Purpose
Our Purpose
“Mothers rule the world. They guide the destinies of homes; that is why God is relying on mothers to keep Christ in the world by keeping Him in their hearts and homes.”
Under the special patronage of Mary, the “Mother of Sorrows”, Christian Mothers are encouraged joyously to undertake the important task of training and sanctifying the young souls entrusted to their care. They are instructed with ways to edify one another by word and deed, to support one another by fervent prayer and in this way become the mainstay of the spiritual life within their own family, and a fruitful source of blessing to the community in which they live.
This is the fundamental aim of all Confraternities affiliated with the Archconfraternity. Christian Mothers learn to unite their own hearts to Christ and then they help to draw their families closer to the Lord. In that way they become the leaven which makes their own parish and community more alive with the presence of the risen Lord.
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Advantages
Advantages of Joining The Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers
Many powerful graces are available through the prayers and good works performed by members complying with the directives of the Confraternity and the guidance of its Director. We have our Savior’'s own words: “If two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by my Father in heaven.”
Whenever a member prays for herself and her children, all the other members and their children benefit from her efforts. All members of a Confraternity form a pool of spiritual reinforcement. In choosing Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, as their Patroness, the mothers ensure the particular protection and powerful intercession of their Heavenly Mother adding a special dimension to their own spiritual resources.
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Local Support
Prayer & Support How the Confraternity Helps Mothers
The number of Christian Mother Confraternities in North America with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, has varied over the years. The latest count stands at two thousand with thirteen new affiliations in the past three years, as far away as Nigeria.
Most Christian mothers meet once a month under the direction of the parish priest to support one another in prayer to become the mainstay of the spiritual life in their own families and a fruitful source of blessing to the community in which they live. Our Christian grandmothers too have much to share with their experience and wisdom. In some confraternities the Saint Monica Circle has been established to encourage priestly and religious vocations. The mothers sponsor mother/daughter and father/daughter activities. The women visit the sick and help the needy. Many pastors claim that the Christian mothers are still the best helpers in the parish in matters spiritual and temporal. They recite the rosary at the funeral home for deceased Christian mothers and provide an honor guard at the funeral Mass.
In recent years some of them have become world pilgrims to the shrines in America and in Europe. Many groups still make days of recollection and retreats.
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Director
Our Director
Father Angelus Shaughnessy, O.F.M. Capuchin, is the present National Executive Director of the Archconfraternity. He is the editor of the "Mother Love Bulletin" and he visits the various confraternities in the United States. He is away for about seventy five percent of the year. He travels in a 2003 Hyundai unless the trips take more than six hours by car. Then he flies. His travels often include engagements for parish missions, days and evenings and weekends of retreat as a way to introduce the people to the purpose of the Archconfraternity: to help raise their children as good Catholics. This has always been a need in the Church but never more so than now. We have produced six DVD's and fifteen CD's to foster the spirituality of the Christian mothers, plus CD's for the Stations of the Cross and the Biblical Rosary.
The Confraternities still express their gratitude to Father Bertin Roll, O.F.M. Capuchin, who was the National Executive Director for more than sixty years. They recall the joy and enthusiasm of Father Bertin as he addressed the mothers' needs and duties with fervor and exactness. What a blessing he has been!
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History
History Archconfraternity of the Christian Mothers
The Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers sprang up from the heartfelt needs of a group of mothers in France. It was a time about the middle of the 19th century, when the modern forces undermining family life first began to seriously challenge Catholic Christian values. A few mothers began to meet and talk about the struggles they all were facing. Together they prayed for a solution. They discussed their problems in raising their children and prayed for one another. In mutual concern and prayers they found the courage to carry out their important vocation.
The movement solidified and on May 1, 1850 the first conference of Christian Mothers was held in Lille, France. Louise Josson de Bilhem, one of the original women, became the selected leader. In the course of time the French mothers sought and received recognition from their bishop for the growing organization. The organization grew rapidly throughout France and neighboring countries and soon over a million women were enrolled as members.
When Capuchin Franciscans came to the United States to minister to German immigrants, they brought along this popular organization for mothers. On January 16, 1881 the Confraternity of Christian Mothers was canonically established at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Later it was raised to the rank of an Archconfraternity with the right of affiliating other Confraternities wherever the Bishop of the Diocese approved. Since then over 2,000 Confraternities have been affiliated with the Pittsburgh Archconfraternity. The Capuchins have staffed the central office of the organization throughout the years.
