Brothers of life

[JReducation]

As Brothers of Life of the Order of St. Francis we are bound to observe the Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, as it was left to us by our holy father Francis and re-confirmed by Pope John Paul II on the eighth day of December 1982.

Christ calls all men to preach the one Gospel, the Good News about Jesus Christ who gives life to the world. From among the faithful, Christ calls us to preach the Gospel of Life, through the words, deeds, and rule of life given to us by Francis of Assisi: living in obedience, without property, and in chastity. Like our father before us and the generations of friars, nuns, sisters and seculars who have preceded us, the Holy Spirit calls us to offer to God and the Church the gift of our lives, as penance for the sins of man against his holy will and sins against our brothers and sisters, especially our pre-born brothers and sisters and other vulnerable members of society.

We strive to give primacy to the contemplative life as a reality of grace, experienced by each brother as God’s gift. It is in our daily contemplation of grace that we come to know the Father in the mystery of the Trinitarian communion and enter into the depths of God as did our holy Father Francis who always strived to disappear into the unifying light of the Divine.

At the same time that we respond to Christ’s call to leave the world and follow him, he sends us back into the world to proclaim the Gospel. By proclaiming the Gospel of Life, in communion with the Church, we cooperate in the Church’s revelation to man of his dignity and her invitation to him to discover the full truth of his own being, which proceeds from the creative Word of God.

The brothers shall proclaim the teaching of the Magisterium, as did our Father Francis who was ever mindful of the Church’s concern for humanity and of her authority in all matters concerning faith and morals. As Christ was obedient to the Father, Francis also obeyed Christ’s voice as he spoke through the Magisterium Upon hearing the words of Christ confirmed by the Lord Pope, Francis proclaimed a new era of penance and conversion to the Gospel. Today, the Brothers of Life go forth to once more invite all men and women to penance and conversion to the protection of human life and its original dignity grounded in the majesty and glory of the Father, incarnate in the Son, and revealed to us by power of the Holy Spirit.

We too, as sons of the Church, proclaim that the life of every human being is to be respected in an absolute way, because man is the only creature on earth that God has “wished for himself” and the soul of each man is “immediately created” by God; his being bears the image of the Creator. Man forever remains in a special relationship with the Creator, who is his sole end. Therefore, we engage in work that proclaims that God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its natural end and that no man can claim the right to destroy an innocent human being.

Together with the Holy Father, the bishops, priests, other religious and the faithful laity, we engage only in those ministries that serve to proclaim the great truth that God has revealed to us from all eternity. There is one God, one faith, one baptism, one Father of all and through his Son all [men] came into being and are endowed by the Holy Spirit with one dignity that is inviolable.

Therefore, taking nothing for our journey, except the holy habit of Penance and a copy of the Gospel, we go into the world as contemplative Franciscan missionaries who proclaim God’s love for humanity and his desire that every man should come to eternal salvation.

 

[redrosetea]

JR I feel I am not a very good prayer…I do pray and often say little things like… all for the this day dear Jesus

But I never seem to be able to go deeply into prayer…I can read church history, lives of the saints, and read prayers…but I don’t feel I am much of a prayer

I wish I were better able to be a contemplative sort of person, but I don’t feel I have the right sort of personality …I am, always thinking about 10 things at once

I guess I am more of a Martha than a Mary…

 

[JReducation]

However, you pray, either through rote prayers or spontaneous prayer or other forms, please ask God to send us more brothers. The millions of unborn children need the Brothers of Life. The Catholic Church needs them too.

Fraternally in St. Francis,

Br, JR, OSF

 

[redrosetea]

I will offer my mass for it on Fri…I feel it is the best prayer I give to God

 

[redrosetea]

JR if it isn’t too personal, could you tell me how you became a Francsican…it is a bit unusual for a man that has a family

I kow we do have some married priest that are widowers and a few from other religion that are married…but it is an intriguing sort of a situation to be in…How did God call you?

 

[JReducation]

It is true, I am a widower and have two adult children. Like me, there have been many faithful and holy men and women who have entered the religious life.

My inspiration came from Elizabeth Ann Seton. After the death of her husband, Elizabeth discovered the Catholic faith. Once she discovered the faith of the one truth Church, she believed that there was nothing else for her to do but to live in communion with Christ. She took her five children and moved to Emmetsburg (sp?), MD, where she founded the Sisters of Charity, who later merged with the Daughters of Charity.

Like Elizabeth, I too dedicated my life to raising my young children. I often prayed to her for guidance and clarity. I had been educated by Capuchin-Franciscan Friars, so Francis of Assisi was no stranger to me. I began to read more about St. Francis. I began to pray more to him. I believe that Elizabeth guided me in that direction.

