The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) is an Order of Priests and Brothers that numbers more than 5,500, serving people in more than 75 countries.
The Order was founded in Italy by missionary priest Alphonsus Liguori. In 1730, exhausted from his work, he went to Scala, high in Italy’s mountains, to rest and recover. Eventually he left Scala, but the images of the poor and their hunger for the Word of God remained with him.
After much prayer and consultation, he recognized that he must return. So, it was there on November 9, 1732 he founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The congregation was approved by Pope Benedict XIV on February 25, 1749.
The Redemptorists have worked in North America since 1832 and became the prevalent missionaries ministering to German Catholic immigrants in many U.S. cities and dioceses.
Ever since childhood, when Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R., was affectionately known as “Xavier.” He expressed a desire to become a priest, even going so far as to set up an altar at home and hold “services” with his friends.
As a child and throughout his lifetime, Seelos was exceptionally kind to the poor, sharing his clothes, bits of food, and coins in his pockets.
He was destined to become a Redemptorist. Blessed Seelos entered the seminary in 1842 after completing his studies in philosophy. Soon after meeting the missionaries of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), he decided to enter the Congregation and to minister to German speaking immigrants in the United States.
He was accepted by the Congregation on November 22, 1842 and arrived in New York on April 20, 1843. On December 22, 1844, he was ordained a priest.
The Redemptorists are best characterized by their closeness with the people— Blessed Seelos is a prime example of this. They understand well that the work of redemption is not theirs alone, thus they invite everyone to walk with them in touching and changing the lives of those most in need of redeeming mercy,
healing hope, and gracious blessings.
Through parish mission preaching events, soup kitchens, senior services, retreats, marriage preparations, food banks, publications, youth outreach and a host of other ministries, the Redemptorists can be found delivering the Gospel message wherever it is needed.