Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer 1545664 223306673 2008-07-03T14:12:27Z AndrewL 96327 /* See also */ {{Out of date|table}} [[Image:Logo cssr.gif|right|thumb]] The '''Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer''' (Latin: ''Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris'' – C.Ss.R or CSSR) is a [[Roman Catholic]] [[missionary]] [[Catholic order|order]] founded in [[1732]] by Saint [[Alphonsus Liguori]] at [[Scala (SA)|Scala]], near [[Amalfi]], [[Italy]] for the purpose of labouring among the neglected country people in the neighbourhood of [[Naples]]. Members of the order are known as '''Redemptorists'''. Priests and brothers work in more than 77 countries around the world. ==Mission== The Redemptorists are essentially and by their specific vocation a [[missionary]] society. 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". They take the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and by the vows of poverty they are bound to refuse all ecclesiastical dignities outside of the congregation. To these vows they add the vow and oath of perseverance to live in the congregation until death. Their labours consist principally in missions, retreats, and similar exercises. In order to render these labours most effective, all their [[sermon]]s and instructions should be solid, simple, and persuasive. On all their missions they are obliged to preach a sermon on prayer and one on the intercession of the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]]. In order to secure the salutary effects of their missions, they should, after four or five months, return to the places where they have given missions, and preach another, shorter course of sermons. On missions proper the rule obliges them to hear all the confessions themselves. Wherever the Redemptorists have [[parish]]es they labour in the same spirit, both in the pulpit and in the confessional. The [[Archconfraternity of the Holy Family]] is established in all their parishes. They are also most solicitous in providing well-equipped parochial schools, and they take special care of growing youth. ==History== Within ten years of the order's foundation, permanent establishments were made at [[Nocera]], [[Ciorani]], Iliceto, and [[Caposele]]. In [[1749]], [[Pope Benedict XIV]] canonically approved the work, under the title of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Royalism, however, caused the greatest obstacle to the development of the new congregation. An effort to obtain the royal exequatur to the papal approbation proved disastrous, and brought about a temporary separation of the Neapolitan houses and those which had been founded in the [[Papal States]]. In [[1793]], a reunion was at last effected under the new superior general, Pietro Paulo Blasucci, who governed the congregation until [[1817]]. In the next six years several houses were opened in different parts of Southern Italy and [[Sicily]], and the society flourished, though subjected to many grave trials. It was destined, however, to take on an international character. In [[1785]] a young [[Austria]]n, Clemens Maria Hofbauer, journeyed to [[Rome]] with a companion, Thaddeus Hübl. There they were deeply impressed by the fervour of the Fathers of the church of [[St. Julian]], and applied for admission into the community. After profession and ordination, their chief desire was to transplant the congregation to northern countries. They received permission from the general to establish a house in [[Vienna]] or in any other Austrian city. But the Government was unfriendly, and Father Hofbauer offered his services to the Congregation of the Propaganda at [[Rome]]. He was sent to labour for a time in [[Courland]], Russia. In [[1786]], with his former companion, Father Hübl, he arrived at [[Warsaw]], where the [[papal nuncio]] Saluzzo gave them charge of St. Benno's church, whence they were known in [[Poland]] as "Bennonites". Their apostolic zeal and untiring efforts procured the salvation of many souls, and effected the conversion of many people, while their church presented the spectacle of an uninterrupted mission. In [[1793]] Father Blasucci, the rector major, then residing at Nocera, appointed Father Hofbauer his vicar-general with all necessary authority. His first thoughts turned to [[Germany]], though the time seemed inopportune, since Febronianism, Josephinism, Freemasonry, and