Congregatio Missionariorum Filiorum Immaculati Cordis Beatae Mariae Virginis | |
Abbreviation | CMF |
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Nickname | Claretians |
Formation | 16 July 1849 |
Founders | Antonio María Claret, C.M.F. Esteban Sala, CMF José Xifré, CMF |
Founded at | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
Type | Clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men |
Headquarters | Via del Sacro Cuore di Maria 5, Rome, Italy |
Membership (2020) | 3,034 members (2,239 priests) |
motto | Latin: Silii Ejus Beatissimam Predicaverunt English: His disciples preached the Beatitudes |
Superior General | Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF |
Main organ | Commentarium pro Religiosis et Missionariis |
Parent organization | Catholic Church |
Website | claret |
The Claretians, officially named the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Latin: Congregatio Missionariorum Filiorum Immaculati Cordis Beatae Mariae Virginis; abbreviated CMF), is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men headquartered in Rome. It was founded on July 16, 1849, by Fr. Antonio María Claret y Clará, C.M.F. They are active as missionaries worldwide, in 70 countries on five continents. The number of Claretian priests and brothers is at more than 3,000.[year needed][1] The Congregation has a particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary[1] and members have published extensively in Mariology.[2]