Missionaries of Mercy

Missionaries of Mercy are priests – diocesan or religious – who have been commissioned by the Holy Father to give particular emphasis to the duty shared by all priests to “hear confessions and preach on behalf of and promote the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” They are to be an intentional, visible expression of the mercy of God, which is at the heart of the priesthood and all of Catholic life. In addition, Missionaries of Mercy have the authority, granted by the Holy Father, to pardon these sins reserved to the Holy See:

  • Profaning the Eucharistic species by taking them away or keeping them for a sacrilegious purpose;
  • Use of physical force against the Roman Pontiff;
  • Absolution of an accomplice in a sin against the Sixth Commandment of the Decalogue;
  • A direct violation against the sacramental seal by a confessor.
  • The recording by means of a technical device of what the priest or the penitent says in a Sacramental Confession (whether real or simulated), or the divulgation of such a recording through the means of social communication.

Our Archdiocese of Philadelphia Missionaries of Mercy

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia rejoices to have 11 of her own priests appointed to this ministry. These priests are available, schedule permitting, to help facilitate your pastoral initiatives that focus on conversion and divine mercy, with a particular attention given to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please note each priest’s availability as stated below. 

Archdiocesan Missionaries of Mercy Flyer
English / Español


 

Rev. Msgr. George A. Majoros
Pastor of the partnering parishes of Sacred Heart Church in Clifton Heights and Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Drexel Hill (Delaware County)

Contact:
St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Drexel Hill, PA
Office:  610-623-3800 or send an email

Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton Heights, PA
Rectory: 610-623-0409 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for:  hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; preaching at Masses; preaching for parish missions; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools; giving parent talks on the Sacrament of Penance and/or the Holy Eucharist

More information: In addition to the regularly scheduled confessions at his parishes, Msgr. Majoros hears confessions on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.


Rev. Kenneth C. Brabazon
Pastor of Saint Isidore in Quakertown (Bucks County)

Contact: Phone: 215-536-4389 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; preaching for parish missions; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools

More information: Fr. Brabazon, who can hear confessions in English or Spanish, is typically available during the regularly scheduled confessions at St. Isidore Parish on Tuesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, on Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, and on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 to 4:45 PM


Rev. Matthew D. Brody
Pastor of Saint Richard of Chichester in Philadelphia (South Philadelphia)

Contact: Phone: 215-468-4777 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; preaching for parish missions; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools; giving parent talks on the Sacrament of Penance and/or the Holy Eucharist

More information: Fr. Brody can hear confessions in English and Spanish.


Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Depman
Pastor of Saint Rocco Church in Avondale (Chester County)

Contact: Phone: 610-563-0216 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments

More information: Msgr. Depman is bilingual and can hear confessions in English and Spanish.


Rev. Peter J. DiMaria
Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Bridgeport (Montgomery County)

Contact: Phone: 610-275-1750 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments


Rev. Msgr. Paul V. Dougherty
Pastor of Saint Margaret of Antioch Church in Narberth (Montgomery County) and Chaplain of the Deaf Apostolate

Contact: Phone: 610-664-3770 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools; giving parent talks on the Sacrament of Penance and/or the Holy Eucharist

More information: In addition being Pastor of St. Margaret’s, Msgr. Dougherty also serves as Chaplain for the Deaf community and can offer confession in American Sign Language. 


Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Duncan
Pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Malvern (Chester County)

Contact: Phone: 610-647-2345 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; preaching for parish missions


Rev. Douglas M. McKay
Rector of the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern (Chester County) and Chaplain of Our House Ministries in Philadelphia (Grays Ferry)

Contact: Office: 267-928-3173 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: individual confession appointments


Rev. Augustus C. Puleo
Faculty Member and Director of the English Language Program and Spanish Program (ESL) at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Overbrook)

Contact: Phone: 610-256-7806 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; preaching at Masses; preaching for parish missions; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools; giving parent talks on the Sacrament of Penance and/or the Holy Eucharist

More information: Fr. Puleo is bilingual in English and Spanish and is available to offer confessions in Spanish as well as retreats, classes, liturgies in Spanish.


Rev. Christopher B. Rogers
Pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Kennett Square (Chester County)

Contact: Phone: 610-444-4364 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; individual confession appointments; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools; giving parent talks on the Sacrament of Penance and/or the Holy Eucharist

More information: In addition to being Pastor of St. Patrick, Fr. Rogers serve as Chaplain for the Philadelphia Chapter of Courage and Encourage Apostolates. This work assists men and women with same-sex attraction and their loved ones in their walk with the Lord as His Disciples. Such a walk relies and thrives on the beautiful gift of God’s Mercy. He also serves as an adjunct Spiritual Director at St. Charles Seminary. 


Rev. Charles Zlock, Pastor
Pastor of Saint Raymond of Penafort in Philadelphia (Mt. Airy)

Contact: Phone: 215-549-3760 or send an email

Schedule permitting, available for: hearing confessions at parish and Archdiocesan events; offering faith formation talks in parishes or schools; giving parent talks on the Sacrament of Penance and/or the Holy Eucharist


“They will be missionaries of mercy because they will be facilitators of a truly human encounter, a source of liberation, rich with responsibility for overcoming obstacles and taking up the new life of baptism again. They will be led in their mission by the words of the apostle, ‘For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all’ (Romans 11: 32).”   ~Pope Francis

Click here for the National website for the Missionaries of Mercy in the USA