History of the Community

December 2002

  • God uses the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola to reveal inspirations for a religious community to Aron

December 2003

  • God brings Matthew and Thomas together before the Blessed Sacrament in Houston, with inspirations for a new religious community

February 10, 2004 – The Founding

  • At Franciscan University of Steubenville, God unites Matthew, Thomas and Aron in prayer, reflection on the Philippians 2 hymn, and their inspirations for religious life. God inspires Matthew to communicate His invitation to the men “to step out of the boat and to come follow Him.” The men commit to prayer and penance in founding the community

February 14, 2004 – The Vision

  • God guides the men to articulate the Vision of the Community (see “Vision” on Home Page)

February 17, 2004

  • God confirms and encourages the group through Matthew’s meeting with Bishop Conlon of Steubenville, who asks the group to apply to be an Association of the Christian Faithful

February 18, 2004

  • Matthew, Thomas and Aron initiate discussion of their inspiration with the leadership of Franciscan University: Fr. Terence Henry, President; Fr. Dave Pivonka, Vice President; and Fr. Michael Scanlan, Chancellor

February 25, 2004 – Ash Wednesday

  • Matthew, Thomas and Aron submit their request to become an Association of the Christian Faithful to Bishop Conlon. Communal penance and prayer intensify for their first Lent

April 2004

  • God prompts Aron to resign as Residence Director, to be more available to the community

May 2004

  • Matthew offers God a one-year vow of chastity

June 2004

  • The men adopt a simple uniform, and Aron is hired as Director of Evangelization at Franciscan University

July 2004

  • Aron directs Thomas through the 30-Day Spiritual Exercises, during which the Lord reveals and confirms Thomas’ call to pursue family life. Thomas discontinues membership in the community. Matthew studies in Europe

December 2004 – Our Father’s House

  • Aron purchases “Our Father’s House” in Steubenville as a first residence

June 2005

  • Matthew makes the Spiritual Exercises, during which God confirms his call to poverty, chastity and obedience

July 2005

  • Matthew and Aron lead three men on a one-month Holy Land Pilgrimage and Mission Trip

Fall 2005

  • Father Dan Pattee, TOR, provides the community with formation in the Evangelical Counsels

October 29, 2005 – Mass of First Profession

  • Father Dan Pattee, TOR, concelebrates the Mass of First Profession with Father Joe Lehmann, TOR, in Christ the King Chapel. Matthew and Aron offer their First Profession of 3-year vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, receiving their black habits and receiving their new names: Brother Paul Kostka and Brother John Ignatius

April 30, 2006 – Invitation to Denver

  • After visiting the seminary in Denver, the community has supper with Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap. Archbishop Chaput invites the community to move to Denver

June 24, 2006

  • The Servants of Christ Jesus relocate to Denver, Colorado

July 2006

  • Brother John and Brother Paul lead two men on a Poverty Pilgrimage of the California Missions from San Francisco to San Diego

Fall 2006

  • Brother John begins studies at St John Vianney Theological Seminary. Brother Paul serves as Director of Campus Ministry and Theology Teacher at Bishop Machebeuf High School
  • The Servants adopt St Ignatius Loyola’s Formula of the Institute as their provisional rule, and submit statutes of their Association of the Faithful to Archbishop Chaput

June 2007

  • Brother Paul serves Steubenville Conferences
  • Brother John serves a Covecrest Life Teen Camp and a Catholic Heart Work Camp

July 2007

  • Brother Paul and Brother John practice Hospital Chaplaincy with the Carmelite Sisters at Santa Teresita Medical Center in Duarte, California

Academic Year 2007 – 2008

  • In addition to their studies and ministry in Denver, the Servants are called upon for Middle School Retreats, Life Teen Retreats, Confirmation Retreats, Core Team Retreats, and Faculty Retreats across the country (Florida, Georgia, Texas, Colorado and Oregon)

Summer 2008

  • Brother John provides instruction and spiritual direction at FOCUS Missionary Training at Belmont Abbey College and accompanies FOCUS to Costa Rica, to serve with the Missionaries of Charity
  • The Servants of Christ Jesus move into the former rectory at Church of the Risen Christ

