Provincial's Letter 9th February 2025...

Read the letter in full...

Redemptorists and Sisters of Notre Dame, a colourful history...

Bishop Robert Aston Coffin CSsR - Southwark Diocese

- bought Teignmouth (Devon) when he was Provincial Superior

"After the death of Dr. Danell, the second Bishop of Southwark, Father Coffin CSsR was chosen as his successor, and was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Howard, in the church of S. Alfonso, 11 June, 1882, taking possession of his see on 27 July. After an illness of several months, borne with great fortitude, Bishop Coffin CSsR died at Teignmouth, in the house of the Redemptorists which he himself had founded when Provincial." 1

When the Redemptorists left, the Sisters of Notre Dame SND took over the 'monastery' and ran a successful school there in Teignmouth.

Read on...

Gratitude to Sr Pat Gribbin SND

- part of our team in St Mary's Monastery Kinnoull, Perth, Scotland

Homily at Fr Joseph Doherty CSsR RIP Funeral...

Father Joseph Doherty, C.Ss.R.  - A Farewell from a Friend

Dear family of Fr Joseph and friends,

People say there is a page in the Gospel for each of us.  One, in particular, is a source of great hope and consolation.  It tells the story of an old man, Simeon, who lives on a promise.  He is unusual because his hopes are ahead of him, not behind him.  He is not fascinated by the past – he’s too interested in what’s going on now.  The English poet Philip Larkin explored old age in his poem The Old Fools:

Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms
Inside you head, and people in them, acting…
People you know, yet can't quite name; each looms
Like a deep loss restored.

That is where they live:
Not here and now, but where all happened once.

Simeon is not living in lighted rooms in his head where all happened once. This venerable pensioner is alive to the here and now, waiting for the one who will be his consolation and the consolation of all peoples.  In spite of the arithmetic of his years, he inclines forwards not backwards; he hungers for new signs of God’s presence, and waits the day when he can experience God’s presence in the flesh.

His stubborn waiting is rewarded.  One day Mary and Joseph bring their child to the Temple.  Luke’s Gospel paints a wonderful picture: the old man takes the newly born child from the young mother and holds him in his arms.  Old age welcomes into its arms the fragility of God.  Simeon prays the prayer of happy old age, the Nunc Dimittis. Through his old age you hear fresh wonder; through his wrinkles you hear poetry. In the old translation:

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,

according to thy word;

for mine eyes have seen thy salvation

which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.”

It was clear to Simeon that no woman or man or child would ever have to face life alone.  In all the moments of life, the times when we are hurt and haunted, the times when we feel lucky and graced, Christ would be there.  More than this: Christ would be there at the moment of death.  And that was why Simeon was not afraid to die.  He could depart in peace because he knew that the child he held for a few moments in his arms would one day hold him in an everlasting embrace. 

Read more: Homily at Fr Joseph Doherty CSsR RIP Funeral...

From Buenos Aires to the Vatican...

The Autobiography of Pope Francis Brims with Humanity, Compassion, and a Call to Action for a Fractured World

Pope Francis has always been known as a man of the people. From the slums of Buenos Aires to the grandeur of the Vatican, his life has been a testament to resilience, empathy, and faith. In his autobiography Hope, Francis takes readers on an intimate journey through the pivotal moments that shaped him – not as a spiritual leader but as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a man deeply rooted in family, community, and a tireless pursuit of justice.

At its heart, Hope is a story about how the small, often unnoticed decisions of history can change everything. It is a story that begins long before the Pope himself, in the hills of Italy, where his grandparents faced a choice that would define their lives – and, eventually, the lives of millions.

A Ship That Almost Sank a Dream

One of the most gripping moments in Hope is the story of the SS Principessa Mafalda, a ship that set sail from Genoa in October 1927, destined for South America. Described as “the Italian Titanic,” the ship tragically sank off the Brazilian coast, claiming the lives of hundreds of migrants seeking a better future.

Francis writes with vivid clarity about how his grandparents, Giovanni and Rosa, had planned to be on that voyage. “My grandparents had bought their ticket for that long crossing,” he recalls. “But they didn’t take it. Hard as they tried, they couldn’t sell what they owned in time. In the end, reluctantly, the Bergoglio family was forced to exchange their ticket and delay their departure.”

It was a twist of fate that saved the family from a watery grave. “You can’t imagine how many times I have found myself thanking Divine Providence,” Francis reflects. His grandparents’ delayed journey would eventually take them to Argentina, where they began anew—a journey marked by resilience, sacrifice, and faith.

