A Message From Pope Francis

Voices of Our World

“The mission of the Christian in the world is a mission for all, a mission of service, which excludes no-one; it requires great generosity and in particular the gaze and heart turned heavenward to invoke the Lord’s help. There is so much need for Christians who bear witness to the Gospel with joy in everyday life. The disciples, sent by Jesus, ‘returned with joy’. When we do this, our heart fills with joy.”

Pope Francis (July 3, 2016)

Our beloved Francis is a missionary pope.  He understands the heart of Maryknoll.  For 101 years we have served God’s mission in countries throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Pope Francis characterizes this mission as one of joy, something that echoes true for us as our hearts have indeed been filled with joy through the sharing of our lives, our faith, our hope and our love for God through the many experiences and friendships established with the people we have come to serve.

We seek out and welcome men here in the United States and from countries where we serve who are willing to answer the call to be priests and Brothers.  In 2019 year we welcomed four young men who wish to become priests and another wishing to become a Brother.  We also ordained a new priest and welcomed the lifetime oath of a new Brother.  With sixteen men in our formation program and perhaps six more joining us in 2020 we are excited as young men continue to answer the call expressed so eloquently by our Holy Father.  As we move forward perhaps you may be one of them!

 

Summer 2026

Summer brings, in our Vocation Ministries Office, a time of change as Fr. Rodrigo Ulloa, our Director of Vocation Ministries, departs this ministry with much gratitude for the blessings he’s experienced through it.  In our Summer 2026

newsletter, Fr. Rodrigo offers parting words and photos that look back over his past six years as Vocation Director.  As Fr. Rodrigo remarks, “Praying our goodbyes is part of being a missioner… In moving on to my next assignment – our Formation House in Chicago – my bag is full of joy and my heart is bigger with the love of Christ, in whom we move, live, and have our being.”  We are grateful to Fr. Rodrigo for his years of service in vocation ministries.

We also announce the tentative dates of our next “Come and See” missionary discernment retreat — October 16th to 18th in Chicago, Illinois.  Please consider joining us for a weekend of insight, inspiration and encouragement in your own discernment of God’s call to missionary priesthood or Brotherhood.  If you would like to learn more, please email us at vocation@maryknoll.org.

Have a blessed summer!

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.