Product Description
Do you know that, for the past 15 years, the Confraternity of Penitents has operated Vita Dei houses where Catholic men and women discern religious vocations or other life changes? Additional house residents include mature Catholics whose wisdom and charity assist in the discernment. For general information on both men's and women's Vita Dei Houses, see this link.
- Details on Annunciation Women's Vita Dei House on this link.
- Details on Guadalupe Men's Vita Dei House and St. Joseph Men's Vita Dei Hermitage on this link.
The following religious vocations were fostered at the Confraternity of Penitents Vita Dei Houses:
- Iffat N -- Professed religious life -- 2020
- Antoinette P -- Diocesan Professed Consecrated Virgin -- 2022
- Allison M -- Entered religious life 2023
- Sandy D -- Final profession as Diocesan hermit - 2025
- Brother Pachomius H, OSB --Final profession as Benedictine brother -- 2025
- Chase W -- Entered Diocesan seminary to study for the priesthood -- 2025
- E. Marie N -- Entered Carmelite convent -- 2025
Men and women at Vita Dei Houses pray, eat, and fellowship together. They also do community outreach. Pictured are men and women from the Vita Dei Houses performing Outdoor Living Stations of the Cross on the Friday's of Lent and Christmas Caroling on the Sundays of Advent.
Images of Vita Dei Houses shown are:
- Guadalupe House--yellow and brown
- Annunciation house--brick
- St. Joseph's Hermitage--yellow with white fence.
All donations to the Confraternity of Penitents Vita Dei Houses are 100% tac deductible because they are a ministry of the Confraternity of Penitents. The Confraternity is a 501c3, non-profit, tax exempt entity under the IRS. Select how you would like your donation to be used:
1.Roof replacement at Guadalupe Men's Vita Dei House. Total needed $19,172. Total raised: $14,971. To Raise as of October 2: $4201
Photos of festival held to raise funds for the roof replacement on this link.
2. Asbestos siding removal at Saint Joseph's Men's Vita Dei House Hermitage. Saint Joseph's Men's Vita Dei Hermitage can't be insured until the asbestos siding is removed. Total estimate for removal of siding and replacement with vinyl siding: $21,000. Donations to October 2: $15
3. Sponsoring a Priest in Mary, Mother of Priests Chapel. $180 sponsorship per priest (please email us the priest's name). Donations for sponsoring a priest will be used where the need is greatest and most immediate in the Vita Dei Houses. For images of the chapel, plaques, and priests already sponsored, see GuadalupeVDH.com
4. Dedicating a Room in any of the houses (Annunciation Women's House, Guadalupe Men's House, St. Joseph Men's Hermitage). $5000 room dedication donation includes your choice of room, a 6" x 8" wall plaque with dedication wording, and artwork, photos and/or mementos of your choice to be placed in the room. The CFP will be in dialog with you to set up the room as you would wish. Room dedication funds assist the house in which the room is located.
If you prefer to donate by mail, checks and money orders made out to "Confraternity of Penitents Renovations Fund" can be mailed to: Confraternity of Penitents Renovations Fund, 1702 Lumbard Street, Fort Wayne IN 46803 USA. In the check memo line, write, "Roof and Gutter Repair Donation" or "Furnace Replacement Donation" or "Asbestos Removal Donation" or "Priest Sponsorship" ($180 per priest and please give us the priest's name to add to the plaques in Guadalupe Vita Dei House.) or "Room Dedication" ($5000).
With God's help through you, each of these needs will be met! Please pray about how you can help, and then "do whatever He tells you."
Thanks to all who donated toward the Furnace and Air Conditioner Replacement at Annunciation Women's Vira Dei House. They were installed on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, September 29, 2025. May God bless you abundantly for your support!
