About Mater Misericordiae · Phoenix, Arizona
Mater Misericordiae (Latin for "Mother of Mercy") is a Traditional Latin Mass parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). Established in 2005 as a diocesan mission to welcome Catholics attached to the 1962 Missal after a 40-year absence of the Tridentine Mass from the diocese, it is the only parish in the Diocese of Phoenix that celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments exclusively on a daily basis. Today the parish operates as "One Parish, Two Churches" — Mater Misericordiæ on West Monroe Street and the newly-restored St. Edward the Confessor in south Phoenix — serving roughly 800 registered families and 1,300 weekly Massgoers with a thriving schola cantorum, multiple choirs, an extensive CCD/homeschool apostolate, and a full calendar of devotions.
- Established
- 2005
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title "Mother of Mercy" / Mater Misericordiae)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
Mater Misericordiae is the home of the only parish community in the Diocese of Phoenix that celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments exclusively every day of the week, drawn from the 1962 Roman Missal under the Ecclesia Dei / Summorum Pontificum provisions and now flourishing as a single parish across two churches (Mater Misericordiæ and St. Edward the Confessor). Families are welcomed into a tight-knit, multigenerational community with a robust schola cantorum and four choirs, a thriving Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program with a special-needs track, a youth group, a young-adult group, a homeschool apostolate, the Knights of Columbus, the Troops of St. George for boys, and women's formation groups such as the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Helpers of the Immaculate Heart (girls 5–12) and the Daughters of the Heavenly Queen (girls 13–18). Daily confession, a Wednesday Holy Hour, First Friday devotions and a strong Spanish-language ministry make it a spiritual home for traditional Catholics across the Phoenix Valley.
Mass times at Mater Misericordiae
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday & Friday — 30 minutes before the 8:00 AM Mass (Mater Misericordiæ)
- Tuesday & Thursday — 1 hour before the 12:00 PM Mass (Mater Misericordiæ)
- Wednesday — 1 hour before the 5:30 PM Mass (Mater Misericordiæ)
- Saturday — 1 hour before the 8:00 AM Mass (Mater Misericordiæ), and again 2:00–3:00 PM (Mater Misericordiæ)
- Sunday at St. Edward the Confessor — 30 minutes before each Mass
Adoration times
- Simple Exposition — Wednesday evenings immediately after the 5:30 PM Mass at Mater Misericordiæ
- First Friday Solemn Exposition and Holy Hour (offered monthly)
- Solemn Exposition and Holy Hour for the Bishop's intentions (offered periodically)
Parish History
Mater Misericordiae was born from the reintroduction of the Traditional Latin Mass to the Diocese of Phoenix by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted in June 2004, after a forty-year post-Vatican II absence. Following a successful year-long trial at St. Thomas the Apostle, the bishop in June 2005 elevated the Latin Mass community to mission status under the name "Mater Misericordiae" — Latin for "Mother of Mercy" — entrusting its pastoral care to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). The community first worshipped alongside Ordinary-Form parishes before purchasing a 1950s Baptist church on West Monroe Street in 2010 under Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP. The building was completely repurposed with an Old World classical interior by artist Anja Zunkeler and reopened in 2010. After the 2014 tragedy that claimed Fr. Kenneth Walker, FSSP, and seriously injured Fr. Terra, the parish entered a period of transition before Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP, arrived in 2015 and led the community into a period of dramatic growth, the 2021 acquisition of St. Edward the Confessor as a second church, and the 2023 award of a five-acre property for future expansion.
- 2004 — Latin Mass reintroduced to the Diocese of Phoenix by Bishop Olmsted
- June 2005 — Mater Misericordiae established as a diocesan mission; Rev. Alonso Saenz named administrator; Fr. Stéphane Dupré, FSSP, arrives as first FSSP priest
- c. 2005–2009 — Fr. Kenneth Fryar, FSSP, serves as first FSSP chaplain at St. Thomas the Apostle
- 2010 — Diocese purchases the West Monroe Baptist church under Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP; interior repurposed by Anja Zunkeler
- June 11, 2014 — Fr. Kenneth Walker, FSSP, murdered in the rectory; Fr. Terra critically injured
- July 20, 2015 — Fr. Howard Remski, FSSP, appointed Pastor; Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP, appointed Parochial Vicar
- 2017 onward — Fr. Passo becomes pastor; parish grows rapidly
- 2021 — St. Edward the Confessor suppressed as a parish and aligned as second church of Mater Misericordiae; reopened December 2021 after six-month renovation
- 2023 — Diocese awards parish an additional five-acre property
Our Patron: Mary, Mother of Mercy
The parish takes its name from the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title "Mater Misericordiae" — "Mother of Mercy" — a Marian invocation long venerated in Catholic devotion. The mission was given this name by Bishop Olmsted in 2005 when it was first established, and Marian symbolism permeates the church's decoration: the side shrines are dedicated to Our Lady and to St. Joseph, fleur-de-lis motifs are woven throughout the wall and ceiling painting, and Marian symbols are highlighted in Zunkeler's hand-painted patterns.
