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History of Miles Jesu
Miles Jesu was founded in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 12, 1964.
In the early 1960's the "Cursillo" (a retreat movement brought from Spain by Claretian missionary priests) was a vibrant source of spiritual awakening and renewal in the American southwest, changing the lives of thousands of people. Father Alphonsus Maria Duran was one of the first priests to bring the movement to the United States.
A handful of young men, having made this kind of retreat in Phoenix, felt called to a life dedicated to Christ where their secular careers would become an authentic means of apostolate. Under the guidance of Father Duran they formed a community of fraternal life and prayer while continuing to work in their various jobs and professions and in time a new ecclesial family came into being.
Membership was opened to widows in 1970 and a few years after that, to young unmarried women, with separate branches established for men and for women.
In response to the renewed emphasis on the universal call to sanctity that was so much a part of Vatican II, Miles Jesu makes some form of membership possible to all Catholics, with commitments and responsibilities that reflect the varying states of life (celibate with vows, married, diocesan priesthood, or single).
Today Miles Jesu Domus communities (community houses of celibate members) are located in the United States (since 1964), India (1984), Spain (1985), Nigeria (1987), Italy (1988) Czech Republic (1990), Ukraine (1990), Poland (1991), and Slovakia (2004). Our General House is in Rome.
In addition to these countries, the Miles Jesu Vinculum is also active in Puerto Rico, England, and Austria.
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