infidelity held sway all over [[Europe]]. He succeeded, however, in establishing three foundations in Southern Germany, at [[Jestetten]], [[Triberg]], and [[Babenhausen]], which he confided to the care of his favourite disciple, [[Joseph Passerat]]. These foundations were eventually suppressed, and the members banished. Father Passerat then betook himself to [[Switzerland]], where in [[1818]] he organized a community at Valsainte in a dilapidated [[Carthusian]] monastery. In the meantime, owing to opposition, the house at [[Warsaw]] was suppressed. In [[1808]], the Fathers were expelled from St. Benno's and deported to the fortress of [[Küstrin]] [[Prussia]], where they were disbanded. Father Hofbauer, after directing his companions to work for God's glory whenever and wherever they could, proceeded alone to [[Vienna]], where he became an assistant [[chaplain]] and confessor of nuns. His influence was soon felt on all sides, even in the [[Congress of Vienna]] ([[1815]]), where the destinies of the Church in Germany were then being shaped. He was styled by [[Pope Pius VII]] the "Apostle of Vienna". In the meantime he kept up a constant correspondence with his former companions, did all in his power to find for them suitable fields of labour, and predicted that after his death a brighter future was in store for the congregation, a prophecy that was soon fulfilled. He died 15 March, [[1820]]. In accordance with the request of the Emperor Francis I, the first house of the Redemptorists was canonically established in Vienna on [[Christmas Day]], [[1820]]. In May several prominent young men, former disciples of Father Hofbauer, had already received the religious habit. Father Passerat succeeded Hofbauer as vicar-general; the onerous and trying duties of his office were rendered more difficult by the prevalent spirit of Josephinism. The years intervening between [[1815]] and [[1821]] found some of the Fathers labouring in [[Bulgaria]], but, owing to the hostility of the schismatics, they were compelled to abandon this field. A number of flourishing foundations were established between [[1820]] and [[1848]]. In [[1826]], at the request of the Austrian Government, a foundation was started at [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], for the benefit of German Catholics, but it did not last long. In [[1820]], the Redemptorists acquired the convent of Bischenberg, [[Alsace]]. The new community was sent from Valsainte. In [[1828]] the Fathers exchanged their poorly furnished home at Valsainte for the commodious Convent of [[Fribourg]], which proved to be a fruitful nursery for the congregation until the Revolution of [[1848]]. Prior to [[1848]], six houses had been established in Austria: * Frohnleiten in [[1826]] * Mautern in [[1827]], the present house of studies * [[Innsbruck]] in [[1828]] * [[Marburg]] and [[Eggenburg]] in [[1833]] * [[Leoben]] in [[1834]] During Passerat's administration the congregation was introduced into [[Belgium]] by Father de Held, and in the course of the next ten years four houses were established: [ * [[Tournai]] in [[1831]] * [[Sint-Truiden]] in [[1833]] * [[Liège]] in [[1833]] * [[Brussels]] in [[1849]] A foundation was also opened at [[Wittem]], [[Holland]], where, in [[1836]], an old [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] monastery became the house of studies. In [[1841]] King Louis I of [[Bavaria]] invited the Fathers to the celebrated shrine of Our Lady at [[Altötting]]. During this period four houses were founded in [[France]]: * Landser in [[Alsace]], in [[1842]] * St-Nicolas-du-Port, in [[1845]] * Teterchen in Lorraine and Contamine in [[Savoy]], in [[1847]]. The congregation suffered great losses through the [[revolution]] that swept over Europe in [[1848]]. In [[1847]] the Fathers were expelled from [[Switzerland]] and in [[1848]] from [[Austria]], to which, however, they returned. Important developments were now taking place within the congregation itself. Although the Transalpine portion of the congregation was subject to the rector major at Nocera in [[Italy]], this superior left its government almost exclusively in the hands of a vicar-general resident at [[Vienna]]. As the congregation had spread far beyond its original boundaries, it was deemed necessary to create the office of provincial between the rector major and the local superiors. Father