation on his sufferings, as outlined in Alphonsus's writings like Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Complementing this Christocentric focus is a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of the Redeemer and cooperator in the work of salvation. Alphonsus, a Doctor of the Church, authored The Glories of Mary in 1750, a comprehensive theological defense of Marian veneration that argues for her role as dispenser of divine graces and mediatrix, drawing from Scripture, patristic sources, and scholastic tradition to counter contemporary skepticism toward such piety. The Redemptorists adopted Mary as their official patroness under titles such as the Immaculate Conception, reflecting Alphonsus's emphasis on her sinless state as enabling her unique participation in redemption. In Redemptorist spirituality, devotion to Christ and Mary is integrated, with Mary presented as the first redeemed and a guide to her Son's mercy; this is vividly symbolized in the of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, whose custody was entrusted to the congregation in 1866, depicting Mary holding the Child while pointing to instruments of his passion, underscoring her role in revealing the Redeemer's abundant salvation. Redemptorists propagate this worldwide, fostering practices like novenas and processions that link Marian directly to of Christ's redemptive , as Alphonsus taught that true devotion to Mary leads inexorably to deeper love for the Redeemer.

Historical Development

Growth in Europe (18th-19th Centuries)

Following the consolidation of the Redemptorists in during the mid-18th century, expansion into began in the late 1780s under a commission from St. Alphonsus Liguori to establish communities north of the . In February 1787, St. Clement Hofbauer, along with companions Thaddeus Hübl and Emmanuel Kunzmann, arrived in , , where they assumed responsibility for the Italian National Church of St. Benno in the New Town, a serving German-speaking Catholics. There, Hofbauer, appointed for the region, directed rigorous preaching missions, hearing confessions for up to 18 hours daily and attracting thousands, which laid the foundation for the congregation's among urban poor and immigrants. This marked the first permanent Redemptorist house beyond , with Hofbauer overseeing growth amid local opposition until 1808. Political turmoil, including Napoleon's suppression of religious orders in 1808, forced Hofbauer and about 40 confreres from , leading to exile and the closure of St. Benno. Relocating to , , Hofbauer established a community focused on preaching and , while earlier foundations included Jestetten in (1803) and Valsainte in , extending the order into German-speaking territories despite secularization pressures. By the time of Hofbauer's death on March 15, 1820, the congregation had rooted in , , , , , and initial outreach to , earning him recognition as the "second founder" for adapting the charism to northern contexts. Revival post-Napoleon accelerated growth, with missions reaching in 1820, in 1826, in 1831, in 1835, and in 1836, followed by formal establishment in in 1841 and in 1843. In 1841, the Holy See restructured the congregation into six provinces—three in (encompassing , , and emerging German houses) and three in and —to manage this proliferation amid ongoing challenges like revolutionary upheavals and state restrictions on religious activity. This organizational step reflected a shift from Italian-centric origins to a balanced European presence, sustaining zeal through the century despite intermittent suppressions.

Missionary Expansion Worldwide (19th-20th Centuries)

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer initiated its overseas missionary efforts in 1832 with the arrival of six members—three priests and three brothers—in the , marking the first permanent foundation outside . This group, dispatched at the request of American bishops, focused on preaching missions to German immigrants and the spiritually neglected in urban centers like New York and rural frontiers. By 1850, the American province was formally established, enabling further growth amid challenges such as language barriers and vast territories, with notable figures like joining in 1840 to extend evangelization efforts. Expansion into commenced in the late , with Redemptorists arriving in in 1893, initially from Dutch and German provinces, to conduct missions and support immigrant communities. Their work emphasized popular preaching and devotion to the Redeemer, leading to the establishment of foundations in regions like by the 1920s, where they adapted to local needs including rural apostolates. Similar initiatives followed in other Latin American countries, contributing to the congregation's global footprint through vice-provinces and missions tailored to the poor and abandoned. In Asia, missionary activity began in 1866 when Pope Pius IX entrusted the Redemptorists with evangelization in Vietnam, where they promoted Marian devotion and conducted retreats amid political instability. Spanish Redemptorists established foundations in China's Sichuan province in the early 20th century, focusing on preaching and catechesis in apostolic vicariates like Chengtu, laying groundwork despite later expulsions under communist rule. The Irish province extended to the Philippines in 1906, initiating missions in Cebu and surrounding areas to serve rural populations through novenas and shrines. Twentieth-century efforts accelerated into Africa, with arrivals in in 1954 to minister in remote areas like the Mission of in Sendji, emphasizing solidarity with marginalized tribes. By mid-century, new provinces and vice-provinces emerged across continents, reflecting sustained commitment to the charism of reaching the most abandoned, with adaptations to cultural contexts while maintaining core practices of missions and popular piety. This period saw the congregation's presence grow to dozens of countries, supported by inter-provincial collaborations and papal approvals for diverse apostolates.

