A Joyful Unveiling: Painting of Blessed Marie Celeste Finds a New Home
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March 27, 2024A painting of Blessed Marie Celeste, foundress of the Redemptoristines, has found a new home with our Partners in Mission at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Boston.
In a moment filled with excitement, the Partners in Mission group of the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with Fr. Tom Travers, CSsR, and Fr. Jim Wallace, CSsR, recently experienced a unique monthly gathering.
The occasion was marked by the introduction of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa. As the group delved into the pages of Nancy Fearon's biography of Saint Alphonsus, "Never Stop Walking," to learn more about the relationship between St. Alphonsus Liguori and Blessed Celeste, Fr. Tom made special arrangements to introduce a painting of Blessed Celeste to the group.
This piece of art had been previously displayed at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, New York, until the Redemptorists departed in 2012. Patrick Hayes, Ph.D., the Archivist for the Baltimore Province of the Redemptorists, facilitated this occasion. Through his efforts, the painting of Blessed Celeste was brought back into circulation for the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish community to cherish.
The history behind the painting adds a layer of depth to its significance. In 1947, Redemptoristine Nuns embarked on a journey from England to Toronto, Canada. Two years later, they settled in Barrie, Ontario, where the community flourished with an overabundance of new religious vocations. Sr. Moira K. Quinn, OSsR, Superior of the Redemptoristine Nuns of New York, explained that in the late 1950s, as some Sisters ventured to establish new monasteries outside of Canada, Sr. Mary Gerard, OSsR, from the Barrie monastery painted a series of Blessed Celeste artworks.
These paintings became parting gifts for the departing sisters, with one also finding its way to the Redemptorists at Mount St. Alphonsus. Fr. Tom Travers' foresight in bringing this painting to the Partners in Mission group of The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual is a vision realized.
Beautifully symbolizing the connection between the Redemptorists and Redemptoristines that stems from a common origin and purpose, this gesture not only honors the history shared by the two institutes, but also reflects the deep spiritual bond that unites them.
The Blessed Celeste artwork will soon be placed in a permanent and fitting location. Currently, the painting is being displayed in a meeting room used by Partners in Mission for its monthly gatherings, as well as by various other groups.
May the enduring spirits of St. Alphonsus and Blessed Celeste serve as perpetual inspiration, intertwining, inspiring and guiding Partners in Mission and parishioners alike to be forever united in the Redeemer.