Passerat, weighed down by age and infirmities, resigned his office in [[1848]]. After a series of deliberations conducted by the [[Holy See]] with the superior general and the Fathers of the Transalpine provinces, Father Rudolph Smetana was appointed vicar-general in [[1850]]. [[Pope Pius IX]] was now persuaded that it would be advantageous to have the superior general resident in [[Rome]]. Fearing the opposition of the King of Naples, he did all in his power to convince him of the benefits arising from this step, but in vain; thereupon he decided, that the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, to the exclusion of the Neapolitan and the Sicilian houses, should be placed under a general superior, who was henceforth to reside at [[Rome]]. At the same time he made special regulations for the Redemptorists in the [[Kingdom of Naples]]. On the disappearance of the latter, the Neapolitan houses were united to the body of the congregation in [[1869]]. In pursuance of orders from the [[Holy See]], Father Smetana convoked a general chapter. It was opened 26 April, [[1855]]. The result of this chapter was the election of Father Nicholas Mauron, a native of [[Switzerland]], as superior general. He was the first rector major to take up his abode at [[Rome]]. During Smetana's administration, and particularly during that of Mauron, the congregation made rapid progress. The number of provinces in [[1852]] — not including [[Naples]] and [[Sicily]] — was four; in [[1890]] they had increased to twelve. The French-Swiss province, presided over by Father [[Achille Desurmont]] for twenty-two years (1865-87), gained admission into [[Spain]] and [[South America]]. During the presidency of García Moreno two houses were established in the Republic of [[Ecuador]]. A few years later the congregation gained a foothold in [[Peru]], [[Chile]], and [[Colombia]]. The original Belgian province, having grown very rapidly, was divided into the provinces of [[Belgium]] and [[Holland]]. The Lower German province found a new field of labour in the eastern part of South America. The province of Holland received charge of the mission at [[Surinam]], [[South America]], a settlement colonized partly by lepers. ===History by region=== ====Africa==== In [[1899]] the Belgian Fathers were requested by the Government to take charge of a number of missions in the [[Belgian Congo|Congo]] State: * Matadi * Tumba * Kionzo * Kinkanda * Kimpesse * Sonagongo ====Bavaria==== The Upper German or [[Bavaria]]n province, which was under the ban of the Kulturkampf, has recovered some of its lost ground. Since its readmittance, it has added another very important foundation. But the historic convent of Altötting has passed into other hands. In [[1894]] this province opened in [[Brazil]] a mission of two houses forming a vice-province. The province of [[Holland]] has added to its mission in [[Surinam]], a mission in [[Brazil]], forming another vice-province, having under its jurisdiction three houses. ====Canada==== Canada was made a vice-province in [[1894]], where four more houses were opened. This vice-province, depending on the Belgian province, numbers six houses. In the [[West Indies]], which were also made a vice-province in [[1904]], there are now six houses. The province of Baltimore opened in [[1902]] a foundation at Mayagüez in [[Puerto Rico]]. Before the occupation of the island by the [[United States]] the Spanish Redemptorists had settled at [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], but at the close of the Cuban War returned to [[Spain]]. The American Fathers are now there as missionaries and pastors. A parish comprising some 30,000 souls is confided to their care. Despite all their labours for the benefit of the natives their progress is very slow. On 26 July, [[1911]], the Belgian houses of [[Canada]] were erected into a new province. ====English and Irish provinces==== The English province, begun from [[Belgium]] in [[1843]], owes its great progress to the Rev. Robert A. Coffin, one of the band of converts associated with Newman, Manning, and Faber in the [[Oxford Movement]]. After his ordination to the priesthood he joined the Redemptorists, and gave missions throughout [[England]] and [[Ireland]], until he was appointed first provincial of the English province in [[1865]]. During his administration of seventeen years new houses were founded in various