Founder - Fr. Philip Merdinger
Founder - Fr. Philip Merdinger
Fr. Philip is known for his exceptional preaching, especially his ability to draw people to know the love of the Father and to completely entrust themselves to the "all-sufficiency" of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit transformed his priesthood when lay people prayed with him. This encounter with the transformative power of the gospel led him to seek ways to provide those encounters for others. Most significantly, he founded the Brotherhood of Hope in 1980.
Now in his late 80s, our beloved Founder lives in our Minnesota house, interceding for his Brothers and the many people they invite to trust more deeply in the Father.
1975
A Son Encounters The Father
In 1975, Fr. Philip Merdinger, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, agreed to receive the prayers of some early members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Though he had already been ordained for ten years, at that moment Fr. Philip experienced the love of the Father in such a profound way that he knew his life had been changed forever.
1977–1979
Iron Sharpens Iron
Reinvigorated in his priestly vocation, the Lord called
Fr. Philip to disciple young Catholic men. He created a men’s formation program based out of St. Antoninus Church in Newark, NJ. These men would share the Gospel and come together for prayer and meals.
1980 (Founded September 14)
Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
On September 14, 1980, a few of these men made a commitment to one another and to God—what would later be called their first temporary vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Other brothers followed closely behind, dedicating their lives to the All-Sufficiency of Jesus Christ in a fraternal common life.
Early 1980s
Our Early Way of Life
The mission of the earliest brothers was evangelization, formation, and community-building. For the first decade, many brothers continued to work secular jobs in order to fund their ministry.
Mid 1980s
Campus Ministry Begins
In the mid-1980s, some of the Brothers became campus missionaries at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, NJ. This was the first full-time mission of the community, and campus ministry has remained our primary service ever since.
1992–1994
Branching Out From New Jersey
In 1992, Brothers established our first household in Florida, serving the Pensacola-Tallahasee diocese. It was there that Brothers first wore our habit. From Pensacola, we later moved to Tallahassee to begin our mission at Florida State University, where we served for nearly three decades.
1995
Finding a Canonical Home
In 1995, the Brothers moved to Boston, exploring new evangelistic possibilities in the Archdiocese. Later, church leaders asked Brothers to direct the campus ministry at Boston University. The city would become our canonical home.
1999
A New Generation of Leaders
In 1999, Fr. Philip stepped back after 19 years as the community’s general superior. He wanted to raise up the next generation and allow a Brother to lead. Br. Rahl succeeded Fr. Philip, followed by Br. Ken and Br. Patrick, the current general superior.
2005
A Community of Permanent Brothers
In 2005, we discerned that God was calling us to be a community exclusively made up of brothers. Ever since then, part of our mission has been to renew the vocation of religious brother in the Church.
2013
Campus Expansion
In 2013, a period of campus expansion began. We began to serve at the University of Minnesota, the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida.
Today
Still Trusting. Still Obeying.
We are 28 Brothers and growing.
More than half of the Brothers serve college students and other young adults. Brothers also serve the Church and the poor.
We live together, pray together, and go out together into a world that desperately needs to hear that Jesus is enough.