The Redemptoristine Nuns of Liguori, Founded in Italy by Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa and Saint Alphonsus Liguori in 1731 as an Order of contemplative nuns has opened a new monastery in the northeast of Thailand.
Sr. Joan Claver O.Ss.R, prioress and founder of the new monastery in Thailand, speaking to CNA said, “Our contribution to the world’s need is prayer.”
“We have great admiration for apostolic work like preaching or nursing and family life, but we as Redemptoristine nuns are called to this distinct way of contemplative prayer life,” she explained. “All together we contribute to build a better society and a better world.”
In 2011, a few members of the Redemptoristine nuns arrived from St. Louis, Missouri to open a monastery of Redemptoristine nuns in Thailand. As a contemplative monastic order, prayer is the heart of their lives.
Throughout a normal day, the sisters come together five times for the Liturgy of the Hours. They rise at 6.30am for meditation and morning prayer, eat in silence and only watch the news ‘a couple of evenings a week. They commemorate Christ in regimented times of silence, carve aside time for private meditation and devotionals, and—in line with their charisma—heed in the charge of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” They leave the monastery only when necessary to shop or attend to other errands.
Now their priory has five members: four nuns and one aspirant.
The Redemptoristine nuns with their red habit, black veil, and medal of the Risen Redeemer are a sign of Christ’s redeeming love. They also wear a scapular and a blue choir-mantle with a colored medallion of the Most Holy Redeemer. Around their waist is a belt that incorporates a 15 decade rosary which hangs at the side bearing a medal upon one side of which are embossed the emblems of the Savior’s passion
“We follow a life of prayer in every moment right from the time we wake till rest,” Sister Maria Suphavadi Kamsamran, a Thai Redemptoristine sister, told CNA. “Our meditation ranges from Jesus Christ’s infancy in the crib to the Passion on the Cross and the Holy Eucharist which are our spiritual sources.”
“We are grateful to God and to the Diocese of Nakhon Ratchasima for granting us support in our prayer ministry,” Sister Maria said.
Following a vision of Venerable Sr. Maria Celeste Crostarosa, OSsR (declared venerable in 2013), with the support of St. Alphonsus Liguori, CSsR, the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) was founded in Italy on the feast of Pentecost, May 13, 1731. Pope Francis has approved the beatification of Ven. Maria Celeste Crostarosa. The beatification ceremony is scheduled for June 18.
Even though several parts of the building isn’t completely furnished, the new monastery is built to have a private chapel, cloister cells for nuns and a refectory.
According to CNA, Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut, during a thanksgiving Mass for the Monastery on Oct. 31, 2015 said, “I want the diocese to be also a focal center of prayer.”
The bishop said the monastery will serve as a “beacon of prayer” that will revitalize the region, be a testimony of hope, and strengthen prayer life in the region.
“People will get to know our silent contemplative monastic way of life,” the bishop added.