Adaptations and Challenges Post-Vatican II

In the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer initiated a series of general chapters to adapt its governance and apostolic life to the Council's emphases on renewal in religious institutes, as outlined in Perfectae Caritatis. The XVII General Chapter (1967–1969) approved renewed Constitutions and Statutes ad experimentum, incorporating Vatican II principles such as greater emphasis on biblical spirituality, apostolic community, and missionary outreach to the marginalized in contemporary contexts. These provisional texts replaced earlier versions, shifting from the 1749 Rule toward a framework blending Alphonsian charism with conciliar directives on and active evangelization. The XIX General Chapter in 1979 finalized these revisions, with the approving the new Constitutions on February 2, 1982, after resolving tensions over legal precision and the balance between normative and spiritual elements. The XX General Chapter in 1985 further updated them to conform to the , reinforcing commitments to communal discernment, personal formation, and solidarity with the poor amid secularizing societies. Later chapters, such as the XXIV in 2009, prioritized restructuring for mission effectiveness, addressing and shifting demographics by promoting interprovincial collaboration and renewed focus on the "abandoned." These adaptations coincided with profound challenges, including a severe vocations and membership attrition. First professions plummeted from 325 in 1964 to 88 in 1973, while 2,332 members departed between 1964 and 1973, including over 500 priests, reflecting broader post-conciliar upheavals in religious life. By 1994, 44.6% of members (2,603 individuals) were aged 60 or older, with declines most acute in and —regions comprising 54% of steadily shrinking provinces—necessitating closures of houses and reallocation of resources. Internal restructuring proved arduous, demanding personal conversion and detachment from rigid, pre-conciliar structures that no longer aligned with apostolic needs, such as communities isolated from the poor. A pervasive sense of resignation hindered renewal, yet growth persisted in mission territories: by 1994, 29% of membership and 52.5% of students hailed from expanding provinces in , , and , signaling a geographic reorientation. Ongoing chapters, held every six years, continue to grapple with these dynamics, emphasizing fidelity to the Redeemer’s mission amid declining Western vocations and calls for deeper communal .

Apostolic Activities


The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori on November 9, 1732, at Scala near Naples, Italy, originated as a response to the spiritual neglect of rural populations in the Kingdom of Naples, with preaching popular missions designated as its primary apostolic endeavor. These missions targeted the poor and most abandoned, delivering the Gospel through direct, accessible proclamation to foster conversion and redemption. From inception, the approach emphasized intensive evangelization campaigns in parishes and remote areas, often lasting several days and culminating in widespread sacramental participation.
Redemptorist missions employ sermons characterized as solid in doctrine, simple in language, and persuasive in appeal, with obligatory preaching on and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary to align with the congregation's theological emphases. Missionaries prioritize hearing confessions themselves to ensure thorough spiritual guidance, followed by renewal visits after four to five months to sustain fruits of conversion. Early successes were pronounced, as evidenced by mass confessions and public acts of in mission locales, transforming communities through encounters with Christ's redemptive message. This method proved effective among shepherds and peasants, whom Liguori observed were underserved by urban-focused clergy. As the congregation expanded, popular missions adapted to diverse contexts while retaining their focus on the marginalized. By , permanent mission houses supported ongoing outreach in , and papal approval in 1749 by Benedict XIV facilitated broader dissemination. In , notable examples include from 1786 to 1808, where missions converted numerous heretics and through persistent preaching. Upon arriving in on June 20, 1832, Redemptorists extended this work to immigrants and frontier settlements, establishing model parishes like that in in 1839. Quantitative impact is documented in the Baltimore Province from 1890 to 1899, encompassing 1,889 missions and renewals, over 2.4 million confessions, 54,608 baptisms, and 1,252 converts. In contemporary practice, Redemptorists uphold popular missions as central to their charism, integrating traditional preaching with modern tools such as to reach the spiritually abandoned across 82 countries. The 23rd General Chapter in on September 15, 2003, reaffirmed this priority, stressing proximity to people via lived testimony and addressing profound existential inquiries without coercion. This enduring commitment reflects the foundational vision of emulating Christ's outreach to the poor, yielding ongoing evangelization in shrines, retreats, and direct apostolic encounters.

