The Missionary Cenacle Apostolate (MCA) is an international association of Catholic lay faithful comprising men and women from all walks of life. MCA members are committed to following in the footsteps of Jesus and the apostles in every aspect of their lives. Founded in 1909 by Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, a Vincentian priest, the MCA began in Brooklyn, NY, as a response to the growing spiritual needs among immigrants in urban areas. Concerned about the decline in faith, especially among those at risk of drifting from the Church, Fr. Judge initiated a gathering with a group of Catholic women. This marked the inception of a lay organization focused on rekindling faith among the spiritually neglected.

History

When Thomas Judge was ordained a Vincentian priest at the dawn of the twentieth century, the Church in the United States was absorbing thousands of immigrants from Catholic countries in eastern and southern Europe. After ten years of ministry, Fr. Judge became convinced that priests alone could not meet the pastoral needs of the people. He recognized the powerful yet untapped potential of the laity and began to foster leadership skills among them, providing tools for a shared mission. On April 11, 1909, six women responded to his call for lay apostles who would share in the mission of the Church, not by becoming priests or sisters but by remaining laypeople who could minister within their communities to alleviate both material and spiritual suffering.

In the following years, Fr. Judge inspired men and women from diverse backgrounds to join this apostolic mission, later formally recognized as the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. In 1912, with the support of James Cardinal Gibbons, MCA associates opened a Missionary Cenacle in Baltimore to serve homeless and unemployed women and to minister among Italian immigrants. By 1915, when Fr. Judge took on a new mission assignment in rural Alabama, some of his followers joined him. There, a distinct form of religious life began to emerge, with lay members dedicating themselves fully to the work of the Missionary Cenacle. The call to mission soon spread beyond Alabama as bishops and pastors requested the MCA’s services in other parts of the country.

Dr. Louise Margaret Keasey, later known as Mother Mary Boniface, became an early associate of Fr. Judge and served as the General Custodian for the MCA lay groups from 1928 until 1964. Her dedication and work as an educator inspired young people to serve, while her commitment fostered unity among the four branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family: sisters, priests, brothers, and laity. Under her leadership, alongside Fr. Judge, the Cenacle Family grew into distinct forms of apostolic life within the Church: clergy, religious, and lay members.

Mission and Vision

Fr. Judge envisioned MCA members as apostles in what he called the “providence of daily life.” Their mission is to glorify the Triune God and preserve faith in areas and among people who are spiritually neglected. MCA members strive to live out the Gospel, actively seeking opportunities to serve others, especially those who have yet to experience God’s love. Today, with over 500 associates across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, the MCA continues its mission, empowering laypeople to spread a spirit of faith and service.

This commitment to systemic change is evident in the MCA’s ministries, where members work together to address basic human needs in holistic ways that honor both spiritual and physical well-being. By creating projects rooted in Christian and Vincentian values, the MCA addresses the root causes of poverty and aims to break the cycle of hardship.

Spirituality of the Missionary Cenacle

The spirituality of the MCA is centered on the Eucharist and the Word of God. Fr. Judge developed spiritual exercises to help members stay connected to these pillars, enabling them to carry out their mission to seek the “lost sheep” and perform good works. Through regular spiritual practices, members strive to recognize God’s providence in their daily lives and grow in their zeal for apostolic life. With a rich history rooted in Fr. Judge’s vision, the MCA remains committed to fostering a spirituality that empowers its members to live as effective witnesses of faith in everyday life.