Fulfilling the Catholic Church's Call to Penance and Repentance

in the Modern World

The Confraternity of Penitents

"You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind, (and) you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (Jesus's words as recorded in Matthew 22:37-38)

Regions, Chapters, Circles

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Portrait of Saint Augustine of Hippo

c. 1472

There is no true friendship, Lord, except between those whom You bind together. . . If your delight is in souls, my friends, let them be loved in God, for they too are changeable, and they will perish and pass away if they are not firmly established in Him.  In Him, then, let them be loved; and draw to Him along with you as many souls as you can.

--St. Augustine of Hippo

True friendship can harbor no suspicion; a friend must speak to a friend as freely as to his second self.

--St. Jerome

What a great favor God does to those whom He places in the company of good people!

--St. Teresa of Avila

If the bond of your communion is love, devotion, and Christian perfection, then your friendship will be precious indeed:  precious because it has its origin in God, because it is maintained in God, and because it will endure forever in Him.

--St. Francis de Sales

Jesus with the Woman of Samaria

 

"Repent and believe the Good News!" 

Penance means conversion. The Confraternity of Penitents is a world wide private Catholic association of the faithful, completely loyal to our Pope and the Magisterium. 

Our Rule of Life has been reviewed by our bishop and recognized in these words:  "this Rule does not contain anything contrary to our faith; therefore it may be safely practiced privately by you or by anyone inclined to do so.  . . . His Excellency is appreciative of your efforts to live and promote Franciscan spirituality and especially promote the neglected practice of penance and he wishes you success" (January 30, 1998). 

 Members of the Confraternity of Penitents live this Rule in their own homes, devoted to prayer, penance, fasting, conversion, and works of mercy modeled on Jesus Christ and inspired by the lives and teachings of

St. Francis,

St. Dominic,

St. Therese,

St. Benedict,

St. Augustine,

St. Ignatius,

and all the saints, most especially Mary, the Mother of God, who lived a life of true penance (conversion) in perfect union with our Lord.

May Our Lady and all the saints intercede for all who wish to embrace a life of penance, anywhere in the world, so that the grace of God will assist them to obtain every virtue necessary for a life of holiness and surrender to the Will of God! Amen.

PRAYER OF PENITENTS
 "Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my mind, give me right faith, a firm hope and perfect charity, so that I may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen." (Saint Francis's prayer before the San Damiano Crucifix)

MISSION OF PENITENTS
"Go and repair My House which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." (The message given to St. Francis in a voice from the San Damiano Crucifix.)

ACTION OF PENITENTS
To pray for God's specific direction in one's life so that, through humbly living our Rule of Life, each penitent may help to rebuild the house of God by bringing love of God and neighbor to his or her own corner of the world.
 

 REGIONS, CIRCLES AND CHAPTERS

OF THE CONFRATERNITY OF PENITENTS

Circles and Chapters may be formed anywhere in the world where penitents wish to gather together for prayer, support, and service in living a life of penance.

If you like to explore forming a Chapter or Circle of the Confraternity in your area, please contact us.  We will be glad to assist you.

The following are the current Circles (five members or less) and Chapters (more than five members) of the Confraternity of Penitents.

  • Howell, Michigan, USA--Queen of the Most Holy Chapter. Spiritual Assistant: Father Bill Ashbaugh
  • Rockaway, New York USA--Bread of Life Circle, Spiritual Assistant: To be announced.
  • Newport, Rhode Island USA--Blessed Luchesio Chapter. Spiritual Assistant, Deacon Jim Rudnick
  • Forestport, New York USA-- Holy Face of Jesus Circle under the patronage of Blessed Andre  Bessette. Spiritual Assistant: To be announced.
  • Springfield, Massachusetts USA--St. Pio Circle. Spiritual Assistant: Father Henry Dorsch
  • Sayre, Pennsylvania USA--Most Holy Trinity Circle.  Spiritual Assistant: Father Paul Guthrie, OFM
  • Williamsville, New York USA--Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Circle. Spiritual Assistant: Deacon Michael McKeating
  • Manassas, Virginia USA -- Our Lady of Divine Mercy Circle. Spiritual Assistant: Father Jack Fullen
  • Texas/Oklahoma USA -- Immaculate Conception Circle. Spiritual Assistant: Deacon Charles Stumpf (This is a unique arrangement where most monthly meeting are via phone conference call, with the Circle meeting in person once or twice a year in Dallas, TX.)
  • Manilla, Philippines -- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Circle. Spiritual Assistant: To be announced.

There are four emerging circles in the CFP.  In the process of being established, they are located in:

  • Federal Correctional Institution, Butner, NC
  • Reistertown, Maryland
  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Morgantown, West Virginia

Penitents who don't live near one of these gatherings are, nevertheless, members of their regional gatherings which span the world. Each region has an appointed Regional Minister who is in communication with the members in that region:

SERVANTS OF THE CROSS REGION: Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, USA

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OUR LADY OF GOOD REMEDY REGION:  Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, USA

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BEATO LUCHESIO REGION:  Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, USA

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Way of the Cross Region:  Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, Washington DC, USA

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Mary Keeper of the Word Region: New York State, USA

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OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION REGION:  Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, USA

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SAINT BENEDICT THE MOOR REGION:  Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, USA

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CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD REGION: Europe (including British Isles)

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SAINT CHARLES LWANGA REGION:  Africa

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LORD OF LIGHT AND PEACE REGION:  Asia excluding Philippines

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SAN LORENZO RUIZ REGION: Philippines

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BLESSED SACRAMENT REGION:  Canada

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NUESTRA SENORA REGION:    Latin America

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BLESSED POPE JOHN XXIII REGION:  Australia, New Zealand

Everyone who wishes to do penance as a member of the Confraternity has others to support him or her on the journey.

Please contact us and we will put you in touch with your "group."

 

Confraternity of Penitents

520 Oliphant Lane

Middletown RI USA

02842-4600

401/849-5421

bspenance@hotmail.com

copenitents@yahoo.com