The Disciples of Hope (Discipuli Spei) is a community of priests and deacons with vows whose charism is to provide an intensive spiritual "preparation-for-death" retreat to the terminally ill, the infirm elderly, and anyone threatened by death.

As a community, the Disciples of Hope serve the Church in a highly focused ministry. They assist spiritually those in the final stage of man's pilgrimage either because of illness, old age or the threat of suicidal despair or capital punishment. The "DS" give spiritual comfort by sipritual ministrations and special modes of reconciliation, or simply provide consolation by their physical presence. Serving as "watchmen at the portals of life," they provide witness to the redemptive value of suffering and the supreme value of life at any stage from conception to the moment of death. The Disciples of Hope promote hope in the greatest value of all -- Eternal Life.

Their patron saint is the biblical character called "The Beloved Disciple" who stood valiantly beneath the cross of the dying Savior. In imitation of his style of loving till the end, the Disciples of Hope pledge that wherever they are accepted to serve, no one will die unattended to, especially priests and their parents.

The Disciples of Hope publishes a monthly newsletter, "H.O.P.E," acronym for "Hapiness Out of Patient Endurance." Other publications as of 2004 include: Reflections, The Seven Last Words of Jesus Addressed to the Dying, I Am The Way translated into Pilipino (Ako Ang Daan), Hope for Those Who Worry Too Much, All's Well That Ends Well, and "The Gospell of Life Story".

The Disciples of Hope is represented in four archdioceses/dioceses in the Philippines,and in two dioceses in the United States. It has five houses, three parishes, one with elementary school, the other with high school, and one retreat house. It provides chaplaincy services to three hospitals in the Philippines: The Bicol Medical Center in Naga City and Far Eastern University Hospital (Fern) in Novaliches, Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi City, and three hospitals in Houston, Texas. Its parish in the diocese of Daet covers the provincial hospital, as well as the town's various private hospitals. The Disciples of Hope Congregation administers the parish at El Cristo Rey in the Grand Canyon in Arizona as well as the parish of Most Holy Trinity in Phoenix, Arizona, where a large trauma/medical center and nine nursing homes are located.

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