Claretians
Congregatio Missionariorum Filiorum Immaculati Cordis Beatae Mariae Virginis | |
Coat of arms of the Claretians | |
| Abbreviation | CMF |
|---|---|
| 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 | 3,034 members (2,239 priests) (2020) |
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. The Congregation has a particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and members have published extensively in Mariology.