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Redemptorist Saints

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"All Sanctity consists in the love of God and the love of God consists in doing God’s will."

 

St Alphonsus Ligouri

 

  

 FR. PELÁGIO SAUTER CSsR

ven pelagio cssr

 

A short biographical profile of the Venerable Fr. Pelágio Sauter, CSsR

Fr. Pelágio Sauter was born on September 9, 1878, in Hausen am Thann (Württemberg, Germany), to Matthias and Martha who had 14 other children. At sixteen he entered the Redemptorist seminary in Bachham. In 1902 he made his religious profession in Gars am Inn and was ordained a priest in Deggendorf on June 16, 1907.

     

Having accepted the invitation to be sent as a missionary to Brazil, he set out, arriving in Rio de Janeiro with four other confreres on August 4, 1907, never to return to his homeland.

In his 52 years of living in Brazil, he spent the first 10 in São Paulo, working in various parishes, and the other 42 in Goiás. His favorite apostolate was the itinerant mission in the most abandoned areas of the region. Evangelizing in hundreds of small towns, arriving nearly always on horseback, the simple people learned to know and esteem him as a man of God.

The place that most benefited from his apostolic presence was Trindade (GO), where the faithful, on pilgrimage to the famous shrine dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity (Divine Eternal Father), had the opportunity to listen to him and receive his blessing.

Fr. Pelágio is considered, above all else, the priest of the poor and the comfort of the sick. In the last five years of his life, in fact, he devoted himself almost exclusively to the pastoral care of the sick. His last illness, which led to his death, is itself linked to a visit to a sick person. In fact, surprised by rain during his return to the community, he was first forced to go to bed for a bad cold and then to be admitted to the Santa Casa de Misericordia [hospital] in Goiás. Overcome by pulmonary emphysema, he died at 1:00 p.m. on November 23, 1961 at the age of 82.

The whole city of Goiânia attended the funeral and the Regional Government decreed three days of mourning. A crowd of about 30 thousand people attended his funeral.

Considered a national hero, several monuments were erected, streets and city squares were dedicated to him, and organizations were established in his name.

As a result of the many extraordinary graces attributed to his intercession, Fr. Pelágio is still remembered today as “the apostle of Goiás and the missionary of the people.”

The Diocesan Process about his life, virtues and reputation for holiness, begun on November 23, 1997, in the Mother Church of Campinas, was closed in the presence of a multitude of the faithful, in the Sanctuary of the Divine Eternal Father in Trindade (GO) on March 21 1999.

Fr. Antonio Marrazzo, CSsR

(Translation: Fr. Joseph P. Dorcey, CSsR)

On November 7 2014, Pope Francis declared the Servant of God, FR. PELÁGIO SAUTER, CSsR (1878-1961), to be VENERABLE, authorizing the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the Decree on his heroic virtues. 

 

ST CLEMENT HOFBAUER CSSR

st clement cssrFeast Day 15th March...

The Second Founder of the Redemptorists

Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer

As he points to the crucifix, let us look and make our Lent count!

Read the article below...

"Although his name is not listed on the official Church calendar for March 15, Clement Mary Hofbauer is my choice for saint of the month. (So writes Norman J Muckerman CSsR in the Liguorian Magazine)

One reason for this choice is that Saint Clement, born on December 26, 1751, in central Europe, became a Redemptorist priest, just as I did, so we are “family.” Second, I am presently living in Saint Clement Health Care Center, and I will soon need a benevolent promoter “on the other side.”

So even though we cannot celebrate him liturgically, we can recall some facts of his life that have caused him to be recognized as the “second founder” of the Redemptorists and the patron saint of Vienna.


His life was marked by frequent surprises and sudden changes. His earliest surprise was probably when his father, a butcher by trade, died. Clement, the ninth of twelve children, was six years old at the time. As he grew older he felt called to the priesthood, but his family was too poor to pay for his seminary training, so he became a baker instead.

Later he got a job as a servant in a Premonstratensian monastery. Perhaps the holy atmosphere awakened in him a desire to become a hermit, because he abruptly went off to be one—but not for long. Emperor Joseph II abolished all the hermitages in his realm, and Clement returned home to the bakery.

But Clement didn’t stay there. He became a pilgrim and made several trips to Rome. While there he came into contact with the Redemptorists and knew he had found a home. He and a fellow pilgrim named Thaddeus Hübl joined, entered the novitiate, professed their vows, and in 1785 were ordained Redemptorist priests. Clement was then thirty-four years old.

