The community was founded in 1988 as the Ecumenical Brothers of the Mercy of God (BMG). Br. Gerald William, our founder, did preliminary outreach and recruited a few prospective members who gathered at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut. The initial ceremony of first vows by two brothers and reception of two novices took place in October, 1989, at the St. Pius X Capuchin Friary, Middletown Connecticut.
All these early members were from New England, so the small group was able to meet monthly for Sundays of prayer, discussion, and camaraderie. In 1990, meetings were moved to Sacred Heart Oratory, Vernon CT. Another brother pronounced first vows there that year. Since then, additional members have been received every year, except in 1994 when a two-year formation program was instituted.
As the community began to spread geographically, not all members could attend monthly gatherings. The New England group continued to do so and, in 1992, the first national events, a Religious Life Weekend Retreat in the spring and Chapter I in the fall, were convened at the Christian Brothers Center, Narragansett RI.
The entity was incorporated in Rhode Island as a non-profit organization on the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6, 1992. At Chapter I, the group adopted a democratic model of self-governance, decided to include women, changed its name to Mercy of God Community (MGC), and adopted a formal Rule and Bylaws. The first election of a Leadership Council was held at Chapter II, in October, 1993. In 1994, the U. S. Internal Revenue Service recognized MGC as a religious order and granted tax-exempt status.
The first sister professed vows in June, 1995. The internet domain name "mgc.org" was obtained and the original website was launched on the Feast of St. Clare, August 11, 1996. Chapter III was convened in October, 1996. The tenth anniversary celebration highlighted the spring meeting/ retreat in June, 1998. Chapter IV was held in October, 1999.
In January, 2000, the first regional guardians were elected, to oversee activities in the New England, Atlantic Coast, and Midwest Regions.
The community has continued to grow and national spring meetings/retreats and fall conferences/chapters have been held every year. At the re-founding in 1992, there were nine brothers. As of December 31, 2000, there were 27 members (22 brothers and 5 sisters), 75 individual associates, and 3 associated parishes - a total of 105, residing in 28 states and Australia, and the mailing list reached 217 others, bringing the "MGC family" count to an unprecedented 322 in 38 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Australia, England, Romania, Spain and Switzerland.
While adhering to our historic foundations, we aspire to a future outlined in Vision 2010
During Chapter V (Fall, 2002) in Attleboro, MA, the community decided to disband the regions, and return to a one community leadership style.