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REDEMPTORIST PIONEERS
 Saint
Clement Mary Hofbauer, C.SS.R. 1751—1820
Clement Hofbauer is called the Second Founder of the Redemptorists. After
ordination in Italy, he was destined to plant the Congregation in the northern
heartlands of Europe, war-torn at that time by the ambitions of Napoleon. All
his plans for foundations came to nothing during his lifetime, but after his
death in Vienna in 1820, Redemptorists, energized with his spirit, began a
period of remark-able expansion. Unwelcome in Europe, he made plans to go to the
New World, to Canada or the United States. These, too, were frustrated, but his
disciples would come. Canonized in 1909, he is known as the Patron Saint of
Vienna. The frustrated find him a powerful intercessor for interior peace.
 Venerable
Joseph Passerat, C.SS.R. 1772—1858
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.
 Saint
John Neumann, C.SS.R. 1811—1860
Bohemian-born John Nepomucene Neumann was ordained in 1836 for the diocese of
New York. Desiring community support, he became a Redemptorist in 1842. Five
years later he was appointed superior of all Redemptorists in America. Then in
1852, the Holy Father named him bishop of Philadelphia. He founded the parochial
school system in the U.S.; promoted the Forty Hours Devotion; authored several
catechisms for German immigrant children. He died suddenly on the streets of
Philadelphia in 1860; he was only 48 years old. Daily duties performed
faithfully and well made him a saint. He was canonized in 1977. Cures are
numerous at his tomb in Saint Peter's Church, Philadelphia.
 Blessed
Francis Xavier Seelos, C.SS.R. 1819—1867
Francis Seelos came to America from Germany as a Redemptorist novice at 23 with
a desire to help abandoned German immigrants. Ordained in 1844, he was a parish
priest in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cumberland, Annapolis, Detroit and New Orleans.
In 1860 he averted being appointed bishop of Pittsburgh by informing the Pope of
how unqualified he was. He was a kindly parish priest, compassionate confessor
and spiritual guide, prudent seminary professor and director, itinerant mission
preacher. He died in New Orleans in the 1867 yellow fever epidemic, contracted
while ministering to the sick. He was beatified in 2000.
His shrine in Saint
Mary of the Assumption, New Orleans, solaces many a sorrow.
 Venerable
Alfred Pampalon, C.SS.R. 1867—1896
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
Ste-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.
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