*Due to the young Brother's Consecrated life and the necessity to separate them from the externs especially while they are in formation, young women must be  at least 25 years of age to do voluntary work with the Brothers.

The life of the Missionaries of the Poor is partially cloistered.  This means certain areas of the houses are strictly reserved for the religious members of the Institute.  These  areas:                        

• Classrooms

• Library

• Bathrooms 

• Offices

Access these areas only upon consent by the Superior or his delegate.

Generally a spirit of recollection and silence are observed within the living quarters of the Missionaries of the Poor.  Recreation, discussions and other such activities should be held to the Patio, Refectory, and the backyard.

You are welcome to participate in the daily spiritual activities   of the Community which take place in the chapel as follows:

•     Mass & Morning Prayer at 5:45AM                            

• ·    Evening Prayer – 5PM

• ·    Night Prayer – 9PM

• ·    On Wednesday and Sunday, exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

•     Weekends or special Holidays Mass begins an hour later (6:45AM)

   DRESS CODE:  To ensure religious decorum, the following dress code must be observed by all visitors to the homes of the Missionaries of the Poor:

•     Men - Shirts  or T-shirts( Must have sleeves- nothing sleeveless) ; long or short pants     (just above the knee)

•    Ladies - Modest blouses or T-shirts (Must have sleeves -nothing sleeveless); walking shorts (just above the knee) or skirt/dress or long pants

While participating in Liturgical activities in the Chapel, please wear the following: 

• ·    Men – Sleeved shirt and long pants

• ·    Ladies – Sleeved,  modest blouse/shirt and skirt/dress or long pants

* PLEASE DO NOT WEAR MID-THIGH SHORTS, MINI-SKIRTS, OR LOW CUT NECKLINES AT ANYTIME DURING YOUR VISIT  

Missionaries of the Poor homes and centers are non-smoking, non-liquor and non-television areas.

If you are joining the Community for breakfast, please excuse yourself once discussion begins after breakfast, since internal matters will be dealt with.

   RELATING TO THE BROTHERS

Only the professed member of MOP ( blue shirts/sashes) are allowed to speak with visitors.  We ask that you respect this rule and not hold any conversations with the MOP novices, postulants and aspirants (beige or white shirts/sashes) unless permission is given. 

 While at the apostolate, please restrict your conversations only to the Brother-in-charge of that center.  Please do not seek correspondence with the Brothers at any time by mail or by phone or seek to exchange addresses with any of the Brothers without the consent of the Superior.

We appreciate your desire to meet the needs of our Community and our poor in various ways.  Please always obtain permission from the Superior or his delegate before obtaining goods, instruments or gadgets for the use of the Brothers, whether individually or by the Community.                

Please do not hand out or receive any mail, money, material articles, etc to any   resident or Brother but only to the appointed Brother-minister at the house.

The Brothers are to be addressed according to their proper title, that is, “Brother” hence terms such as “guy”, “boy”, etc are to be avoided.

   GENERAL AREAS

It is advisable that when walking the streets in the slums, you do not  carry your wallets, watches, cameras, jewelry, or any other expensive items.

Thank you for joining us in our services with the homeless and the destitute.  We request that if there are any gifts you wish to make in support of our Community and our service of the poor, please hand them over to the Brother Coordinator.

• Photographs or videos will not be taken at any of the MOP homes or centers without prior permission from the Superior or his delegate.

PERSONAL ITEMS YOU MIGHT TAKE WITH YOU

Lightweight clothes ( temp averages 80 - 90 degrees)

short-sleeved shirts / T-shirts are great

old clothes for working in mission centers

comfortable shoes or sandals you don't mind getting wet

*mosquito repellant *recommended

sunscreen

ear plugs for sleeping (helpful)

camera

rosary

spiritual reading

notebook/journal

*PASSPORT: US Citizens must have a valid US Passport

 Thank you for sharing our lives and co-operating with us in preserving the religious atmosphere at our MOP houses.

Please direct your request to:

MOP National Headquarters

P O BOX 29893

Atlanta, GA 30359

Telephone 404 248-1197      

email:  mopusa@bellsouth.net