But the real moment of my conversion to religious life came before the Blessed Sacrament. When I was praying one day, as Elizabeth Ann and Francis had done so many times in their lives, I felt sudden desire to remain there. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed. As I looked a the host, I realized, probably for the first time in my life, that this was my friend and my God, Jesus Christ. I did not want to leave that chapel.

I remember walking toward that door and looking back toward the exposed host and wanting so much to return; but I had to leave. There was something I had to do.

Later, Lent came. I decided to make a good confession and have a good Lent. I went to confession. I must have been in there for hours, but I felt that I had finally come back home, even though I have been a Catholic since my youth and have never left the Church. But this time it was different. I was the most glorious Lent and Easter of my life.

I began to ask God for help. I wanted to serve him. I wanted him to be with me. I knew that he was with me, but I wanted to be with him forever. I can’t explain it. But I did not know how to be with him. I kept going to the sacraments and to spiritual direction.

One day, I was reading the Liturgy of the Hours and I read in the psalms, “My vows to the Lord I will pay, in the presence of all his people.” Then I read in another psalm “I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” The deed was done. I knew that I had to live for Christ. I had raised my children to be good Catholics and good citizens. Now it was time for me to move on to another field of labor in service of God.

As I looked around me, I wondered which order was for me. I knew the Capuchins. I loved them. I wanted to be with them. But there was more that I wanted and I did not know where this desire came from. So with the help of my spiritual director and my bishop I began to pray harder and leaned more on Mary.

One day, I was visiting a cousin of mine who has a statue of the Blessed Mother. But she is pregnant. I began to think and pray. I began my search and I went back to my bishop and my spiritual director. My bishop was looking for contemplative religious to work for life. That was it, the Brothers of Life were born. We follow the Rule of St. Francis to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. We live a life of penance for those who cannot do penance or who will not do penance for the slaughter of the innocent unborn child. Our life is not only a ministry to the unborn and their parents. But it is more than that. It is a perfect union with Christ in the womb. Like our holy Father Francis, I have been drawn into the worship of God, with my entire life. I’m not sure how to explain my happiness and my sadness too. My happiness comes from Christ, Mary and Francis. My sadness comes from sin and the slaughter of the innocent unborn child who is created in the image of the Incarnate Son of God who hid in Mary’s womb and who was also hunted down by Herod to be killed. This is my life, this is my goal, this is my way . . . To live the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the manner of St. Francis, in prayer, silence, brotherhood, poverty, chastity, obedience and service to my unborn brothers and sisters.

I don’t know if that explains it well enough. I can’t explain my vocation well. It’s a strange series of events.

Fraternally,

Br, JR, OSF

 

[GilChrist77]

I will keep you in my prayers for sure! I was wondering if you do any work or are you connected in any way with the Sisters of Life in New York?

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

 

[JReducation]

I will keep you in my prayers for sure! I was wondering if you do any work or are you connected in any way with the Sisters of Life in New York?

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

We work for the same end as the Sisters of Life in NY. But we are not related. The Sisters of Life are in NY and we’re in the south.

We belong to two religious families. If I’m not mistaken, the Sisters of Life in NY are part of the Dominican family. Don’t take this to the bank. I know that they were trained by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. They wear the same habit, but in different colors. We belong to the Franciscan family.

We approach the same ministry from different mystical pespecttves. The beauty of it all is that every religious who comes to either the Sisters of Life or the Franciscan Brothers of Life is responding to Christ’s call to serve him and him alone and the cloister in which we find Christ is in the womb. This makes the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Brothers of Life truly compatible partners and brothers and sisters to each other and to the world.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[roveau]

Brother JR,

The initial post and the others were very inspiring. It’s a wonderful story about how you found your Vocation.

I am drawn to St Francis though have little more than the common (historical and spiritual)understanding of him. I suspect now that there is a lot I have missed out on, and I want to look into this more deeply.

I’ve been thinking about a Third Order Secular for some time. I’d definitely look into a Regular order or even priesthood if I were some 30 years younger because I will live in chastity anyway and I do have a strong draw to doing something special for Christ.

So, for those that are still married or find themselves over the age limit for a Regular order what would you advise?

With many thanks,

Rove

 

[JReducation]

Brother JR,

The initial post and the others were very inspiring. It’s a wonderful story about how you found your Vocation.

I am drawn to St Francis though have little more than the common (historical and spiritual)understanding of him. I suspect now that there is a lot I have missed out on, and I want to look into this more deeply.

I’ve been thinking about a Third Order Secular for some time. I’d definitely look into a Regular order or even priesthood if I were some 30 years younger because I will live in chastity anyway and I do have a strong draw to doing something special for Christ.

