Teen's Plans Take Unexpected Twist Toward Ancient Religious Men's Order
FREE Catholic Classes
March 22, 2011 - 8:23 PDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 22, 2011) - As a boy, he had one idea, but his uncle had another. Fr. Tony M. Fortunato, O. de M., here explains how a family member stepped in and turned his mind to the Mercedarian Order.
Dear ones: My vocation to the Mercedarians goes back to a great Mercedario Frate [Mercedarian brother] and great priest: Fr. Ferdinando Fortunato, O. de M., an uncle of mine, born in a little village: Rocca Imperiale, Cosenza, on the blue Mar Jonio, way South of Italy. It was the summer of 1952. I was done with grammar school in Rocca and ready to start high school in Potenza, the minor seminary, of that part of South Italy [to study to become a diocesan priest].
I guess, Fr. Ferdinado, who at the time was the Rector of our Convitto Villa Mercede [Mercedarian's friars' house] in Orvieto, Terni, Umbria, not too far from Assisi, did not like my idea.... You have to go to a Marian Order, he said, dress up in Bianco Abito and study in Roma.... He gave the order. What really got my attention was the fact of Madonna della Mercede, Our Lady of Mercy, and Roma.
Ready to Rock in Rome
Being from a very religious family in a little rural agricultural town, I was ready to go and rock in the capital city of the Roman Empire and being not just another priest, but a fratello of a Spanish religious Order.
Was I confused by all this decision at age 15 or so? Not a bit. I was ready to fly high, by leaving my family, my town, my little school for an ideal which was not clearly understood at this time. But God was calling me to a religious Order dedicated to la Madonna della Mercede, della Nova di Bonaria, etc. The same Mother of God was telling me... Tony... fear not.... I will take great care of you, in Nemi, Roma, Teutopolis, IL, Quincy College, Niagara University, St. Rocco, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (West the Best) and John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH.
Mary even was so kind to send to me to Philadelphia, PA (where my own father worked for twenty years).... Last but not the least.... She was very loving to send me to the deep South, Florida for twelve glorious years.... WOW.... How can I say thanks enough to Mary of Mercy for being so considerate to me since 1952, when on the 21st of October I left Rocca Imperiale, in order to become a Mercedarian Friar and Priest?
A Request Made to the Virgin Mary
Before I go the Casa del Padre [house of the Father] I love from the same Mother of God, a very special and last favor.... Mary, can another kind and very passionate man take my place in the same Order which I loved and professed for a good number of years? I will be a very happy camper in Paradiso, where I hope that the same Mary of Mercy will take me forevermore, despite my human imperfections and so many sins.... Ave Maria de Mercede, Mater et Patrona Nostra, ora pro nobis Peccatoribus.
Visit the Order of Mercy at www.OrderofMercy.org. Or go to Facebook.com/Fr.-Joseph Thomas Eddy. The singing of the Salve can be heard on the Order's popular YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/Mercedarian.
Contact
Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
http://www.orderofmercy.org
PA, 19151 US
Kevin Banet - Internet Promotion Director, 215-879-0594
Keywords
Catholic,religious,mercy,order,mens,mercedarian,marian,philadelphia,italy,rome
Category
Catholic Vocations
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177
When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT
GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT
The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT
OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT
Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT
The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT
17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT
19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT
The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT
OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT
Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT
Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT
How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT
Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT
OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT
Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT
CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT
Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT
Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT
Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT
World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT
Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT
Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT
Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT
AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT
Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT
Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT
Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT
NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT
Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT
Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT
Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT
Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT
Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT
Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT
Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT
Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT
Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT
Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT
New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT
Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST