Welcome to The Families of Nazareth Movement Web Site

Origin and Development:

The Families of Nazareth Movement is an international movement of Catholic faithful and includes families, singles, priests and religious. It was initiated in the late 1970's when a prayer group of university students, aspiring to deepen their Christian lives, began meeting with Fr. Tadeusz Dajczer, seeking spiritual guidance.

The Movement was formally founded by Fr. Dajczer in 1985 in Warsaw, Poland, as a result of his personal spiritual search and years of pastoral ministry among students. Within two years, this Movement had spread throughout the entire country and since 1987, throughout the world.

Today the Movement is present in over twenty countries on all continents. In North America, the Movement is very active in Mexico and in both eastern and western parts of the United States. Several groups exist in Canada - in Alberta and in the Toronto area.

Spirituality:

The Movement strives to develop the spiritual life of its members on the foundation of the Word of God, in the spirit of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Its aim to deepen our living of the Gospel by living in communion with Christ the Redeemer. This communion is realized through a personal dialogue with God present in another person. 

A specific dimension of the Movement's spirituality is an entrustment to the Mother of God. For the members of this Movement, their entrustment to Mary enables the most direct action of God in their lives.

The path to faith is marked by three stages:

1. The Lord invites us to share in His Divine life, and in His love He looks for our coming regardless of our sinfulness.

2. Faith is a dynamic strength, but God reveals His presence, His power and induces us to be converted through humble means.

3. This dynamism requires strong sustenance: the Eucharist, the Word of God and interior prayer of the heart.

(Rev. Rene Laurentin - Paris Sep. 20, 1992)

Formation:

• Spiritual Direction:

Spiritual direction by the Movement's priest is a very special blessing for those in the Movement who   are seriously seeking holiness. This direction provides life-long spiritual formation and is especially valuable when emotional dryness and distractions in prayer begin.

• Weekly group meetings:

Spiritual formation of the members of the Movement takes place at weekly group meetings, typically held at local parishes. The purpose of the meeting is to share different experiences of faith and to discover God's presence in our lives. The meetings, lead by the animators, consists of prayer, readings and faith sharing. The readings are selected from the Bible or the Movement publications. They focus on a particular aspect of the Movement's spirituality and its application to everyday life.

• General meeting:

Every month, all members are invited to gather at a general meeting, which includes celebration of the Holy Eucharist, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, conference with faith sharing and fellowship.

• Annual retreat:

At least once a year members from Alberta and other parts of Canada gather at a special (3 to 5 days) retreat. Usually, a guest priest(s) from the Movement is invited to give conferences.

Structure:

The Families of Nazareth Movement, although an international Movement, is administered by the local diocese. This emphasizes its special bond with the local Church. The groups of the Movement arise within the parishes.

Moderator Priests, appointed by their diocesan bishop, supervise the Movement's activities. 

Animators conduct the activities of the groups under the direction of the Moderator priest.

Apostolic Involvement:

Within the Church's current apostolic ministry, the Families of Nazareth Movement is actively engaged in the papal program of the New Evangelization. The members of the Movement, apart from participating in the weekly meetings, try to actively answer to the needs of the parish in cooperation with the parish priest.