The Deserving Poor Boys’ Priesthood Association

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Over 100 Years of Forming Holy Priests


Since 1914, members of the Deserving Poor Boys’ Priesthood Association have helped young men answer the call of Jesus Christ to become Dominican priests.

The Association was founded by Fr. Raymond Meagher, O.P., Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph and cofounder of Providence College, because his “heart ached for the many good boys who had to be denied the chance to study for the Order due to the financial condition of the Province and of the homes of the boys.”

Today, with over 50 young men in formation, the Province of St. Joseph has the fastest growing men’s religious vocations program in the United States. With the help of generous donors like you, the Deserving Poor Boys’ Priesthood Association is answering the call of our St. Dominic in the 21st century.

“There is a need of a great army of men in the white habit of St. Dominic, highly educated and apostolic preachers and teachers, whose active life would reflect the traditional contemplative spirit of the Order of Preachers.”
Fr. Raymond Meagher, O.P.

Why Help Young Men Become Dominican Priests?

All that we have is God’s.

Your gift is a concrete expression of your spiritual dedication, a “living stone,” set on the foundation laid by St. Dominic to build up a spiritual house capable of offering acceptable sacrifices to God.

Through membership in the Deserving Poor Boys’ Priesthood Association, we invite you to make your spiritual home with the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph and to share in their divine work at the altar, in the pulpit, and in the confessional.

Spiritual Benefits

In 1928, the Deserving Poor Boys Priesthood Association received official recognition from Pope Pius XI, who granted its members a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, to be gained annually and in the hour of death.

By joining the Association, you can receive this indulgence and reap the spiritual benefit of regular masses and prayers offered by the priests of the Province of St. Joseph.

A deceased Catholic loved one can be enrolled in the Deserving Poor Boys’ Purgatorian Society.

You can donate to the Deserving Poor Boys Priesthood Association by using the secure donation form below. You will be prompted to enter the name of the person to be enrolled in the Association.

To request more information, contact our Office of Planned Giving, at PlannedGiving@dominicanfriars.org or by calling 212-744-2410.

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The Dominican Foundation of Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph, Inc. is a NY State tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with
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