September 6, 2008 – Oath of Fidelity and Renewal of Vows

  • Monsignor Ken Leone celebrates a Mass of Renewal of Profession. Brother Paul and Brother John profess their Oath of Fidelity, and renew their vows for three more years

Spring 2009

  • Brother John completes his studies at St John Vianney Seminary, summa cum laude
  • Brother Paul is admitted to St John Vianney Seminary
  • Richard Vaughan moves in with the community for discernment and application

June 2009

  • Brother John completes his seminary parish internship at St Thomas Aquinas Parish
  • Brother Paul serves at Fraternus Summer Ranch
  • Richard Vaughan makes his Poverty Pilgrimage along the Spanish Mission trail of Baja California

July 2009

  • Brother Paul and Richard complete a Manual Labor Internship on Maintenance Crew at Life Teen Covecrest in Georgia

August 3, 2009 – Brother James Claver

  • Richard Vaughan is admitted to novitiate as Brother James Claver

Fall 2009

  • Brother John receives a mandatum to teach theology for the Denver Catechetical School, and volunteers in Campus Ministry at the University of Denver
  • Brother Paul begins studies at St John Vianney Seminary
  • Brother James begins teaching religion at BMHS

November 18, 2009 – Approval of Statutes

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput approves the statutes of the Servants of Christ Jesus as a Private Association of the Faithful

November 23, 2009 – Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput establishes Saint John the Baptist Chapel at the residence of the Servants, with permission to reserve the Holy Eucharist

June 2010

  • Brother John directs Brother James in the 30-Day Spiritual Exercises, and God confirms Brother James in his call to the evangelical counsels
  • Brother Paul hosts camps at Life Teen Covecrest, Fraternus, and City of the Lord

July 2010

  • Brother Paul leads Brother James in his Holy Land Pilgrimage and Mission Trip

November 13, 2010 – Oath of Fidelity and Mass of First Profession

  • Brother James Claver professes his Oath of Fidelity and First Vows at Church of the Risen Christ

Summer 2011

  • Brother Paul and Brother James complete Seminary Intensive Latin Course
  • Brother Paul completes Summer Pastoral Immersion at Holy Ghost Parish
  • Servants host two men on Pilgrimage in Spain, Portugal and France before World Youth Day in Madrid

Fall 2011

  • Archdiocese of Denver contracts with the Servants to provide Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Denver

December 17, 2011 – Perpetual Vows

  • Their spiritual directors, Monsignor Ken Leone and Father Chris Hellstrom, concelebrate the Mass of Perpetual Profession for Brother John Ignatius and Brother Paul Kostka

June 2012

  • Brother James attends summer Theology of the Body Institute in Pennsylvania
  • Brother John and Brother James train teens in neighborhood evangelization in St Louis
  • Brother Paul hosts Life Teen camps in Georgia

July 2012

  • Servants lead a one-month Third World Immersion to India, where they serve with the Missionaries of Charity

Fall 2012

  • Brother John is Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Denver
  • Brother Paul studies at seminary and teaches one course in Psychology at BMHS
  • Brother James studies at seminary and coaches soccer at BMHS

Spring, 2013 - Holy Orders

  • January, 16, 2013 - Brother John and Brother Paul are informed of their approval for Holy Orders

  • February 15, 2013: Archbishop Aquila admits Brothers John & Paul to Candidacy

  • February 19, 2013: Archbishop Aquila installs Brothers John & Paul as Lectors

  • February 25, 2013: Archbishop Aquila installs Brothers John & Paul as Acolytes

  • March 16, 2013 – Ordination as Deacons. Archbishop Aquila ordains Brother John and Brother Paul as Deacons

  • May 18, 2013 – Ordination as Priests. Archbishop Aquila ordains Brother John and Brother Paul as Priests

  • Father John Ignatius is assigned as Chaplain to the University of Denver

  • Father Paul Kostka is assigned as Chaplain to Bishop Machebeuf High School

June 2013

  • Father Paul hosts Middle School Edge Camps in Georgia
  • Brother James leads the BMHS Mission Trip to Peru
  • Father Paul and Brother James train teens in neighborhood evangelization in St Louis

July 2013

  • Father John and Father Paul lead six men on a Holy Land Pilgrimage and Mission Trip
  • Brother James practices Hospital Chaplaincy with the Carmelite Sisters at Santa Teresita Medical Center in California

