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Mercedarians-U.S.A. News
Not on Your Bucket List
All Christians, in all walks of life, are called to holiness. But priests are called in a special way to this life. Pope John Paul II, quoting the Second Vatican Council, has said that all of the baptized are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity. He added that this applies, in a special way to priests. They are called not only because they have been baptized, but also and specifically because they are
- Read MoreNew Children’s Book tells the story of St Peter Nolasco
The Friar’s at the House of Studies translated and printed a book entitled “The Great Adventure of St. Peter Nolasco”. This book has been sent to several of the houses in the US Vicariate. Here is what the 3rd Order in St. Petersburg did with their books: On April 27, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Peter Armengol (1238-1304). Following a misspent and dissolute youth he who came to serve the Lord later in life. He gave up worldly ways
- Read MoreThird Order in Tampa Bay has Lenten Retreat
Wherever the Mercedarian Friars are in the world one is likely to find groups of dedicated lay people living “the redemptive spirit”. Among the most important of these is the Third Order. This confraternity of lay mercedarians are found in several parts of the United States including: LeRoy( NY), Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Petersburg, and Atlanta. The Constitutions of the Order tell us that the Third Order is “an association of lay people integrated into the Mercedarian family, which participates in
- Read MoreVideo 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.
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