From a commemorative booklet a summation explained the Redemptorists’ foundation and arrival to America: “The Redemptorists were founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori in 1732 in Italy. The first Redemptorists arrived in America in 1832. In the recorded traditions of the congregation, the story is told that St. Alphonsus saw a ship bound for New Orleans, leaving the Port of Naples. He said, ‘One day, my sons will carry the truths of the Gospel to many a weary soul in that distant city; and there they will abide.’ Father Peter Czackert was the first Redemptorist to minister in New Orleans. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, CSsR, ordained in 1844, also had ministered in New Orleans for a year before succumbing to yellow fever on Oct. 4, 1867. His priestly ministry had involved training future Redemptorists, parish work, preaching missions and retreats. Many miracles have been attributed to Father Seelos during his life and after his death. His shrine now exists in St. Mary’s Assumption Church where he was pastor when he died.
    The vice province of New Orleans was created in 1952 because a superior general of the Order decided that the existing St. Louis Province was “too big, too far, too much travel and had too many men.” The West Coast became the Oakland Province and the states in the South became the New Orleans Vice Province. The Denver Province came into existence in 1996 with the merging of the provinces of Oakland and St. Louis. The only other Redemptorist province in the United States is the Province of Baltimore.

    Picton spoke of the reunification as “a new way to provide vision for the Redemptorists.” He added, “It is a way to bring talents and resources to use in a more effective way. It is a new way to imagine, to dream, to look at the mission of the Redemptorists in the world. The Redemptorists are committed to evangelize to those most in need — people who fall beneath the poverty line, women, young adults, children. We ask that you continue to walk with us in this journey of hope.”
    Father Joseph W. Tobin, CSsR, superior general of the worldwide congregation, said in his remarks, “As I visit the Redemptorists on all continents, I know we couldn’t do without the men and women who partner with us in carrying out our mission. The unification should also be a time of recommitment of all Redemptorists to the inspiration of St. Alphonsus: to celebrate our love for Jesus Christ and for one another.”
    In San Antonio, the Redemptorists of the New Orleans Vice Province have staffed the parishes of St. Gerard since 1911, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1913. The Redemptorists who are stationed in San Antonio at this time include Father Alton Carr, CSsR, Father Jose L. Chavez, CSsR, Father Gilbert A. Enderle, CSsR; Father John Farnik, CSsR, Brother Charles Fucik, CSsR, Father Monroe Perrier, CSsR, Father Francis Pham, CSsR, Father Robert Ruhnke, CSsR, Father Mark Scheffler, CSsR, Father Carl Schindler, CSsR, in addition to several seminarians. The reorganization of the provinces will not have an immediate effect on the Redemptorists’ presence in their ministries in San Antonio.