Seminarians

Important News from the Provincial Superior

“The Lord has blessed us with an extraordinary year. We are happy to announce that between July 10, 2010 and July 2, 2011, five of our seminarians were ordained to the priesthood in the U.S. Due to their maturity and pastoral abilities combined with zeal and dedication they were assigned to key positions in our apostolic works. We also have 27 men currently in formation studying and discerning a vocation with the Marians.

“We share this good news with you and wish to thank you because it is your prayers, your encouragement, and your generous support that makes it possible for these young men to share in Christ's mission of salvation.”

Very Rev. Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC
Provincial Superior
Mother of Mercy Province
Stockbridge, MA

Meet the newest Marian Priests

	Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC Ordained July 10, 2010 Studying in Italy for a Licentiate Degree in the Theology of the Consecrated Life "That's the great hope in my life, the great request I have, my prayer to the Lord, is that I deny Him nothing in my priestly ministry, and that I may be everything He wants me to be." Read More.
	Fr. Ken Dos Santos, MIC Ordained September 18, 2010 Rector of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy "I can't even express how happy I am today. It's just beyond words." Read More.
	Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC Ordained October 16, 2010 Director of the Association of Marian Helpers "It's been a long road. But there have been so many people praying and sacrificing for me along the way. I feel grateful to them for their prayers and for their words of consolation and encouragement during these years. And I ask people to continue to pray for me — that I may be an instrument of His mercy for others." Read More.
	Fr. James Cervantes, MIC Ordained May 28, 2011 Marian Missionary in Mindanao, Philippines “Wherever I go, I know God is with me because this is His work. He who calls us to serve, will also supply the grace.” Read More.
	Fr. Angelo Casimiro, MIC Ordained July 2, 2011 Associate Pastor at our Marian parishes in Kenosha, WI "I prayed to Our Lady, offering thanks for the way she got me through 10 long years of conversion, discernment, and study that led up to this moment. I also prayed to my mom. I thanked her, as well. I felt very much in Our Lady's presence, and I knew my mom was there with me as well." Read More.

The long road to the priesthood

The path leading to ordination can take up to 10 years. After a man hears the call to be a Marian and completes the application process, he begins a formal process of discernment, through which he and the Marian community jointly evaluate his intellectual, spiritual, and physical suitability for religious life as a Marian.

The Marians take all the time that is needed to help a candidate interested in joining the community to discern his call from God. The journey is known as formation, and it begins with the postulancy program, followed by the novitiate.

During his formation, the student lives in the Marian community and takes part in academic and spiritual study. At each stage, the young man's commitment is deepened.

Formation is a time of intense reflection. The students follow the ancient tradition of ora et labora — "pray and work." They learn the dynamics of prayer and the contemplative life, study the history of religious life and mysticism in the Church, and learn to reflectively read and pray through the Holy Scriptures. They also study the Marian constitutions, charisms, spirituality, apostolate, and the history of the Congregation.

The final step toward a total commitment as a Marian is the profession of perpetual vows.

Throughout this long process, our seminarians rely on the support of friends like you who are devoted to Mary Immaculate and Jesus, The Divine Mercy.

We pray that you will find it within yourself to offer the level of support needed to match the dedication and commitment of these young men. Please help them answer our Lord's call to "serve Christ and the Church."*

*Marian motto

Educate the Marian Priests of Tomorrow

Suggested Offering: $50, $150, $250, $500
Gifts of any amount will be gratefully accepted.

Gift Card

If you are making a gift on someone's behalf, we can send a Gift Card for you. Your Gift Card will read:
A Gift of Mercy has been made in your name to help the Marians of the Immaculate Conception provide the best possible education and training for the more than 100 young men who are preparing for a life of service to the Church as Marian priests and brothers. They will bring God's mercy to those in greatest need.