Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

A Society of Apostolic Life...

Some years ago Rome had suggested that our Bishop begin a Foreign Mission Society, and at the time, Bishop Boyle felt that this project would be a little difficult to begin because this would suppose a core group of men ready to embark in such a venture. However, when the Congregation of the Sons of Mary left Jamaica, Bishop Boyle felt that he could give this charge to the missionaries who stayed behind to continue serving God's people in our Diocese. He suggested the project to them and after prayer and reflection, the above-mentioned men who have been serving our Diocese decided to go forward with this endeavour.

This society is defined as "a group of diocesan clerics and lay persons living a fraternal life in common, united by the bond of charity pursuing the apostolic purpose of their society as defined in their statutes." The aim of the Society of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is "to participate in the Missionary Activity of the Church through the spread of the Gospel and service of the Church firstly in the Caribbean and in other Mission Territories of the Catholic Church."

After a period of probation, members take a temporary engagement in missionary life. After three years they make their perpetual incorporation in the Society. In choosing this lifestyle they pledge to "share the joys and anguishes of their apostolate in a spirit of true fraternity. They help each other through the link of fraternal charity to grow in perfection [...] All members live in perfect continence, simplicity of life and obedience to their superiors in virtue of their incorporation in the Society."