The aged founder of the order, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, was still living (just barely), but he rejoiced in hearing about the two new members. He predicted they would enjoy huge success in taking the Redemptorists, until then known only in Italy, beyond the Alps into Vienna and points beyond.

Because of the political situation at the time, Hofbauer and Hübl could not settle in Vienna. Instead they went to Warsaw, where the archbishop gladly gave them charge of the rundown, priestless Saint Benno’s church, which had been built for German Catholics living in Warsaw. He told them to see if they could make it go.

And make it go they did! Redemptorist lore is full of stories about the perpetual mission atmosphere that pervaded the parish when Hofbauer and Hübl were in charge. The stories tell of daily sermons preached in various languages and always to a full church. There are tales of the catechism lessons given to Catholic, non-Catholic, and even Jewish children, and accounts of the long lines of people waiting to go to confession. And there is the story of the orphanage that Clement built to house the abandoned children roaming the streets.

After Father Hübl died in 1807, Clement finally moved to Vienna. He lived and ministered there for the next twelve years. His official title was chaplain at the Ursuline convent, but his good influence and presence spread much farther. He influenced all levels of Viennese society from Emperor Franz Joseph to the poorest of the  poor.

It is difficult to list all his spiritual successes there, but the fact that Clement was (and still is) known as the “Apostle of Vienna” says it all.

Clement Mary Hofbauer died on March 15, 1820. He was beatified in 1888, and in 1909 Pope Pius X declared him a saint."

Venerable Wilhelm Janauschek

fr wilhelm janauschek cssr

 

On April 15th, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the Decree on the heroic character of the virtues of the Redemptorist, Fr. Wilhelm Janauschek, a professed priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. By virtue of this Decree Fr. Wilhelm Janauschek has been declared venerable.

He was one of sixteen children in a Viennese family that had come from Moravia, which gave to the church three religious priests and two nuns. So when Wilhelm was born on October 18, 1859, he found himself immediately immersed in that climate of true piety that favors the flowering of a religious vocation.

His spiritual director, a Redemptorist, took care to direct him toward the same Institute. Therefore it was natural that at age 17, having completed his elementary studies and the humanities, the Venerable should enter the novitiate at Eggensburg where he then passed to the student residence at Mautern, where he professed his religious vows on April 28, 1878. He was ordained a priest there on August 28, 1882.

Since that time, over the next 44 years, in positions of ever increasing responsibility, he knew how to unite perfect regular observance and interior piety with multifaceted and fruitful apostolic activity.

From 1882 to 1890, he was the socius of the prefect of students. From 1890 to 1901, he was the novice master. From 1901 to 1907, he was the provincial superior. From 1907 to 1924 he was the superior of various communities of his province.

To these official duties were added other very prestigious duties, such as extraordinary visitor to the provinces of Czechoslovakia and Poland (1911); and extraordinary visitor to the houses of Upper Germany (1917). And he did all this, without ever giving up the popular missions, even preached beyond the borders of his country, to the German settlers in Ukraine and on the shores of the Black Sea, and without ever omitting the spiritual exercises for consecrated persons and confessions and spiritual direction.

fr w janauschek cssr

In all these many activities he knew how to be elegant and balanced. He knew how to generate a vision of things based on faith and the most profound humility. He knew how to be both demanding and understanding, always solicitous of the good of others.

On April 8, 1925 he was hospitalized, but since the doctors did not understand his illness, he continued to preach seven retreats with spiritual exercises, each one eight days long, until he fell seriously ill, the victim of his zeal.

Admitted to the hospital again, on October 8th, he spent nine months in a slow, excruciating agony, endured with much patience and abandonment to the will of God, which astonished those who saw it.

He died on June 30, 1926 and was buried in the central cemetery of Vienna. But, on April 15, 1934, his remains were transferred to the church of St. Maria Am Gestade (where the body of St. Clement M. Hofbauer is also venerated). It immediately became the destination of continuous pilgrimages. Many graces are attributed to his powerful intercession with God.