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Resources
Resources
A new and revised edition of the Christian mother prayer book, "Mother Love", is the work of Father Lester Knoll and Father Bonaventure Stefun.It has three hundred and eight pages and is copyrighted 2007. It has proven to be most valuable to our mothers at whatever age. More than nine thousand copies have been sold to date. It sells for $15.00. Every mother should have one.
"Mother Love" is also the new name of the Christian mother quarterly bulletin. Thirty eight hundred copies are printed and sent to the father directors and officers of the confraternities as well as to isolated members. The bulletin has received widespread recognition for its content and its lay-out.
Our office has supplied thousands of the Christian mother daily prayer for the children and the Sorrowful Mother medal.
Father Jude Senieur's book, "O God, Why Did I Get Married" is a good preparation for marriage. We have it available for $10.00.
Click HERE to read the current and past issues
of the quarterly bulletin "Mother Love."
See more resources for Christian Mothers
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Contact
Contact Us
Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers
220 37th Street
Pittsburgh PA 15201
412.683.2400
christianmothers_consolidated.net
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Page 1
OH GOD, WHY DID I GET MARRIED?
by Jude Senieur, Capuchin.
Marriage problems are not unique to the western world. If and when this little book is translated into a variety of languages it could well answer a universal need. It is an interesting and practical presentation of the elements that make for a good and successful marriage.
The down-to-earth illustrations will be readily recognized as coming from real experience of married couples. Hopefully the value of the recommendations will be equally recognized. For those contemplating marriage, the graphic description of what marriage ought to be will serve as a practical blueprint for uniting themselves in a thrilling and exciting relationship of true love.
Everyone engaged in marriage counseling and particularly those involved in preparing young couples for marriage should find this book very helpful. It will also make a practical addition to a wedding gift. Instead of merely wishing a couple success in their marriage, you can with this little book, let them know exactly how to find success. The understanding of true marital love is a big step in that direction!
The reader will be quick to recognize the influence of the "practicum committee" – the married couples whose experience in finding happiness in marriage is reflected throughout the book. The author steers clear of any theorizing from a celibate ivory tower and maintains his role as "umpire" in the pursuit of marital happiness.
If you are interested in obtaining this book, you can:
e-mail christianmothers_consolidated.net or you can write to Christian Mothers, 220 37th St. Pittsburgh, PA. 15201 or call 412 683-2400. Suggested offering: $10.00 each includes S&H.
Page 2
EMBRACING DEMENTIA: A Call to Love
by Ellen Marie Edmond
This is a book that all of us sooner or later will have to know about. People are living longer than they have in the past and many of their memories have not kept pace with their physical well-being. Those who care for them are often baffled as to how to deal with these poor souls. This book shows how this suffering can be coped with graciously and gracefully. I would highly recommend this book.
Listen to this paragraph of the Preface of the book written by Father Angelus. It will help you in your spiritual life.
“ This thing called ‘dementia.’ An experience of the darkest night, some might say. And yet, we know that light is brighter when darkness is darker. Could it be that God has allowed the dark plague of dementia, in all its forms throughout the world, to help us see the light of His Love? Ellen’'s love for God and for her husband, combined with her strong faith and hope, enabled her to fully embrace her husband’'s illness and to companion him in the commitment of compassionate love. It is truly a story of faith, hope, and unconditional love.”
If you are interested in obtaining this book, e-mail christianmothers_consolidated.net or write to Christian Mothers, 220 37th St. Pittsburgh, PA. 15201 or call 412 683-2400
The offering for the book: Large Print $21.00 – Small Print $16.00 - Audio Book ((includes 5 CD’s) $30.00 plus S&H..
Page 3
Honoring Her Virtues
by Frances Pergamo
These reflections on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary are a goldmine of inspiration for those who really want to pray. I would want every Christian Mother in the world to read and internalize the messages of these stories from the life of Christ and His precious Mother. Frances Pergamo makes the life of Christ come alive, using the Sacred Scriptures masterfully to illustrate her points.
Fr. Angelus, OFM Cap
If you are interested in obtaining “
Honoring Her Virtues
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email christianmothers_consolidated.net
or write to Christian Mothers 220 37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
or call 412-683-2400.
The suggested offering is $12.95 plus shipping and handling.
You may also contact the publisher, Leonine Publishers LLC, P. O. Box 8099, Phoenix, AZ 85066 or email info_leoninepublishers.com and visit online at www.leoninepublishers.com.
More Resources
Oh, God! Why Did I Get Married
Embracing Dementia
Honoring Her Virtues
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Prayer
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Every Mother needs both.
Capuchin Friars of the Province of St. Augustine • 220 37th Street • Pittsburgh PA 15201 412-682-6011
