- Volunteer Working Guests and our Summer Program
- Cana Colony: Retreats for the Whole Family
- Spiritual Formation for Men Considering the Priesthood
- Associate Priests
- Staff Worker Applicants
Programs for Visiting Guests
Programs for Priests
Madonna House has a priest's house where visiting priests come to participate in the life of the Lay Apostolate and receive refreshment and encouragement. This often includes a retreat as well as opportunity to work with and interact with the community.
“Catherine Doherty's love for the priesthood radiates... Her growing awareness of the powerful grace of priesthood and its clear identity in Christ are so necessary for priests and for the world today. In these days, we are acutely aware of the humanity of our priests, as indeed Catherine was; but her words suggest that she saw more deeply into the tremendous grace that is priesthood.”
— Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti, Ph.D., D.Min., President, St. Luke Institute
Associate Priests
As Madonna House has grown, many diocesan priests have asked to become associated with our apostolate, living out the spirit of The Little Mandate in their home dioceses.
We now have more than 125 priests, deacons, bishops and archbishops who are Madonna House Associates, scattered throughout North America, the West Indies, South America, Europe, and Africa. The associate priests often are in touch with the Madonna House field house in their area; and once a year they gather in Combermere for a week-long meeting.
What is a Priest?
by Catherine Doherty
A priest is a lover of God.
A priest is a lover of men.
A priest is a holy man.A priest understands all things.
A priest forgives all things.
A priest encompasses all things.
The heart of a priest is pierced, like Christ's,
with the lance of love.The heart of a priest is open, like Christ's,
for the whole world to walk through.The heart of a priest is a vessel of compassion.
The heart of a priest is a chalice of love.
The heart of a priest is the trysting place
of human and divine love.A priest is a man whose goal is to be another Christ;
a priest is a man who lives to serve.A priest is a man who has crucified himself
so that he too may be lifted up
and draw all things to Christ.
A priest is a man in love with God.A priest is the gift of God to man
and of man to God.A priest is the symbol of the Word made flesh.
A priest is the naked sword of God's justice.
A priest is the hand of God's mercy.
A priest is the reflection of God's love.Nothing can be greater in this world than a priest,
nothing but God himself.
How to Contact Us
For more information, please write to us at:
Registrar of Priests
Madonna House Apostolate
2888 Dafoe Rd
Combermere ON K0J 1L0
CanadaPhone: 613-756-3713
Related publications
Dear Father: A Message of Love for Priests
by Catherine Doherty
The priests' house, and Catherine's thoughts on the priesthood, can be found as part of our on-line tour.
We also have a PDF flyer that you can print:
- Madonna House Pamphlet (903 KB)
- Catherine Doherty Biography (132 KB)
