Charitable Cause

Since 2005, Caritas Chamber Chorale has sung concerts for the benefit of the Adorno Fathers St. Francis Caracciolo Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. Caritas continues to support this mission.

St. Francis Caracciolo Mission

Established in 1984, the Adorno Fathers’ St. Francis Caracciolo Mission provides health, educational, and spiritual services to 80,000 people. The order oversees 28 schools, 15 parishes, a hospital, dispensaries, a malnutrition center, and a seminary.

The Adorno Fathers

The Order known as the Adorno Fathers was founded in Italy in 1588 by St. Francis Caracciolo, Venerable Augustine Adorno and Fabrizio Caracciolo. The founders were dedicated to the service of God and His people through authentic Christian charity and through the cultivation of a great spirit of prayer, especially adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to the common vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, the founders added a fourth vow: not to aspire to ecclesiastical honors, basically a vow of humility. The priests and brothers of the Adorno Fathers strive to sanctify themselves and the People of God by imitating the Paschal Mystery of Christ in their lives.

The Adorno Fathers first came to the United States in 1930. In December of 1937, they began a long history of ministering to the parish community of St. Joseph in Lodi. In 1962, the Adorno Fathers opened their House of Formation in Ramsey, New Jersey. They opened Immaculate Conception Parish in South Carolina in 1989.

Inspired by the charitable spirit of their founders, the Adornos saw the need to expand as missionaries in developing countries. In 1984, the St. Francis Caracciolo Mission was formed in Nyamilima, currently Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. The Mission runs a Pastoral Center, parishes, schools, a hospital, a malnutrition center, and a seminary in Goma. In addition to the African Mission, the Adorno Fathers are now also present in India and the Philippines.

The Adorno Fathers celebrated a very special Jubilee Year from May, 2007 to June 2008. During this time, numerous activities took place including musical offerings by Caritas Chamber Chorale.

Contact the Adornos

The Adornos maintain a house of formation in Ramsey, and staff St. Joseph Church in Lodi, NJ. For more information about their missions in Africa and elsewhere, visit their website at adornofathers.org, or contact:

Fr. Michael Marotta

Adorno Fathers

St. Joseph Church

40 Spring St.

Lodi, NJ, 07644

(973) 779-0643

amrgmike@yahoo.com