Questions - Brothers

1. What is a Brother?
2. What are vows?
3. Why do the Brothers live in Community?
4. What role does community prayer play?
5. Are there requirements for being a Brother?
6. How do I apply for admission to a community of Brothers?

1. What is a Brother?

   Brothers are lay religious, who profess vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. We commit ourselves to a life of ministry and prayer within the community. In Brotherhood, we are called to fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus. In our response we acknowledge both our gifts and our need for continuing conversion. Our way of life leads to spiritual freedom and simplicity through humble service of the poor, in whom we especially find Jesus Christ who is Lord.

2. What are vows?

   We promise poverty, chastity, and obedience as a radical demonstration of our faith in the power and meaning of Jesus for a world that often ignores or denies His message. Poverty frees us to live simply and to be giving of ourselves. The vow of Celibate Chastity allows us to live in the "family" of our community of brothers and to love equally all those with whom and for whom we minister. The vow of Obedience calls us to listen to the Spirit in our lives and to meet the needs of the Church. Our profession, received by the Church, commits us firmly to the mission of proclaiming the Good News. It unites us in love and loyalty to all members of the Congregation.

3. Why do Brothers live in Community?

   Brotherhood in community is a principal source of our companionship and a privileged context for our personal growth. Our personalities develop as each of us accepts responsibility to make a unique contribution to the life and mission of the community. It is from community that we carry our gifts to others. We in turn are enriched as the lives of others touch our own.

4. What role does community prayer play?

   In our mission of evangelization, revealing and discovering anew our God, we need the constant support of community prayer. We pray together daily using the Scriptures as well as the Liturgy of the Hours and other sources. Living in true Brotherhood, we see such prayer together as central to our life and mission, as we allow the Word of God to shed light on our local situation and on the world beyond.

5. Are there requirements for being a Brother?

   Most communities of Brothers require that a man be a high school graduate before being able to enter into formation.
 

6. How do I apply for admission?

   The first step is to contact the community's Vocation Office. A candidate will be asked to complete a formal application process. The candidate will also probably be asked to participate in several assessment interviews and will be asked to submit academic transcripts, an autobiography, a personal profile, two letters of recommendation, baptismal and confirmation certificates, and a letter to the Province Leader seeking admission to the formation program.

Information on this page is courtesy:
www.iona.edu/about/CFC/Brotherhood.htm