Redemptorist FAQs.
Who are the Redemptorists?
The Redemptorists are an international Religious Congregation of Roman Catholic priests and brothers with a passion for spreading the Gospel.
Who founded the Redemptorists?
It is Naples, in the early 18th Century, and a promising young lawyer called Alphonsus di Liguori feels called by God to make a difference for the poor and abandoned of his day. He too asked the question “what must I do to inherit eternal life”? He found his answer in forming a small band of missionaries in Italy. He did this with the help of a visionary sister and co-founder of the Redemptorists, Maria Celeste Crostarosa. They decided that the missionaries would be called ‘The Congregation of the most holy Redeemer’. That initial step, taken in 1732, was truly blessed by God and the congregation exists and thrives today all around the world.
What sort of work do Redemptorists do?
The Redemptorists have a special charism within the Church to preach the Gospel to the abandoned poor. At its heart it is a missionary charism, hence many of our confreres around the world are actively involved in travelling within their provinces and giving parish missions. As well as going out to preach the Gospel simply, in the tradition of St Alphonsus, people also come to us, and running retreat houses is part of a long-standing tradition and charism of the Redemptorists in spreading the Good News. Some confreres also work as parish priests at the request of the local Bishop, or are involved in chaplaincy work; others still will be entrusted the task of formation, discerning with and training the next generation of Redemptorists. Throughout the world, Redemptorists also feed the spiritual hunger of pilgrims who visit their shrines and holy places.
What is a parish mission?
This is an intense, often two-week visit to a parish at the request of the local priest – with the aim of strengthening, encouraging and reviving the faith of the local Catholic community, with the hope also of reaching out to those who feel estranged or abandoned within or without the Church. Confreres travel, usually in twos, following the example of the apostles.
How many Redemptorists are there across the world, and in which countries are they based?
As an international Catholic religious congregation with membership of about 6,000 men, our presence is felt in every corner of the world. No matter where we come from, or what culture we were brought up in, we all share some important things in common: We are all men of faith whose driving force is a passion for the Gospel and a passion for people. We seek to bring these two passions together.
Are there any Redemptorist Saints or Blesseds?
Yes! Our Founder St. Alphonsus di Liguori, Doctor of the Church and Patron of Confessors and Ethicists; St Gerard Majella, ‘The Mother’s Saint’; the Venerable Maria Celeste Crostarosa, ‘Companion, Visionary and Co-Founder of Redemptorists’; St. Clement Hofbauer, Second founder, taking the Redemptorists over the Alps and beyond; St John Neumann, Bishop, Pastor and first Saint of the USA; Bl. Gennaro Sarnelli, tireless missioner, also with an apostolate for the rescue of prostitutes; Bl. Peter Donders, Dutch missionary to the leper colony of Batavia in Surinam; Bl. Francis X. Seelos, confessor, formator and missioner; Bl. Kaspar Stanggassinger, teacher; and our five Redemptorist martyrs of the 20th century (one Czech and four Ukranians): Bl. Methodius Dominick Trcka, Bl. Mykolay Charnetskyi, Bl. Vasyl Velychkovskyi, Bl. Zynoviy Kovalyk and Bl. Ivan Ziatyk.
What is the link between the Redemptorists and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour?
The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour originated in Crete and was venerated in Rome in the Church of St. Matthew from the end of the 15th Century until the destruction of the church by Napoleon's forces in 1798. It was thought that the icon had also been lost, but the Augustinians who served the church had saved it and kept it in their private chapel.
Over sixty years later it was discovered and, on the orders of Pope Pius IX, enthroned in 1866 for public veneration in the Redemptorist church of St Alphonsus, built in 1854 on the original site of St. Matthew's. He also told the Redemptorists, "Make her known throughout the world". Since then, the Redemptorists have done just that. There is now a world-wide novena devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, celebrated at our Churches and Shrines across the globe.
Who can join the Redemptorists?
Single men, aged 18 and over who are practising members of the Catholic Church, of sound mind and health can apply to join the Redemptorists.
Can women join the Redemptorists?
The Redemptoristines are our sister congregation, and they carry the Redemptorists in prayer throughout the world through a life of contemplative prayer. The UK Redemptoristines are based in Liverpool, and they have close links with the Redemptoristines of the Irish Province. Please see their contact info below.
How many houses do you have in the UK?
At present, we have communities living and working in Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Perth, Edinburgh, Middlesborough, Sunderland, Hampshire and Shropshire. Some of our houses are attached to busy parishes, such as Liverpool and London, others are retreat houses, such as Perth and Hawkestone in Shropshire. Our community in Middlesborough runs the John Paul Centre in the heart of the city, a drop-in centre with weekday Mass and coffee shop. Redemptorist Publications, our thriving publishing arm, is based in Chawton, Hampshire, from which an extensive range of Christian titles are commissioned and edited. You may be familiar with our weekly ‘Sunday Plus’ bulletin, used by a great many parishes across the country.
What vows do Redemptorists take?
Redemptorists take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, as well as a fourth vow of perseverance to remain in the Congregation until death.
If I join, what will my training be like?
Candidates will normally spend a year as ‘postulants’ – living in community and in the spirit of the vows, before proceeding for a year’s Novitiate in preparation for taking simple vows. At present the postulancy year is spent in the UK, and the Novitiate year takes place in North America with other English-speaking candidates. Following the Novitiate, candidates will return home to follow courses in theology and philosophy, with those candidates for priesthood being ordained approximately 4 - 5 years later. Candidates for Brotherhood will also study theology and philosophy after the Novitiate. All candidates take final vows 4 – 5 years after the Novitiate.
Do the Redemptorists wear a habit?
The Redemptorists do have a habit, most often seen worn today when confreres are on mission, preaching, or on Feast Days.
How much money, if any, do you get as a Redemptorist to live on?
Redemptorists take a vow of poverty, so there is no salary! Living expenses of food, accommodation and travel are met for the confreres by the Congregation. Confreres receive an allowance for clothes and all the other usual personal expenses.
Are you encouraged to keep in touch with family and friends?
Yes, absolutely! The Redemptorists emphasise the importance of maintaining close contact with family and friends and, where friends are concerned, making new ones too!
What would be a typical day for a Redemptorist novice or postulant in community?
Redemptorists pray the Divine Office of morning and evening prayer in community, and attend daily Mass. The main meal of the day is also eaten in community, and in between these four daily milestones, each confrere will have his own studies or work to do during the day, depending on their particular apostolate. For postulants and novices, time set aside for personal prayer, spiritual reading and study will be relatively structured. Some evenings are set aside for community recreation, and on others you are free to take time out and be on your own. To live a well-rounded life, confreres are also encouraged to make time for friends and family, as well as for individual interests and past-times.
I have another question…!
If you have any other questions which are not covered here, please feel free to contact us!
Who can I contact in the UK to talk about vocations to the Redemptorists?
Please contact Fr Richard Reid on 0151 737 4127, or at: vocations@redemptorists.co.uk
Other Useful Links:
http://www.redemptorists.co.uk/ - London Province Vocations Website
http://www.cssr.com/ - International Redemptorist Website
http://www.rednuns.com/ - The Irish Redemptoristines
http://www.rpbooks.co.uk/ – Redemptorist Publications
