redemptorist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Academic
Quick answer
What does “redemptorist” mean?
A member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers founded by Saint Alphonsus Liguori in 1732, dedicated to preaching, especially to the poor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers founded by Saint Alphonsus Liguori in 1732, dedicated to preaching, especially to the poor.
The term can refer to the order itself, its institutions (e.g., schools, parishes), or its characteristic spiritual and missionary ethos.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The order operates internationally under the same name.
Connotations
Carries the same religious and historical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general usage in both regions, primarily appearing in Catholic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “redemptorist” in a Sentence
member of the Redemptoristsa Redemptorist from [country]the Redemptorist congregation in [city]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redemptorist” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Redemptorist mission in Glasgow is well-known.
- He follows the Redemptorist rule of life.
American English
- The Redemptorist parish in Chicago is active.
- She studied Redemptorist history in college.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or religious studies contexts discussing Catholic orders.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside discussions of Catholicism or specific local churches/institutions.
Technical
Specific to Catholic ecclesiology and religious order nomenclature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “redemptorist”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redemptorist”
- Writing it in lowercase (e.g., 'a redemptorist').
- Using it as a common noun for any redeemer.
- Omitting the definite article when referring to the order (e.g., 'He joined Redemptorists' should be 'He joined the Redemptorists').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are distinct Roman Catholic religious orders with different founders, histories, and charisms. Jesuits (Society of Jesus) were founded by Ignatius of Loyola and focus on education and intellectual apostolates, while Redemptorists focus on preaching, especially to the poor.
Yes, it is commonly used attributively (e.g., Redemptorist priest, Redemptorist monastery) to describe things pertaining to the order.
Yes, because it is a proper noun referring to a specific organisation, similar to 'Franciscan' or 'Benedictine'.
There is a separate religious order for women called the Redemptoristines (Order of the Most Holy Redeemer), which is a contemplative order founded in collaboration with Saint Alphonsus.
A member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers founded by Saint Alphonsus Liguori in 1732, dedicated to preaching, especially to the poor.
Redemptorist is usually formal, religious, academic in register.
Redemptorist: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈdɛm(p)t(ə)rɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈdɛm(p)tərɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A REDEEMing PRIEST (Redemptorist) who works for spiritual redemption.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS SERVICE IS A MISSION; SPIRITUAL SALVATION IS REDEMPTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Redemptorist' most appropriately used?