273 years ago, on February 25, 1749, Pope Benedict XIV, after hearing the opinion of the Cardinals of the Holy Congregation of the Council [from 1967: Congregation for the Clergy], approved the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and its Rule in the apostolic letter ‘Ad Pastoralis Dignitatis fastigium’. The papal approval contributed to an increase in vocations to the new Institute.
P. Berthe, one of St. Alphonsus’ biographers, so describes this event:
Fr. Villani had obtained from the Most Eminent Cardinals the approval of the Institute and the Rules of our Congregation. Still, it was necessary to obtain from the Pope the confirmation of the decree of the Cardinals and the sending of the Brief of approval.
Villani asked for an audience with the Pontiff to request this last grace.
Finally, on February 25, the Apostolic Letters in Forma Brevis were published with the approval of the “Institute and Rules of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer”.
Furthermore, Pope Benedict XIV granted, among other spiritual privileges, the officium with the octave of the Most Holy Redeemer and the privilege of reciting this officium once a month.
(P. Berthe, Vita di S. Alfonso, I, p.380).
