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Mercedarians-World News
Our Lady’s Coat of Arms Stands With the Rescue of Captives
This article is about the Order of Mercy, by Barbara E. Stevens. It has been subtitled, “The swashbuckling history of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Ransom of Captives.” Despite some inaccuracies, it gives a fair account of the Order’s history. The Mother of God graces America’s Hispanic Southwest in a multitude of glorious guises. While Our Lady of Guadalupe is certainly la favorita, countless other images color Marian devotions in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico,
- Read MoreA Mercedarian Journel From Rome
Deacon Scott Brentwood, O. de M. has been studying in Rome for the past two and a half years. Recently, he was ordained a deacon. As he has in the past, Deacon Scott shares some of his reflections about his experiences in Italy: Happy Epiphany! (In Italy it is celebrated on the proper day…but this is in anticipation to Sunday for you in the USA) Just a little update to let you know how things are going, and to wish
- Read MoreNineteen Mercedarian Friars Named Martyrs by Vatican
Held up as heroic witnesses to the Catholic faith in a world that spurns belief in God, a Mercedarian priest and his 18 companions who were killed in the Spanish Civil War took a step closer to canonization in Rome Dec. 19. Servants of God Mariano Alcala Perez and eighteen companions of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy were confirmed as martyrs by the Vatican’s Congregation of the Causes of Saints, which stated that they were killed
- Read MoreThe Amazing Story of Our Lady of Bonaria
Hidden on the shore of an Island west of Italy is one of the Church’s secret gems, the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria. This Basilica has been staffed by the Mercedarian Friars for over 675 years. Here is the incredible story of this holy place: Due to the Catalan and Aragonese expansion in the Mediterranean, in 1324, Infante don Alfonso had a castle and a church built in Sardina. The church was located on the hill of Bonaria on
- Read MoreOne of the oldest houses in the Roman Province is getting a make-over
In the town of Nemi, located in the hills south of Rome, the Order of the BVM of Mercy has a large friary which was for many years was used as a formation house. This beautiful building is overlooking the volcanic Lago di Nemi. The house is connected to a famous shrine chapel entitled Santissimo Crocifisso (most holy cross). The shrine and the friary have a long history. The Santissimo Crocifisso shrine was built in 1637; the adjoining monastery housed
- Read MoreOne of our own is to be ordained to the Sacred Diaconate
It is with Joy that the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary announces the ordination of Br. Scottston Brentwood, O. de M. to the Sacred Diaconate. This solemn liturgy will take place on Saturday, December 10th at the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria in Sardinia, Italy. (http://www.bonaria.eu/public/index.php) Br Scott has been in formation with the Order since August 2004. Over the years, Br Scott has gone through the normal formation program of a 9 month postulancy, a canonical year
- Read MoreFounder rejected by his own foundation finds his name among the Blessed
Blessed Juan Nepomuceno, a diocesan priest, in his great zeal for the poor founded the Mercedarian Sisters of Charity. He was destined to share the “cup of suffering” during his life, but recently has been recognized as Blessed. Blessed John Nepomucene Zegri y Moreno, Founder (1831-1905) Juan Nepomuceno was named, like the pioneering bishop of Philadelphia, John Nepomucene Neumann (1811-60; 5 Jan.), after St John Nepomuk, the fourteenth –century confessor to Queen Sophie of Bohemia, who was drowned on the
- Read MoreNotes from the Novitiate: The Montserrat Shrine.
Fr Eugene, the Order’s novice master, speaks to us about the inspiration St Peter Nolasco found while on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat. Dear Mercy Family, It was at Montserrat, in Spain, that St. Peter Nolasco gained the supernatural courage and strength that sustained him in his work for the captives. We see in our Saint (St Peter Nolasco) a fundamental progression within the Marian perspective. First: A road from Mercy to Mary. We already know
- Read MoreThe Week that would Change the World
For many of us, the 1st week of August means the “dog days of summer”. This is the time when the summer heat can be oppressive. It is in this time of year that many of us take vacations spending time at a local pool or at the shore. In Spain things are not much different. August can be painfully hot in Spain so most people head to the beaches or other spots to “beat the heat”. As August approached
- 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 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 MoreEarthquake Effects Chilean Province
SANTIAGO, CHILE – In a message to his Mercedarian confreres throughout the world, Fr. Mariano Labarca Araya, Provincial Superior of the Mercedarian Province of Chile, thanked all of us for our prayers, greetings, and fraternal presence in spirit. Fr. Mariano informed us that all of the Mercedarian friars, sisters, and family members were well. Praise the Lord! Though he has lived through seven earthquakes, Fr. Mariano has found this one to be especially difficult and life changing. The church and
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