Redemptorists — Edmonton-Toronto Province

Mission

We establish missionary centres to respond to the real needs of the Canadian church in a local situation and context. In each place, we serve through a variety of ministries, and strive to live and proclaim the redeeming Christ among “the most abandoned.” We do this as an apostolic community in collaboration with the world, the local church and the laity. Our Charism draws us to the work of evangelization to the poor and abandoned where we find ourselves, especially through mission preaching, inner-city ministry, youth and young adult ministry, parish ministry, parish and television devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, bioethics, and social justice.

Explanation

St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church – renowned for his writings in spirituality and moral theology, founded the Redemptorist Congregation in 1732 near Naples. St. Alphonsus was very pastoral in his approach. He fought against the heresy of Jansenism which was slowly creeping into popular faith practice, keeping people bound up in guilt, and not recognizing the real gift of God’s presence in their lives. Alphonsus taught ordinary people how to pray and to be drawn closer to our God, who is as close to us, as our dearest friend. No matter the sin, the greater the gift of God’s plentiful love and Redemption. His teachings on conscience, emphasis on evangelization, especially among the poor and abandoned, provided the foundation for the Congregation to grow throughout the world. St. Alphonsus remains to be an inspiration to the teaching of the Church, and to the mission, community and prayer life of the Redemptorists.

Our Motto says it all: Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio – With Him there is Plentiful Redemption.