Fall 2013

  • Father John serves as Catholic Chaplain at DU, and Director of Patriarch Bible Studies
  • Father Paul serves as Chaplain at BMHS, and teaches a Catholic Spirituality elective at BMHS
  • Brother James studies at SJV Seminary, coaches soccer at BMHS, and serves Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, Colorado

October 12, 2013 – Renewal of Vows

  • Brother James renews his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years

Summer 2014

  • Father John trains Life Teen summer missionaries at Covecrest
  • Father Paul leads a BMHS Mission Trip to Peru
  • Father John and Father Paul lead teens in neighborhood evangelization in Missouri
  • Father Paul begins his Masters in Education Leadership
  • Brother James studies Spanish in Honduras

July 19, 2014

  • Archbishop Samuel Aquila admits Brother James Claver to Candidacy

September 2, 2014

  • Archbishop Samuel Aquila installs Brother James as Lector

November 1, 2014 – Final Vows

  • Brother James Claver makes his perpetual profession of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Servants of Christ Jesus at Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

September 27, 2014

  • Archbishop Aquila installs Brother James as Acolyte

February 14, 2015 – Deacon Brother James Claver

  • Archbishop Aquila ordains Brother James as Deacon

Summer, 2015

  • Father John trains Life Teen summer missionaries at Covecrest and Hidden Lake
  • Father Paul leads a Mission Trip to the Philippines
  • Father John leads teens in neighborhood evangelization in Missouri
  • Father Paul hosts Life Teen Summer camps in Georgia
  • Father Paul continues his Masters in Education Leadership
  • Brother James serves as Deacon at St. Pius X in Aurora, CO

August, 2015

  • Brother Thomas Gonzaga moves to Denver and is admitted for his Applicant Year

Fall, 2015

  • Father Paul is promoted at Bishop Machebeuf as the Director for Catechesis and Professional Development

  • Brother James begins his final year of Seminary and serves as Deacon at St. Pius X in Aurora, CO

  • Father John serves as the Catholic Chaplain at the University of Denver

  • Servants' Missionary apostolates around the country continue to grow as more requests come in for retreats and Spiritual Exercises

February, 2016 - Commissioned as Missionaries of Mercy by Pope Francis

  • Father John and Father Paul travel to Rome to be Commissioned as "Missionaries of Mercy" by Pope Francis

  • On the Ash Wednesday, the 12th Anniversary of Founder's Day, Father John and Father Paul are commissioned as Missionaries of Mercy for the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome by Pope Francis

May, 2016

  • May 6, 2016 the community purchases a primary residence at 4022 S. Olive Street

  • On May 14, Archbishop Aquila ordains Br. James Claver as a priest

Summer, 2016

  • Fr. James Claver and Br. Thomas serve the poor in the remote Honduras mountains for the month of June

  • In the month of July, Br. Thomas undertakes the poverty pilgrimage from Washington, DC to Montreal, Quebec

  • Fr. John, Fr. Paul and Fr. James continue to serve Summer Camp and missionary apostolates around the country

  • Fr. John and Fr. Paul lead a father/son pilgrimage to Italy, Austria and Poland for World Youth Day.

August 1, 2016

  • Brother Thomas is accepted into the novitiate and receives the name Br. Thomas Gonzaga

Fall, 2016 - Spring, 2017

  • Brother Thomas continues formation and apostolates at the University of Denver and Bishop Machebeuf High School

  • Father Paul is promoted at Bishop Machebeuf as Assistant Principal for Academics.

  • Father James returns to Bishop Machebeuf High School, teaching Freshman Theology and serving as school chaplain.

  • Father John serves as the Catholic Chaplain at the University of Denver

Summer, 2017

  • Fr. James Claver and Br. Thomas Gonzaga serve the poor in remote Ecuador

  • Fr. John, Fr. Paul and Fr. James continue to serve Summer Camp and missionary apostolates around the country

  • For the first time, the entire community goes on mission together over the summer to the Lord's Ranch to serve the poor in Juarez, Mexico

August, 2017

  • Br. Peter Xavier moves from Texas to begin his renunciate period with the Servants

  • Br. Thomas Gonzaga begins seminary studies at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver

  • Fr. Paul Kostka and Fr. James Claver return to Administration, Teaching and Chaplaincy at Bishop Machebeuf High School

