Diana Davenport presented the life and spirituality of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa at the August 18th Associates Meeting.
September 11th is Feast of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa
Maria Celeste Crostarosa and Alphonsus Liguori were both born in Naples in 1696. Thirty three years later they would begin working together as “Witnesses to the Redeemer,” founding both a contemplative order (The “Redemptoristines” in 1731) and an active congregation (The ”Redemptorists” in 1732). The Redemptoristines and Redemptorists remain united in their missionary solidarity with all humanity – especially with the abandoned and the poor.
“Lord God and Father, you have called me to relive in myself the mystery of Jesus, your well-beloved Son, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to pour out on the world the light of your love shining on the face of your Christ, the Savior of the world.”
– Maria Celeste Crostarosa
Maria Celeste was declared blessed June 18, 2016. For more see: Maria Celeste Biography by Diana Davenport and Redemptoristine St. Moira Quinn’s short video: Introducing Marie Celete Crostarosa
Fr Peter declares today – the feast of St Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists – a “red letter day.” Alphonsus responded the LORD’s call to serve the most abandoned – a service that, like Jeremiah’s in today’s first reading, became the joy and happiness of his heart. We, too, are called to the LORD’s service. How will we respond?