Miscellaneous News
The Order’s mission in India continues to grow as 6 more are ordained.
Fr Ken Breen, the Vicar of the United States, traveled to India after Easter to attend the Ordination of six Indian friars. Here he shares with us the joyful experience of those days: This year, 2013, we had six of our Mercedarian religious ordained to the priesthood in India. They were ordained in two separate celebrations. One in the south of India for the three from that area called Chinneturai. The other three were ordained in their home town district
- Read More6 Thousand College Student Meet in Orlando to “FOCUS” on True Conversion
The Mercedarian Friars and Sisters joined thousands of University Students at the FOCUS conference in Orlando, Florida January 2nd-6th. Here is an explanation of this event and the important work of FOCUS: Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is a flourishing new organization dedicated to re-evangelize America’s college campuses. Fourteen years ago, the movement began with the simple purpose of inviting college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime
- Read MoreA BEAUTIFUL LEGEND OF ST. PETER PASCHAL
St. Peter Paschal or Paschasius was born at Valencia, Spain. When he grew up in years he embraced the ecclesiastical state, which he adorned by his many virtues. St. Peter left his post in 1250 to join the Order of Mercy and he received the habit in the Valencia Cathedral at the hands of Arnaldo of Carcassonne. His learning and his piety pointed him out as a worthy successor to the Bishop of Jaen, who had a short time previously been called
- Read MoreSt. Augustine: “A Journey to Oneness of Mind & Heart”
St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the Christian world’s most beloved and well-known saints. His life “represents every aspect of the human life experience with all of its problems, sorrows and failures.” (Pope Benedict XVI). Augustine’s feast this year on August 28th is particularly meaningful as his life is captured for the first time in a major motion picture Restless Heart: The Confessions of St. Augustine. St. Augustine has a special significance to the Order of the Blessed Virgin
- Read MoreLove for the Unborn Leads One Man to Find a Greater Call to Free the Captives
Nicholas McLeod is preparing to enter the postulancy program in Philadelphia this Fall. Here is his story: When I was in grade two my teacher asked us to interview the person who you wanted to be when you grew up. I interviewed my parish priest. That I think was the first sign of my call to the priesthood. I come from a family of six and I grew up near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I moved to Toronto, Ontario when I
- Read MoreThe Province Begins to Work on Goals for the Next 3 Years
June 5, 2012 (Tuesday) Memorial of St. Boniface. Bishop and Martyr Day 4 – Intention: For the oppressed and the persecuted After praying the Office of Readings, Lauds, and meditation, and after eating breakfast, we began the work of chapter at 8:45am. After the ritual prayers to the Holy Spirit, the day began with the reading of several greetings and well wishes were communicated to the Chapter, followed by the approval of the minutes from the previous day. We then
- Read MoreThe Roman Province begins it’s Provincial Chapter in Nemi, Italy
XXXI Provincial Chapter Order of the BVM of Mercy Roman Province Nemi (Rome) June 2, 2012 Day 1 We proceeded with the election of the Secretary of the Chapter, resulting in the election of Fr. Francesco Podda who accepted, asking for help from another religious to write the verbali. Immediately, Fr. Eugenio Caramia and Fr. Vincent Penella offered their assistance. Fr. General designated Fr. Nunzio Masiello as Moderator of the Chapter due to his knowledge of the languages (Italian, English,
- 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 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 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 MoreIs your faith a bastion for martyrdom?
The Mercedarians gave a talk to a FOCUS group just outside Philadelphia, PA. Answering the Church’s call for a new evangelization, FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a national outreach that meets college students where they are and invites them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. Is your faith a bastion for martyrdom? The leaders of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students faced this question during their missionary retreat in Pennsylvania. To help
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