Shrines, Retreats, and Marian Apostolate

The Redemptorists' Marian centers on the promotion of devotion to , an ancient icon entrusted to their care by on April 26, 1866, with instructions to make it known throughout the world. This devotion, rooted in the order's founder St. Alphonsus Liguori's emphasis on Mary's role as co-redeemer, involves preaching, novenas, and publications that highlight the icon's themes of maternal intercession and redemption. Redemptorists propagate this apostolate globally through parish missions and dedicated confraternities, fostering personal consecration to Mary as a means of spiritual renewal among the faithful. Prominent shrines under Redemptorist administration underscore this Marian focus. The original shrine housing the icon is at the Church of St. Alphonsus in , where the relic has been venerated since 1866. In , the Redemptorists oversee the Basilica of , the world's largest Marian shrine, which attracts over 10 million pilgrims annually and commemorates 300 years of devotion since the icon's miraculous fishing discovery in 1717. North American examples include the National Shrine of in , established in 1878, and the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupré in , a pilgrimage site since 1620 staffed by Redemptorists since the 19th century. These shrines host Masses, confessions, and devotional events, serving as hubs for evangelization targeted at the spiritually abandoned. Retreats form a core component of Redemptorist apostolic work, offering structured periods of prayer, reflection, and preaching to imitate St. Alphonsus's rural missions in 18th-century . Facilities such as the Redemptorist Retreat Center in —operated by the Denver Province since 1961, with its first multi-day retreat held on October 12, 1963—accommodate up to 70 participants in private rooms, emphasizing spiritual growth through themed programs, , and Marian novenas. Other centers, including San Alfonso Retreat House in (founded nearly 100 years ago), and the Redemptorist Renewal Center in , provide similar directed retreats for groups of 25 or more, often integrating Perpetual Help devotions and confession to address personal conversion. These initiatives, numbering several across provinces, prioritize accessibility for laypeople, immigrants, and the poor, aligning with the congregation's charism of abundant redemption.

