Father Joseph Eddy. Mercedarian and Disciple of Christ.

A Mercedarian Vocation Story

The Mercedarian Religious Order is blessed by our many friars in over 800 years of existence. The order recently celebrated the momentous occasion of 800 years. Rooted near Barcelona Spain in 1218, the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy was founded by St. Peter Nolasco. We have countless stories of faith and devotion to Our Lord and Our Lady within the order, and each is special.

Father Joseph Eddy has his own story to share, and his story of faith and discipleship is a blessing to those within the order and beyond. In addition, we at the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith are happy to have Father Joseph as part of our team helping to promote family life and deeper faith. Here is his story.

In His Own Words:

"I was born on "foundation day" of the Mercedarian Religious Order, August 10.

I grew up in a small town Montrose, PA. The town only had one "stop light" in the area where I lived. We attended a small church called Holy Name of Mary. My great aunt served as the housekeeper for the priest in the parish. I was an altar server and would have breakfast with the priest at the parish often. Through these experiences, I saw priesthood as an honorable vocation and felt "called".

I first experienced the call to priesthood in 4th grade. After Mass in 11th grade, one of the respected members of the parish told me that he was told by God while I was serving one day that I was being called to be a priest. This thought stuck with me.

I went on to college for Special Education. Eventually, I completed my degree, but the whole time I attended school I continued to discern the idea of entering religious life.

I knew whatever direction I would select , it had to be "Marian community" with a love for the Eucharist. Eventually, I read about the Mercedarians and entered religious life on September 8th, 2001.

It was challenging throughout my formation, but I always felt called to be a religious priest. I have grown to love the "Charism of the Order". This is "willingess to give our lives for those in danger of losing their faith". I have served as Parochial Vicar for the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, Florida for a total of four years. In addition, I was vocation director and postulant master for six years. All of my assignments have been a great blessing to my life.

Now as I enter my tenth year of priesthood, I am so glad that we have the St Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith. It is a contemporary manifestation of the spirit of our founder St Peter Nolasco. Struggles in family life have a profound impact on our faith. We learn who God is from our parents and siblings. They teach us knowingly or unknowingly what love is and how we are to look at ourselves. This gives us an image of God and what we expect from him. This is why it is imperative that we help support family life so that people can realize how God loves them and the dignity that they have from Him."

The Importance of Prayer

Father Joseph Eddy has an amazing story of faith and of love for God and others. Our Lady of Mercy is a guide and "mother" to the friars. Please pray for Father Joseph and for all priests and religious. The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith is proud to have friars such as Father Joseph as part of the Mercedarian family. To find out more about vocations, see the Mercedarian website at www.OrderofMercy.org.

We appreciate your prayers for the foundation. To learn more about our mission to bring Christ and Our Lady closer to families and individuals through our outreach, go to www.nonnatus.org. The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy and the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith is here for you!

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