Redemptorists International

Venerable Antonio Maria Losito CSsR

On September 30th 2015 , Pope Francis, authorized the promulgation of the Decree on the heroic virtue of Redemptorist Fr. Antonio Maria Losito, a professed priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

By virtue of this Decree Fr. Antonio Maria Losito is declared VENERABLE

ven losito cssr

Biography

Antonio Maria Losito was born in Canosa (BA) on December 16, 1838. He was the youngest of the five children of Antonio and Maria Celeste Ricco. When he came to see the light of day he was already orphaned by his father, who had died a few months earlier in an accident at work.

He was baptized on the same day he was born. One year later, on October 18th, he received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

After the death of his mother, at the age of ten, he and his siblings were entrusted to the care of his maternal grandmother, going to live in Margherita di Savoia (BT). After her death he returned to Canosa, living at the house of his sister Angela, where he continued his studies at the Franciscan monastery.

When he was 17 years old, having been influenced by the Redemptorists Vittorio and Nunzio Loiodice, Antonio Maria entered the Redemptorist novitiate at Ciorani (SA), on November 24, 1855.

After his profession of religious vows on October 24, 1856, he began studying theology at Materdomini (AV). He received minor orders on May 15, 1859, and the subdiaconate in Nusco (AV) on March 19, 1861.

Because of poor health, his superiors decided to allow him to recuperate in his family’s care. After ten months, fully recovered, he returned to Materdomini where, on March 15, 1862 he was ordained a deacon and, with a papal dispensation of 8 months and 20 days, he was ordained a priest on April 5 of that same year.

He remained in the Materdomini community, preparing for missionary activity until 1867. After the application of the repressive laws of July 7, 1866, which suppressed religious institutes in southern Italy, he was forced, like all the other Redemptorists in the Neapolitan Province, to return to his family.

He lived at Canosa for 20 years during which, in addition to staying in constant contact with the superior general and the other members of the Congregation, with whom he shared many apostolic activities, he worked especially for his fellow citizens, participating with keen missionary sensitivity in their human vicissitudes, both spiritual and social.

During the two decades in Canosa, he poured his strength and his willingness to bear witness to the Gospel of mercy into preaching, the formation of conscience, spiritual direction, the reconciliation of conflicts, the comfort of prayer in difficulties and a practical concern to the poor and the sick.

He twice tried, unsuccessfully, to reestablish a Redemptorist community, at Materdomini in 1869 and at Francavilla Fontana in 1886. With the calming of the anticlerical wave, on the morning of January 3, 1887, without notifying anyone of his departure, he was finally able to return to the Redemptorist community at Pagani (SA) where he contributed actively to the recovery of the Redemptorist province.

After five years in the community at Angri (SA), together with the Servant of God, Fr. Giuseppe Leone, Antonio Maria was transferred to Pagani where, for the next 20 years, he was responsible for the training of the theology students. In 1907, despite having already suffered a progressive paralysis for 17 years, he was appointed superior of the Pagani community and provincial superior in 1909.

Profoundly passionate about the Redemptorist charism, in proclaiming the Gospel to the most abandoned, Antonio Maria, with sacrifice and a great sense of responsibility, spared no effort and used his God-given talents in the ministry of preaching, in the wisdom of government, in the witness of charity to the confreres, in steadfastness amidst adversity and in total confidence in God’s help. Considered an expert and merciful spiritual guide, people from all walks of life benefited from his advice: priests, bishops, cardinals and popes, St. Pius X and Benedict XV. Both Blessed Bartolo Longo and his wife, the Countess De Fusco, had him as a confessor and spiritual director. Fr. Losito’s support of Bartolo Longo was instrumental in the more difficult moments during the construction of the social works connected to the Shrine of Pompei (NA), especially for the foundation of the Institute for the education and salvation of the children of prisoners.

Due to a kidney stone, he died at Pagani on July 18, 1917.

On April 9, 1983, following the insistent demands of some bishops of Puglia, with the approval of his Redemptorist superiors, the remains were transferred to the cathedral of Canosa and buried in the chapel of St. Alphonsus.

VENERABLE ANTONIO LOSITO - PRAY FOR US!

(Translation: Fr. Joseph P. Dorcey, CSsR)

Blessed CSsR: Vicente Toribio CSsR and 11 Companions

 

 

 

Fr. Vicente Renuncio Toribio

 

Vicente Renuncio Toribio 243x300Fr. Vicente Renuncio Toribio was born in Villayuda (Burgos) on 11th September 1876.