Publications, Education, and Social Works

The Redemptorists maintain active publishing efforts to promote moral theology, spirituality, and evangelization materials rooted in the teachings of founder St. Alphonsus Liguori. Liguori Publications, founded in 1947 in Liguori, , by Redemptorist Father Donald Miller, operates as a prominent Catholic publisher issuing books, pamphlets, and digital resources on faith formation, devotions, and Redemptorist history. The Liguorian magazine, launched in 1913 by five Redemptorist priests in , with an initial print run of 500 copies, continues to deliver monthly spiritual and theological content to subscribers worldwide. In the , Redemptorist Publications produces annual catalogues of liturgical aids, missals, and sacramental preparation materials, including editions for Advent, , and ongoing devotional use. These outlets prioritize accessible works for , , and missions, often drawing from Alphonsian probabilism and redemption-focused themes. Educational initiatives emphasize theological training and pastoral formation aligned with the congregation's missionary charism. The Alphonsian Academy, established in 1949 in under Redemptorist auspices, functions as a specialized institute for moral and instruction, fostering studies in the spirit of St. Alphonsus; it received pontifical affiliation in 1960 and full pontifical institute status from on January 19, 2023, elevating its academic standing equivalent to major universities. Additional programs include recurring Redemptorist spirituality courses in , incorporating site visits to historical sites like Scala and , and international training seminars on contemporary pastoral challenges, such as the sixth session held July 18-20, 2025, in Villa Allende, Córdoba, Argentina. The congregation also administers secondary schools and colleges globally, including St. Clement's College in Ireland, where Redemptorists serve as trustees and integrate their evangelistic focus into curricula for holistic Catholic . Social works embody the Redemptorists' foundational commitment to the "most abandoned," combining direct aid with evangelization among marginalized populations. In Brazil's northeastern mission spanning , , and , 57 predominantly Brazilian Redemptorists conduct outreach to impoverished communities, addressing material and spiritual needs through sustained presence since the . North American efforts include facilities like the Redemptorist Center, which assists the via emergency support to avert destitution from setbacks such as vehicle failures. Broader apostolates encompass advocacy, youth programs, and collaborative initiatives with lay partners, as evidenced by the third International COREAM Lay Partners Conference in , , concluding July 11, 2025, and Québec gatherings in July 2025 uniting over 70 participants for mission-oriented service to the vulnerable. These activities prioritize causal interventions—evangelizing while providing tangible relief—over detached , reflecting the order's rule since 1732.

Organization and Internal Life

Religious Vows and Formation Process

Members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer profess the three evangelical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, which constitute a public and perpetual commitment following the norms of canon law and the apostolic constitution Conditae a Christo (1900). These vows emphasize a simple lifestyle through poverty, celibacy for the kingdom of God via chastity, and submission of will to superiors in obedience, all oriented toward imitating Christ's redemptive mission among the poor. Upon final profession, members also incorporate a specific vow or oath of perseverance, ensuring lifelong dedication to the Congregation's apostolic charism. The formation process integrates human, Christian, and missionary dimensions, aiming to foster maturity for evangelizing the abandoned and poor as founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori. It begins with initial discernment and accompaniment, often through events like "" retreats involving , , and community life to assess a candidate's call to religious and missionary service. This leads to a pre-novitiate or postulancy phase of vocational accompaniment, typically lasting about one year, which includes meetings, internet-based training, and living experiences with Redemptorists to deepen commitment. The novitiate follows, lasting at least 12 months (extendable to two years), during which candidates prepare intensively for first through , study of the Constitutions, and limited apostolic activities; temporary vows of , , and obedience are professed at its conclusion, renewable for a total period of three to six years. During temporary , formation continues with theological and scientific studies— and for those pursuing priesthood—alongside pastoral experience, community life, and insertion, spanning approximately 10 years overall from entry to perpetual vows. Candidates discern between priestly or the role of , with major superiors appointing qualified directors to oversee the process. Perpetual marks full incorporation, accompanied by the perseverance commitment, after which ongoing formation persists through courses, retreats, and evaluations to sustain apostolic zeal.

Governance Structure and Provincial Divisions

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR) operates under a centralized yet decentralized model outlined in its constitutions, approved by the , emphasizing , participation, and adaptation to missionary demands. The supreme legislative and elective authority resides in the General Chapter, convened every six years, comprising the Superior General, General Council members, and delegates from provinces and vice-provinces. This body assesses fidelity to the charism, elects leadership, and amends statutes or constitutions (the latter requiring a two-thirds majority and papal confirmation). Executive authority is vested in the Superior General, a perpetually professed at least 35 years old with seven years since perpetual vows, elected for a single six-year term (renewable once consecutively). Assisted by a General of at least six consultors, the Superior General exercises ordinary governance, including visitation of units, issuance of decrees, and representation before the . The council deliberates major decisions, such as erecting or suppressing provinces, and provides co-responsibility in animating the Congregation's mission. At the provincial level, each unit holds a Provincial Chapter that elects a —a perpetually professed at least 30 years old with five years since perpetual vows—for a six-year term, alongside a of consultors. This structure manages local apostolic works, formation, and finances, reporting to the . Vice-provinces, dependent on provinces, mirror this setup with moderated to foster growth in mission territories. The Congregation divides administratively into provinces, vice-provinces, regions, and missions to address diverse cultural and apostolic contexts, with the General Council approving such configurations. Worldwide, this yields dozens of units; for instance, encompasses three provinces—Baltimore, , and —and one vice-province (Vietnamese Extra-Pariam). These divisions enable tailored evangelization while maintaining unity under the Superior General in .

