Fr. Placid Guste, SMP

Founded in 1966 by Fr. Placid Guste, SMP, the Society of Our Mother of Peace was born of an inner call to combine the eremitic and apostolic lives in a context of material simplicity, in such a manner that the apostolic call would be an expression of rather than a submerging of the contemplative spirit. The structural framework of the Society united with the spiritual orientation of St. John of the Cross, Mystic and Doctor of the Church, is specifically ordered to intensify the contemplative thrust of the Community.

The Society which has existed for over 50 years is made up of two separate Religious Communities (Public Associations of the Faithful): The Sons of Our Mother of Peace for Religious Priests and Brothers, and the Daughters of Our Mother of Peace for Religious Sisters. We function as an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life of Diocesan Right, which is composed of two branches, namely the Brothers and Priests of Our Mother of Peace and the Sisters of Our Mother of Peace. The Society is governed, at the highest level, by a body called the Central Chapter, which is represented equally by both the Religious Priests and Brothers and the Religious Sisters.

Today the Society is present in the U.S.A. in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and in the Archdiocese of St. Louis; in Nigeria, Africa in the Diocese of Awka and in the Diocese of Uromi; and in the Philippines in the Diocese of Antipolo.