The Claretian Missionaries.

St Hugh of Lincoln Parish, Buckden Towers, was founded and continues to be served by the Claretian Missionaries (Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary). This international community of priests and brothers was founded in 1849 near Barcelona, Spain, by St Anthony Mary Claret.

At the heart of the Claretian vocation is a deep love for God and a special devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Inspired by their Founder, Claretians are called to be “people aflame with the love of God,” sharing that love with others wherever they are sent.

Today, the Claretians serve in more than 70 countries around the world. Their mission is especially focused on bringing hope and the Gospel to those most in need—whether through parish life, education, youth ministry, chaplaincy, or outreach to the poor and marginalised. They are also involved in retreat work, spiritual accompaniment, and evangelisation through modern media.

Here at Buckden Towers, the Claretians are privileged to serve both the parish and the wider community. Alongside parish ministry at St Hugh’s, they run the Buckden Towers Retreat House and Conference Centre, offering opportunities for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

The Claretians in England are part of the wider Province of Fátima, which includes communities in Portugal, the south of Spain, and the mission in Zimbabwe. This international partnership strengthens their shared mission and reflects the global family to which they belong.

Although small in number in England, the Claretians continue to serve with a strong missionary spirit—working in parishes, supporting vocations, and building connections across cultures and continents.

The community invites you to join them in prayer, especially for vocations, that more people may respond to God’s call and help “spread the fire of God’s love wherever they go.”

To learn more about the Claretian Missionaries worldwide, visit: www.claret.org