Redemptorist Archives
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Since 1832, when the first pioneer Redemptorists began working for souls in America, they have not only made history, but they have also accumulated a considerable stock of documents, images, and objects relating to the growth of the Catholic Church in the United States. In 1875, the American Province split into the Baltimore and old St. Louis provinces. Baltimore later assumed responsibility for the Vice-Provinces of San Juan Puerto Rico, Campo Grande in Brazil, Asunción in Paraguay, and Richmond. Since 2018 the Redemptorist Archives has housed the archival materials of the Denver Province, which include the former St. Louis and Oakland Provinces, and Vice-Provinces of Portland in Oregon, Bangkok in Thailand, Manaus in Brazil, and Nigeria.
The Archives is the repository for all Baltimore Province and Denver Province records, parish histories (less sacramental records), and personnel files of Redemptorists who were, or are, part of the American mission and its progenitors. The collections provide a rich perspective on the ministries carried on by Redemptorist bishops, priests, and brothers throughout the United States, as well as in the mission territories comprising their vice-provinces domestically and overseas. A 25,000-volume specialized library supports the research function of the archives and includes many unique or rare books. Together the collections make this repository among the most important religious archives in the United States. The Redemptorist Archives’ mission is to collect and preserve the heritage materials that touch on Redemptorist life, especially items that document their contributions to global Catholicism.
The Archives possess numerous collections, including the papers of St. John N. Neumann, the fourth bishop of Philadelphia, and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. Our holdings are particularly strong in matters relating to the immigrant experience of the 19th and 20th centuries, urban Catholicism, the Shroud of Turin, and the social dynamics of parish life before and after the Vatican Councils.
As sons of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Redemptorists are known for being especially adept in the field of moral theology, preaching missions, giving retreats, and serving the most impoverished members of society. Their legacy demonstrates in manifold ways how they have shared in the struggles and joys of the people of God.
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Archive News:
Archives reopens for onsite research
In keeping with the City of Philadelphia’s guidelines, we are delighted to open the Archive again beginning on Tuesday, June 1. Researchers wishing to make appointments may do so beginning May 21. At this time, we will host one researcher per day, and observe the CDC-recommended safety protocols. Research requests may continue as usual via email.
Hours:Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ESTThe archives are open to scholars and other qualified visitors by appointment. If you would like to make an appointment, please fill out the form below.
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Resources
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In the United States, the Redemptorists are divided into two provinces (Baltimore and Denver) and one vice province (Vietnamese Extra Patriam).
The Vietnamese Extra Patriam Vice Province was specifically created to work with Catholic Vietnamese and Japanese who fled to the United States after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
A province is financially self-sufficient and staffed with sufficient priests and brothers to do the work entrusted to it. A vice province is dependent on outside sources for support.
The Baltimore Province in the northeastern Unites States is the largest in terms of personnel, and historically the oldest province in North America. Despite its name, its headquarters are in Washington D.C.
In 1832, 100 years after their Congregation was founded, six Redemptorists sailed from Europe to the United States at the request of the American bishops.
They initially worked with American Indians. Establishing parishes and living in community posed extraordinary difficulties due to the migratory lifestyle of the people they began serving. The Redemptorists soon expanded their ministry to include other marginalized people, namely, Irish, German, and Slavic immigrants.
They ministered to the needs of the people and opened parishes and schools for them, frequently emphasizing the teaching of English, which was often poorly known, if at all, by these populations. In 1847, John Neumann, a Bohemian priest from New York who was the first Redemptorist to profess vows in the United States, was appointed Superior of all Redemptorists in America. Five years later, he was consecrated the fourth bishop of Philadelphia.
In 1850, the American Province, consisting of nine houses, was established from the Belgian Province, and headquartered at the Redemptorists’ seminary in Baltimore, from which it got its name as the Baltimore Province. Principal ministries included caring for the needs of immigrants, preaching parish missions, and establishing parishes as mission bases. Redemptorist ministries spread across the United States and Canada. Missions were established in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands, Brazil, and Paraguay.
By 1875, the Redemptorists had grown in numbers and multiplied their places of ministry. What had been one province and one vice province was divided into two provinces — the Province of Baltimore and the Province of St. Louis. The missionary spirit of the Redemptorists quickly spread into English-speaking Canada, and by 1918 the Province of Toronto was established.
In 1902, the Baltimore Province sent missionaries to Puerto Rico (established as a province, which includes the Dominican Republic, in 1984); to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1918; to the state of Campo Grande in Brazil in 1929 (established as a province in 1989); and to Paraguay in 1935 (established as a vice province in 1981 and established as its own province in 2010).
Following their founder’s tradition, the Redemptorists are leaders in the preaching of missions to parishes throughout the United States. This tradition can be seen in the fact that by 1910, nearly every parish in the United States had already experienced a Redemptorist mission.
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The following files (PDF) have been prepared by archives staff to aid researchers in locating information within our archives. Please contact the archivist for information about accessing these resources.
Blessed Francis X. Seelos, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Ronald G. Connors, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop William H. Gross, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Edward J. Harper, C.Ss.R.
Bishop William T. McCarty, C.Ss.R.
Bishop James E. McManus, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Bernard J. Nolker, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Thomas F. Reilly, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Aloysius J. Willinger, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John A. Duffy, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Louis F. Hartman, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Francis X. Murphy, C.Ss.R.
Archivio Generale Baltimore Province
Archivio Generale St. Louis Province
AGR St. Louis 12 inventory, volume 1
AGR St. Louis 12 inventory, volume 2
Archivio Generale Supplementary St. Louis Province
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Contact Us
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pjhayesphdgmail.comRedemptorist Archives of the Baltimore Province
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jvessredemptorists.netRedemptorist Archives of the Denver Province
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Institute for Redemptorist Historical StudiesNorth American
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The Institute is a group of Redemptorists, collaborators, and researchers who promote the study of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in the North American context. We seek to develop and facilitate original historical research as well as to preserve, promote, and provide access to the treasures of the North American Redemptorist heritage.
To read the Redemptorist North American Historical Bulletin, please click here.
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