I enjoy vignettes like these. It really gives a sense of what life is like for the brothers.
I wish we could have like ‘Religious Storytime’ for each of the vocations, each telling representative tales. I think it would improve our understanding/appreciation of each vocation by leaps and bounds
It’s interesting; you mentioned that vignettes give you a better understanding of the life of the brother. This may be a reason why there are so few of us left. If people don’t know, how can they even consider this way of life. Who knows how many men Christ may have called to this way of life and they have not responded, because they did not know anything about it.
If I were to sum up my life as a brother I would have to say that there are three legs upon which the tripod stands:
First is discipline. A brother must be a disciplined person, if he is to respond to Christ’s call. When you have discipline, you can be faithful.
Second is prayer. A brother must always be a man of prayer, first of all. He must live a life of intimacy with Christ.
Third is community life. A brother must always be faithful and supportive of his confreres. It is within the context of community life that the brother practices the perfection of charity, which he carries out into the world.
An external ministry is not necessary to the life of a brother. Some brothers are monastic. Their ministry to the world is to support those who don’t pray or who don’t do penance through their life of prayer and penance. Those brothers who are active in the external apostolate bring to the world the person of Christ during those three years that he lived in community with his apostles and in service to those who needed to hear the word of God and to experience his healing.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