parts of the [[United Kingdom]], the house at Perth being the first convent opened in [[Scotland]] since the [[Reformation]]. [[Pope Leo XIII]] appointed the Rev. Robert A. Coffin Bishop of Southwark. His successor as provincial, the Rev. Hugh McDonald, died Bishop of [[Aberdeen]], [[Scotland]]. The activity of the English Fathers is evidenced by their literary labours and their success on the missions, which resulted in more than 16,000 converts. By [[1910]], the province has eight houses: Clapham, Bishop-Eton, Monkwearmouth, Bishop's Stortford, Kingswood, Edmonton, and the novitiate and house of studies at [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], [[Scotland]], with a total membership of one hundred and twenty-three. Besides the Rev. Robert A. Coffin, a number of noted converts have joined the congregation, among them Bridgett, Livius, and Douglas. In [[1898]] the houses in [[Ireland]] and [[Australia]], hitherto subject to the English province, were constituted an Irish province, and [[Australia]], a vice-province, as its dependency. The Rev. Andrew Boylan was appointed the first provincial, with his residence at [[Limerick]]. On 25 March, [[1901]], the foundation of the present new juvenate house at Limerick was laid. The province of Ireland comprises four houses: [[Limerick]], [[Dundalk]], [[Belfast]], and [[Esker]]; the vice-province of [[Australia]], three houses: Waratah in [[New South Wales]], Ballarat in Victoria, and [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] in Western [[Australia]]. The total membership is one hundred and forty-seven. In [[1906]] the Rev. Andrew Boylan was commissioned to visit the [[Philippine Islands]], and to establish there a colony of [[Irish people|Irish]] Redemptorists. At present there are two Redemptorist Houses on these Islands and one in [[Wellington]], [[New Zealand]]. The church at Limerick is celebrated for its Confraternity of the [[Holy Family]] for men and boys, founded by the Rev. [[Edward Bridgett]], which the [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick]], Dr. [[George Butler]], called "the miracle wrought by the Mother of Perpetual Succour, a far greater miracle than the cure of a blind boy or the healing of a cripple". [[St. Gerard Majella Annual Novena]] takes place every year in St. Josephs Church, [[Dundalk]]. This annual nine day novena is the biggest festival of faith in Ireland attracting up 100,000 people over the 9 days. ====North America==== In [[1828]] Mgr Résé, Vicar-General of [[Cincinnati]], visited [[Europe]] to solicit pecuniary aid and to obtain evangelical labourers. While at [[Vienna]] he applied to Passerat, from whom he secured three priests and three lay brothers; they arrived in [[New York]] 20 June, [[1832]]. Two other Fathers followed in [[1835]]. For seven years they laboured heroically among the whites and the Indians of northern [[Michigan]] and northern [[Ohio]]. Though they took charge of many stations in both states, they did not secure a permanent footing in any of these places, with the exception of [[Detroit]]. In [[1839]] the Fathers were called to [[Pittsburgh]] to assume charge of the German congregation, which was then without a priest, and torn with party strife. In a short time they made it a model congregation. Scattered throughout the surrounding country were many Catholic settlers, to whom they preached the Word of God and administered the sacraments. This species of mission inaugurated by them wherever they were established was the beginning of many a well-organized parish of today. From this time the care of German congregations, often in a deplorable condition on account of factions, became a prominent element of the apostolate of the Redemptorists in [[North America]]. Their first concern, however, was to establish, wherever feasible, parochial schools, which are in a flourishing condition to this day. When the success of the Fathers at Pittsburgh became known, applications were made to them for other foundations: * [[Baltimore]] in [[1840]] * [[New York]] in [[1842]] * [[Philadelphia]] in [[1843]] * [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] in [[1845]] * [[Detroit]] and [[New Orleans]] in [[1847]] * [[Cumberland]] in [[1849]]. In [[1837]] a German congregation had been organized at [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] by Father Prost, but the Fathers did not