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Mercedarians-U.S.A. News
Video on Br. Scott Brentwood’s Ordination Brings Home His Roots
Three hours after posting, our video of the Dec. 10 ordination of Deacon Scott Brentwood has taken off like a rocket. The seven-minute video was viewed by nearly four hundred persons in that time on Gloria TV. (See video.) The video weaves images of the rustic Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia where Deacon Scott grew up and has many pictures of his ordination by Most Rev. Giuseppe Mani, the archbishop of Cagliari, against the backdrop of the historic Shrine of Our
- Read MoreNews from Around the United States Vicariate
The Vicariate in the United States is composed of six houses in the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Here is some news going on in several of these houses. A Mercedarian takes part in the Extraordinary Form Mass on the Feast of St. Stephen, Cleveland, OH A beautiful and successful Solemn Mass for the patronal feast of St. Stephen was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church in Cleveland on Tuesday, December 27, 2011! Those who took part in the
- Read MoreFriar Celebrates the Silver Jubilee of Religious Vows
Fr James Mayer, O. de M. celebrated his 25th anniversary of relgious vows in the Order of BVM of Mercy. Br Daniel gives this account of the celebration: On August 14, 2011, family, friends, priests, religious, and many of the lay faithful joined our Mercedarian friars in celebrating the Silver Jubilee of Religious Vows of Reverend Father James W. Mayer, O. de M. at a special mass at Saint Rocco Catholic Church, Cleveland, Ohio. Saint Rocco, besides being Father’s home
- Read MoreSummer time still an active time for Mercedarian Students
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. The month of May ushers in a time of transition for the Mercedarian students in Philadelphia. The month begins with the pressure of final exams at St Charles Borromeo Seminary and other Colleges the Friars attend. Studies can be challenging as the seminarians learn the classics such as Latin, Greek, and philosophy. As they progress in their academic formation, the
- Read MoreAmazing India
Fr Ken Breen, Mercedarian priest, spent 13 years as a missionary in India. Here is his story. It all began in the fall of 1996. I attended our 3 week once in a lifetime permanent formation encounter taking place at our community in San Felice, Circeo, Italy and it was during this time, seeing photos of the children adopted by our parishoners in Italy and hearing our Provincial‘s concern: a longing for someone to go to help out at our
- Read MoreTeen’s Plans Take Unexpected Twist Toward Religious Life
As a boy, he had one idea, and his uncle had another. Fr. Tony M. Fortunato, O. de M., here explains how a family member stepped in and turned his mind to the Mercedarian Order. Dear ones: My vocation to the Mercedarians goes back to a great Mercedario Frate [Mercedarian brother] and great priest: Fr. Ferdinando Fortunato, O. de M., an uncle of mine, born in a little village: Rocca Imperiale, Cosenza, on the blue Mar Jonio, way South of
- Read MoreSon of Fundamentalist Family Becomes Mercedarian Priest
He calls himself the least likely of men to become a priest. Rev. Justin A. Freeman, O. de M., was ordained for the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy on Nov. 13, 2010. Here is his account of how he found his way to the priesthood. Q. How did you become a priest? God’s ways are loving, but often inexplicable. I am probably one of the least likely of men to become a Catholic priest. I was born
- Read MoreShyness only a temporary obstacle in calling to the priesthood
Growing up in a small town in the 1980s in northeastern Pennsylvania, Joseph Eddy had a quiet upbringing. His earliest memories were of playing and laughing with friends in their large backyard, while his Mom made them lunch. Each Sunday Joseph, his two sisters and parents piled into the family car to go to Mass at their small Catholic parish. A small town life in a traditional Catholic family was the beginning of Fr. Joseph’s calling as a Mercedarian priest.
- Read MoreAncient Order of Friars Sees Vitality in U.S.
In an ornate church west of Philadelphia, a tiny bell rings and three robed men file in and walk towards the sanctuary. In the pews, a congregation of white-robed men and also local parishioners rise, and begin chanting in an ancient, almost never-heard language. “Tota pulchra es Maria,” the group intones in Latin, or “O fairest Virgin Mary.” The men are brothers and priests of the Order of Mercy, and the group boasts of a good number of young faces.
- Read MoreJOURNAL FROM ROME 1.3
ROME, ITALY - Br. Scottston Brentwood, O. de M. shares with us the newest installment of his reflections from Eternal City… Hello everyone, I realize I have been rather silent lately, but with the changing weather my sinuses etc have been in open rebellion, I find I’m constantly tired from thinking in two languages simultaneously, and I have been racking my brain with the various past tenses in preparation for my exams. On Friday, I had my exam to determine
- Read MoreJOURNAL FROM ROME 1.2
ROME, ITALY – Journal Installment # 5 Hello, Just a note to say hi…and let you know that not only am I still alive, but that I am also doing well on this side of the Atlantic. I’m starting to assume that things are settling down for me as I’m back to writing…a practice which proves that things are “back to normal.” As such, I thought I’d share this one…which in so many words describes how I’m doing…and what I’m
- Read MoreBr. Gerard Makes Solemn Profession of Vows
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Gaudete Sunday was made even more joyful as Br. Gerard Snell made his solemn profession. In this ceremony, Br. Gerard committed himself to a life-long following of the evangelical counsels of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience, as well as th Fourth Vow according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy. The Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Philadelphia, PA. Fr. Richard Rasch, O. de M., Vicar Provincial received
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