Priests of Mercy

PRIESTS OF MERCY. - A congregation of missionary priests first called the "Society of the Missions of France," founded by Fr. G. B. Rauzan (1757-1847) in Lyon in 1808, for the purpose of combating the painful effects of the French Revolution and restoring religious life through missions in the various centers of France.

The work of these missionaries was soon sought after by various French bishops, alarmed at the harm done to souls by anti-religious propaganda. After the Congregation was suppressed by Napoleon, in 1814 Rauzan was able to resume his activity and, together with his confreres, to continue the apostolic work until 1830, when another revolution forced him to suspend it. He then went to Rome and remained there for three years, composing there the rules of his Institute, which were approved by Gregory XVI on 18 February 1834. After the founder's death the Congregation spread, despite persecutions, throughout Europe and America. At present it has an international college in Rome and houses in Canada, the United States and France. The confreres take the vows of chastity, obedience and stability, as well as the promise of evangelical poverty. They devote themselves not only to missions, but also to parochial ministry and the education of youth.