He entered the Congregation and made his vows on 8th September 1895.  Ordained a priest on 23rd March 1901, he devoted himself to missionary work, formation and teaching in the minor seminary. From 1912 to 1923, in the Commune of Perpetual Help in Madrid, he was Provincial Consultor and editor of the magazine of the Shrine. After a brief absence, he returned to Madrid as Prefect of the Shrine until July 1936, when, with the beginning of the persecution, he took refuge in the homes of family friends.

Arrested on 17th September, he remained in prison until 7th November when he was killed. On leaving his cell, he was heard to exclaim: “I offer my life for my confreres in Spain, for the whole Congregation and unfortunate Spain”.

Fr. Crescencio Severo Ortiz Blanco 

Crescencio Severo Ortiz BlancoFr. Crescencio Severo Ortiz Blanco, was born in Pamplona on 10th March 1881.

He professed his vows on 24th September 1900 and was ordained on 28th December 1905. Active in popular missions and teaching philosophy, he lived in the communities of Astorga, Cuenca, Valencia and Barcelona. Transferred to Madrid on 13th July 1936, in the community of St Michael the Archangel, on 20th July he was captured and killed by militiamen together with his brothers Ángel Martínez Miquélez and Bernardo (Gabriel) Sáiz Gutiérrez.

Fr. Ángel Martínez Miquélez,  

Angel Martinez MiquelezFr. Ángel Martínez Miquélez, was born in Funes (Navarre) on 2nd March 1907.

Admitted to the Redemptorist order, he made his profession on 24th August 1925. Ordained a priest on 20th September 1930, he devoted himself to teaching and the missionary apostolate, living in various communities. On 10th July 1936, he was transferred from the Perpetual Help community to St Michael the Archangel. On 20th July, with the beginning of the persecution, he left the house with Fr Crescencio Ortiz and Br Bernardo Sáiz (Gabriel) searching for safe refuge. On the way, they were caught and killed by militiamen.

Br Bernardo (Gabriel) Sáiz Gutiérrez 

Bernardo Gabriel Saiz GutierrezBr Bernardo (Gabriel) Sáiz Gutiérrez, was born in Melgosa (Burgos) on 23rd July 1896. He took the Redemptorist habit on 12 November 1919 and professed the following year on 13 November. After having been in the community of Pamplona, in 1925, he was transferred to the community of Saint Michael the Archangel in Madrid. He was an exemplary religious for his constant availability and life of prayer and was always dedicated to the service of the kitchens. Together with Fathers Crescencio Ortiz and Ángel Martínez, he was martyred on 20th July 1936. 

Brother Nicesio Pérez del Palomar Quincoces 

Nicesio Perez del Palomar QuincocesBrother Nicesio Pérez del Palomar Quincoces, was born in Tuesta (Álava) on 2nd April 1859.

He entered the Congregation and made his profession on 30th March 1891. He was a resolute and tenacious character, backed up by a solid faith and nourished spirituality. He worked as a carpenter, horticulturist, beekeeper, mason, and carpentry manager in the different communities in which he lived. He moved to Madrid in 1934 to the Perpetual Help community. With the beginning of the persecution, at the age of seventy-seven and almost blind, he and Br Gregorio Zugasti Fernández de Esquide sought hospitality with friendly families. Captured in the afternoon of 14th August 1936, he was killed two days later. 

Gregorio Zugasti Fernández de Esquide

Gregorio Zugasti Fernandez de EsquideGregorio Zugasti Fernández de Esquide, was born in Murillo de Yerri (Navarre) on 12th March 1884. He professed his vows on 25th December 1912 and lived in Madrid in the Perpetual Help community, working in the publishing house. Considered a pious religious, a reliable and obedient worker, he witnessed his evangelical charity not abandoning his elderly confrere Nicesio Pérez during the persecution, sharing his martyrdom on 16th August 1936.  

 

Brother Aniceto Lizasoain Lizaso

Aniceto Lizasoain LizasoBrother Aniceto Lizasoain Lizaso, was born on 17th April 1877 in Irañeta (Navarre).

He became a professed Redemptorist on 15th October 1896 and lived in various communities, carrying out, in addition to various domestic tasks, the offices of sacristan, porter and bursar. Although he wanted to become a priest, he preferred to remain a coadjutor brother not to leave the Congregation. With the beginning of the persecution, he left the Perpetual Help house in Madrid to find hospitality with friends. Finally, he was taken into a boarding house and, following a complaint, on 18th August 1936, he was captured and killed.  