So, for those that are still married or find themselves over the age limit for a Regular order what would you advise?

With many thanks,

Rove

If you are married and hear the voice of Christ calling you to follow him in the same manner as our holy Father Francis, he may be calling you to join our brothers and sisters in the Secular Franciscan Order. We, the Franciscan Brothers of Life, have a common heritage with them. We came from them. All the religious of the Third Order of St. Francis have their roots in the Penitents, which is the original name of the order, Brothers and Sisters of Penance.

If one is single, older, but still in good health, there are many Franciscan religious communities that welcome older men or women. God does not always place an age on his calling. There aer times and religious communities, where for practical reasons there must be a cut-off in age. There are other communities that do not have those cut-offs because they do not need them.

The Franciscan Brothers of Life and other Franciscan communities welcome older men, in good health, with no economic or family responsibilities to consider our way of life.

I hope this answers your questions and those of other readers.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Cloisters]

There is a Franciscan Brother on Founders and Friends who has just been given permission to start his own friary.

groups.yahoo.com/group/Founders_and_Friends/

I am helping a late vocation start a pro-life charism, the Sisters of the Holy Innocents & St. Gianna Molla: cloisters.tripod.com/holyinnocents/

Their lay associates will be known as Dr. Gianna’s Assistants for Life, from which we are hoping the vocations will come for the following proposed charisms:

Sisters of the Holy Innocents & St. Gianna Molla
(link posted above)

Srs. of St. Lazarus Raised (minister to the comatose)
cloisters.tripod.com/sistersofstlazarusraised/

and the Contemplatives of Life
cloisters.tripod.com/contemplativesoflife/

The last website is currently under construction. Actually, all three are works-in-progress, depending on what is discerned.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[Cloisters]

We work for the same end as the Sisters of Life in NY. But we are not related. The Sisters of Life are in NY and we’re in the south.

We belong to two religious families. If I’m not mistaken, the Sisters of Life in NY are part of the Dominican family. Don’t take this to the bank. I know that they were trained by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. They wear the same habit, but in different colors. We belong to the Franciscan family.

We approach the same ministry from different mystical pespecttves. The beauty of it all is that every religious who comes to either the Sisters of Life or the Franciscan Brothers of Life is responding to Christ’s call to serve him and him alone and the cloister in which we find Christ is in the womb. This makes the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Brothers of Life truly compatible partners and brothers and sisters to each other and to the world.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

The SVs are NOT part of the Dominican family. Mother Assumpta, OP, was asked by Cardinal O’Connor to come and talk to the young community about religious life. A Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate was in on this, also.

The SVs originally had a tan habit, which the other sisters said just had to change, so they designed one off of the Nashville OPs. They’re not the only community to have done that, as there are many who have made a modification to that particular habit.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[JReducation]

The SVs are NOT part of the Dominican family. Mother Assumpta, OP, was asked by Cardinal O’Connor to come and talk to the young community about religious life. A Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate was in on this, also.

The SVs originally had a tan habit, which the other sisters said just had to change, so they designed one off of the Nashville OPs. They’re not the only community to have done that, as there are many who have made a modification to that particular habit.

Blessings,
Cloisters

Thanks for the info. I learned something new. I knew that they had some connection with the Dominicans of St. Cecilia during their formative years, but was not sure what rule they follow. I’m still not sure of that. Do they follow the Rule of St. Augustine? Most congregations are asked to take one of the five rules and write their constitutions usinhg it as a guide.

For those who don’t know, the five religious rules in the Church, in order of age: Carmelite, Benedictine (there is a debate about this), Basilian (Eastern Rite), Augustinian, and Franciscan.

There are also congregations that do not have a rule, but have their own statutes or their own constitutions and these are usually written by the founder. These constitutions and statutes can be changed by a general chapter of the community. A rule cannot be changed by the community, only by the Holy Father, because rules have Papal Bulls.

The difference is not obvious in the daily life and ministry of the community. It’s only obvious in canonical matters, which we don’t deal with as our daily bread. THANK GOD!!!

The Brothers of Life follow the Franciscan Rule for the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, as do most Franciscans, except for the Franciscan Friars Minor, Capuchin Friars Minor and Conventual Friars Minor, for whom St. Francis wrote a separate rule and the Poor Clares for whom Francis and Clare wrote a separate rule.

In other words, there are three Franciscan rules. 1) Obedience, 2) Enclosure and Adoration, and 3) Penance. Francis wrote different rules according the the gifts of his followers at given times and given circumstances. There is one charism. But each rule places emphasis on one of the values in that charism.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

For those who don’t know, the five religious rules in the Church, in order of age: Carmelite, Benedictine (there is a debate about this), Basilian (Eastern Rite), Augustinian, and Franciscan.

