Madonna House - Staff Worker Applicants

Programs for Visiting Guests

Staff Worker Applicants

Each year new applicants for the vocation to Madonna House are accepted. After a period of discernment while the applicant-to-be is a volunteer at Madonna House, Combermere (or by special arrangements at one of our missions), both the applicant and the directors discern the possibility of a vocation. This is usually a period of 6 months to a year. The person is then received as an official “applicant.” The applicancy is for a period of two years. After two years, promises of poverty, chastity and obedience are taken for a period of one year. These promises are renewed three times for two years each and finally made for life.

During the applicancy individuals are trained in our way of life through living in the community while being trained in each department, as well as through an intensified prayer life, spiritual direction, comprehensive studies and full participation in the life of a staff worker. After promises, staff are usually assigned to any one of our many field mission houses to be of service to one another and to their neighbours.

Building a Civilization of Love
An invitation to a life of Gospel fullness!

Who We Are

Lay men, women, and priests, united in Christ to form a community of Gospel love and expressing this love in the works of the Apostolate.

Living the Gospel,
Evangelizing through our everyday lives,
Serving in hospitality and availability.

We are pilgrims... traveling in poverty to find security only in Christ... journeying in chastity to love and serve Christ in every person... living in obedience to be concerned only with God’s will... totally given to Jesus Christ through Mary... belonging to the Catholic Church and faithful to its teachings.

Our History

Out of an eventful, often turbulent life, with a boundless love of the poor, Catherine Doherty first founded Friendship House, and then Madonna House (with her husband, Eddie Doherty) in 1947. Combermere, Ontario, Canada is the centre of formation, with 20 field houses throughout the world.

Our Leadership

A Director General is elected from each of the three groups: lay men, women and priests — the three act in unison to guide our family.

Our Formation

Over a two year period we learn how to incarnate the Gospel in daily life through prayer work, study, and personal guidance.
We make promises of poverty, chastity and obedience, first on a temporary basis, and, after seven years, for life.
Madonna House is a “School of Love” Nazareth-style, under the direction of Our Lady of Combermere.

Our Apostolic Life

Forming a community of Gospel love,
Providing food, clothing and other basic necessities for those in need, while respecting their dignity,
Listening, intercessory prayer, friendship,
Creating beauty with music, drama, arts, crafts,
Evangelizing through the media,
Promoting Christian family life,
Farming as apostles, witnessing to the sanctity of creation,
Providing year-round apostolic formation,
Receiving priests for a time of renewal,
Offering spiritual formation and discernment for men considering the priesthood,
Being a bridge between Christan East & West,
Serving the local Church where our field houses are located (Canada, U.S.A., Europe, Africa, South America, Russia, the Caribbean), through the mandate given by the Bishop.

Madonna House welcomes visitors as working guests!

Experience for yourself the fullness of our life — its joys and challenges, which include:

Daily Mass and communal prayer,
Working alongside members of the community,
Classes, discussions, and instruction on the teachings of the Church,
Spiritual direction, aid in vocational discernment,
Recreation,
Ongoing formation in Gospel living,
Family-style meals, dormitory living.

Who?

Men and women over 18 who are willing to fully participate in the life of the community and wanting to love and serve Jesus Christ.

When?

Any time of year, week-by-week.

Where?

Combermere, Ontario, Canada (via Toronto or Ottawa). Here is a map.

Cost?

Free will offering when possible.

Please Note: Reservations are necessary.

Preparing for Your Visit

Please take time to review the information we have provided for volunteer working guests, as well as our Apostolic Life Agreement and our information about what to bring.

How to Contact Us

If you are interested in spending a week or more with us, please write:

Registrar of Men / Women / Priests
Madonna House Apostolate
2888 Dafoe Rd
Combermere ON K0J 1L0
Canada

Phone: 613-756-3713

Note: If you send us e-mail, please remember to include your full name and complete postal mailing address.