take permanent charge until [[1841]]. The American province of the congregation was erected in [[1850]]. Its first provincial was the Rev. Bernard Hafkenscheid, a fellow-student of [[Pope Leo XIII]]. One of his first cares was the establishment of a [[seminary]] and the selection of a suitable place for a [[novitiate]]. He chose Cumberland, [[Maryland]], for the future house of studies. From this nursery of study and piety many able and zealous missionaries went forth. In [[1853]] the novitiate, which had been located since [[1849]] at [[Baltimore]], was removed to [[Annapolis]], [[Maryland]]. Here the heirs of Charles Carroll of Carrollton had donated their entire estate to the Redemptorist Fathers. This house remained the novitiate until [[1907]], with the exception of the years 1862-66, when it was at Cumberland, and the students at Annapolis. In 1858-59 the present church and convent were built at Annapolis. In [[1868]] the students were transferred to the new house of studies at Ilchester, [[Maryland]], which remained the [[Alma Mater]] of the Redemptorists until [[1907]]. In that year the faculty and the students, forty-eight in number, took up their abode at Esopus, on the [[Hudson]], where a more spacious scholasticate had been erected. From the first house of [[St. Alphonsus]] in Baltimore sprang other communities: * [[St. Michael]]'s in [[1859]] * [[St. James]]'s in [[1867]] * [[Sacred Heart]] in [[1878]]. In [[1882]], owing to difficulties in the Bohemian parish, the Fathers, at the earnest request of [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], then [[Archbishop]], Gibbons, assumed charge of the Bohemians. In this diocese five other parishes, one in the city of [[Washington]], were originally founded by the Redemptorists. In [[1861]] the congregation was called to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], to take charge of [[St. Michael]]'s parish. It was not long before a large church and a commodious school and convent were built. The great fire of [[1871]] destroyed all these structures, but, thanks to the faith and generosity of the people, they were rebuilt. The many successful missions which the Redemptorists had given in the Diocese of St. Louis induced Archbishop Kenrick to ask for a foundation of the congregation in his episcopal city, and in [[1866]] a mission house was opened at [[St. Louis]]. In the same year ([[1866]]) another mission house was established in [[New York]], near the little church of [[St. Alphonsus]], which had been erected in [[1845]] for the convenience of the Germans in that section of the city; it had been served by Fathers of the Third Street community. Though now a mission church, [[St. Alphonsus]]'s continued to be a parish church for the Germans. Subsequently, two more foundations were made in New York, one for [[Bohemian]] [[Catholic]]s, and the other for the German Catholics in the northern part of the city. In [[1871]] an important mission house was opened at Roxbury, [[Boston]]. It was dedicated to [[Our Lady of Perpetual Help]]. Its first rector, the Rev. William H. Gross, was succeeded by the Rev. Leopold Petsch, when the former became Bishop of Savannah in [[1873]]. In [[1883]], when a new parish was formed in that district, the Fathers of the mission church took charge of it. As early as [[1874]] the Redemptorists of the American province were called to [[St. Patrick]]'s Church, [[Quebec]], [[Canada]], the only parish church in that city for English-speaking Catholics. Four years later the American Fathers became the custodians of the miraculous shrine of Ste-Anne de Beaupré, near [[Quebec]]; it was eventually transferred to the Fathers of the Belgian province. The same Fathers assumed charge of St. Anne's, [[Montreal]], a large parish in a very poor district of the city. The [[Baltimore]] province in the meantime established two other foundations in [[Canada]]: [[St. Patrick]]'s, [[Toronto]], in 1881, and [[St. Peter]]'s, [[Saint John, New Brunswick|St. John]], N. B., in [[1884]]. In [[1876]] the congregation was invited to take a second church in [[Philadelphia]], that of [[St. Boniface]]. Besides these houses the province of Baltimore founded in [[1881]] a separate house for its juvenate, or junior house of studies, St. Mary's Minor Seminary at [[North East, Pennsylvania|North East]], [[Pennsylvania]]. Another house, to be used as a primary juvenate, was