Religious Communities

Apostolic College of Penitentiaries of Saint Mary Major

The Apostolic College of Penitentiaries of Saint Mary Major was instituted by Saint Pius V with the Bull Pro nostri muneris officio, dated 1 September 1568, and was entrusted to the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).

There are 12 ordinary friar confessors and two extraordinary ones, belonging to the Order’s various Provinces and to different nations and languages, in order to better reflect the apostolic and universal nature of the Church.

The Liberian penitentiaries, in the spirit of Saint Dominic, who as Father, Judge, Teacher, and Friend reconciled penitents to God, exercise their ministry of reconciliation in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, fulfilling the Lord’s Mandate: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20:23).

Fr Salvatore (Giuseppe) Raciti, O.P., Prior
Fr Tiemen J.S. Brouwer, O.P.
Fr Pedro Fernandez Rodriguez, O.P.
Fr Artur Hącia, O.P.
Fr Miguel (Luis) Itza Urlega, O.P.
Fr Edmondo (Joachim) Jasiulek, O.P.
Fr Hernán Jimenez Salas, O.P.
Fr Ludovico (Alexander) Melo, O.P.
Fr Wojciech Morawski, O.P.
Fr Krzysztof Poplawski, O.P.
Fr Vivian Rebello, O.P.

Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate were founded in 1990. They are inspired by the charism of Saint Maximilian Kolbe in their Marian and missionary dimension, in the apostolate of the printed word and the media and in social activities. A distinctive characteristic that sets them apart from the Franciscan movement is a fourth vow of consecration to the Immaculate, which includes evangelization ad gentes. Since 1998, the Institute has been granted Pontifical Right. The Community has a presence in various Marian Shrines and Parishes in numerous countries throughout the world. From 1999, they have also been serving in the Sacristy of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Br Samuel M. Caterisano, Guardiano della Comunità
Br Didacus M. Sandiego
Br Dominic M. Adajar
Br Laurent M. Gloga
Br Leonardo M. Ramirez
 

Institute of the Apostolic Community of Ever Virgin Mary

The Institute of the Apostolic Community of Ever Virgin Mary (CAMSVI) was founded on 5 December 1989 in Mexico.

The Institute’s charism is Incarnation, living the spirituality of communion by following the example of Mary Ever Virgin and fulfilling the charism by recognizing Jesus in our neighbours.

Since 12 May 2022, the Sisters of the Institute have been serving in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, looking after the animation and moments of prayer and preparing the decorations for the Basilica, the adornment of the altars and floral compositions.

Sr. Roxana Montoya Maya- Superior
Sr. Mari aManeli E. Solis Martinez
Sr. Natalia de Jesùs Gonzàlez Hernàndez
Sr. Yuridia Rubio Martinez