Madonna House Apostolate facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Madonna House Apostolate is a Catholic Christian group. It is made up of lay men, women, and priests. They all promise to live simply, be pure, and obey God for their whole lives. Their main goal is to love and serve Jesus Christ in everything they do. Catherine Doherty started Madonna House in 1947 in Combermere, Ontario. Since then, it has opened mission houses all over the world. The Catholic Church recognizes it as a special group of faithful people.

History of Madonna House
How They Live
Community Outreach
Mission Houses Around the World
Our Lady of Combermere Statue
See also

History of Madonna House

Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896–1985) was the person who started Madonna House. She was born in Russia to a rich and very Christian family. She learned that every person was like Christ. She was taught to serve Christ especially in people who were poor. For her, prayer was a way to show love by serving others in all parts of life.

Catherine survived World War I, the Russian Revolution, and a civil war. In 1919, she and her husband, Boris de Hueck, became refugees in England. While there, Catherine joined the Catholic Church. In 1920, they moved to Toronto, Canada. Catherine worked hard to support her husband and baby son. She became successful again. But she felt a strong inner call to give away her things. She wanted to live with and help the poor.

The Bishop of Toronto, Rev. Neil MacNeil, supported this idea. Other people saw Catherine's faith and wanted to join her. This was the start of Friendship House in Toronto. They collected food and clothes for those in need. Catherine also taught about the Catholic Church's social ideas. She wanted to help people who were confused by other teachings.

In 1936, Friendship House closed because of problems. Catherine then moved to Harlem in New York. She went there to serve African Americans. She spoke out against how some Catholics treated their Black brothers and sisters. Again, a community grew around her. It became successful and spread to other cities.

Later, Catherine's first marriage ended. She then married Eddie Doherty, a newspaper reporter. This marriage caused some disagreements in Friendship House. Her bigger ideas for the group were not understood by her co-workers. To avoid more problems, Catherine and Eddie moved to Combermere, Ontario. They planned to live a quiet retirement. But people came to join her again. Bishop Smith of the Pembroke area asked her to start a rural group in Combermere. This new community was called Madonna House. It became her most successful and lasting group.

Young men and women came to Madonna House wanting to give their lives to God. Later, priests also joined them. In 1952, a Church leader named Cardinal Giovanni Montini suggested that Madonna House members make promises. These promises would be about poverty, purity, and obedience. The community voted to make these lifelong promises. In 1955, Catherine and Eddie also promised to live a celibate life (without marrying again). Fourteen years later, Eddie became a priest.

On June 8, 1960, Bishop William Smith approved Madonna House as a "Pious Union." The first mission house opened in Whitehorse, Yukon, in 1954. This was at the request of Bishop Jean Louis Coudert. More missions followed in places like Edmonton, Alberta, and Winslow, Arizona.

Catherine passed away in 1985. Since then, the community has continued to grow. In 2022, it had about 200 members. They also had 16 mission houses in six different countries.

How They Live

Life in the Madonna House community is like a Christian family. They try to live the Gospel in all the small things of everyday life. They follow the example of the Holy Family in Nazareth. Jesus told them to "love one another as I have loved you." This love is shown by serving those they live with and everyone they meet. Love is the most important part of their faith. The call to love is seen as the reason for all their outreach work.

Welcoming Guests

Guests who stay at Madonna House in Combermere are an important part of life there. They become part of the family. They share in the daily prayers and work. This work includes everything needed to keep the community going. Catherine Doherty believed that welcoming someone into your heart is as important as welcoming them into your home.

Prayer in Daily Life

Prayer fills the life at Madonna House. It is shown in their work and in serving others. It is also shown in their Church prayers. Members and guests gather for Mass every day. They also pray morning or evening prayers. The rosary is prayed after the evening meal. They believe in "preaching the Gospel with one's life." This means every activity, from work to meals to sports, becomes a way to show love for God and others.

Living Simply

The community does not get money from the government. They live entirely on donations from people. They wear used clothes. Much of their food comes from their own farm. Living simply helps Madonna House members depend completely on God. This is true for their physical needs and their inner lives.

The Duty of the Moment

The phrase "duty of the moment" means that God's will is found in whatever needs to be done right now. It means that ordinary, simple work done for God and others gives meaning to everyone at Madonna House. This ordinary work is filled with love, faith, hope, and kindness. These things give value to all people.

Sobornost: A Special Unity

Sobornost is a Russian word. It means a deep unity of heart, mind, and soul in a group. This happens when each person listens to and follows the Holy Spirit. Catherine Doherty thought sobornost was a key idea for Christian communities. She saw it as an answer to people focusing only on themselves in today's world.

The idea of sobornost is seen in how the community is set up. Priests, laymen, and laywomen live as one family. Each of the three groups has a leader called a Director General. This leader must be chosen by everyone in that group, showing sobornost. The three Directors General also work together in deep unity.

Poustinia: A Quiet Place for Prayer

The Russian word for 'desert' is poustinia. In Madonna House, it means a small, simple cabin or room. People typically spend 24 hours there in prayer and fasting. They read the Bible and listen for God's word in their hearts. In Combermere, there are about 20 such cabins. Members and guests can use them for this special time of quiet prayer. Catherine Doherty wrote a famous book about it called Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer.

Community Outreach

An "apostolic farm" called St. Benedict's Acres grows much of the food for the community. It also teaches members and guests to know God better as they care for the land.

A non-profit newspaper called Restoration is published 10 times a year.

Madonna House Publications is a non-profit group. It offers books by Catherine Doherty and other community members. They also have cards with art by community artists. They run a website and an online newsletter called "Pass It On."

A summer camp called Cana Colony welcomes families each year. They spend a week learning about Christian living, prayer, and thinking deeply.

Mission Houses Around the World

Besides the main training center in Combermere, Ontario, Madonna House has mission houses. These are opened when a local bishop invites them.

In Canada, you can find these houses in Combermere (St Joseph's Rural Apostolate), Ottawa, Toronto, and Windsor, Ontario. There are also houses in Regina, Saskatchewan; Edmonton, Alberta; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Whitehorse, Yukon.

In the U.S., there are mission houses in Washington, DC; Roanoke, Virginia; Salem, Missouri; Alpena, Michigan; and Winslow, Arizona.

International houses are currently in Carriacou, West Indies; Robin Hood's Bay, England; Resteigne, Belgium; and Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Each mission house helps the local Church in different ways. This is decided with the bishop of that area. For example, houses in Edmonton and Regina help people who are homeless. They give food, clothes, and friendship. Many missions are called "prayer/listening" houses. People are welcome there for a poustinia or to share their worries with someone who will listen.

Our Lady of Combermere Statue

The bronze statue of Our Lady of Combermere stands on the grounds of Madonna House in Combermere. The artist Frances Rich created it. Bishop William J. Smith officially placed and blessed it on June 8, 1960.