Origin & Development

Founding of the Order

The Order of the Most Holy Redeemer was founded on the Day of Pentecost, 13th May 1731, at Scala in the Kingdom of Naples, under the influence of the Venerable Mother Maria-Celeste Crostarosa who drew up the Rules and to whom can rightly be given the title of foundress, and under the direction of Monsignor Thomas Falcoia, Bishop of Castellamare, with the decisive collaboration of Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Mother Maria-Celeste Crostarosa, having had to leave Scala, founded the monastery of the Most Holy Saviour in 1738 at Foggia, where the primitive Rule was observed.

Concurrently with the Order of Nuns and assisted by the monastery at Scala and by Mother Maria-Celeste Crostarosa, Saint Alphonsus had founded for men, in 1732, the Congregation of the Most Holy Saviour. In 1749, to avoid confusion with another Institute bearing the same name, the Holy See directed that the name "Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer" be used.

Because of the common origin and purpose which united the two Institutes, the Order of Nuns was also given the name of the Most Holy Redeemer at the time of the pontifical authorization in 1750. 

Saint Alphonsus, having become a bishop, furthered the expansion of the Order by inviting the Sisters in 1766 to his episcopal town, Saint Agatha of the Goths.

In the 19th century, the Order spread initially to Vienna in Austria (1831), where with the support of the Venerable Father Passerat, CSsR, Mother Marie-Alphonse (Eugenie Dijon) and Sister Marie-Anne-Joseph (Antonia Welsersheimb) founded the first monastery beyond the Alps. This was after they had spent some time at Saint Agatha of the Goths in order to imbibe the authentic spirit of the Order. Starting with Austria, the foundations multiplied: Belgium (1841), Holland (1848), Ireland (1859), France (1875) and England (1897).

In the 20th century, the Order spread to the five continents: Spain (1904), Canada (1905), Brazil (1921), Germany (1934), Argentina and Japan (1949), USA (1957), Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta, 1963), Australia (1965), Venezuela and Peru (1976), Haiti (1976) and The Philippines (1980).

From "Redemptoristine Nuns Vocation":

 The Redemptorist in the Vice Province of Cebu invited the Redemptoristine Nuns in Legazpi to come to Cebu and establish their contemplative presence. Rose Marie who was prioress at that time responded to the invitation of Fr. Ramon Fruto, C.Ss.R., the Vice- Provincial. June 2, 1992 marked the beginning of our contemplative presence in Cebu. Mary Raphael, two postulants, with Sr. Lo**ta and 

Sr. Guia Marie and Sr. Alice travelled from Legazpi through a cargo boat named M/V Honor. At about 11 am they arrived in Cebu Sea Port. On June 7, the Feast of Pentecost, Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, and the Archbishop of the Diocese of Cebu welcomed the sisters and blessed the rented Formation house. 

It took four years to finish the house. The Monastery, named after our Foundress, Mother Maria Celeste, stood as silent witness of God’s Divine Providence. It started from scratch and stood up to what is now. Finally, in the year 1997, the Monastery was blessed by His Eminence, Ricardo Vidal together with our Redemptorist, religious sisters, as well as friends and benefactors. LIVING OUT OUR CHARISM: THE VIVA MEMORIA 

Destruction by Typhoon Odette (Rai)

Typhoon Rai, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Odette, struck the Philippines in December 2021, and Cebu City on the evening of 16 December, 

Sr. Alice described her encounter when Odette hit the Monastery: 

"It was around 8pm, and the typhoon was very strong. I saw and heard, even in the dark, the roof of our Retreat House flying off one after another. My legs began to shake and I thought it was only because it was cold, but then realised that the shaking was uncontrollable.

The Sisters came to me and said all the glass in the chapel were broken. The more I couldn't move.

We went down to the basement and prayed the Rosary together in the midst of darkness. 

Then we noticed that the typhoon had begun to slow down."

View video "You'll never walk alone": click here.

The Lord provides!

The Sisters worked hard to clear the debris and repaired whatever they could to make good the damage wreaked on by Odette. Money was raised from generous donors, and contractors were engaged to restore the roof and glass windows that were destroyed.

YES, THE LORD PROVIDES! And through it all, the Sisters kept on a smiling and cheerful demeanor. 

Like the words of the song:

"When you walk through a storm,

hold your head up high,

and don't be afraid of the dark."

FOR THE LORD PROVIDES!

Walk on!

A Strong Woman

Mother Celeste was a strong woman, determined and energetic, of profound integrity and interior freedom, who always defended the rights of conscience.

She was intelligent, with great intuition and understood the urgent needs of the society of her time. But above all, she was a mystic who lived in deep communion and prayer with Christ.

One of the principle marks of the spirituality of Celeste is the

'Viva Memoria' - the call of each person to be in himself/herself a true and authentic living image of Christ. Listen to the specially composed song "Viva Memoria".

Celeste's spirituality is one of everyday life, lived in communion with Christ, the Redeemer. It should radiate and go forth from us, imparting a contemplative dimension to the reality of life of everyday Christian - a commitment fo finding the presence of the God of love in each event of every day.

(Reference: "Redemptorists Ireland")

Blessing of Bell

A bell was not put up for the Chapel when the Redemptoristine Monastery in Cebu was built in the '80s.

Since Monasteries elsewhere have bells for prayers installed, it was decided that a bell at the Chapel would be useful.

Fr. Tito Pascual, C.Ss.R., who helped obtain the bell, said that a bell would create a prayerful atmosphere in the neighborhood.

The bell was installed and blessed by Fr. Tito on the Feast of St. Alphonsus of 1 August 2023.

Click here for the video.