Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary

The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary is a diocesan religious institute founded in 1990 by Mother Adela Galindo in the Archdiocese of Miami. It is recognized as a nonprofit organization in the United States with the EIN number 59-3274817.

History and Founding

Mother Adela Galindo originally began her path in Nicaragua, fleeing there due to a dangerous political climate and eventually immigrating to the United States. The institute was officially established on August 15, 1990, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Over time, the organization has expanded to include not only the original female community but also a male branch of brothers and priests, which was formally established as a Public Clerical Association of the Faithful in 2020.

Charism and Mission

The spiritual charism of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary is to reflect the Heart, Person, and Mission of Mary in the heart of the Church. For the female branch, this involves being a living image and presence of Mary's heart by choosing the perfection of love in all things. The male branch, on the other hand, seeks to embody the Heart, Person, and Mission of Christ, drawing from the same Marian-Apostolic-Petrine principle.

The institute's apostolic charism focuses on witnessing to the transformative power of love and the majesty of the Church's teachings, with the goal of building a new civilization of love and life within both the Church and the world. Members express their love through service, exemplifying a spirit of generosity, openness, and availability, similar to that of Our Lady.

Apostolic Activities

The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary engage in various apostolic activities, including diocesan ministry, parish missions and retreats, education, direction of catechesis, administration of retreat centers, Eucharistic cenacles, campus ministry, pastoral assistance to clergy, and Hispanic ministry. Additionally, lay members and youth are involved through branches such as the "Apostles of the Pierced Hearts" and "Missionaries of Love," which serve especially at the Shrine of Lourdes in France.

Structure and Membership

The institute includes both female and male branches, with the sisters found in fourteen convents across the U.S. and one in Rome. The male branch, established more recently, consists of religious brothers and priests. All members take the traditional evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, plus an additional vow specific to their Marian or Christological identification. The community approaches daily life through communal prayer, Mass, and shared meals, interspersed with periods of study and service.

Lay Involvement

Beyond the vowed members, the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary also involve laypeople in their mission. This includes organizing retreats and activities that foster spiritual growth and community engagement, encouraging lay members to participate in communal life and service to others.

In summary, the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary are a vibrant diocesan institute dedicated to spreading love and the teachings of the Church, embodying the heart of Mary and Christ in their ministry and daily life.