Catholic Religious Vocations -- Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi
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The Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis |
Catholic Religious Vocations -- Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi
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The Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis |
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We Franciscans are challenged to live an integrated life through prayer, community, and our ministry to serve the poor, neglected and disadvantaged youth, the powerless, people in need, and the elderly. We live by our vows of poverty (living in simplicity), chastity (living in love with all), and obedience (living and witnessing the Gospel). Who are the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis? A Franciscan does not make himself. He is called by God to follow Francis as Francis followed Christ. The prospective Brother comes to the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis by what St Francis called “divine inspiration.” This inspiration was not received by a startling vision but apparently in a very human way: by a sudden attraction planted perhaps by a sermon, by reading, or by friends in the religious life. A Brother is a religious, dedicated to God’s service by his vows, just as much as a priest or sister. He is a person who has heard and answered a call to serve God in a special way. The first men who organized into religious groups were Brothers, not priests. Countless men in the history of the Church have given the highest service to God and humanity as Brothers. St. Anthony, for example, the founder of the monastic life in the desert was a Brother. Another famous instance of a Brother is found in St. Francis of Assisi. This great saint of the Church whose influence has been felt in every century since the 13th, was a deacon and not a priest. It is clear then that the Brotherhood is not a preparation for the priesthood, but rather a distinct calling in itself. We are people who feel called to commitment to Jesus and the values of the Gospel. We are convinced that ministry within the Church is our privilege and our responsibility. We live as dedicated members of our community. And from that community, we draw support for our lives of prayer and ministry. We live a vowed life of poverty, obedience and chastity. Poverty -- living a simple lifestyle, using talents and gifts to make a better world Obedience -- to God, to the community, to the Church and to self Consecrated Chastity -- loving all, possessing no one, striving sincerely, for singleness of heart, a celibate way of loving and being loved. |
 What do we do? We serve the poor, neglected and disadvantaged youth, the powerless, people in need, the elderly, persons with AIDS and people who ask us for help regardless of their religion or their social/economic background. We serve the young and the old. We are teachers, childcare workers, social workers, counselors, pastoral ministers, retreat ministers, religious educators, school administrators, and much more. What does it mean to be a Brother? Being a Brother is not a role we assume, but rather a lifestyle we live in all of our activities. To brother is to encourage, enable and support our marginated and powerless sisters and brothers. To brother is to proclaim, in work and deed, the God who calls us all to hope and love. The Brothers of the Poor are challenged to live an integrated life through prayer, community/fraternity, ministry and the vows of poverty (living in simplicity), chastity (living in love with all), and obedience (living and witnessing the Gospel). It is not ourselves that we preach; we try to preach Christ Jesus as Lord and ourselves as His servants. Catholic Vocations in the Religious Life of Catholic Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi |
• Home Page Who are the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis? What do we do? What does it mean to be a Brother? • St. Francis, Our Namesake • Bro. John Hoever, Our Founder • Catholic Religious Vocation • Franciscan Order, the Congregation of the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis • Newsletters Available Upon Request Fall/Winter Spring/Summer • Frequently Asked Questions • Contact Us • How do I know if I have been called by God to serve as a Brother? • Do you wish to take the challenge of becoming a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis? • An Inquiry Form • Links of Interest |
| Catholic Religious Vocations -- Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi |
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