In 1732, St Alphonsus [Alphonso Liguori] gathered around him, at Scala in the ancient Kingdom of Naples, a group of men who would dedicate themselves to the preaching of the good news of 'plentiful redemption' to those who were the poorest and most abandoned in society. In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV approved their Rule on 25 February and thus officially bring into being the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer - commonly known as the Redemptorists.
Among those early Redemptorists was Br Gerard Majella who would become known the world over as the Mothers' Saint. A little later they would welcome into their fold a young priest called Clement Hofbauer who would also become a saint and is known as the Apostle of Vienna. By 1858, the Congregation had reached the Americas and one of their number became Bishop of Philadelphia - St John Neumann. Today, the Congregation continues to grow and expand around the world as Redemptorist priests and brothers strive to be faithful to the vision and spirituality of St Alphonsus.
There is much to this story which continues in the lives and ministry of today's Redemptorists.
Redemptorists WWW Links:
Alphonsianum Higher Institute of Moral Theology
C.Ss.R. Redemptor, A multi-lingual site giving lots of connections.
Redemptorist Publications in the UK
Redemptorist Publications in the USA
Redemptorist Publications in Ireland
Hawkstone Hall, Pastoral Centre in England
Picture Rocks, Pastoral Centre in Arizona
Marianella Centre, Pastoral Centre in Dublin