Global Presence

Europe and Historical Heartlands

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer originated in , founded by on November 9, 1732, in Scala near , with an initial focus on evangelizing the rural poor and abandoned in the Kingdom of . The order's charism emphasized preaching missions among marginalized populations, drawing from Liguori's observations of poverty and spiritual neglect in the region, leading to papal approval by Benedict XIV in 1749. Early growth occurred amid opposition from local clergy and nobility, but by the late , communities had established in key Italian sites such as Pagani and Nocera, serving as formation houses and mission bases. Expansion beyond Italy began in the 18th century, reaching under Habsburg patronage and , where the order took root in the 19th century amid efforts to counter liberal . In , Redemptorists founded houses in by 1917 and endured severe persecution during the 1936-1939 Civil War, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 18 members, including groups from Cuenca and , with 12 beatified in 2022 for their fidelity amid anti-clerical violence. These heartlands—Italy and —remained central, hosting major shrines like those dedicated to , which supported popular devotions and retreats. In the , European presence extended to include , , and the , with provinces adapting to industrialization and two world wars by emphasizing urban missions and youth work. Historical centers faced demographic declines post-World War II, prompting consolidations such as the formation of the Province of Europe South in 2025, uniting communities from , , , and to sustain apostolic efforts. Today, the Redemptorists operate in 22 European countries, with retaining the motherhouse in Scala and ongoing preaching in rural and urban dioceses, while and host significant vice-provinces focused on ministry and Marian apostolates. Northern European units, including those in Ireland and the , maintain four parishes in as of recent records, prioritizing evangelization amid . These efforts underscore continuity with foundational commitments, though aging membership has led to inter-provincial federations for resource sharing.

Americas: North, Central, and South

The Redemptorists arrived in in 1832, marking their first missionary expansion beyond , initially focusing on evangelization among Native Americans before shifting to immigrant communities in the United States. By 1850, the American province was formally established under Provincial Bernard Hafkenscheid, facilitating rapid growth with foundations like the Parish of Most Holy Redeemer in in 1844 to serve German immigrants. The order's activities emphasized parochial missions, retreats, and ministry to the poor and marginalized, including immigrants, youth, and adults with special needs; today, over 500 Redemptorists operate across units in , , , , and Extra-Pariam. In , Redemptorist missions began in 1865 with preachers from the conducting retreats in , evolving into dedicated regions like Edmonton-Toronto with Francis-Xavier Haetscher as the first arrival. integrates into North American structures, hosting key sites such as the of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in , supporting ongoing evangelization and popular devotions. Central American presence commenced in on May 13, 1927, with missionaries arriving in , reaching 95 years of service by 2022 through parishes and outreach to coastal populations. In , the order established missions in 1929, enduring 95 years by 2024 amid challenges of poverty and instability, while the saw foundations 78 years prior, focusing on similar apostolic works. South American expansion began in Brazil in 1893 with Dutch Redemptorists, followed by Germans in 1894, establishing enduring missions including those in and association with the National Shrine of , where they have preached missions for over 117 years. Polish Redemptorists reinforced efforts starting in , commemorating 50 years in 2022 with work in Santos and beyond. In Argentina, recent developments include formation of new units as of 2022, extending the order's focus on popular evangelization and service to the abandoned.

