Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word

Last updated
Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word
Missionarii Franciscani Verbi Aeterni
AbbreviationM.F.V.A.
Formationc. AD 1987;35 years ago (1987)
Type Catholic religious order
Headquarters5817-5821 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, Alabama, USA
Website franciscanmissionaries.com

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (MFVA, Latin for Missionarii Franciscani Verbi Aeterni) is a Public Clerical Association of the Faithful, located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. They were founded in 1987 by Mother Angelica, who also founded the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.

Contents

The primary residence of the Friars is in Irondale, Alabama, and is next door to EWTN. They also have a residence in Hanceville, AL, near the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The Friars' apostolate is to communicate the Catholic faith by word and example. It involves using the media: television, radio and the Internet, as well as publishing and conducting retreats. Currently, they focus their attention on the television and radio ministry, in addition to providing for the spiritual needs of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, the EWTN employees, and the visitors who come to EWTN and the Shrine.

In contrast to Franciscan communities that focus on the corporal works of mercy, the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word devote themselves to the spiritual works of mercy. Therefore, they study to gain a deep knowledge of the Catholic faith and practice communicating it effectively.

Adapting to the needs of the time, they have developed into an active religious institute, but still maintain elements of the contemplative life. In addition to praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the Friars devote an hour each day to Eucharistic Adoration and pray the daily Rosary.

The community is composed of priests and seminarians, as well as consecrated brothers.

Friar Communities

Priests

Brothers

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanceville, Alabama</span> City in Alabama, United States

Hanceville is a city in Cullman County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,217.

The Eternal Word Television Network, more commonly known by its initials EWTN, is an American basic cable television network which presents around-the-clock Catholic-themed programming. It is not only the largest Catholic television network in America, but reportedly "the world’s largest religious media network", reaching 250 million people in 140 countries, with 11 networks. It was founded by Mother Angelica, in 1980 and began broadcasting on August 15, 1981, from a garage studio at the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama, which Mother Angelica founded in 1962. She hosted her own show, Mother Angelica Live, until health issues led to her retirement in September 2001. As of 2017, Michael P. Warsaw, who is a consultant to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications, leads EWTN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eucharistic adoration</span> Christian rite

Eucharistic adoration is a Eucharistic devotional practice primarily in Western Catholicism, but also to a lesser extent in Anglicanism, Methodism and some Lutheran traditions, in which the Blessed Sacrament is adored by the faithful. This practice may occur either when the Eucharist is exposed, or when it is not publicly viewable because it is reserved in a place such as a church tabernacle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franciscan Crown</span>

The Franciscan Crown is a rosary consisting of seven decades in commemoration of the Seven Joys of the Virgin, namely, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity of Jesus, the Adoration of the Magi, the Finding in the Temple, the Resurrection of Jesus, and finally, either or both the Assumption of Mary and the Coronation of the Virgin. Devotion to the seven joys of Mary is found in a variety of forms and communities. It is especially popular with the Franciscans, Cistercians, and the Annunciades of St. Joan of France. The devotion was granted many indulgences by different Popes, becoming the most heavily indulgenced devotion in the Church. In order for any associated indulgences to be received it was not necessary for a Franciscan rosary to have been blessed or even to use beads at all.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother Angelica</span> American Catholic nun, founder of EWTN

Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, also known as Mother Angelica, was an American Roman Catholic nun of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. She was best known for the television show Mother Angelica Live. She was the founder of the international broadcast cable television network Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the radio network WEWN. EWTN became a voice for Catholics worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Julian Eymard</span> French priest

Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest and founder of two religious institutes: the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert J. Fox</span> American poet

Robert Joseph Fox was an American priest of the Roman Catholic church. He was an author of religious books and tapes, and appeared on many Roman Catholic television programs and conferences. Fox also served as a diocesan priest for several rural towns in South Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peregrine Laziosi</span> Italian Roman Catholic saint

Peregrine Laziosi is an Italian saint of the Servite Order. He is the patron saint for persons suffering from cancer, AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses.

The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (PCPA) are a branch of the Poor Clares, a contemplative order of nuns in the Franciscan tradition. Founded in France in 1854 by Marie Claire Bouillevaux, the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are cloistered nuns dedicated to the Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Hail Marys</span> Roman Catholic Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Three Hail Marys are a traditional Roman Catholic devotional practice of reciting Hail Marys as a petition for purity and other virtues. Believers recommend that it be prayed after waking in the morning, and before going to bed, following the examination of conscience at night. This devotion has been recommended by SS. Anthony of Padua, Alphonsus Liguori, John Bosco and Leonard of Port Maurice. Two saints, Mechtilde and Gertrude the Great, are said to have received revelations from the Blessed Virgin Mary regarding this practice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosary-based prayers</span>

Rosary-based prayers are Christian prayers said on a set of rosary beads, among other cords. These prayers recite specific word sequences on different parts of the rosary beads. They may be directed to Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary or God the Father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benedict Groeschel</span>

Benedict Joseph Groeschel, C.F.R. was an American Franciscan friar, Catholic priest, retreat master, author, psychologist, activist, and television host. He hosted the television talk program Sunday Night Prime broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network, as well as several serial religious specials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Marian movements and societies</span> Organizations within Roman Catholicism dedicated to the worship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Catholic Marian movements and societies have developed from the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary by members of the Catholic Church. These societies form part of the fabric of Mariology in the Catholic Church. Popular membership in Marian organizations grew significantly in the 20th century, as apparitions such as Our Lady of Fátima gave rise to societies with millions of members, and today many Marian societies exist around the world. This article reviews the major Marian movements and organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic devotions to Jesus</span>

The Roman Catholic tradition includes a number of devotions to Jesus Christ. Like all Catholic devotions, these prayer forms are not part of the official public liturgy of the Church but are based on the popular spiritual practices of Roman Catholics. Many are officially approved by the Holy See as suitable for spiritual growth but not necessary for salvation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatima Family Apostolate</span>

The Fatima Family Apostolate (FFA) is a U.S.-based Roman Catholic Apostolate with headquarters in Hanceville, Alabama, founded in 1986 by Fr. Robert J. Fox and named after Our Lady of Fátima. Mr. John C. Preiss is currently the President.

Gabriel Lawrence Sengol was the Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirapalli in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament</span>

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, informally known as OLAM Shrine, is a prominent Roman Catholic Latin Rite shrine located in Hanceville, Alabama, United States within the Diocese of Birmingham. Adjacent is the cloistered Monastery of the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, situated on a 400-acre (160 ha) site and a religious center affiliated with the Eternal Word Television Network.

Rudolph William Steltemeier, Jr., known as Bill Steltemeier, was an American television executive, Roman Catholic deacon, and lawyer. Steltemeier served as the founding President of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) from 1980 until 2000. He served as the CEO of EWTN from 2000 to 2009. Steltemeier remained the Chairman of the Eternal Word Television Network from 2000 until his death in February 2013.

Our Lady of Solitude Monastery is a Catholic foundation in the United States.

References