Marian Fathers Celebrate Mission Growth Across India and Sri Lanka

India, December 8, 2025 — Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (MIC) has highlighted major milestones in its historical journey and its expanding mission in India and Sri Lanka, tracing how the congregation founded in Poland in 1670 continues to strengthen its presence through new formation houses, theological centres and seminaries across the region. 

Founded by St. Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary Papczyński, who professed his intention for the congregation on 11 December 1670 and took the famed “vow of blood” to defend the truth of the Immaculate Conception, the Marian Fathers became the first men’s religious institute dedicated to honouring this doctrine—two centuries before it was formally proclaimed by the Church. Their mission soon expanded to include praying for the souls in purgatory, especially those who died suddenly or unprepared, and assisting diocesan clergy in pastoral work. In recent years, following the direction of Pope St John Paul II, the congregation has also been entrusted with the mission of spreading Divine Mercy. 

The congregation’s early years were shaped by challenges in securing approval for its original rule (Norma Vitae), eventually adopting The Rule of the Ten Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the Franciscan tradition. Papal approval of the Order came in 1699, though full approval of the Constitutions was granted only later, when Fr Kozlowski secured endorsement from Pope Innocent XIII, enabling steady expansion. A period of spiritual renewal followed under the Venerable Servant of God Casimir Wyszynski between 1725 and 1750. 

By 1909, persecution of religious orders had nearly extinguished the congregation, leaving only one priest. Its revival came through George Matulaitis, a diocesan priest who secretly joined, reopened the novitiate, and reformed the institute with the new motto “For Christ and the Church”. Pope St Pius X approved the renewed Constitutions in 1910. Today, the Marian Fathers have grown to around 500 priests and brothers serving in 19 countries across six continents, having recently celebrated their 350th jubilee. 

The congregation’s presence in Asia has expanded steadily. The Marian Formation House was established in 2010 in Karumathur, followed by the opening of the Marian Theology Study House in the Diocese of Mysore in 2022. In 2025, the Novitiate House was inaugurated in Sri Lanka. Most recently, on 14 June 2025, the minor seminary was opened in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad under the patronage of Blessed George Matulaitis by Fr Jovenet MIC, Vicar General. The region currently has nine priests and thirty candidates in formation. 

The congregation has requested prayers and blessings for its mission, expressing its desire to continue serving as “fruitful instruments of God” in the evangelising work of the Church.

By Fr. Jeno MIC