Asia, Oceania, and Africa

The Redemptorists established their presence in during the early , with the arrival of the first , Father P. M. Lynch, in the diocese of Malacca from the in 1910. The Asia-Oceania Conference coordinates regional units, including the Province of Bangalore in , which forms part of this network spanning multiple countries and focusing on preaching to marginalized groups. In , the community comprises 47 priests, 7 brothers, 2 bishops, 9 professed theology students, 21 philosophy students, 10 postulants, and 60 novices, engaging in evangelization and formation. The conference has held assemblies, such as the third phase of the XXVI General Chapter in in August 2023, to address priorities. In , the Redemptorists organized as the Province of in , later redesignated for and , where they conduct preaching missions, retreats, and social outreach to society's margins. Australian operations include parish work at Holy Eucharist in St. Albans, formation at , and retreats at St. Clement’s Centre in Galong, alongside publications through Majellan media targeting families. In , they staff es in serving diverse ethnic communities through community-based evangelization. The Redemptorists' African missions emphasize perpetual partnerships with local populations for Gospel proclamation, operating in countries such as , , Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, , , , , and . In , the mission prioritizes salvation through the Redeemer's message amid ongoing formation and lay partnerships, as seen in the 2025 COREAM Lay Partners Conference in . Expansion includes joint initiatives, like the 2024 mission in , , by the vice-provinces of and , and the first parish mission in led by Argentine confreres after a decade of presence. In , communities have integrated Nigerian members since 2019 to support parish administration in and beyond.

Notable Members

Canonized Saints and Blesseds

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer has produced four canonized saints, all recognized for their missionary efforts, pastoral dedication, and contributions to moral theology and popular devotion. These include the founder, St. Alphonsus Liguori, canonized on May 26, 1839, by Pope Gregory XVI; St. Gerard Majella, canonized on January 11, 1904, by Pope Pius X; St. Clement Hofbauer, canonized on May 20, 1909, by Pope Pius X; and St. John Neumann, canonized on May 1, 1977, by Pope Paul VI. St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696–1787), the order's founder, established the Redemptorists in 1732 to evangelize the poor and abandoned, authoring over 100 works on theology and devotion while serving as Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti. He was declared a in 1871 for his balanced approach to moral theology, emphasizing probable opinions over rigorism. St. Gerard Majella (1726–1755), a , joined the congregation in 1749 and became known for his , miracles, and aid to the poor, serving as a and spiritual director; he is invoked as patron of mothers due to reported prophecies and healings. St. Clement Mary Hofbauer (1751–1820), dubbed the "Apostle of ," expanded the Redemptorists into , founding communities in and despite political opposition, and is credited with converting thousands through preaching and confessions. St. John Nepomucene Neumann (1811–1860), an immigrant missionary in the United States, built over 80 churches, established parochial schools, and served as the fourth Bishop of , promoting devotion to the Forty Hours and authoring catechetical works in multiple languages. Numerous Redemptorists have been beatified, often as martyrs or missionaries exemplifying the order's charism of redemption amid persecution or hardship. Notable among them are Blessed Peter Donders (beatified 1982), who ministered to lepers in Surinam; Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (beatified 2000), a cheerful who died aiding victims; Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli (beatified 1996), a companion of the founder focused on youth catechesis; and Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky with three companions (beatified 2001), Ukrainian martyrs under Soviet . Additional blesseds include the six Martyrs of Cuenca (beatified 2007), killed during the , and Blessed Kaspar Stanggassinger (beatified 1987), patron of Redemptorist youth. These figures underscore the congregation's global outreach and fidelity during trials.
NameBeatification DateKey Contributions
Peter Donders (1809–1887)1982Missionary to and lepers in Dutch Guiana.
Kaspar Stanggassinger (1871–1899)1987Formator of youth seminarians, noted for joy and obedience.
Gennaro Maria Sarnelli (1702–1744)1996Catechist and author combating moral ills in .
Francis Xavier Seelos (1819–1867)2000Parish missionary and confessor in the U.S., died of .
Nicholas Charnetsky et al.2001Endured Soviet persecution; Charnetsky survived labor camps.
Martyrs of Cuenca (6 members)2007Executed or died in prison during .

