In order to bring the Mercy of God to the prodigal children of our times, the individual members of the Fathers of Mercy must be formed in the way of perfection. "For this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thess 4,3)

A man accepted into the Fathers of Mercy seeks to become Christ's instrument in the work of preaching the Divine Word and administering the Sacraments. To properly prepare for this apostolate, a candidate first completes a brief introductory period or postulancy, followed by a five day retreat, after which he can choose to enter a year of novitiate training to discern his vocation as a personal and divine calling to religious life in the Fathers of Mercy.

During this year, the very foundation of the spiritual life is laid. The novice's day is filled with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the prayerful recitation of the Divine Office, and various spiritual exercises, including mental prayer and the Holy Rosary. Moreover, spiritual reading and classes engage the novice's mind, while manual labor and recreation keep his body strong. Finally, teaching catechism, as well as visiting local parishes, prepare the novice for our apostolate of preaching parish missions and staffing rural parishes.

If, by the grace of God, the novices discern that they have a vocation to the Fathers of Mercy, they will offer themselves in sacrifice to God by vowing to live the evangelical counsels which will help them on the path to perfection. Freely renouncing their natural rights to act as owners, to marry, and to practice self-will, they vow poverty, chastity, and obedience for the purpose of attaining a higher good. That higher good is the novice's growth in perfect charity by a more exact imitation of Christ. Through these vows, "a person is totally dedicated to God, loved beyond all things. In this way, that person is ordained to the honor and service of God under a new and special title" (Vatican II). These newly professed men are called "brothers." The vocation of a Father of Mercy is quite special. Not only are these men called to be witnesses of the life to come, but they are also called to serve the People of God as sacred ministers of the Gospel and the Sacraments, and thus bring the Mercy of God to all.

After making first profession of vows, the brothers begin their priestly formation. Our holy founder, Fr. Jean Baptiste Rauzan, knew that "without a thorough instruction one cannot properly fulfill such functions as that of directing souls, preaching, and educating youth." Hence, the Fathers of Mercy take great care to ensure the good spirit of the seminary in which its members arc trained. This means proper discipline, competent staff, sound Thomistic philosophy and theology, proper liturgy, and, above all, loyalty to the teaching authority of the Church.

Currently our brothers study at Holy Apostles Seminary in Connecticut and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio.

"To revive the Faith among the people, it is necessary that there be true preachers of the Gospel, full of the Spirit of God Who sends them..." — Fr. Jean Baptiste Rauzan, Founder of the Fathers of Mercy.