Behold I will make all things new (Rv 21,5) – “Ecco, io faccio nuove tutte le cose”
The Order has a rich history since its founding in 1588 in Naples, Italy. Ven Agostino Adorno, St. Francis Caracciolo and Fabrizio Caracciolo dedicated their lives to establish the Order from its humble beginnings. By means of their holy lives and love for God and his Church, they instilled humility as the fourth vow of every religious of the Order. Pope Clement VIII approved the Fourth Vow of the Order: Not to seek ecclesiastical honors in 1592. Like many other religious communities from 16th Century, the Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers) experienced periods of growth and decline, particularly in Italy and Spain.
There was a time between the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Order consisted of five Provinces (Division of the Order in Italy- three provinces: Rome, Neapolitan and Sicilian Province. Division of the Order in Spain- two Provinces: Castillian and Andalusian Provinces) and had about 50 communities with a total membership between 700 to 800 religious. The Order was involved in parish work, chaplaincies and teaching in colleges and universities. It had consulters in various congregations of the Holy See, and some religious were given special and delicate assignments, such as that of Father Cerù and Father Soffietti who were sent to the far East to investigate and report on the difficult controversy of the Rites.
Between 1809 – 1810, The first suppression of the Order in Italy and Spain by the Napoleonic Law took place which resulted in the dispersion of the religious members and the confiscation of Religious Houses. The second suppression of the Order happened between 1860 – 1870 after the unification of Italy which resulted in the loss of Religious Houses and dispersion of religious members.
At the turn of the 20th century, the Order was left with a handful of religious. By the mandate of Pope St. Pius X, the few remaining religious were told to start again and look for vocations. This was considered as a renewal for the Order which then experienced its rebirth.
Towards the beginning of the 20th Century, after the Order regained its footings, the desire to reignite its missionary spirit has regenerated.
In 1930, following an invitation of Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh, Father Michael De Angelis, CRM came to the United States of America and worked for some time in Morristown, New Jersey as a chaplain of the Filippini Sisters. After a few years the Archbishop assigned Father Michael as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Lodi, New Jersey. It was on April 1, 1962 when we finally opened a House of Studies in Ramsey, New Jersey. Later, the Adorno Center was built to prepare candidates for the priesthood and the religious life.
The Order sent priests to Germany in 1972 to minister to Italian Catholics. In 1984, the Order ventured to the Democratic Republic of Congo, (Former Zaire) to establish missions.
Our presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo grew and the African Delegation was established after the General Diet in 2015. Presently, this delegation consists of seven religious communities: Nyamilima, Goma Seminary, Goma Novitiate house, Kaseghe, Nairobi theologate, Kamore-Idjwi, and Mabolio- Beni.
In 1993, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the founders, the Order ventured to India to start a mission and look for home grown vocations. The first Adorno Fathers house of formation was established in Mallikassery Ashram, Kerala. From then on, it grew into several religious houses: namely a novitiate in Kiliyanthara, a mission in Arunachal and a theologate Bangalore.
The Adorno Fathers in the United States began mission through the mandate of the General Consulta and in 2002, the Order opened a house of studies in Vinzons, Philippines (Camarines Norte), a formal novitiate house in 2012 and a theologate in Lipa City (Batangas).
With rich history and the blessings of regeneration at the beginning of 20th century, the Order at the 63rd General Chapter, chose the theme: Behold I will make all things new (Rv 21,5). In the midst of all the blessings and endeavors of all religious, the center of all this is love. The love for God transforms all and the love for the Order renews us all.
The first week of the General Chapter has ended and all the reports from each delegation have been presented. With the blessings and challenges of each delegation, the constant renewal and faithfulness to the Charism and Spirituality allow us to flourish and bloom wherever the Lord has planted us. Our story continues, our mission to proclaim the Gospel endures as the Church stands until the end of time to bring greater honor and glory to the Risen Christ.