The Claretian Missionaries (CMF)

In his series about the Religious Congregations living and working in the Diocese of East Anglia, Fr Karol Porczak MS, Vicar for the Religious, introduces the Claretian Missionaries (CMF).

The Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (in Latin: Congregatio Missionariorum Filiorum Immaculati Cordis Beatae Mariae Virginis) were founded by St Abp Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870) in the seminary in Vic near Barcelona, Spain, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 16 July 1849.

Claret had been thinking for a long time about preparing priests to proclaim the Gospel and bring together a group of priests who shared his vision to accomplish the work he could not do alone. Through his missionary work in Catalonia and the Canary Islands he was convinced that people needed to be evangelized and there were not enough priests who were sufficiently prepared or zealous enough for this mission.

Pope Pius IX officially recognized the Congregation in 1865. Their brothers and priests today are part of a worldwide Congregation of over 3000 missionaries in 68 countries.

Following their Founder, the Claretians expanded their ministries throughout the world. In 1902 they went to the USA and in 1912 came to England.

Following Christian tradition, their spirituality is embedded in the Word of God and the Eucharist. Marian-devotion is faithful Claretian identity and the commitment to undertake the Work of God. The Claretians missionaries mutually support one another in serving those in need.

In the UK, they reside in three locations. Since 1912, they have run the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hayes, Diocese of Westminster, offering services to Spanish speaking immigrants in the London area. Since 1956, they have been in the Diocese of East Anglia and run the Claret Centre, Retreat and Conference Centre in Buckden Towers, St Neots, Cambs, and serve in the parish of St Hugh of Lincoln in Buckden which covers a large area. The Parish is part of the Buckden Churches Together. Members of the community supply different parishes in the area when needed and also serve two prisons in Cambs.

In 1997 the Claretians took over the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual parish of St Joseph, Leyton in Brentwood diocese.

The Community of Buckden is represented by Fr Jim Kennedy CMF (Superior), Fr Paul Smyth SMF as the Director of the Claret Centre and the Parish Priest of St Hugh’s, and Fr Jude Arinze CMF.

Pictured above from left to right: are Fr Jim Kennedy, Fr Paul Smyth and Fr Jude Arinze.

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