Influential Theologians and Missionaries

St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1732, stands as the order's preeminent theologian, authoring over 100 works that profoundly shaped . His seminal text, Theologia Moralis (1748–1785), advocated a probabilistic approach emphasizing equity, human intent, and pastoral leniency over rigorism, countering Jansenist influences prevalent in 18th-century Europe. Declared a in 1871 by , Liguori's emphasis on love over fear in influenced subsequent papal teachings, including those on and devotion to the and Mary. As a missionary, he pioneered popular preaching missions tailored to the rural poor in , incorporating hymns, simple , and images of Christ and Mary to foster devotion among the marginalized. St. Clement Maria Hofbauer exemplified the Redemptorists' missionary zeal in , establishing the congregation's first house north of the in in 1787 and founding additional communities in , , , , and amid political upheavals like the . Born in 1751 and canonized in 1909, Hofbauer served as vicar general for the region, converting thousands through tireless preaching, confessions, and charity work across social classes, including influencing figures at the . His efforts embedded Redemptorist spirituality—focused on redemption for the abandoned—in urban apostolates, blending theological instruction with practical piety and lay collaboration. In the Americas, St. John Neumann advanced Redemptorist missions among German immigrants, joining the order in 1842 after ordination in 1836 and laboring in and before his appointment as Bishop of in 1852. constructed 89 churches, numerous schools, hospitals, and orphanages, while promoting Eucharistic devotion and Catholic as a counter to nativist pressures; he died in 1860 and was canonized in 1977. Complementing this, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, who arrived in the United States in 1843, conducted missions across cities like , , and New Orleans, emphasizing confessional work, biblical preaching in German and English, and service to the sick during epidemics, including his own death from in 1867. Seelos's simple, joyful style instilled apostolic zeal in recruits, aligning with the order's charism of redemption for immigrants and the lost. These figures collectively embodied the Redemptorists' dual commitment to doctrinal depth and evangelical outreach, adapting Liguori's theological framework to diverse contexts while prioritizing the spiritual needs of the poor and abandoned.

Controversies and Criticisms

Sexual Abuse Allegations and Institutional Responses

In , the Redemptorist order faced significant allegations of at St. Michael's Scholasticate (also known as St-Alphonse ) in , , where abused over 70 male victims, primarily students, from the 1940s through the 1980s. In July 2014, a Quebec court approved a $20 million class-action settlement—the first such case to reach trial in the province—awarding compensation to the victims after the order admitted institutional failures in oversight and response. The abuses involved multiple Redemptorist priests and brothers, with victims alleging repeated assaults during formation and retreats. In the United States, diocesan investigations have identified several Redemptorist priests as credibly accused of . For instance, the Archdiocese of Baltimore's 2023 report listed Redemptorists among members with substantiated claims, including cases from the mid-20th century onward, often involving minors in parish or school settings. One documented case involved Father John "Jack" Kennington, accused of abusing a girl aged 13 to 16 from 1984 to 1987 during counseling sessions in , ; the allegation surfaced in a 2019 lawsuit filed by the victim. BishopAccountability.org, compiling public records, notes at least a dozen Redemptorists named in U.S. abuse lists since 2002, with incidents spanning provinces like and New York. In Ireland, a 2014 case against the Redemptorists alleging abuse of an altar boy in the was struck out after the death of the accused priest prevented substantiation, highlighting procedural limitations in pursuing historical claims. The order's institutional responses have included financial settlements, such as the payout, and adoption of safeguarding protocols aligned with post-2002 Vatican guidelines. The Province, covering much of the U.S. East Coast, established a dedicated office and zero-tolerance policies for credible allegations, emphasizing background checks, training, and victim support as of 2023. In the settlement, the Redemptorists issued a public apology acknowledging "serious failures" in and committed to enhanced formation processes for seminarians. However, critics, including victim advocates, have argued that responses in some U.S. cases involved delayed reporting to civil authorities, mirroring broader patterns in religious orders prior to mandatory disclosure laws. No centralized global audit specific to the Redemptorists has been publicly released, though the order reports compliance with local diocesan and canonical investigations.

