Pro Deo et Fatribus - Famiglia di Maria Association

Pro Deo et Fatribus – Familgia di Maria is a spiritual family made up of people of different ages, vocations and states of life who, in the light of the message of Fatima and in a spirit of reparation, devote themselves to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception by practicing evangelical witness and charity. The charism of the Association is Marian, priestly, missionary, and ecumenical and finds the center of its unity in love for and fidelity to the Pope.

Biographical Information

Founder: Bishop Pavel Hnilica

Foundation: Founded in 1968 at Sessa Aurunca (Caserta), Italy.

Ecclesial Recognition: Recognized on March 25, 1995, as an International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

Membership: Present in 15 countries: Africa (1), Asia (2), Europe (9), North America (1), Oceania (1) and South America (1).

Membership: About 200 dedicated members and 500 ordinary members
- male/female
- religious/lay

Organization

Lay/Religious: both

Individual/Community: Organized as a spiritual family with dedicated and ordinary members.

Commitment/Vows: Dedicated members lead a life of Christian perfection, embracing the Evangelical counsels through consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and living a common life in community; ordinary members take part in the activities of the Association and are committed to pursuing its specific purposes.

Purpose and Activities

Overall Purpose: To generate support for the persecuted Church in Eastern Europe.

Apostolic commitments: Missionary activity; spiritual formation through deepening of the spiritual life, study of the Magisterium and pastoral training.

Marian Characteristics

Major Inspirations: The message of Fatima and the spirit of reparation

General Marian Characteristics: The charism of the Association is Marian, priestly, missionary and ecumenical and finds its center of unity in love for and fidelity to the Pope.

Spiritual\Devotional Exercises: Devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the practice of evangelical witness and charity.

Pastoral/Apostolic Endeavors: Missionary activity, especially in areas of the former Soviet Union; prayer for Christian unity, and heightening people's awareness of the New Evangelization.

Sources

Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, Pontifical Council for the Laity, available at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_pc_laity_doc_20051114_associazioni_en.html