All roads lead to Divino Amor Chapel Redemptorist every Wednesday as devotees from all walks of life attend the novena mass to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This church just like the one in Baclaran is the place of profound devotion for most Batanguenos.
Stalls around the church do a thriving trade selling candles, rosaries, novenas, as well as food like bibingka for the hungry churchgoers. The teeming crowds snarl traffic on major roads in the city; a usual thing that happens every Wednesday.
The Redemptorist is run by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (better known as Redemptorist Missionaries). It was founded by St. Alphonsus de Liguori in Scala, Southern Italy on November 9, 1732. The Redemptorist Missionaries was found to work for the “most abandoned.” Abandoned both by the government as well as by the Church.
St. Alphonsus began with just four comapanions but later others joined him. During his time it spread throughout Italy and Northern Europe. At present there are almost 6,000 Redemptorist priests and brothers throughout the world.
The Redemptorist Missionaries came to the Philippines in 1906 in response to the challenges to the Church similar to the challenges faced by St. Alphonsus during his time. There are 102 Redemptorist strategically distributed in 10 communities, 5 in Luzon, 5 in the Visayas and 2 in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the Redemptorist Missionaries are called and challenged by the Father to: “Continue the mission of Jesus the Redeemer, who said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring the Good News to the poor; to proclaim liberty to captives and to give new sight to the blind, to free the opressed and announce the Lord’s year of mercy.” (Lk 4:18-19) and help the people experience His dream for them, “fullness of life” (Jn 10:10) in Jesus, in whom is found “plentiful redemption.” (Ps 127:7)
To fullfill this primary calling of continuing the mission of Jesus the Redeemer, the Redemptorist are engaged in the following ministries: Evangelization, helping parishes in setting up BEC’s, Church apostolate, parishes, retreats, ministry to migrant workers, and other ministries. The aim of any Redemptorist ministry is to help the people experience the dream of the Father, “fullness of life” in Jesus in whom is found plentiful redemption.
The success of their mission and ministries depend very much on the prayer and union with the Redeemer and His Blessed Mother. As a community and as individuals they cultivate a life of deep prayer. As they strive to continue the mission of Jesus. The Redeemer, so also they strive to live a life of deep union with Him.
As Redemptorist Missionaries, they do not work alone. They work as a community of priests, brothers, seminarians and lay collaborators. Together they plan and implement their ministries, pray and celebrate, live and eat and work with the people and share their hopes and struggles.
Faithful to their mission and inspiration of St. Alphonsus, they direct their ministries to the socially underpriviledged wherever they are found. As Redemptorists they choose to work and serve with them.
Right now, the church is under renovation and we hope that more people will continue to help make this project a reality. This is our chance to give back to our Redemptorist priests and brothers our support for their unceasing effort on extending hands for the underpriviledged and the abandoned.
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