purchased in [[1886]] at [[Saratoga]], [[New York]]; this is at present a mission house. In [[1893]] a new house was opened at [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]]. In [[1875]] the original American province was divided, the eastern under the name of the province of Baltimore, and the western as the province of St. Louis. This latter province embraced the houses of St. Louis, [[New Orleans]], [[Chicago]], and Chatawa. This last-named place was selected for the novitiate and house of studies for the province of St. Louis, but was subsequently abandoned. Since [[1875]] several new foundations have been established. In [[1878]] [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], was selected for an educational institution. The old house of [[St. Mary]]'s at Detroit was abandoned in 1872, but in [[1880]] another house was established in the suburbs of the same city; this is now a flourishing mission and parish church. Two years later the Redemptorists began a second foundation at [[Chicago]]. In [[1887]] a juvenate was erected at Kirkwood, near St. Louis, and in 1888 the Fathers settled at [[Grand Rapids]], [[Michigan]]. In [[1891]] a foundation was made at [[Seattle]], Washington, in [[1897]] a new house of studies was erected at De Soto, [[Missouri]]. In [[1894]] the Fathers went to Denver, [[Colorado]], and took charge of [[St. Joseph]]'s Church; in [[1906]] to [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]]; in [[1908]] to Davenport, [[Iowa]], and to Fresno, [[California]]. In [[1910]] a new house was founded at [[Oconomowoc]], [[Wisconsin]], which will be the future house of studies of the province of [[St. Louis]]. In [[1850]], Father Bernard, the first provincial, arrived in America and organized and trained the first band of regular missionaries, among whom were the eminent converts, Fathers Hecker, Hewit, and Walworth; these distinguished missionaries afterwards established the Congregation of the [[Paulists]]. Parish work and mission work, has become a special feature of the congregation in [[North America]]. Some idea of the work of the Baltimore province during the ten years from 1890 to 1899 is conveyed by the following figures: * missions and renewals, 1889 * retreats, 1071 * other exercises, 75 * confessions, 2,418,758 * converts, 1252 * baptisms, 54,608 * [[Eucharist|communion]]s, 6,827,000 * first communions, 19,077 * [[marriage]]s, 8311 * average number of school children, 13,000 * converts, 1922. 1866 [[Pope Pius IX]] caused the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to be placed in the Redemptorist Church at [[Rome]]. In [[1871]] the pope, moved by the urgent and repeated petitions of bishops and heads of religious orders, bestowed the title of [[Doctor of the Church|Doctor of the Universal Church]] upon [[St. Alphonsus]]. Father Hofbauer, the Apostle of Vienna, was beatified in [[1889]], and Brother Gerard Majella, the thaumaturgus of the congregation, in [[1893]]. The latter was canonized by [[Pope Pius X]], 11 Dec., [[1904]]. The eventful administration of Father Mauron ended in [[1893]]. In [[1882]] he was stricken with apoplexy, and, though he rallied from the shock, a slow decline set in, and he died 13 July, [[1893]]. On 1 March, [[1894]], Very Rev. Mathias Raus was elected superior general. He was born 9 Aug., [[1829]], in the Duchy of [[Luxemburg]]; made his profession 1 Nov., [[1853]], and was ordained priest 8 Aug., [[1858]]. After filling various important offices in the order, he was called to Rome by his predecessor to be one of the general consultors. Father Raus's administration is remarkable for the number of Redemptorist causes of beatification introduced, or about to be introduced, in [[Rome]], thirteen in all, including: * Ven. John Nepomucene Neumann, superior of the American Province, who died as Bishop of [[Philadelphia]], 5 Jan., [[1860]] * Father Francis X. Seelos, of the American province, who died a victim of yellow fever at [[New Orleans]], 4 Oct., [[1867]] * and Father Peter Donders, the Apostle of the Lepers in [[Surinam]], who died in the leper colony at [[Batavia, Suriname|Batavia]], in [[Dutch Guiana]], 14 Jan., [[1887]] * Father Alfred Pampelon, who died at Ste-Anne de Beaupré in [[Canada]], 30 Sept., [[1896]]. Father Raus's administration was closed by the happy issue of the cause of Blessed Clement M. Hofbauer's canonization, which