The Redemptoristines
The Red Nuns, as they are called, see themselves as global missionaries connected to the world through their fervent offerings to Christ on behalf of others.
A sense of fulfillment, joy, and community seems to be the recurring message shared by the Redemptoristine nuns. Their eyes were bright, their smiles broad, and their spirits benevolent, apropos of the remarks of Sr. Marcia Allen, CSJ, president-elect of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) at a news conference earlier in 2015 on the Year of Consecrated Life: “The service by women and men religious is fundamentally and directly a work of their order’s charism.” The charism of the Redemptoristines is prayer—to act as living memories of Jesus—to exemplify Christ’s all-encompassing redemptive love.
Following a vision of Venerable Sr. Maria Celeste Crostarosa, OSsR (declared venerable in 2013), with the support of St. Alphonsus Liguori, CSsR, the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) was founded in Italy on the feast of Pentecost, May 13, 1731. In 1957, the first U.S. convent was established in New York. Three years later, the Redemptoristine monastery in Liguori, MO, was founded. Two of the eight founding sisters—Canadian transplants Sr. Eleanor Wilkinson, OSsR, and Sr. Barbara Armstrong, OSsR—remain with the community in Liguori. Today there are more than forty Redemptoristine communities throughout the world.
Before answering their vocational calling, the sisters led a variety of occupations. Sr. Nanette Durham, OSsR, who has been with the order for forty years, worked as a pharmacist. Sr. Maria Celeste Kay, OSsR, a Thailand native, has been with the order for twenty-two years, after serving as a United Nations secretary in Bangkok. Working as a translator for UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund), she saw firsthand the oppression of the forlorn. And while she was happy and found her work worthwhile, something was missing. Her love for solitude and prayer led her to the Redemptoristines. “I know this is God’s place for me. I feel full,” says Sr. Maria Celeste.
Prioress Sr. Jan Klein, OSsR, worked at Rockwell International, where she built communication devices—and not cell phones: think circuit boards for Boeing. She agrees with the sentiment of her spiritual director, who warned her that her greatest joy of religious life could also be her greatest challenge. “Community is a blessing and also your cross to bear. It’s difficult to give up a piece of yourself.”
Throughout a normal day, the sisters come together five times for the Liturgy of the Hours. In addition, they commemorate Christ in regimented times of silence, carve aside time for private meditation and devotionals, and—in line with their charism—heed in the charge of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” In her twenty-six years with the Redemptoristines, Sr. Jan recognizes that with this constant examination, forgiveness comes easily.
Sr. Anne Marie Gool, OSsR, has devoted forty-four years to the Red Nuns, as they’re affectionately called, primarily for their habits of deep red, the color for charity and love. In reflection, Sr. Anne Marie admits she had no intention of becoming a nun. When she envisioned her future, it included marriage and a big family, but God had other plans. “I have a large family here with the sisters, and through prayer [and God’s intercession], I can reach others.” She agrees with Sr. Jan that, for her, the greatest joy of her vocation is the sense of community. “Everyone works together,” she says. “There is an abundance of support and love; it’s very uplifting.”
When asked what advice they would give to someone discerning a religious vocation, the sisters were sensitive to the essence of human reality and the struggle with sacrifice—of self, family, and stuff. The Redemptoristines offer an annual “Come and See,” where single Catholic women are invited to share in a week of prayer and community life to discern their spiritual calling. Ultimately, the consensus is to heed the voice—the inner yearning for a more intimate union with Jesus the Redeemer.
The misperception might be that the sisters’ work in emulating the hidden life of Jesus in seclusion and prayer lacks purpose or is a waste of time—especially when there is so much need throughout the world for physical intercession. But to that, Sr. Eleanor would say: “Many underestimate the power of prayer.” The sisters receive numerous prayer requests online, via the phone, and mail. The Redemptoristines see themselves as global missionaries connected to the world through their fervent offerings to Christ on behalf of others.
When asked what advice they would give to someone discerning a religious vocation, the sisters were sensitive to the essence of human reality and the struggle with sacrifice—of self, family, and stuff. The Redemptoristines offer an annual “Come and See,” where single Catholic women are invited to share in a week of prayer and community life to discern their spiritual calling. Ultimately, the consensus is to heed the voice—the inner yearning for a more intimate union with Jesus the Redeemer.
The misperception might be that the sisters’ work in emulating the hidden life of Jesus in seclusion and prayer lacks purpose or is a waste of time—especially when there is so much need throughout the world for physical intercession. But to that, Sr. Eleanor would say: “Many underestimate the power of prayer.” The sisters receive numerous prayer requests online, via the phone, and mail. The Redemptoristines see themselves as global missionaries connected to the world through their fervent offerings to Christ on behalf of others. To learn more, visit: Redemptoristinenuns.org.
