On December 8th, as Redemptorists, we celebrate in a special way. When St. Alphonsus Liguori founded the missionary Congregation in 1732, he placed our religious family under the patronage of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception. Today we particularly venerate her and give ourselves to her as sons, just as St. Alphonsus Liguori did.
Constitution no. 32:
Let them [the Redemptorists] take the Blessed Virgin Mary as their model and helper. For she went on her pilgrim way in faith, and embraced with her whole heart the saving will of God. She dedicated herself completely as a handmaid of the Lord to the person of her Son and to his work, and thus served the mystery of redemption. Indeed she still serves it, as the perpetual help of God’s people in Christ. Therefore, let them relate to her as a mother with all the love and veneration they owe her as sons.Let them be generous in fostering devotion, especially of a liturgical nature, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and celebrate her feasts with special fervor.All the confreres will honour the Blessed Virgin Mary every day, following the tradition of Saint Alphonsus. To all is recommended the recitation of the holy rosary, so that with grateful hearts they may reflect upon and imitate the mysteries of Christ in which Mary had a share.
General Statute, no. 05:
The members honour the Most Holy Redeemer as the titular patron of the Congregation. They honour the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the lmmaculate Conception, under which title she has been officially designated patroness of the Congregation. They honour her also under the title of Mother of Perpetual Help, and the Congregation has been commissioned by the Holy See to spread devotion to her under this title. They honour Saint Joseph; the holy Apostles; Saint Alphonsus, their founder, their father and model; Saint Clement, renowned for his part in spreading the Congregation; Saint Gerard, who is especially the model of the brothers’ life; Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, outstanding for his pastoral zeal, and Blessed Peter Donders, distinguished for his missionary service directed to the salvation of the whole human person; and also Blessed Kaspar Stanggassinger, tirelessly devoted to the promotion of priestly and religious vocations, and Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli, faithful companion of St. Alphonsus.