- Side shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the sanctuary
- Marian fleur-de-lis motif repeated throughout the interior
- Sermon en Español at the 1 PM Sunday Mass reflects the parish's bilingual Marian devotion
Architecture & Sacred Art
The Mater Misericordiæ church at 1537 W. Monroe Street is a 1950s former Baptist sanctuary that was completely gutted and reimagined in an Old World classical style under Fr. Joseph Terra's direction. California-based liturgical artist Anja Zunkeler of Zinclair Studios designed the entire interior as "the product of one hand," working closely with Fr. Terra and parish volunteers. Five Roman arches define the sanctuary, the largest framing a hand-carved wooden high altar (found dismantled in a Michigan barn and faux-marbled by a parishioner). Slightly smaller arches open into side shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Hand-painted patterns of crosses and Marian flowers — especially the fleur-de-lis — decorate the reredos, walls, arches and ceiling; the stained-glass windows by Richard Graf include six skylights in the sanctuary. Statuary was repurposed from old Wisconsin churches. The main altar stone, recovered wrapped in blankets from a closet of the old rectory, was re-embedded in the high altar along with relics of Sts. Maria Goretti and Dorothy. The companion church St. Edward the Confessor was refurbished in 2021 by parish volunteers under Fr. Terra, with three new altars and pews salvaged and refinished from Holy Cross Parish in Mesa.
- Five Roman arches in the sanctuary
- Hand-carved wooden high altar with relics of Sts. Maria Goretti and Dorothy
- Shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph
- Stained-glass windows by Richard Graf, including six sanctuary skylights
- Hand-painted fleur-de-lis and Marian motif decoration
- Three altars built by Fr. Terra at St. Edward the Confessor (2021)
- Pews from Holy Cross Parish in Mesa, refinished by parishioners
Sacred Music Program
The parish maintains a vibrant four-choir sacred music program coordinated by Music Director and choirmaster-organist Mr. Patrick Williams. The men's Schola Cantorum Sanctæ Crucis sings every Sunday for the 11:00 AM High Mass at St. Edward the Confessor, plus First Fridays and occasional weeknight and Saturday High Masses; it is open to men and boys whose voices have changed and prepares music for roughly 100 High Masses each year. The mixed choir sings two or three Sundays a month plus holy days; the children's choir serves the 9:00 AM Chant Mass on the third Sunday of the month; and the chorus choralis leads congregational singing at the 9:00 AM Mass.
- Schola Cantorum Sanctæ Crucis — men and changed-voice boys
- Mixed choir — adults and teens (auditioned)
- Children's choir — third grade through adolescence (no audition)
- Chorus choralis — informal congregational chant choir
- Music Director: Patrick Williams ([email protected])
- Music lists published at cantatorium.com/music
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Mater Misericordiae runs an unusually broad slate of lay apostolates organized under the "Parish Life" section of its website. Lay-led groups serve liturgical, charitable and formation needs: altar servers, ushers and the Porters of St. Joseph (parish security) handle Sunday worship; the Knights of Columbus Council #15576, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Helpers of the Immaculate Heart (girls 5–12) and the Daughters of the Heavenly Queen (girls 13–18) carry out men's, women's and girls' formation and charity; the Troops of St. George and the Youth Group form boys and teenagers in the outdoors and in holiness; and St. Anne's Homeschool Apostolate (SAHA) supports parish homeschool families. Meals for Moms provides meals to families welcoming children or in hardship.
- Altar Server Guild
- Ushers
- Porters of St. Joseph (security)
- Knights of Columbus Council #15576
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers (CCM)
- Helpers of the Immaculate Heart (HIH) — girls 5–12
- Daughters of the Heavenly Queen (DHQ) — girls 13–18
- Troops of St. George — boys 6–18
- Youth Group — ages 12–17
- Young Adult Group
- St. Anne's Homeschool Apostolate (SAHA)
- Meals for Moms
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Mater Misericordiae is centered on the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), which meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:30–7:30 PM at Mater Misericordiæ during the school year, under the direction of CCD Director Mrs. Allison Twist. A separate track for children with special needs is offered at 4:30 PM on Wednesdays at Mater, and RCIA preparation is published annually by the parish. All instruction is geared toward preparing children and adults to receive the sacraments within the context of the Traditional Latin liturgy.