took place on 20 May, [[1909]]. In that year the superior, having attained his eighty-second year, resigned his responsible office, and in the general chapter opened on 26 April, [[1909]], the Very Rev. Father Patrick Murray, superior of the Irish province, was elected superior general of the congregation. He was born 24 Nov., [[1865]], made his profession 23 Oct., [[1889]], and was ordained priest 10 Sept., [[1890]]. The Roman province was honoured by [[Pope Leo XIII]], when he confided to the Fathers the magnificent new church of [[St. Joachim]] in [[Rome]]. The French province was divided into three provinces and two vice-provinces in [[1900]]. [[Spain]] became a province, having eight houses, to which two more communities were added. The French province proper was divided into two provinces, [[Lyon]] and [[Paris]]. To the former now belong the Southern Pacific vice-province, embracing [[Chile]] and [[Peru]], and to the latter the Northern vice-province of [[Ecuador]] and [[Colombia]]. Since the suppression of the religious orders in [[France]] in [[1904]], some of the Redemptorist communities have undertaken new foundations in [[Belgium]], and others in [[South America]]. In [[1900]] the Austrian province was also divided into two provinces, [[Vienna]] and [[Prague]], with a [[Poland|Polish]] vice-province. The latter was made a province in 1909. Since the division the Viennese opened two houses in [[Denmark]], one in Prussian [[Silesia]], and a fourth at [[Linz]]. ====Poland==== Redemptorists have formed a socio-political movement in Poland known as the Radio Maryja Family, and the [[Radio Maryja]] station which sparked numerous controversies and scandals and is in alleged conflict with the [[Holy See]]. ==Growth of the congregation== The number of subjects in [[1852]] (not including those of Italy) were: * priests, 343 * professed students, 75 * priests novice, 12 * [[choir]] novices, 45 * professed lay brothers, 175 * lay novices, 67 ** total, 715 * houses, 45. In 1910 (including [[Italy]]): * priests, 2085 * professed students, 537 * choir novices, 142 * professed lay brothers, 962 * lay novices, 343 ** total, 4069 * houses, 218 * provinces, 19 * vice-provinces, 10 The constant and rapid growth of the congregation must be attributed chiefly to the erection of the so-called juvenates. Finding it difficult in some countries and impossible in others to secure a solid future for the different provinces, the Fathers deemed it expedient to receive boys who showed a disposition for the religious and priestly life, and to prepare them while still young for the higher studies. Father Hofbauer adopted this plan, and obtained thereby a number of excellent young men for the order. In the same way Father Passerat was equally successful in drawing young men to the congregation. It was in this manner that Father Mauron, the late superior general, was attracted to the order. But it was only after [[1867]] or [[1868]] that a definite scheme of preparing boys for the [[novitiate]] was followed. The idea was taken up simultaneously in the French and American provinces. Father Desurmont was the first to organize this preparatory institution in France. For many years it was customary for the American Fathers to select from their parochial schools boys who, in their opinion, would eventually become fit subjects for the novitiate. After having tested their ability, they instructed them personally in the rudiments of Latin, or sent them to a Catholic college until they reached their sixteenth year. At this age they were admitted to the novitiate, after which they completed their humanities. For the benefit of boys who did not belong to Redemptorist parishes or who lived in other cities the provincial, Father Helmpraecht (1865-77), secured a suitable place near his residence at [[Baltimore]]. One of the Fathers was appointed director. In [[1869]] a new method was followed. The young men were to finish their classical course before entering the novitiate. To accommodate the increasing number of pupils, provision was made at Baltimore, then at [[Ilchester]], until finally, in [[1881]], a desirable college building was purchased at North East, [[Pennsylvania]]. Here a six years' classical course is pursued, while at the same time the moral and physical fitness of the young men may be easily ascertained. Similar preparatory colleges, with some slight