 | At
the Fathers of Mercy, we believe in developing the whole man, body and
soul, to make him the Soldier of Christ he’s called to be. Our
Congregation strives to foster a strong fraternal community life which
integrates in the individual man a well-founded balance of prayer, work
and recreation. We believe in giving our men a solid formation rooted
in sound human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral principles. We are
a Congregation of Pontifical Right, a religious community recognized
for its loyalty to the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church. In ten years,
we’ve preached over 1,100 parish missions and retreats throughout the
United States and in Canada, Australia and India. We’re looking for
good, holy men to spread the Mercy of God to all as we continue to carry
on a 200-year-old apostolate of leading back home the prodigal children
of our times. Founded in 1808 following the French Revolution, our holy
founder, Fr. Jean Baptiste Rauzan brought together a band of missionary
preachers to bring fallen away Catholics back to the Faith and to
ignite further the Faith of those who never lost it. After 200 years,
both the tradition and charism continues. The Fathers of Mercy preach
parish missions, retreats and devotions and assist bishops with the
staffing of rural parishes. So, if you’re a man between the ages of 18
and 40 and believe that God may be calling you to pursue a religious
vocation, then contact us. |
In order to bring the Mercy of God to the prodigal children of our times, the individual
members of the Fathers of Mercy must be formed in the way of perfection. "For this is the
will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thess 4,3)
A man accepted into the Fathers of Mercy seeks to become Christ's instrument in the work
of preaching the Divine Word and administering the Sacraments. To properly prepare for this
apostolate, a candidate first completes a brief introductory period or postulancy, followed
by a five day retreat, after which he can choose to enter a year of novitiate training to
discern his vocation as a personal and divine calling to religious life in the Fathers of Mercy.
During this year, the very foundation of the spiritual life is laid. The novice's day is
filled with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the prayerful recitation of the Divine Office,
and various spiritual exercises, including mental prayer and the Holy Rosary. Moreover,
spiritual reading and classes engage the novice's mind, while manual labor and recreation
keep his body strong. Finally, teaching catechism, as well as visiting local parishes, prepare
the novice for our apostolate of preaching parish missions and staffing rural parishes. | If, by the grace of God, the novices discern that they have a vocation to the Fathers of
Mercy, they will offer themselves in sacrifice to God by vowing to live the evangelical
counsels which will help them on the path to perfection. Freely renouncing their natural
rights to act as owners, to marry, and to practice self-will, they vow poverty, chastity,
and obedience for the purpose of attaining a higher good. That higher good is the novice's
growth in perfect charity by a more exact imitation of Christ. Through these vows, "a person
is totally dedicated to God, loved beyond all things. In this way, that person is ordained
to the honor and service of God under a new and special title" (Vatican II). These newly professed
men are called "brothers." The vocation of a Father of Mercy is quite special. Not only are
these men called to be witnesses of the life to come, but they are also called to serve the
People of God as sacred ministers of the Gospel and the Sacraments, and thus bring the Mercy
of God to all.
After making first profession of vows, the brothers begin their priestly formation.
Our holy founder, Fr. Jean Baptiste Rauzan, knew that "without a thorough instruction one
cannot properly fulfill such functions as that of directing souls, preaching, and educating
youth." Hence, the Fathers of Mercy take great care to ensure the good spirit of
the seminary in which its members arc trained. This means proper discipline, competent
staff, sound Thomistic philosophy and theology, proper liturgy, and, above all, loyalty
to the teaching authority of the Church.
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