Redemptoristines
Encyclopedia
The Redemptoristines are a Catholic female religious order
. The habit is deep red, and the scapular and choir-mantle blue, on the scapular there is a coloured medallion of the Most Holy Redeemer. The 15 decade rosary hangs at the side bearing a medal upon one side of which are embossed the emblems of the Saviour's passion. The nuns wear two veils: one white and another black, folded back over the head, but which may be drawn forward over the face and as far as the medallion on the scapular.
, Italy. Father Thomas Falcoia, of the Congregation Pii Operarii, formed a community of nun
s there and gave them a rule. Later he became Bishop of Castellammare.
He was director of Alphonsus Liguori
when a new rule was approved by Benedict XIV in 1750 and was said to have been revealed to Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa. The bishop favoured the rule and asked Alphonsus to give the nuns the spiritual exercises and to organize the community as he judged best. Alphonsus set up observance of the new rule by meditation on the life and virtues of Christ. The details of their daily life were to commemorate phases of His life. Zeal was to be exercised by prayer, each day of the week being devoted to an object affecting the well-being of the Church, They were to pray in a special manner for the apostolic works of the Redemptorists.
The institute began on 23 May 1731. A second monastery was founded by Alphonsus, when bishop, in his episcopal city, Sant'Agata dei Goti
. The rule was approved by Pope Benedict XIV
in 1750.
Nearly a hundred years after the foundation at Scala, Joseph Passerat
sent two ladies, Mlle. Eugénie Dijon and the Countess Welsersheim, to Sant'Agata dei Goti to learn the rule and spirit of the Redemptoristines. They received the habit at Rome from Cardinal Odescalchi. They founded houses at Vienna and Bruges. Convents of the institute now exist in Austria, Bavaria, Belgium, France, Holland, Ireland, England, the Tyrol, Spain, Canada and Brazil.
In Sao Fidelis, Brazil, there still exists a traditional monastery of the Redemptoristines that continues the original Rules and Constitutions with the approval of the Holy See.
Religious order
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
. The habit is deep red, and the scapular and choir-mantle blue, on the scapular there is a coloured medallion of the Most Holy Redeemer. The 15 decade rosary hangs at the side bearing a medal upon one side of which are embossed the emblems of the Saviour's passion. The nuns wear two veils: one white and another black, folded back over the head, but which may be drawn forward over the face and as far as the medallion on the scapular.
History
The cradle of the Redemptoristines is Scala, not far from AmalfiAmalfi
Amalfi is a town and comune in the province of Salerno, in the region of Campania, Italy, on the Gulf of Salerno, c. 35 km southeast of Naples. It lies at the mouth of a deep ravine, at the foot of Monte Cerreto , surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery...
, Italy. Father Thomas Falcoia, of the Congregation Pii Operarii, formed a community of nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s there and gave them a rule. Later he became Bishop of Castellammare.
He was director of Alphonsus Liguori
Alphonsus Liguori
Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, scholastic philosopher and theologian, and founder of the Redemptorists, an influential religious congregation...
when a new rule was approved by Benedict XIV in 1750 and was said to have been revealed to Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa. The bishop favoured the rule and asked Alphonsus to give the nuns the spiritual exercises and to organize the community as he judged best. Alphonsus set up observance of the new rule by meditation on the life and virtues of Christ. The details of their daily life were to commemorate phases of His life. Zeal was to be exercised by prayer, each day of the week being devoted to an object affecting the well-being of the Church, They were to pray in a special manner for the apostolic works of the Redemptorists.
The institute began on 23 May 1731. A second monastery was founded by Alphonsus, when bishop, in his episcopal city, Sant'Agata dei Goti
Sant'Agata dei Goti
Sant'Agata dei Goti is a church in Rome, Italy, dedicated to the martyr Saint Agatha. It is currently the titular church assigned to Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, currently Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.-History:...
. The rule was approved by Pope Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:...
in 1750.
Nearly a hundred years after the foundation at Scala, Joseph Passerat
Joseph Passerat
Joseph Passerat was a French Redemptorist. He was beatified in 2000.-Life:He was expelled from the seminary, imprisoned, and forced to serve in the army from 1788 to 1792. Owing to his height he was made drum-major, and later quarter-master...
sent two ladies, Mlle. Eugénie Dijon and the Countess Welsersheim, to Sant'Agata dei Goti to learn the rule and spirit of the Redemptoristines. They received the habit at Rome from Cardinal Odescalchi. They founded houses at Vienna and Bruges. Convents of the institute now exist in Austria, Bavaria, Belgium, France, Holland, Ireland, England, the Tyrol, Spain, Canada and Brazil.
In Sao Fidelis, Brazil, there still exists a traditional monastery of the Redemptoristines that continues the original Rules and Constitutions with the approval of the Holy See.