Roots in Migration, Lessons in Humanity

For Francis, the story of his family’s migration is not merely personal; it is deeply symbolic of the struggles faced by millions of migrants today. His reflections on migration are among the most poignant passages in the book. “People still went,” he writes of those who left Italy for America. “Out of poverty above all; sometimes out of anger; for a change of fortune; to escape from the tragedy of a world war… or in search of a better standard of living.”

The journey was rarely easy. Francis recounts how his grandmother Rosa stitched the family’s valuables into the lining of her coat to protect them from theft during their voyage. “She wore that coat even in the searing heat of Buenos Aires, as if it were her armour,” he writes. “She was a luchadora – a fighter.”

This sense of resilience and determination has left an indelible mark on Francis. It is why, as Pope, he has spoken so fiercely against the “globalisation of indifference” that he believes fuels the suffering of migrants today. “Why them and not me?” he asks, a question that reverberates throughout the book.

A Grandmother’s Influence

Among the many figures who shaped Pope Francis, none loom larger than his grandmother Rosa. Her strength, faith, and practicality are woven into the fabric of his life. “She was the one who sealed my religiosity,” he writes, recalling how she introduced him to prayer and the values of the Gospel.

Rosa’s influence extended beyond the spiritual. Francis recalls her courage in confronting a thief who tried to rob her café during World War I. “She didn’t think of running away. Instead, she grabbed a broom, went downstairs, and, shouting and beating him as hard as she could, sent the thief packing,” he writes with evident admiration.

Her resilience in the face of adversity became a blueprint for Francis’s own approach to life. “From her, I learned that holiness is found in perseverance, in facing the trials of life with dignity and faith,” he writes.

Read more: From Buenos Aires to the Vatican...

Fr Joseph Doherty CSsR RIP...

CSsR Pilgrimage 2025 - London to Napoli and the Amalfi Coast...

Come on Pilgrimage with us this year 2025 where we will walk in the footsteps

(and get the coach too, so don't worry)

of St Alphonsus Maria de'Liguori and St Gerard Majella CSsR.

The places we will visit are beautiful, stunning and prayerful.

The scenery is among the best in all Italy!

Our accomodation will be in Sorrento in a very fine hotel.

Simply email

and we will get to back you with more particular details.

Pilgrimage in the footsteps of Ss Alphonsus & Gerard...May 2025

Join us!

 Email:

Rev Fr Louis de Buggenoms CSsR... died 1882...

In a conversation recently with Sr Patricia Gribbin SND, the subject of Fr Louis de Buggenoms came up and she shared a number of stories that she learned when doing her own research, for her Order, the Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

Our Fr de Buggenoms CSsR was the confreres who brought the SND to the UK - and we thank God for the amazing work they have done and currently do.

He was also the confrere who brought our Redemptoristine Nuns to Ireland.

Indeed he did great work in this Province of London and the Irish Province.

Sr Patricia SND gave this short article, written way back, to whet our whistle! Hopefully there will be more stories from our dear Sr Pat. 

Enjoy!

+++ +++ +++ +++ +++  +++ +++ +++ +++ +++

FIFTY YEARS AT MOUNT ST. ALPHONSUS, LIMERICK. 

1853 - 1903

REV.  FATHER  LOUIS  DE  BUGGENOMS CSsR. 

We  pass  on  to  give  some  details  of  the  Father who  had  the  most  important  and  difficult part  in  the  foundation. 

LOUIS  DE  BUGGENOMS  was  born  in Liege,  Belgium,  on  the  2nd  March,  1816. He  was  of  excellent  family  and  had  every opportunity  of  cultivating  the  more  than ordinary  talent  with  which  he  was  endowed. 

His  surroundings  at  College  were  dangerous and  he  paints  a sad  picture  of  the  morals  of the  youth  at  that  time.  But  God  had  given  him an extraordinary  gift  of  faith,  and  this,  with certain  circumstances favourable  to  him,  pre- served his  soul  from  contamination.  Indeed, if  it  be  permitted  to  say  so,  his  faith  would seem  to  have  been  excessive.  As  a mere  child he  had  realised,  so  intensely,  the  presence  and greatness  of  God  that,  left  to  himself,  he  be- came full  of  fear.  This  state  of  mind  had  its advantages  and  disadvantages  ; its  advantages because  it  kept  him  from  sin,  its  disadvantages since  it  made  his  spiritual  nature  unduly  hard. 

Read more: Rev Fr Louis de Buggenoms CSsR... died 1882...

Redeemer's Times - News from Zimbabwe...

Read all about it!