The Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are a Religious Institute of the Catholic Church. From St. John Paul II and St. Ignatius of Loyola, they have learned to be “priests for the family,” at the service of the vocation to holiness in the family.
The essential inspiration of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (DCJM) is found in contemplating the mystery of the Crucified One with the Virgin Mary. Contemplating with Mary means having a heart like Hers: wise, docile, humble, clean, simple, firm, strong, only for God, transparent with God, the heart of the New Covenant… in order to see, feel, draw near… as Mary, to Christ.
The constituting characteristics of the spirit of the Disciples are as follows:
- The spirituality of the Heart of Christ and the Heart of Mary from a solid theological, dogmatic, and spiritual perspective.
- Discipleship as the vital learning of Jesus who is meek and humble of heart.
- The teaching of Saint John Paul II about the person, love, and family.
- A special fidelity and availability to the Roman Pontiff and his Magisterium.
- A devotion to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, following his spirituality and asceticism as much as possible.
The Disciples received their approval on January 1, 1987. Currently they are 44 religious, of which 25 are priests, 3 deacons, and 16 brothers in formation. The Disciples are present in Spain, Italy and in the USA. They have missions in Madrid, Rome, Woodbridge (VA), Littleton (CO) and Stamford (CT).
In the area of education, the Disciples run the following schools:
- Stella Maris College & Prep School in Valdemarín (Madrid), Spain, in collaboration with the Mater Salvatoris School in Madrid;
- Stella Maris La Gavia School in Madrid, Spain; and
- St. Mary Catholic School in Littleton, CO.
In addition, in 2021, the Disciples entered an alliance with the Sisters of the Company of the Savior to join the Mater Salvatoris College Preparatory School in Stamford, CT, as coordinators of the School’s Boys Division.