Fr. José María Urruchi Ortiz 

Jose Joaquin Pascual Erviti InsaustiFr. José María Urruchi Ortiz was born in Miranda de Ebro (Burgos) on 17th February 1909. After his religious profession on 24th August 1926, he continued his studies with tenacity and considerable effort in Astorga. Ordained a priest on 20th October 1932, he was transferred to Nava del Rey and in 1934-1935 to Coruña, Cuenca and Vigo. In October 1935, he was transferred to Madrid to the Perpetual Help community, where he remained until 20th July 1936, when, due to the persecution, he left the house to be hosted by a friendly family. Following a search, on 22nd August 1936, he was captured together with his brother José Joaquín Erviti Insausti and killed during the night, at only 27 years of age. 

Brother José Joaquín (Pascual) Erviti Insausti

Jose Joaquin Pascual Erviti InsaustiBrother José Joaquín (Pascual) Erviti Insausti, was born in Imotz (Navarre) on 15th November 1902.

He made his profession on 24th February 1930 and was sent to the community of Astorga. Transferred to Madrid on 24th February 1935 to the Perpetual Help community, he remained there until July 1936, working as an assistant cook. Forced to flee, he took refuge with Fr José María Urruchi Ortiz in a friendly family. Considered a prudent, pious and trustworthy religious, he spent his last period in constant prayer. Captured and killed by militiamen with Fr José María Urruchi Ortiz, his body was found on 22nd August 1936 on the road to Andalusia. 

Fr. Antonio Girón González

Antonio Giron GonzalezFr. Antonio Girón González, was born in Ponferrada (León) on 11th December 1871. After his profession on 15th August 1889, he received the priesthood on 19th May 1894. He lived in various communities, involved in teaching, formation and as a provincial councillor. An exemplary religious, with remarkable intellectual gifts and deep interior life, he bore witness to the end to his devotion to the Virgin Mary by constantly reciting the rosary. At the beginning of the persecution, he had been a member of the Perpetual Help community since June. After taking refuge first in a private house, then in a convent and finally in a hospice, he was discovered and captured by the militia who killed him on 30th August 1936. 

Fr. Donato Jiménez Viviano

Donato Jimenez VivianoFr. Donato Jiménez Viviano was born in Alaejos (Valladolid) on 21st March 1873.

He professed his vows on 8th September 1893 and was ordained a priest 27th May 1899. In the different communities where he lived, he almost always played the role of superior, without neglecting missionary activity and the promotion of vocations to religious life. He had been resident in Madrid, in the community of St Michael the Archangel, since 23rd June 1936, but with the persecution, he found hospitality with friendly families. Captured on 13th September, he was imprisoned and killed, probably on the night of 17th September 1936. 

Brother Rafael (Máximo) Perea Pinedo

Rafael Maximo Perea PinedoBrother Rafael (Máximo) Perea Pinedo, was born in Villalba de Losa (Burgos) on 24th October 1903.

After his religious profession on 27th February 1926, he lived in the communities of Astorga, Santander and, lastly, in Madrid from 28th June 1933. He was good-natured and joyful, with a generous spirit of service, working as a porter, sacristan, bursar and cook. He left the religious house on 20 July 1936 and found refuge first with families and friends and then in a boarding house, where he was captured and killed on 2 November. 

 

6 Blessed Martyrs of Cuenca (Spain)...

 

redemptorists martyrs cuenca

 

 

BLESSED (FR) JOSÉ JAVIER GOROSTERRAZU JAUNARENA CSSR


cuenca gorosterratzuFr. José Javier Gorosterrazu Jaunarena was born in Urroz (Navarra) August 7, 1877. At age 14, against the wishes of his father, he entered the Capuchin College at Lecároz. At age 16 he entered the Redemptorists, made his profession on September 8, 1896 and was ordained a priest on September 28, 1903.


After a few years of teaching at El Espino (Burgos) and Astorga (León), he lived in the communities of Pamplona (Navarra), Madrid and Cuenca. He was a man of considerable culture as well as being a popular missionary, an expert confessor and a sought after spiritual director. He published two historical works and wrote a manual of philosophy.


