Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (Mercedarians)
Contact
Fr. Daniel Bowen O. de M.
Vocation Director
6928 Detroit Ave
Cleveland, OH 44102-2596
frdanielbowen@gmail.com
www.orderofmercy.org
Dioceses
Buffalo, NY Cleveland, OH Philadelphia, PA St. Augustine, FL St. Petersburg, FL
Mission
The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, founded in 1218, is an international community of priests and brothers, who live a life of prayer and communal fraternity based on the Rule of Saint Augustine and the constitutions of the order. From this life flows the apostolic work of the order that seeks to carry on the work of our founder, St. Peter Nolasco, who in imitation of Jesus the Redeemer, offered even his life for those Christians in need of redemptive love. The Mercedarians serve in schools, prisons, hospitals, and foreign missions. Today we free those who are captive and oppressed by the problems of modern life.
Qualifications
Roman Catholic man, in good health and moral standing, who has earned at least a high school diploma, and knows that the greatest love one can give is the gift of his own life completely in exchange for the life and freedom of Christians in danger of losing their faith.
Formation
Discernment: During this time the director communicates with the individual in understanding the Mercedarian life and spirit. Postulancy: This period lasts no less than nine months and extends until the novitiate begins. During this time the postulant lives with the religious community at the Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy in Philadelphia, PA, and fully takes part in the spiritual and communal life of the friars: prayer, meditation, Holy Mass, recreation and their apostolate. In addition, there are weekly catechism classes. Novitiate: The novitiate is one year, during which the novice deepens and intensifies his love for Jesus and the Mercedarian religious life through study, prayer and meditation. Simple profession: This is a period lasting three to six years during which the professed renews his vows annually. At this time he attends a nearby Catholic university or local seminary. A friar candidate for the priesthood will attend philosophy and theology classes at the University of Salamanca in Spain; and the Gregorianum in Rome, Italy. A friar who is a brother will begin his studies in an area in which he is talented and that can be used within the order's apostolic work - for example: education, social work, prison or hospital ministries. Solemn profession: the friar completes his formation to the Mercedarian life, and begins full time ministry.
Province
Roman Province which includes all of Italy, the Vicariate of the United States of America, and the Delegation of India
International
700+ members worldwide in 17 countries
Belated Vocations
The age limit for application is normally 35. However, rare exceptions may be made on an individual basis.
