What Is
the Missionary Cenacle Family?
Who We Are
We are a spiritual family of active Roman Catholics. Our members are from many cultures and walks of life.
We live in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia.
We were founded in Brooklyn, NY, in 1909. We began as a lay movement but now include priests, brothers, sisters, and vowed laity. We also sponsor volunteers.
Our Work
We look for ministries which allow us to:
- take on abandoned work, which probably would not get done without us
- reach out to Catholics who are at risk of losing their faith due to neglect, proselytizing, or suffering
- involve local Catholics in our work; teach that every Catholic is a missionary in his or her daily life
Our Spirituality
We were born out of the needs emerging in the modern church and world. As a lay organization we began by reaching out to huge numbers of immigrant Catholics who were abandoning their faith after arriving in the U.S.
We developed a distinct spirituality to meet these needs. Soon we became a family of lay men and women, sisters, brothers and priests, who strive to spread a missionary spirit among Catholics wherever we serve.
In 1985 Rome accepted our Rule of Life. It was the first time in 400 years that a document had been so recognized. Our spirituality is needed--it's a gift the Church is calling for today!
Our Devotions
We find the wisdom and strength we need to follow our call through our prayer and devotion to particular mysteries belonging to our Catholic faith, including
- the Trinity
- the Holy Spirit
- the Eucharist
- the Incarnation
We strive to better understand these mysteries and to spread a devotion to them among those we serve.
We have maintained a continuous novena to the Holy Spirit since 1913.
Our Programs
Our Missionary Cenacle Volunteer Program is the longest-running Catholic volunteer organization in the United States. We provide opportunities for men and women of all ages to serve those in need for a few weeks or up to a few years.
Trinity Mission Center provides formation in Catholic missionary spirituality to young adults.
In addition to these programs which operate internationally, members of the Missionary Cenacle Family serve in poor and abandoned places in an incredible variety of ministries.
what: the lay branch, the first
who: lay men and women, single or married (MCA)
how many: about 900
where: USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica
work: any kind of work; missionaries in the providence of their daily lives
commitment: an Act of Consecration; a public promise to lead an apostolic life
Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity
who: sisters (MSBT)
how many about 220
where: USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico
work: parish and diocesan work of all kinds, social work, health care, education
commitment: canonical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
lifestyle: live together in small local communities called Missionary Cenacles; no habit
Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity
who: priests and brothers (ST)
how many: about 150
where: USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia
work: parish work in abandoned locations, social work
commitment: canonical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
lifestyle: live together in small local communities called Missionary Cenacles
Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute
who: a Secular Institute
who: single persons (BTMI)
how many: about 25
where: USA
work: any kind of work: missionaries in the providence of their daily lives
commitment: private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
lifestyle: live an work in the world, may live alone or with family
If you want to know more about missionary life, you are invited to contact any of the people below. We believe in what we are doing, and we are looking for others who want to join our family.
Missionary Cenacle Family website: www.mcenacle.org
Missionary Cenacle Volunteers (Men and women of all ges, married or single)
PO Box 35105
Cleveland, OH 44135-0105
(800) 221-5740 or (216) 252-4727
e-mail: CenacleVol@aol.comMissionary Cenacle Apostolate (Men and women of all ages, married or single) Ms. Alma Robles, MCA 3501 Solly Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19136 (215) 708-8225
e-mail: mcaalma@yahoo.comMissionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (Sisters)
Sr. Deborah Wilson, MSBT 3501 Solly Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19136
(215) 335-7534
e-mail: msbt@juno.com
website: www.msbt.orgMissionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (Priests and Brothers)
Fr. Ray Riding, ST
1292 Long Hill Rd.
Sterling, NJ 07980
(800) 298-5602 or (908) 647-1548
e-mail: ftrayst@aol.comBlessed Trinity Missionary Institute (Lay women or men in private vows)
Ms. Margaret Hayes, BTMI
1050 Long Hill Road
Sterling, NJ 07980
(908) 647-5311
e-mail: mgmhayes@gateway.net