The motto of the Redemptorist Congregation is “Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio”, which means “With Him is Plentiful Redemption” (Ps. 130: 7). The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer following Our Lord Jesus Christ in the charism of St Alphonsus continues to bring about ‘plentiful redemption’ in our world.
Origin
In the year 1732, in the Kingdom of Naples, South of Italy, St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696 – 1787) founded a clerical missionary religious institute which is popularly known today as the Redemptorists. It received Papal approbation (approval of the Pope) in 1749, given by Pope Benedict XIV. We are therefore a religious group of Pontifical right, possessing what is called ‘Privilege of Exemption.’ By this privilege, our Congregation is not placed under the authority of any bishop; we are rather under the authority of the Pope.
The Congregation spread from the Alps (mountains) of Italy to other regions of Europe owing to the zeal of St Clement Hofbauer. From 1787 to 1815, he founded houses in Warsaw (Poland), Prussia, Switzerland, Germany, Vienna (Austria), and Romania. Further expansion was brought about when Venerable Joseph Passerat founded new Redemptorist houses in Belgium (1831) as well as U.S.A. (1832). Our Congregation has since then expanded to other parts of North America, as well as South America, Asia and Africa. Notably, the then Oakland (but now Denver) Province of U.S.A. established the Redemptorists’ mission in Nigeria in the year 1987.
Today, Redemptorists are in 77 countries, covering the whole continents of the globe, with about 6,000 confreres or members worldwide.
Apostolate
The Congregation has as its apostolate the explicit proclamation of the Good News to the poor, especially the most abandoned. The Redemptorists as apostles of preaching and conversion carry out their apostolate through: Preaching of Parish Missions and Novenas, Retreat Ministry, Parish Administration, Spiritual Direction, Counseling, Prison Ministry, School for the Handicapped, etc. Thus, the aim of the Congregation is to bring about metanoia (conversion).
Spirituality
The Redemptorist spirituality is centered on the person of Jesus Christ, as this is evident in the name, motto and apostolate of the Congregation. We therefore have strong devotion for the Incarnation, Passion of Christ and the Eucharist. It is also our mandate (given to us by Pope Pius IX) to spread the devotion to ‘Our Mother of Perpetual Help’. |