On August 10, 1936, he was arrested by the militia of the Popular Front, which took him to the cemetery of Cuenca and shot him during which he forgave his executioners.

A fuller biography in Spanish can be found by clicking here

BLESSED (FR) CIRIACO OLARTE Y PÉREZ MENDIGUREN CSSR

cuenca orlateFr. Ciriaco Olarte Y Pérez Mendiguren was born in Gomecha (Álava) on February 8, 1893 into a very religious family. Encouraged from childhood towards a priestly vocation. Oriented since childhood to priestly vocation September 21, 1904, he entered Redemptorist formation on September 21, 1904 at El Espino (Burgos) and professed his religious vows on September 8, 1911.

 

After being ordained a priest on July 29, 1917, he went to Mexico as a missionary from 1920 to 1926. He returned to Spain and the growing anti-clerical spirit in the Mexico of that time. From 1926 to 1935, he exercised his apostolic ministry in Madrid, at the community of Perpetual Help.


In May 1935 he settled in Cuenca. In the evening of July 31, 1936, he was arrested and taken to the place called "Las Angustias" where, severely wounded, was left to die after long hours of agony.

 A fuller biography in Spanish can be found by clicking here

 

BLESSED (FR) MIGUEL GOÑI ARIZ CSSR

cuenca michaelFr Miguel Goñi Ariz  was born in Imarcoain (Navarra) April 27, 1902. Manifesting the desire to become a priest even as a child, he would enter the Redemptorists on September 8, 1918 and professed his vows on August 26, 1920.


Despite poor health and a shy nature, he was ordained a priest on September 27, 1925 and proved to be a strong and tireless preacher of popular missions.


After serving in the communities of Nava del Rey (Valladolid), Granada, Santander and Vigo, he was transferrred in 1932 to Cuenca, where he ministered especially in the Redemptorist Church of St. Phillip Neri. On August 31, 1936 he was arrested by the militia, shot and left to bleed to death.

A fuller biography in Spanish can be found by clicking here

BLESSED (FR) JULIÁN POZO Y RUIZ DE SAMANIEGO CSSR


cuenca julianFr. Julián Pozo Y Ruiz de Samaniego was born in Payueta (Álava) January 7, 1903.


He entered the Redemptorist seminary of El Espino in 1913, where he was much appreciated for the seriousness of his spiritual journey. He professed vows in 1920 and was ordained a priest on September 27,1925.


Suffering from tuberculosis since 1921, he was able to accept the disease with resignation, devoting himself to prayer, hearing confessions and caring for the sick. Of a serene disposition, he was much sought after for his gifts as a confessor and spiritual director.


In 1928 he was transferred to the apostolic community of Cuenca. He then moved to the seminary because of the outbreak of persecution. There, on August 9, 1936. he was arrested while praying the rosary, and was shot along the road that leads from Cuenca to Tragacete.

A fuller biography in Spanish can be found by clicking here

  

BLESSED (FR) PEDRO ROMERO ESPEJO CSSR


cuenca peterFr Pedro Romero Espejo was born in Pancorbo (Burgos) April 28, 1871.He entered the Redemptorist school at El Espino and was eventually professed on September 24, 1889.

He was ordaned on February 29, 1896. He was an extremely shy person and not given to outgoing missionary activity. So he devoted his life to the ministry of reconciliation, and to a religious life of meditation, prayer and mortification, witnessing a great spirit of poverty to others.


After being in the communities of Astorga (León) and Madrid, he was transferred Cuenca. With the outbreak of the civil war, he was forced to leave the community and to live, as was the case for the other colleagues, wtih a local family in their private home. To escape the attention of the persecutors and continue to engage in the apostolate, he chose to go begging in the streets of the city.

Detained several times by the militia, ultimately, in May 1938 he was arrested and taken to prison, where, physically and spiritually ministered to by other priests being held prisoner, he died of dysentery on May 29th.

A fuller biography in Spanish can be found by clicking here

BLESSED (BRO) VICTOR (VICTORIANO) CALVO LOZANO CSSR


cuenca brotherBro. Victor (Victoriano) Calvo Lozano was born in Horche (Guadalajara) December 23, 1896.


Distinctly inclined to the spiritual life, he wanted to become a priest. Unfortunately, the times, the reluctance of his family to allow him and financial constraints all mitigated against starting his studies. On March 31, 1919, in a letter he left with his family explaining his reasons, he left them to become a Redemptorist.


