Fulfilling the Catholic Church's Call to Penance and Repentance

in the Modern World

The Confraternity of Penitents

"You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind, (and) you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (Jesus's words as recorded in Matthew 22:37-38)

Spiritual Advisors and Visitor

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Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)

When people want to destroy religion, they start by attacking priests, because where there are no priests, there is on sacrifice; and where there is no sacrifice, there is no religion.

Priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When y ou see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.

--St. John Vianney


The government of souls is the art of arts.

--Pope Saint Gregory the Great


O venerable dignity of priests, in whose hands the Son of God becomes incarnate anew as He formerly became incarnate in the womb of Mary!

--St. Augustine of Hippo


Jesus' Charge to St. Peter

Stained Glass Window designed by Ford Madox Brown, Jesus Church, Troutbeck, Cumbria (UK) 

"Repent and believe the Good News!" 

Penance means conversion. The Confraternity of Penitents is a world wide private Catholic association of the faithful, completely loyal to our Pope and the Magisterium. 

Our Rule of Life has been reviewed by our bishop and recognized in these words:  "this Rule does not contain anything contrary to our faith; therefore it may be safely practiced privately by you or by anyone inclined to do so.  . . . His Excellency is appreciative of your efforts to live and promote Franciscan spirituality and especially promote the neglected practice of penance and he wishes you success" (January 30, 1998). 

 Members of the Confraternity of Penitents live this Rule in their own homes, devoted to prayer, penance, fasting, conversion, and works of mercy modeled on Jesus Christ and inspired by the lives and teachings of

St. Francis,

St. Dominic,

St. Therese,

St. Benedict,

St. Augustine,

St. Ignatius,

and all the saints, most especially Mary, the Mother of God, who lived a life of true penance (conversion) in perfect union with our Lord.

May Our Lady and all the saints intercede for all who wish to embrace a life of penance, anywhere in the world, so that the grace of God will assist them to obtain every virtue necessary for a life of holiness and surrender to the Will of God! Amen.

PRAYER OF PENITENTS
"Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my mind, give me right faith, a firm hope and perfect charity, so that I may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen." (Saint Francis's prayer before the San Damiano Crucifix)


MISSION OF PENITENTS
"Go and repair My House which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." (The message given to St. Francis in a voice from the San Damiano Crucifix.)


ACTION OF PENITENTS
To pray for God's specific direction in one's life so that, through humbly living our Rule of Life, each penitent may help to rebuild the house of God by bringing love of God and neighbor to his or her own corner of the world.
 

SPIRITUAL ADVISORS AND VISITOR FOR THE CONFRATERNITY OF PENITENTS

The Confraternity of Penitents is blessed to have the following spiritual advisors and Visitor.

VISITOR

Father Jay Finelli is a diocesan priest in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. Ordained in 1992, he has created and maintains several sites on the internet plus enjoys steam railroading as a hobby.  Father Finelli is the only priest in his parish of 2300 families and keeps very active with adoration, meetings, and parish work of all types.  No wonder God gave him a high energy level! The Confraternity is blessed to have Father Finelli as Visitor.

Letter of confirmation of Father Finelli as Visitor, from the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, May 7, 2004:

"In reply to your request of May 5th, I am pleased to inform you that Bishop Mulvee has confirmed the choice of the Confraternity's new Visitor, the Reverend Jay A. Finelli, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Wishing you God's continued blessings, and reciprocating your prayers, I am Sincerely yours in Christ, (Rev. Msgr.)  William I. Varsanyi, Vicar General."  Msgr. Varsanyi is also Vicar for Canonical Affairs for the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island.

SPIRITUAL ADVISORS

CFP ADVISOR ON PERSONALITY ISSUES AND DIFFICULTIES.  Father John of the Trinity, Erem. TOCarm. is a Carmelite priest, hospital chaplain, and hermit living in Massachusetts (USA). 

 

 

CFP ADVISOR ON WORLDWIDE CONTACTS AND NETWORKING. Dom Julian Stead, OSB is a priest in the Order of St. Benedict at Portsmouth Abbey School, Portsmouth, RI (USA). STL Theology Degree from Rome. Author of book on St. Benedict, poet (There Shines Forth Christ is the title of his book of poetry), artist, and translator of Chiara Lubich's works from Italian and of St. Maximus the Confessor from Greek. Patristics is his hobby. Clergy member of the Focolare.

 

CFP ADVISOR ON LAY ORDER DEVELOPMENT.  Father Martin Mary Fonte, FI, is a priest in the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, New Bedford, MA (USA). Born in the Philippines. Maintains website for his Order and is guardian of the friary at Our Lady's Chapel. CFP Advisor on lay order development.

 

CFP ADVISOR ON GRIEF COUNSELING AND DISCERNMENT ISSUES.  Sister Eugenia Brady, SJC, a member of the International Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, was born in Ireland in County Clare. After her First Profession, Sister was missioned to California where she ministered as an educator and religious educator as well as organist and choir director in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for twenty five years. She also served as a Master Catechist for the Archdiocese.  Sister  has taught Catholic school and continued her music ministry there.  She has served as Director of Religious Education in a parish and served as diocesan Director of Religious Education in the Fall River, Massachusetts, Diocese.  Sister was instrumental in bringing RAINBOWS, a grief program, to the South Eastern MA area as she served in the Office of Family Ministry in North Dartmouth, MA. In more recent years Sister has been available as a Retreat and Spiritual Director at The Edmundite Retreat Center on Enders Island, CT and at Nazareth Spiritual Life Center in Monroe, CT, as well as other retreat centers and religious communities up and down the East Coast. Sister Eugenia lives in Rhode Island from whence she travels to answer the calls of ministry.

CFP ADVISOR ON LITURGY, CHURCH PRACTICE: Father Dominic Mary Garner, MFVA (Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word). Father Dominic Mary is frequently seen saying Mass on EWTN. He has led pilgrimages and conducted retreats and Day of Recollection and is noted for his gentle but firm pastoral care.

 

CFP ADVISORS FOR LITURGICAL MATTERS AND CONVERTS TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH.  Deacon Joseph Pasquella is a convert to the Catholic faith, a husband, and father, in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York. He has appeared on EWTN's program The Journey Home and the story of his conversion has been featured in various publications. 

A wife and mother, Karen Sadock is a convert to Catholicism and the administrator of a prominent Catholic web blog. She has been featured on EWTN's program The Journey Home. 

 

 

 

Please pray for our spiritual advisors and Visitor.  May God bless them always.

 

Confraternity of Penitents

520 Oliphant Lane

Middletown RI USA

02842-4600

401/849-5421

bspenance@hotmail.com

copenitents@yahoo.com