Doctrinal Disputes and Internal Divisions

Following the death of founder St. Alphonsus Liguori in 1787, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer experienced severe internal tensions that nearly led to its dissolution, exacerbated by regional political pressures in . These culminated in a division of the congregation into two factions: one approved by papal authority and the other by the King of , reflecting conflicts over governance and loyalty amid Bourbon rule. Liguori himself died in a state of exclusion from the group he established, and the disputes were so sensitive that members were prohibited from publishing accounts for nearly a century. The branches reunited in 1793, restoring unity but highlighting early vulnerabilities to external influences on internal cohesion. In the 20th century, particularly after the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), Redemptorists engaged in theological debates on ecclesial authority, moral , and missionary adaptation, with American members contributing to internal dialogues that influenced broader Church discussions. These exchanges revealed tensions between fidelity to traditional doctrine and interpretations emphasizing renewal, though they did not fracture the congregation at large. More pointed doctrinal disputes emerged in individual cases, such as that of Irish Redemptorist Fr. , investigated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) starting in 2012 for publications questioning Christ's pre-existence and divinity, advocating women's , and supporting revisions to teachings on sexuality and contraception. The CDF demanded retraction, threatening and removal from ministry; Flannery recanted some points but refused full oaths of , leading to his suspension from public ministry, with the matter routed through Redemptorist superiors who affirmed his non-heretical intent yet upheld disciplinary measures. As of 2024, Flannery remained suspended, illustrating progressive challenges to defined doctrines like priestly reserved to men per Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (1994). On the traditionalist flank, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (Transalpine Redemptorists), a 1988 offshoot reconciled with in 2008, have pursued a stricter pre-conciliar liturgical and doctrinal stance, fostering divisions through rejection of post-Vatican II developments. In July 2024, the Diocese of Christchurch, , revoked their faculties amid a dispute over practices, forcing . Their October 2025 General Chapter repudiated the "Synodal Church" as distinct from the perennial , critiquing synodality as non-traditional and non-Catholic, which risks by prioritizing unchanging faith over hierarchical judgments. This stance echoes broader traditionalist concerns but positions the group in tension with the mainstream congregation's acceptance of conciliar reforms, underscoring ongoing polarization between rigorist fidelity and adaptive orthodoxy.

Conflicts with Church Authorities and Secular Pressures

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer encountered significant resistance during its founding in the Kingdom of , where local nobility and some clergy opposed St. Alphonsus Liguori's mission to the poor and marginalized, viewing it as disruptive to established pastoral structures. Bernardo Tanucci, the influential prime minister under the Bourbon monarchy, refused to recognize the institute's legitimacy, subjecting it to ongoing threats of dissolution by state decree until papal approval was secured from on February 25, 1749. Throughout the , the Redemptorists faced repeated suppressions driven by secular anticlerical policies across . In , houses were dissolved following the of 1830, with further expulsions under the 1901 Associations Law effective from 1904, prompting relocations to and other nations. Similar measures targeted communities in in 1834, Alsace-Lorraine in 1830, in 1847, and amid Josephinist reforms, reflecting broader governmental efforts to curtail religious orders' influence and property holdings. In the , secular pressures intensified under totalitarian regimes, including Nazi occupation and subsequent communist rule in , where Redemptorist houses were seized or disbanded, forcing underground operations or exile. More recently, in , the order has endured government harassment, including raids on monasteries such as in in December 2010 and illegal seizures of historic properties like the Thái Hà , originally confiscated in and disputed as of November 2023, prompting public protests against state overreach on religious land rights. Tensions with Church authorities have been less systemic but notable in cases of doctrinal nonconformity among individual members. In Ireland, Redemptorist Tony was suspended from ministry in 2012 by Vatican decree for publicly questioning teachings on the virgin birth, , and eternal hellfire, with the congregation's engaging in appeals for reinstatement as late as 2022, highlighting frictions over theological and clerical . A related traditionalist offshoot, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (originating from Redemptorist roots in the 1980s), faced expulsion from the Christchurch diocese in in July 2024 by Bishop Michael Gielen, upheld by the Vatican in August 2025 amid safeguarding concerns, culminating in the group's October 2025 repudiation of post-conciliar hierarchies as diverging from perennial Catholic faith.

References

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