On November 13, 1920 he made his religious profession, taking the name Victoriano. In 1921 he was assigned to the Redemptorist community in Cuenca, where he worked as a clerk and porter. Although he had not attended school, he had an innate sense of culture, excelling particularly in a deep knowledge of asceticism. His superiors permitted him to be a spiritual director for young women, for whom he wrote a series of retreats and other works.


On August 10, he was arrested by the militia, taken to the cemetery of Cuenca, and brutally murdered.

For a fuller biography in Spanish click here

celeste3 Feast Day : September 14th


Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa (born as Giulia Crostarosa) was born in Naples, Italy on the 31st October 1696. At the age of twenty she entered a Carmelite monastery. When this monastery was suppressed, she went to Scala in the hills above Naples, where she entered a monastery living the Visitation Rule.

Under the direction of Bishop Thomas Falcoia, and with the cooperation of St Alphonsus, Maria Celeste reformed the monastery according to a revelation she had received from the Lord. She founded the Order of the Most Holy Reedeemer (Redemptoristines) on the 13th May 1731. Their vocation is to be a "living memory" of Jesus Christ, witnessing to the paschal mystery.

In 1773 Maria Celeste was forced to leave Scala, and eventually she was called to Foggia, where she founded the Monastery of the Most Holy Saviour.

 

The spiritual journey of Maria Celeste, favoured by many mystical experiences, was characterised by obedience to conscience, by constant searching for the meaning of the gospel, and by living simply.

Maria Celeste died at Foggia on the 14th September 1755. At the moment of her death, Saint Gerard Majella, her spiritual friend, saw her soul flying to heaven as a white dove.

On 3 June 2013 Pope Francis declared her to be Venerable due to her life of heroic virtue. In 2015 a miracle attributed to her intercession was approved.  In Foggia on 18th June 2016  Sr. Maria Celeste Crostorosa was beatified.

Thank you to the Redemptorist North American Commission for Partnership in Missions for this article.

 

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alfred_pampalon

Feast Day: 30th September

 

Venerable Alfred Pampalon is the Patron of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts.

Venerable Alfred is a link in the chain of New World Redemptorist holiness; he was born near Quebec, Canada, one month after the death of Blessed Francis Seelos.

Accepted by the Redemptorists, he made his novitiate and priestly studies in Belgium and was ordained in 1892. He contracted tuberculosis and returned to Canada in 1895. Declining rapidly, he died in 1896 at age 29, at St Anne de Beaupre.

His priestly life was short, but he prayed much, suffered patiently and trusted in God's love. Dying, he suddenly sang Mary's Magnificat. His cause for canonization is progressing in Rome; he is a model for all those who take God seriously wherever they find themselves in life.

Thanks to the Redemptorists of North America 

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passerat

Feast Day: 30th October

 

Joseph Passerat was born in Joinville, France, in 1772. He served as a drum major and Quartermaster in Napoleon's army until one day he skipped into Germany. His quest for the priesthood led him to Warsaw, where under the direction of Saint Clement, he entered the Redemptorists. For 20 years, Clement used Passerat in his plans for expansion and chose him to succeed him as vicar general of all the Redemptorists in northern Europe. Passerat sent the first six Redemptorists to the U.S. in 1832, and for 28 years, fostered the American Mission. Saint Clement called him the Great Pray-er, a legacy that he has stamped upon the New World Redemptorists. His cause for Canonization is progressing in Rome.

Thanks to the Redemptorists of North America 

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 phoca_thumb_l_trcka3 Feast Day:  25th August

 

 

Dominic Methodius was born July 6th 1886 in Frydlant, Moravia (now the Czech Republic).  He joined the Redemptorists in 1902, professed his vows on August 25th 1904 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 17th 1910. He was committed to his assignment of preaching missions.

As a Redemptorist missionary, he was sent in 1919 to work among the Greek Catholics of Galicia (Ukraine) and Slovakia. In 1946, he established the Redemptorist Vice Province of Michalovce of the Ukrainian Rite. Between 13th and 14th April, 1950, the Czech government suppressed all religious orders. Consequently, several Redemptorists alongside other people spent 40 days walking barefoot under spotlight day and night, dressed only in the clothes on their backs.