September 8, 2017

  • Br. Peter is accepted into the novitiate and receives the name Br. Peter Xavier

April 10, 2018

  • Father John and Father Paul travel on pilgrimage to Rome and Southern Italy with Br. Thomas Gonzaga and Br. Peter Xavier over the Easter holiday

  • Fr. John and Fr. Paul's commission as Missionaries of Mercy is extended and their pilgrimage culminates with formation given directly by the Holy Father to the 550 Missionaries of Mercy gathered and the opportunity to greet Pope Francis following his presentation

Summer, 2018

  • Fr. Paul leads the novices, Br. Thomas and Br. Peter, on a one-month hospital experience to serve the needs of the sick and dying at North Kinangop Catholic Hospital in Kenya

  • Fr. John, Fr. Paul and Fr. James continue to serve Summer Camp and missionary apostolates around the country

  • The two novices undertake their one month manual labor formation experience, assisting with the manual labor needs at The Lord’s Ranch

  • Fr. James serves as chaplain for a pilgrimage to Europe with Bishop Machebeuf High School and Fr. James leads the Spiritual Exercises in Spanish for the Missioners of Christ in Honduras

August, 2018

  • Fr. Paul Kostka leaves his position at Bishop Machebeuf High School to assume the responsibility of Catholic Campus Ministry and Chaplian for the University of Denver.

  • Br. Thomas Gonzaga continues seminary studies at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver

  • Fr. James Claver returns to Administration, Teaching and Chaplaincy at Bishop Machebeuf High School

  • Fr. John Ignatius assumes full-time vocational development, formation and administration of the community

September 15, 2018

  • The community celebrates the Mass of First Profession for Br. Thomas Gonzaga at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. Br. Thomas offers his First Profession of 3-year vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, receiving his black cassock.

Summer, 2019

  • Fr. John and Fr. James provide the 30-day Silent Spiritual Exercises in Utica, NY for Br. Thomas Gonzaga, Br. Peter Xavier, Martin Eizayaga, Joel Gotera, and James Luppino

  • Fr. John and Fr. James continue to serve Summer Camp and missionary apostolates around the country

  • Fr. James Claver leads a pilgrimage and mission trip to the Holy Land for Br. Thomas Gonzaga, Br. Peter Xavier, Joe Machado, Gabe Lebeau, Br. and Martin Eizayaga.

  • Fr. Paul Kostka undertakes two weeks of Naval Reserve training for his role as a Naval Reserve Chaplain at the Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course at Officer Training Command in Newport, RI.

August, 2019

  • Br. Andrew Brébeuf moves from Ohio to begin his renunciate period with the Servants

  • Br. Thomas Gonzaga continues seminary studies and Br. Peter Xavier begins seminary studies at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver

  • Fr. James Claver returns to Administration, Campus Ministry and Chaplaincy at Bishop Machebeuf High School

August 24, 2019

  • The community celebrates the Mass of First Profession for Br. Peter Xavier at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. Br. Peter offers his First Profession of 3-year vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, receiving his black cassock.

Fall, 2019

  • The community completes the conversion of their basement into a self-sufficient hermitage in order to expand the ability of the community to host individuals for silent retreats and spiritual exercises.

October, 2019

  • Fr. John provides the 30-day Silent Spiritual Exercises in Nisswa, MN for Br. Andrew

November 18, 2019

  • Brother Andrew is accepted into the novitiate and receives the name Brother Andrew Brébeuf

November, 2019

  • Fr. Paul Kostka leads a pilgrimage and mission trip to the Holy Land for Br. Andrew Brébeuf, Carl Berner, Jack Bailey and James Joseph

September 2020

  • Fr. Paul is assigned as the Catholic chaplain at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland until September 2021

January 2021

  • Br. Nathanael Campion and Br. Levi Mary Pro are admitted to the community.

June 2021

  • Br. Philip Collins is admitted to the community and begins philosophical studies at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in the fall.

September 4, 2021

  • Br. Andrew Brébeuf makes his first profession of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Servants of Christ Jesus at Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

September 2021

  • Br. Simon Faber is admitted to the community.

August 15, 2022

  • Br. Thomas Gonzaga makes his perpetual profession of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Servants of Christ Jesus at Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception