Order of the Holy Innocents

The order was founded by Br. Joshua, OSI & Br Krisz, OSI. They wanted to form an order that was not based on the "traditional" vows of the Roman Catholic Church, and sought to give the perspective of their ministry into the religious life. They felt a strong calling to draw the people who have been hurt, left behind, and forgotten by the churches. They wanted to reach out to those who have been oppressed and hated by the churches. They did not view these people as “prodigal” but as “Holy Innocents” as it was the churches that turned away, not them.

The Holy Innocents were the thousands of male babies born near or around the birth of Christ, who were slaughtered by King Herod. They were killed not for what they had done, but for who they were. Joshua and Krisz felt that there were so many modern-day “Holy Innocents” who were not being spiritually fed or loved.

While the order is of the Holy Innocents, they chose three patron saints to guide them and direct them into being able to reach these goals. They chose St Teresa of Calcutta for her Compassion; they chose St Joan of Arc for her Faith, and they chose St Francis of Assisi for his Humility. With these three vows they sought to do their calling.

The order was promulgated in 2000 by Bishop Michael LaBrecque who became the First Abbot. Bishop Bob Gross took over and became the Second Abbot. Bishop Joshua is the Third (& current) Abbot. The Abbey is located in Muskegon, Michigan. It is there that the order’s first mission began at St Teresa’s.

St Teresa of Calcutta's community had gone through quite a bit of changes. The community first started out being hosted by the Harbor Unitarians in Muskegon, where they met Margaret Humphreys; she joined the community and took first profession in Fall 2007.  She is known in Religious Life as Sister Elisabeth Clare, OSI.

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