Dominic Methodius was tried and sentenced to twelve years imprisonment, enduring terrible interrogations and tortures. He was kept in the tough prison of Leopaldor. During the Christmas season of 1958, he was caught singing a hymn, and was put into solitary detention. This made him suffer severe privation, cold and restricted condition. He died of pneumonia 23rd March, 1959.

 

He was beatified on 4th November, 2001 by Pope John Paul II. 

 

 

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ukrainian_church_manchester_smallBishop Nicholas Charnetsky (1884-1959)

Bishop Vasyl Velychkovsky (1903-73)

Father Zenon Kovalyk (1903-41)

Father Ivan Ziatyk (1899-1952)

 

        Feast Day: June 28 in  the UK

and June 27 in Ukraine

                           

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 Nicholas Charnetsky was born in Semakivci in Halychyna, Western Ukraine, in 1884. He completed his theological studies in Rome and was ordained a diocesan priest in 1909. After obtaining his doctorate in theology, he was spiritual director and professor of theology at the major seminary in Stanislaviv. 

He entered the Redemptorist novitiate in Zboisk in 1919 and was professed in 1920. During his early years he was assigned to teach in the minor seminary and subsequently to the giving of popular missions. He was ordained bishop in 1931 and appointed the Apostolic Visitor to the Ukrainian Catholics of Volyn. From 1931-39, he ministered to the people of Volyn, Polisia, Pidliasia, and Belorussia. During World War II he was in Lviv, ministering pastorally and teaching at the theological academy. From 1945-56, he was imprisoned in about 30 Soviet labour camps and prisons.

Following his release in 1956, he returned to Lviv and acted as bishop of the suppressed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine. He died in 1959.

 

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Vasyl (Basil) Velychkovsky was born in Stanislaviv, Western Ukraine, in 1903. He studied at the Major Seminary in Lviv and was ordained a deacon in 1923. He entered the Redemptorists as a deacon, professed vows in 1925, and was ordained a priest shortly after. After teaching at the minor seminary in Zboisk, Vasyl worked as a missionary for the next 20 years in rural Ukraine. He was arrested in 1945 and was condemned to death, but the death sentence was commuted to 10 years imprisonment. He was released in 1955.

He was consecrated bishop by Metropolitan Slipyj in a hotel room in Moscow in 1963. He became the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukraine. Arrested once more in 1969, he spent three years in prison. In the spring of 1972, near death, he was exiled from Ukraine. He died in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1973. It is believed that his death was caused by a slow-acting poison administered prior to his release from prison.

 

 

 

 phoca_thumb_l_kovalykZenon Kovalyk was born in 1903 in Ivachiv Horishniy near Ternopil in 1903. He joined the Redemptoristsand professed vows in 1926. He studied philosophy and theology in Belgium and was ordained in 1932. He went with Bishop Charnetsky to Volyn as a parish missionary and subsequently to Stanislaviv where he also conducted missions.

Zenon was a fearless preacher of God's Word and love of the Mother of God. He was arrested by the Soviets in 1940. While in prison he continued his pastoral ministry among the prisoners.

When the Soviet prisons were opened on the arrival of the invading German army, Father Zenon's body was found crucified to a wall of the prison of Zamartynivska in 1941.

  

 

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Ivan Ziatyk was born in 1899 in Odrekhova, southwest of Sanok (now part of Poland). He entered the Ukrai­nian Catholic Seminary in Peremyshl in 1919 and was ordained in 1923. He became prefect of the seminarians and taught theology and catechetics. He joined the Redemptorists in 1935, professing vows in 1936. He taught Scripture and dogmatic theology at the Redemptorist seminary in Holosko (near Lviv). Subsequent assignments were to the monastery in Ternopil as well as to the minor seminary in Zboisk (near Lviv) where he was superior of the community. The difficult situation in which the Ukrainian Catholic Church found itself (with all its bishops arrested and with the Belgian Provincial expelled), resulted in Father Ivan holding the posts of the Provincial of the Redemptorists and the Vicar General of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was arrested in 1950 and condemned to 10 years imprisonment, but died of a savage beating in 1952.

The four Redemptorists were among 25 Ukrainian martyrs beatified during the papal visit to Lviv in 2001.

 

Source: Sacramentary and Lectionary Supplement, The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Raymond Corriveau, C.Ss.R., editor. (Liguori, Missouri: North American Redemptorist Spirituality Commission, 2007.)

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