- CCD (general) — Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM at Mater (Mrs. Allison Twist)
- Special-needs CCD track — Wednesdays 4:30 PM at Mater
- RCIA — annual requirements & expectations document published
- CCD classes held in Spanish and English
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP, who arrived in 2015 and speaks Spanish. He is assisted by three priests: Rev. Fr. Martin Rangel-Garcia, FSSP; Rev. Fr. David McWhirter, FSSP; and Rev. Fr. Zachary Barry. The parish office is staffed by Office Manager Mrs. Michelle Rodriguez and bilingual Office Assistants Mrs. Mabel Sturino (Spanish) and Mrs. Valerie Villa; the Music Director is Mr. Patrick Williams; the CCD Director is Mrs. Allison Twist; and the Maintenance Manager is Mr. John Gartonzavesky. Former pastor Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP, continues to assist the community (notably in building the altars at St. Edward the Confessor in 2021) and now serves as chaplain to the Carmelite nuns in Post Falls, Idaho, and at St. Joan of Arc in Coeur d'Alene.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP (habla español)
- Assistant Pastor: Rev. Fr. Martin Rangel-Garcia, FSSP
- Assistant Pastor: Rev. Fr. David McWhirter, FSSP
- Assistant Pastor: Rev. Fr. Zachary Barry
- Office Manager: Mrs. Michelle Rodriguez
- Office Assistants: Mrs. Mabel Sturino, Mrs. Valerie Villa
- Music Director: Mr. Patrick Williams
- CCD Director: Mrs. Allison Twist
- Maintenance Manager: Mr. John Gartonzavesky
St. Edward the Confessor — Our Second Church
In 2021 the Diocese of Phoenix suppressed the dying St. Edward the Confessor parish in south Phoenix and aligned it as a second church of Mater Misericordiae. The FSSP formally took possession in July 2021; an intensive six-month renovation followed, led by Fr. Joseph Terra (who built the three new altars in six weeks) and dozens of lay volunteers who refinished salvaged pews from Holy Cross Parish in Mesa, retiled, replumbed and repainted the interior. The reborn church was reopened in December 2021, hosting most of the parish's Sunday schedule (7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM Spanish) and special Masses.
- Address: 4410 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85042
- Named for King Edward the Confessor of England, canonized 1161
- Took possession July 2021; reopened December 2021
- Hosts the Sunday Mass schedule and most High Masses
- Three altars built by Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP
Memorial & Legacy
The parish's sacred music page is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Kenneth Walker, FSSP (1985–2014), the young curate assigned to the Mater Misericordiae mission who was murdered in the rectory on June 11, 2014. His death — and the survival of Fr. Joseph Terra after the same attack — remains a defining moment in the parish's history and is commemorated by the parish community in its prayers and annual remembrances.
- Rev. Kenneth Walker, FSSP (1985–2014) — curate of Mater Misericordiae
- Murdered in the rectory June 11, 2014
- Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP, critically injured in the same attack
- Parish schola page dedicated to Fr. Walker's memory
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Alonso Saenz2005
Diocesan priest named first administrator of the Mater Misericordiae mission (June 2005); continued as pastor of St. Augustine Parish in west Phoenix.
- Rev. Stéphane Dupré, FSSP2005 (arrived July 1, 2005)
First FSSP priest assigned to the mission; transferred from the Diocese of Sacramento, lived at St. Augustine.
- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Fryar, FSSP2005–c. 2009
First FSSP chaplain of the Mater Misericordiae Latin Mass community; initially celebrated Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle.
- Rev. Fr. Masutti, FSSPmid-2000s
Early FSSP priest assigned to the mission alongside Fr. Fryar.
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSPc. 2009–2014 (pastor)
Acquired and converted the present Mater Misericordiæ church on W. Monroe in 2010; coordinated the Old World classical interior design by Anja Zunkeler; critically injured in the June 11, 2014 rectory attack that killed Fr. Walker. Reassigned to chaplaincy of Carmelite nuns in Post Falls, Idaho (St. Joan of Arc, Coeur d'Alene).
- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Walker, FSSPc. 2012–June 11, 2014
Young curate (associate pastor) assigned to Mater Misericordiae mission and pastor of the St. Cecilia, Clarkdale satellite; murdered in the rectory on June 11, 2014. The parish website schola page is dedicated to his memory.
- Rev. Fr. Howard Remski, FSSPappointed July 20, 2015
Appointed Pastor of Mater Misericordiae Mission effective July 20, 2015 by Bishop Olmsted, alongside Fr. Passo's appointment as parochial vicar.
- Rev. Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP2015–present
Arrived 2015 as parochial vicar (effective June 30, 2015); appointed pastor shortly after; oversaw explosive parish growth, kept the church open during COVID-19, led the 2021 acquisition and renovation of St. Edward the Confessor as the parish's second church, and was awarded a five-acre property by the diocese for future expansion.