Hearts Afire

Use the form below to register for our next Hearts Afire Retreat/Study

    

Hearts Afire Parish-based Programs (HAPP™) from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception is a bold and fresh approach to small group, parish-level, faith renewal programs. It is designed to help us live the complete Catholic life. It aims to help set our hearts on fire with love of God and neighbor and inspire us to works of mercy in our families, parishes, and communities. 

Structured around four bestselling books by popular author and retreat master Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, these simple but life-changing programs are setting hearts afire in thousands of parishes around the globe. 

Three Stages to the Hearts Afire Program

Stage 1 - The Two Hearts

Part 1 - The Immaculate Heart

We begin with the Immaculate Heart, because Mary leads us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This journey begins with the book 33 Days to Morning Glory and its accompanying group retreat program. We read one page a day and meet once a week for a video by Father Gaitley, followed by discussion.  Part 1 leads us to formally entrust ourselves to Mary.  

...the quickest, easiest, surest way to become a saint!
- St. Louis de Montfort

33 Days to Morning Glory was only the beginning in more ways than one.  It would be a journey that brought me through the Diaconate Program waiting for Ordination in October.  When I first returned to the Church over a decade ago I was not real sure about Mary the mother of God and her role in the Church.  After reading several books and lots of praying I came to the conclusion that Christ chose his Mother to be our Mother also and Queen of Heaven and Earth.  I decided to join one of the first groups formed to undergo the 33 Days to Morning Glory Retreat: In preparation for consecration to Jesus through Mary.  And OH WHAT A JOURNEY those 33 Days were. To make a long story short, if it were not for that retreat I would not have finished the Diocesan Diaconate Program.  Please prayerfully consider participating in the Hearts A-Fire Program.  It starts with 33 Days to Morning Glory, then IF YOU WANT to continue… “Consoling the Heart of Jesus” and ends and begins with “The One Thing is Three.”  You won’t be sorry and you won’t believe what you will learn about your Catholic Faith and the MERCY of God in Jesus Christ equipping you for life in our times. ~ Bill O’Brien

OUR NEXT 33 DAYS RETREAT WILL BE POSGED SOON
 

Part 2 - The Sacred Heart

Mary then leads us to the Sacred Heart, which begins the second part of Stage One, the book Consoling the Heart of Jesus and its accompanying group retreat program.  Part2  helps us draw closer to the Merciful and Sacred Heart of Jesus by accepting His love and trusting in Him. 

Stage 2 - Wisdom & Works of Mercy

We begin Stage Two with The ‘One Thing’ is Three and its accompanying group study program. This stage gives group members a crash course in Catholic theology. Father Gaitley is again our retreat leader in 10 video sessions followed by discussion.





We continue our study by diving into Mercy itself and the scriptural works of mercy, reading  'You Did It To Me' by Father Gaitley.  Here,  group members discern and choose an apostolate individually, as a group, or both. They are also asked to consider helping their parish launch a solemn Divine Mercy Sunday celebration. 
 

Stage 3 - Keeping the Hearts Afire

This stage has to do with ongoing formation. After having completed the group studies
of 33 Days to Morning Glory, Consoling the Heart of Jesus, and The ‘One Thing’ is Three, after having undertaken works of mercy, and after having been formally recognized by the Association of Marian Helpers, your group continues to meet together and grow in your faith.

At this point, the Hearts Afire Team will recommend to your group a wide range of further group studies, parish renewal opportunities, and more in-depth training that will suit the desires and needs of your group. 

Groups will often begin other formational group studies and programs such as Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained, Lectio: Unveiling Scripture and Tradition, Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage, and more!