By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
Claretian Sister Ondina Cortes of St. Thomas University discusses the academic year with incoming freshmen Sept. 9. From left are Alyssa Sanchez, Manuel Diaz, Sister Ondina, Paolo Ariano and Natasha Lopez.
MIAMI | Since November 2014, the worldwide Church has been celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life. To mark the year, the archdiocesan Office for Religious has been hosting monthly Holy Hours in different parishes to give thanks for the gift of consecrated life and to pray for an increase in vocations to the religious life.
At the Florida Catholic, we are marking the year by featuring quick profiles of the various religious communities serving in South Florida. Here is this month’s:
Claretian Missionaries
Painting depicts the founders of the Claretian congregation, St. Antonio Maria Claret and Maria Antonia de Paris. They founded the community in Cuba in 1855.
Religious initials: RMI (Religious of Mary Immaculate)
Beginnings: Founded by St. Antonio María Claret and María Antonia Paris in Cuba, 1855
Mission or charism: To live and announce with joy the Good News, seeking the Kingdom of God and his justice, and contributing to the renewal of the Church in fraternity and evangelical poverty
Number worldwide: 470 in America, Europe, Africa and Asia
Number in archdiocese: 10
Year arrived in U.S.: 1956
Year arrived in South Florida: 1974
Presently working: At Corpus Christi, St. Timothy and St. Catherine of Siena parishes and St. Thomas University in education, catechesis, youth ministry, adult faith formation, social justice, evangelization and liturgical ministries.
Claretian Missionaries working in the Archdiocese of Miami pose for a photo.
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