Guadalupe Vita Dei House: 
Affordable, Inexpensive Community Living for Catholic Men 

Guadalupe Vita Dei House

2801 New Haven Avenue, Fort Wayne Indiana USA 46803

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Guadalupe Vita Dei House serves single Catholic men who are:

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+ mentally stable and wholesome

+ preparing to enter the propaedeutic stage for seminarians

+ discerning religious or lay vocations

 + facing serious life decisions 

+ contemplating marriage or single life

+ exploring career or schooling options

+ seeking inexpensive living arrangements in a Catholic environment

+ capable of procuring and cooking their own meals

+ able to pay the monthly program fee unless they volunteer ten hours weekly in lieu of payment

+ desirous of long-term living with other Catholic men

+ retired Catholic priests and deacons

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Guadalupe Vita Dei House is 

+ NOT Emergency Housing

+ NOT a Health Care Facility

+ NOT a Rescue Mission

+ NOT a Hotel

+ NOT a Boarding House

+ NOT a Group Home

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Mission Statement

 

Guadalupe Vita Dei Men's House is a ministry of the Confraternity of Penitents (CFP), a Catholic Lay Association of the faithful following a modified 1221 Rule of St Francis of Assisi. 

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Guadalupe House provides low-cost housing and supportive programs for Catholic men discerning the call and will of God for their state in life, be that a religious vocation, marriage, single life, diocesan hermit or sudden, life altering changes in later life.

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It is also home to Catholic men desirous of living long-term in a peaceful, Catholic community.

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Guadalupe House provide support in the following ways:

     A community of like-minded individuals of various ages with whom to share goals, faith, aspirations.

     Joint participation in household chores which fosters responsibility for how the house is maintained.

     At least one weekly meal joyfully planned, prepared, and eaten together which encourages a family atmosphere within the house.

     At least one community prayer time (Liturgy of the Hours) weekly. Residents invited to participate daily if desired.

     Referral to agencies and organizations that provide guidance in discerning how to next proceed.

      In house chapel for group and individual prayer, reflection, and silence.

      Weekly faith formation on the Catholic faith, discernment, personal relations, goal clarification.

      No pressure atmosphere where each individual determines when to move on to the next step.

      An opportunity for long term stay

      An invitation to join the Confraternity of Penitents, if desired, as a member, associate, or affiliate.

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Far from the noise and distractions of the world and through a supportive program of regular prayer, spiritual direction, daily Mass attendance, educational programs, and community life in a peaceful family atmosphere, the soul begins to hear the will of God. Thus, with the action of the Holy Spirit, the staff at Guadalupe House assists in building lives for the Kingdom of God.

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During their period of residency, men are encouraged to have a part-time job so as to have the funds to purchase food and other necessities. They are also invited to volunteer in the various ministries of the Confraternity of Penitents to cover, either partially or fully, their monthly Program Service Fee.  

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With God's grace, house residents support one another through prayer, fellowship, and community living. Even though, in time, men move on to the next step in their journey, our goal is that they always remain brothers in Christ to one another.

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Philosophy of Vita Dei Houses

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Vita Dei Houses follow a Trinitarian and Eucharistic model.  A treatise on this model is on this link.​

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Oversight

Guadalupe Vita Dei House is a ministry of the Confraternity of Penitents, a private association of the faithful commended by the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana.  Please consult the link for the Diocesan letter of commendation. Confraternity of Penitents members live a religious rule of life as lay people.

 

The CFP is also national 501 c 3 non-profit organization under the United States Internal Revenue Service. Donations to it and to its ministries are fully tax deductible. 

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Guadalupe Vita Dei House is directed by the house administrator who is overseen by the Confraternity Volunteer Coordinator who resides two blocks away.

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House Administrator

The house administrator must pass a rigorous screening, complete a national background check, and successfully fulfill the Diocesan Safe Environment Training Program. He participates in on going education and training sponsored by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and by other suitable agencies.  

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Live in Priest

Guadalupe House extends an invitation to a priest who would be willing to reside in Guadalupe House and minister to the residents. This may be an opportunity for a retired or soon to retire priest. Room and board provided. Please contact us for details.

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Funding

Guadalupe Vita Dei House relies on the prayers of its residents and supporters, on donations from Confraternity members and benefactors, and on proceeds from the Confraternity of Penitents Holy Angels Gift Shop. 

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Come and See Visit

See this link if you're interested in visiting. The process for residency generally takes 6 weeks to 3 months following an initial visit.

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