In 1986 our founder, Fr Ken Barker, was approached by some young men from the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, who felt called to the priesthood, but also wanted to remain part of the community. At the time Fr Ken was both a diocesan priest and member of the Disciples of Jesus.

After much prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, they began to share a common life together, seeking to live the Gospel in a radical way, by imitating Jesus in his poverty, and developing a strong life of prayer and brotherhood. The Missionaries of God’s Love Priests and Brothers then emerged as a new group committed to contemplative prayer, adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, charismatic worship and bringing God’s love to others, especially to the alienated and marginalised in our society.

In the same year, our cofounder, Patti Jo Crockett, was on retreat when she felt the Lord say the words “charismatic religious life”. At the time, Patti Jo was a perpetually vowed sister with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) and relating with the Disciples of Jesus.

As young women from the community approached Patti Jo expressing a desire for consecrated life, she remained faithful to the voice of the Lord and continued to discern His call. In 1987, with her congregation’s blessing, Patti Jo left the FMMs and took perpetual vows as the first Missionaries of God’s Love Sister. In time, more women joined Patti Jo and began a common life of prayer, sisterhood and mission. From our beginning, Saints Francis and Clare have been influential in inspiring our life of poverty and simplicity.