Laughter and Mercy: The Life and Mission of Fr. Matthew Phelan, O. of M.

Some vocations are revealed through mystical experiences. Others come through the slow burn of the practice of prayer and realizing that God’s plan was unfolding through ordinary circumstances of everyday life. For Fr. Matthew Phelan, a Mercedarian priest currently serving in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia, the call came through a mix of Marian devotion, Eucharistic adoration, and a well-timed game of “Bible roulette.”

The Mercedarians

Fr. Matthew is a member of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, also known as the Mercedarians. Founded in 1218 by St. Peter Nolasco in Barcelona, Spain, the Mercedarian Order was established to save Christian captives from Muslim slavery—often through peaceful negotiation, sometimes by offering their own lives in exchange for another man’s freedom. One special aspect of the Mercedarian order is the fourth vow they take—to give their lives, if necessary, for those in danger. Just as Christ gave his life for the ransom of many, the Mercedarians are prepared to give their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Their charism has since expanded, responding to modern forms of captivity—whether that’s addiction, broken families, spiritual confusion, or loneliness.

Growing Up Years

Fr. Matthew is the youngest of four children. His mother was a Jewish convert to Catholicism, raised in a secular Jewish household that struggled with faith, as did many jewish people, after WWII. Though her own journey of self-discovery and truth, she eventually converted to Catholicism at the age of 18. Father Matthew’s mother would later go on to married his father, after a chance meeting at a wedding.

Father Matthew and his other 3 siblings lived in a typical Catholic family life—Mass on Sundays and Holy Days were non-negotiable—Fr. Matthew admits that his early faith was lukewarm, but later on he and his family would be set on fire through a powerful encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Marian Inspired Conversion Leading to More

Everything began to shift Father Matthew and his family discovered a book on Marian apparitions, particularly Our Lady of Fatima and Lourdes. Reading it shook him. “It scared the hell out of me,” he said candidly. “I realized I was measuring myself by human standards and not by God’s grace.”

That realization sent him to confession—and down a road of renewal. He began attending daily Mass, praying the Rosary, and spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, often after finishing night shifts during his time working at UPS.

Fr. Matthew didn’t enter religious life overnight. He initially pursued journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee, dreaming of a career in politics, but later discovered broadcast journalism and fell in love with the creative process of media. After college, when father started working in cable television production, he developed a great prayer life and routine of going to daily Mass and adoration.

Though he loved his work in broadcasting, little by little he felt God working in his heart through his simple yet faith filled routine telling him there was something more. “I spent a lot of time telling God what I wanted to do. But I had never asked Him what He wanted.” Father admitted.

One night during adoration, in a moment in which he was seeking direction on God’s plan for his life, he played what he calls “Bible roulette.” With closed eyes, he opened his bible and pointed to a verse, thinking that whatever verse he happened upon would give him the clarity he was so desperately seeking. It landed on Matthew 9:9: “Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.”

That was all the clarity he needed.

Soon after, he attended the Institute on Religious Life conference at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois, where he met the Mercedarians for the first time. After a providential visit to their Philadelphia house—where travel complications left him totally reliant on their hospitality—he knew. God was calling him here. “I sat in the chapel, overwhelmed, and bawled my eyes out before the Blessed Sacrament. I knew this was it.”

Living the Mission and the 4th Vow

Today, Fr. Matthew serves as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Philadelphia’s Overbrook neighborhood, a community historically known as the “Gateway Parish.” Located on the border between Philadelphia County and Montgomery County.

He shares ministry with Fr. Justin Freeman, O. of M., who is both parochial vicar and local superior of their house, as well as Brother Dominic, who teaches at West Catholic High School.

Their life is built around prayer, community meals, and a whole lot of “chaos management”—balancing administration with the mission to set souls free.

In 2015, the Mercedarians launched a non-profit to help live out their redemptive fourth vow in modern times. The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family & Faith focuses on healing families wounded by divorce and trauma.

Today, it provides spiritual accompaniment, free listening sessions, and access to a priest—usually Fr. Justin—for those who simply need someone to hear them. Father Matthew explained “A lot of people don’t need an exorcist. They just need someone to talk to.”

A Charism of Humor

If there’s one unique trait Fr. Matthew brings to his ministry, it’s joyful humor. Father traces the roots of his personal charism to an unexpcted hospital stay in 2016, following a knee surgery and staph infection. During his time in recovery, he received an inspiration from our Lady to use his time in the hospital to share the joy of the Lord. “I didn’t want anyone to leave my hospital room without a smile on their face.” he said. That small goal turned into a kind of mini-ministry—and it stuck. Whether he’s cracking jokes with his friars, diffusing parish drama, or simply making hospital staff laugh, Fr. Matthew knows that joy breaks chains, too.

Discernment Advice

As always on the Life of a Priest, Allie asks for vocation discernment advice. Father responded almost immediately “Don’t join the ‘perpetual discerner’s club.” Though on the surface we can laugh about the idea of someone perpetually discerning, it is sad reality in our culture today. Young people often feel paralyzed when it comes to making a choice. Father Matthew spoke directed to this issue and assures us that “If you’re feeling called, take the leap. If it’s not your vocation, the Church will guide you. Even if you leave seminary, nothing is wasted. You’ll gain self-knowledge, grow in grace, and God will use that.”

Listen to Fr. Matthew on the Life of a Priest podcast—only on the Tabella App!