The Work of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation

by Anne DeSantis

Help For Families in Crisis

World Meeting of Families 2015
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Back in 2015, Pope Francis came to the U.S. and made a special stop in Philadelphia. This was a monumental event not only for the United States but for the city of Philadelphia. The Mercedarian Religious Order attended the event and the Mass by the Holy Father.

​After the event concluded, some of the friars felt a nudge of the Holy Spirit. That nudge was a question to them regarding what they as friars could do as an Order to help families. With that, they decide to vote together with all the other priests and brothers of the Order in the U.S. about starting a foundation. It was between two areas, either: Families in Crisis or Outreach to those Affected by Human Trafficking. The votes were cast and decided, they would create a foundation with special emphasis toward Families in Crisis. Since 2015, that is exactly what they did.

​2015 to Present

Board meetings were held for about two years deciding on how they, as a religious order would proceed to make outreach to the families facing adversity. Finally in 2017, the first Director was hired. She did an amazing job, but after six months, she decided to leave the position. A new Director was hired, Anne DeSantis, me, who has been working with the foundation since that time in late 2017 and promoted to Director in 2018.

​The foundation has come a long way since its beginnings as now having helped hundreds of families in crisis and Catholics affected by divorce and separation. Programs, Podcasts, Priestly Consultations, and of course Prayer are the mainstays of the work of SRNF. If you or someone you know is a family facing tough times, please check-out www.Nonnatus.org to learn more. Make your free Pastoral Consultation with a Mercedarian friar at anytime by making an appointment on the contact form of the website. God bless!