QUESTION 1

Is the Holy Family Institute exclusively for married couples? I am very interested in joining but my spouse is not interested at this time.

It is true that the Holy Family Institute is ideally for Catholic couples. However, Fr. Tom respects the fact that any Religious vocation is a unique call to the soul of a person, from God Himself. Then the person who is invited must have the freedom to respond to, or decline, Our Lord's call. So, in reality, the Holy Family Institute will accept one spouse of a couple. In fact, some of our members have a spouse who is a non-Catholic. In addition, some of our members are widows and widowers. Of course, when a Catholic couple does hear and respond to this wonderful vocation simultaneously, it is both beautiful and special.

The good news about the Holy Family Institute is that its Constitutions were developed with the direct input of married couples. So, if you feel that Our Lord is calling you to this grace-filled vocation, but your spouse is not yet interested, your membership will not adversely effect your marriage relationship in any way. In fact, our many members testify that their choice to follow Our Lord's call in the Holy Family Institute has greatly enriched their marriage and family life.