I believe that the Rule of St Basil predates the Benedictine rule as St Benedict borrowed from it.

It may even predate the Rule of St Albert (Carmelite rule) which has an earliest possible date of 1206. But we have set 1208 as the date as we just finished the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Rule.

 

[JReducation]

I believe that the Rule of St Basil predates the Benedictine rule as St Benedict borrowed from it.

It may even predate the Rule of St Albert (Carmelite rule) which has an earliest possible date of 1206. But we have set 1208 as the date as we just finished the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Rule.

I forgot your 800th anniversary. Congrats! :extrahappy:

The Franciscan family just celebrated its 800th birthday in April. Like the Carmelites, we too had a big bash. Ours was in Assisi with 2,000 Franks from around the world.

I did read the Holy Father’s message to the Carmelites and I saw the pics. The message was so awesome and so respectful. It should be posted on CAF. It not only tells a great deal about Carmel, but also about the importance of devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[redrosetea]

God is re greening our church once more…Mother Assumpta is a true inspiration

She opened a new mother house quite near me…It is filled with such beautiful sisters…on fire for God

It is sort of like when the ark finally found a dove with a branch in it’s beak…we have hit dry land and the worst is behind us

Thank you all for the work you do

 

[JReducation]

God is re greening our church once more…Mother Assumpta is a true inspiration

She opened a new mother house quite near me…It is filled with such beautiful sisters…on fire for God

It is sort of like when the ark finally found a dove with a branch in it’s beak…we have hit dry land and the worst is behind us

Thank you all for the work you do

The vocations are coming, especially to religious communities of women and to newer religious communities of men. Yesterday I received a letter from a Franciscan brother. A new Franciscan congregation of brothers has been approved in New Jersey. I can’t recall what diocese. For the Franciscan brothers alone, that makes five new congregations in the last 12 months, just in the USA. I know there are several new Benedictine foundations of men. I’m not sure if these are brothers or if they are mixed, priests and brothers. There are also some dioceses such as Arlington, VA that have many vocations to the priesthood, among the seculars. Overall, it’s the dioceses that have been hit the hardest by a shortage of vocations and many of the older congregations of men and women. The older religious orders of men are still getting a steady stream, such as : Carmelites, Capuchins, Franciscans, Conventuals, Dominicans, Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists and Augustinians.

The Capuchins are actually sending men out to found new Franciscan congregations of men. That’s something new and good when you have enough friars to send out to begin new branches of the same religious family.

Let’s just pray that they keep coming. While we’re praying, please pray for the Brothers of Life. The latest news on the proposed healthcare reform has created an emergency. We need more Brothers to minister to the unborn and to make their voices heard, as well as minister to their parents.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[redrosetea]

I saw a Franciscan friar …a young man…in the restaurant I was having lunch the other day …I remarked to our waiter…things are looking up the Franciscans are here

I will pray JR,God is still in charge not our govt…and the people that are pushing this are going to have to answer for it…I am no saint…but at least I don’t have to answer for that thank goodness

 

[JReducation]

I saw a Franciscan friar …a young man…in the restaurant I was having lunch the other day …I remarked to our waiter…things are looking up the Franciscans are here

I will pray JR,God is still in charge not our govt…and the people that are pushing this are going to have to answer for it…I am no saint…but at least I don’t have to answer for that thank goodness

When a Franciscan enters a restaurant and sarts looking up it means that he’s broke and praying someone will pick up his tab.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Cloisters]

The vocations are coming, especially to religious communities of women and to newer religious communities of men. Yesterday I received a letter from a Franciscan brother. A new Franciscan congregation of brothers has been approved in New Jersey. I can’t recall what diocese. For the Franciscan brothers alone, that makes five new congregations in the last 12 months, just in the USA. I know there are several new Benedictine foundations of men. I’m not sure if these are brothers or if they are mixed, priests and brothers. There are also some dioceses such as Arlington, VA that have many vocations to the priesthood, among the seculars. Overall, it’s the dioceses that have been hit the hardest by a shortage of vocations and many of the older congregations of men and women. The older religious orders of men are still getting a steady stream, such as : Carmelites, Capuchins, Franciscans, Conventuals, Dominicans, Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists and Augustinians.

The Capuchins are actually sending men out to found new Franciscan congregations of men. That’s something new and good when you have enough friars to send out to begin new branches of the same religious family.

Let’s just pray that they keep coming. While we’re praying, please pray for the Brothers of Life. The latest news on the proposed healthcare reform has created an emergency. We need more Brothers to minister to the unborn and to make their voices heard, as well as minister to their parents.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

The one in NJ is the one I was referring to. He is on our Founders and Friends forum.

Blessings,
Cloisters