Seminarians and Brother Candidates Renew Their Temporary Oath

Voices of Our World

The Permanent Oath is the lifetime commitment members make to Maryknoll at the time of ordination as priests or completion of training as Brothers.  During the initial formation years we make yearly Temporary Oaths.  This Oath is a public sign of our commitment to the mission work of Christ as entrusted to Maryknoll.  It is a commitment to each other that binds us together in a mutual response to God’s Mission.  By this oath we commit ourselves to Jesus Christ, to the Catholic Church and to its duty to be messengers of God’s love, compassion and mercy throughout the world. Our seminarians and Brother candidates begin taking a temporary oath just prior to their participation in the Overseas Training Program (a 2 year internship program).  It is renewed each year afterward until ordination as priests and lifetime commitment as Brothers when each makes his Permanent Oath as a lifetime member of Maryknoll.  We have eighteen candidates in our program and this year nine have taken their temporary oath with one, Br. Candidate Jonathan Jose, taking it for the first time.  Congratulations to all!

Winter 2025

Fr. Rodrigo begins our Winter 2025 – 2026 Vocation Newsletter by observing that, much like the signs of God’s love that guide us through the Advent and Christmas seasons, discerning a vocation requires attention to the signs that God sends us in our daily lives. We see, discern, and live into these signs as turn our hearts to God’s call, to the needs of others, and to the gifts we bring to those lowly of birth. As Maryknoll Father Bill Mullan remarked of his own ministry in Central America, “The missioner is a sign of hope, someone from the outside showing respect, love and concern for people in, at times, desperate situations.”

We also announce our 2026 Holy Week “Come and See” Retreat, April 1st — 5th, 2026, for men discerning priesthood or Brotherhood. Please join us at our Mission Center at Maryknoll, NY, where we will journey together with Christ to a new life in God’s love.

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. 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.