About Us - Heralds of the Gospel

Who Are the Heralds of the Gospel?

The Heralds of the Gospel, founded by Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, is an International Association of Christ’s Faithful of Pontifical Right, the first to be erected by the Holy See in the third millennium, on the occasion of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22, 2001.

Born from an Ardent Desire to be an Instrument of Sanctity within the Catholic Church and Society

Made up mainly of young people, this Association is present in 80 countries. Its consecrated members practice celibacy, dedicating themselves wholly to apostolate, living in houses destined specifically for young men and young women, respectively. Their daily life alternates between recollection, study, and prayer, along with evangelizing activities in dioceses and parishes, with special emphasis given to the formation of youth.

Although they do not profess vows and while remaining in the lay state — with the exception of some who have embarked on the priesthood — the Heralds of the Gospel seek to practice the evangelical counsels, in all their fascinating purity.

Prayer

Sisters singing the Liturgy of the Hours

It is their practice to live in community (masculine or feminine), in a setting of fraternal charity and discipline. Their community houses foster a deep life of prayer and study, in accordance with the wise directive of St. John Paul II:

“The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery of one’s vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it so as to fulfill one’s mission” (Christifidelis Laici 58).

Companions

The “Companions” form another category of members, who “while identifying with the spirit of the Association—as laid out in its statutes—are unable to commit fully to its objectives due to their priestly commitments, or because of belonging to some institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, or due to their matrimonial or professional duties.”

Therefore, as married or single lay people living in the world, priests, deacons, religious, lay people of consecrated life or members of other associations or ecclesiastical movements, the Companions of the Heralds of the Gospel, besides observing the precepts and duties proper to their state in life, make an effort to live in conformity with the charism and spirituality of the Association, dedicating their free time to it and committing themselves to fulfill certain obligations.

Mission

The opening articles of its statutes outline the vocation of the Heralds of the Gospel: This Association […] was born with the aim of being an instrument of sanctity in the Church, helping its members respond generously to the call of the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity, aiding and fostering an intimate unity between practical life and faith. […].

Furthermore, the Association aims at a conscious and responsible active participation of its members in the salvific mission of the Church through apostolate, to which there are destined by the Lord, in virtue of Baptism and Confirmation. In this way, they should act in favor of evangelization, sanctification, and the Christian advancement of temporal realities.

Spirituality

The spirituality of the Heralds of the Gospel is anchored on three essential points: the Eucharist, Mary, and the Pope as defined in its statutes.

“The spirituality has as its mainstay, adoration of the Eucharistic Jesus—of inestimable value in the life of the Church, to build it up as one, holy, catholic and apostolic, body and spouse of Christ. (Ecclesia de Eucharistia 25, 61); filial Marian piety, imitating the ever Virgin Mary, and learning to contemplate the face of Jesus in her (Novo Millennio Iuentes 59), and devotion to the Papacy, visible foundation of unity of faith” (Lumen Gentium 18).

These points are vibrantly represented in the emblem distinguishing the Association.

Charism

The Charism of the Heralds of the Gospel propels it to strive for perfection while searching for beauty in every aspect of daily life, even while in private. This fundamental desire to perform all actions in the best manner possible is expressed in the sublime commandment of Jesus Christ: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).

Strive for perfection while searching for beauty in every aspect of daily life.

For the Herald of the Gospel, this calling to perfection should not remain restricted to interior acts, but should be exteriorized in all activities, in order to better reflect God. This is to say that the Heralds should clothe all of their daily actions in ceremonial, both in the intimacy of private life and in public; in works of evangelization, in interacting with their brethren, in participation in the Liturgy, in musical and theatrical presentations, and in all other circumstances.

This search for perfection signifies not only embracing and practicing virtue, but also doing so with pulchritude, with beauty, which can be an important element to sanctification.

With good reason, Paul VI emphasized this important teaching of the Second Vatican Council in his Message to Artists:

“This world in which we live needs beauty in order not to sink into despair. Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart and is that precious fruit which resists the erosion of time, which unites generations and enables them to be one in admiration!”

Evangelization Through Art and Culture

Seeing culture and art as efficacious instruments of evangelization, the Heralds execute a broad range of vocal and instrumental music.

They have formed numerous choirs, orchestras and musical ensembles, to bring their message of faith and hope to contemporary society.

The important role of art has been emphasized by Benedict XVI—himself a great appreciator of music—on various occasions, as, for example, in his closing words during the concert offered by the President of the Italian Republic, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the pontificate, April 24, 2008:

“There is a mysterious and deep kinship between music and hope, between song and eternal life: not for nothing does the Christian tradition portray the Blessed in the act of singing in a choir, in ecstasy and enraptured by the beauty of God. But authentic art, like prayer, is not foreign to everyday reality although it requires us to “water” it and make it germinate if it is to bring forth the fruit of goodness and peace.”