differences, have been introduced into almost every province. After a [[novitiate]] of one year, the young members pass to the higher course of studies. This embraces two years' [[philosophy]], two years' dogmatic, and two years' moral [[theology]], with [[natural philosophy]], church history, [[Sacred Scripture]], canon law, pastoral [[theology]], and [[homiletics]]. After the completion of their studies the young priests make what is called the "second [[novitiate]]" of six months, during which time they are trained theoretically and practically in the special work of the missions. ==Literary work== Although the limited number of subjects and the manifold labours of the ministry do not permit the members of the congregation to make a specialty of it, still their literary work is not inconsiderable. Some well known Redemptorist authors include<ref>{{CathEncy|title=Redemptorists|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12683a.htm}}</ref>: * Italy ** [[Januar Sarnelli]], Bl. [[Panzutti]], [[Anton Tannoia]] * France ** [[Achilles Desurmont]], [[Augustine Berthe]], [[Leonard Gaudé]], * England ** [[Thomas Livius]], [[Thomas E. Bridgett]], [[Cyril Ryder]], [[Robert A. Coffin]], [[Denis McBride]] * Austria ** [[Aug. Rösler]], [[Karl Dilgskron]], [[Gerard Diessel]], [[Georg Freund]], [[Franz Kayker]] * Bohemia ** [[Emmanuel Kovar]], [[Franc. Blatak]], [[Franc. Sal. Blazek]], [[Aloys. Polak]], [[Theoph. Mateju]], [[Wenc. Melichar]] * Germany ** [[Michael Benger]], [[Michael Haringer]], [[Andreas Hugues]], * Belgium ** [[Victor Cardinal Dechamps]], [[Henri Saintrain]], [[Ernest Dubois]], [[Francis X. Godts]] * Holland ** [[J. Aertnys]], [[Frans Ter Haar]], [[Willem van Rossum]], [[Joh. L. Jansen]], [[Aloys. Walter]] * Spain and South America ** [[Tomas Ramos]], [[Ramon Serabia]] * North America ** [[Antony Konings]], [[Joseph Putzer]], [[Michael Müller]], [[Ferreol Girardey]], [[Peter Geiermann]] ==Famous Redemptorists== * Saint [[Gerard Majella]] ([[1726]]-[[1755]]) * Saint [[Clement Hofbauer]] ([[1751]]-[[1888]]), Patron of [[Vienna]] and [[Warsaw]] * Saint [[John Neumann|John Nepomucene Neumann]], [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Philadelphia]] ([[1852]]-[[1860]]) * Blessed [[Kaspar Stanggassinger]] ([[1871]]-[[1899]]) * [[Hugh McDonald (bishop)|Hugh McDonald]], [[Bishop of Aberdeen|Vicar Apostolic of the Highland District]] ([[1890]]-[[1898]]) *Blessed [[Vasyl Velychkovsky]] Bishop and [[Martyr]] ([[1903]]-[[1973]]) * Father [[Charles Fehrenbach (priest)|Charles Fehrenbach]], author of the book ''Mary Day by Day'' * Blessed [[Francis Xavier Seelos]] * Father [[Tadeusz Rydzyk]], a leader, founder and head of the [[Radio Maryja Family]]. * Father [[Alec Reid]] * Father [[John Creagh]] * Father [[Satish Joseph]] * Father [[Ignatius Kumar]] * Father [[Suresh Pushparaj]] * Father [[Joseph Owens (Redemptorist)|Joseph Owens]] ([[1908]]-[[2005]]) * Venerable [[Alfred Pampalon]] ==See also== *[[Radio Maryja]], is a radio station owned by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and run by Redemptorists *[[Face Up]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.cssr.com/english/ Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer] *[http://www.papastronsay.com Transalpine Redemptorists, affiliated with the Society of Saint Pius X] *[http://www.redemptorists.co.uk The London Province of the Redemptorists] *[http://www.rpbooks.co.uk The Redemptorists' publishing house in Chawton] *[http://www.redemptoristpublications.com The Redemptorists' publishing house in Dublin] *[http://www.liguori.org The Redemptorists' publishing house in St Louis] *[http://www.redemptoristspirituality.net/eng2/ Redemptorist Spirituality] *[http://www.holyredeemerbangkok.net/eng/index.php?lang=en Holy Redeemer Church in Bangkok] {{catholic|Redemptorists}} [[Category:1732 establishments]] [[Category:Religious organizations established in the 1730s]] [[Category:Roman Catholic missionary orders]] [[Category:Roman Catholic orders and societies]] [[cs:Kongregace Nejsvětějšího Vykupitele]] [[de:Redemptoristen]] [[es:Congregación del Santísimo Redentor]] [[fr:Rédemptoristes]] [[hr:Redemptoristi]] [[it:Congregazione del Santissimo Redentore]] [[nl:Redemptoristen]] [[ja:レデンプトール会]] [[no:Redemptoristene]] [[pl:Redemptoryści]] [[pt:Congregação do Santíssimo Redentor]] [[ru:Редемптористы]] [[sv:Redemptorister]] [[uk:Редемптористи]]