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February 25
NEWFOUNDLAND BISHOP AND ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI
In the Archdiocese of St. John’s at St. Teresa’s Parish, Mundy Pond, there is an order of priests known as the Redemptorist. This religious order has a fascinating history and some credit for helping this order grow into an internationally recognized religious order is attributed to Bishop John Thomas Mullock of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
In 1732, St Alphonsus [Alphonso Liguori] gathered around him, at Scala in the ancient Kingdom of Naples, a group of men who would dedicate themselves to the preaching of the good news of 'plentiful redemption' to those who were the poorest and most abandoned in society. On 25 February 1749, Pope Benedict XIV approved their Rule and thus officially brought into being the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer - commonly known as the Redemptorists.
An able linguist, fluent in Spanish, French, and Italian, John Thomas Mullock, Bishop of St. John’s, Newfoundland published The life of St. Alphonsus M. Liguori. He also translated A. M. de’Liguori, The history of heresies, and their refutation; or, the triumph of the church 2v., Dublin, 1847. Bishop Mullock was the first to bring before the English-speaking world the life and works of the great Saint.
It was the writings of Bishop Mullock that stirred young men to explore writings and teachings of St Alphonsus Liguori. Many would join the congregation helping the order expand to every corner of the world.
The Redemptorist congregation has been officially associated with the Archdiocese of St. John’s since 1956 when Archbishop Skinner installed Patrick Mann, a Redemptorist priest, as the Pastor of St. Teresa’s Parish. The parish continues to function under the direction of the Redemptorists.
Suggested Reading:
The life of St. Alphonsus M. Liguori by John Thomas Mullock Dublin, 1846
A. M. de’Liguori, The history of heresies, and their refutation; or, the triumph of the church translated by John Thomas Mullock (2v., Dublin, 1847; 2nd ed., 1857).
Archival fonds: Bishop John Thomas Mullock fonds 104
Exhibit: Visit the Basilica Cathedral Museum and Library. Home to the Mullock Library. Over 5000 volumes date from 1524 – 1869.
It should come as no surprise than that the Mullock library in St. John’s contains a number of books on or by Ligouri including Liguori’s “An Exposition and Defense of All of the Points of the Faith Discussed and Defined by the Sacred Council of Trent” - translated by a Catholic Clergymen. The anonymous clergyman that translated the work some scholars suggest was most certainly Mullock in 1846.
Also found in the library is an original copy of Monsignor de Liguori’s 1781 (Dissertation on Moral Theology) “Dissertazioni Teologiche Morali Appartenenti Alla Vita Etera Opera” Mullock’s signature on this book suggests that he was reading and owned a copy of Liguori as early as 1837. He signs the book Father Mullock and indicates that he is at the Propaganda Fide in Rome.
There is also an Italian issue of Aparecchio Alla Morte by Liguori printed in 1852.
For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca
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Larry Dohey
Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s
P.O. Box 1363
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5M3
709-726-3660
E-mail: archives@nf.aibn.com
We hope that you have enjoyed this archival moment.
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