Brothers Ryan Thibert, Joe Bruener & Jonathan Jose in Cochabamba, Bolivia

What is a Catholic Brother and what does he do?

The best example of a “Brother” would be Jesus himself.   Jesus lived most of his life as a “Brother”.   He was single, was a person of prayer, lived in community and gave his entire life in doing the will of God.   Jesus was a man of great compassion for all people, especially the poor, the lame, the sinners, the outcast of society and the sick.  To be a “Brother” is to grow in compassion for all people, especially the poor and outcast of society.

“Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  He fasted for forty days and forty nights” (Mt. 4: 1-2).  To be a “Brother” one must strive to be a person of prayer.  Jesus begins his ministry by gathering his apostles to form a community.  He does not do his ministry alone.  “Jesus appoints 12 apostles that they may be with him and he might send them forth to preach” (Mk. 3:14).  To be a “Brother” in the Catholic Church today is to work in collaboration with the people around him.  He does not do his ministry alone.  “Then Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wishes to come after me must take up his cross and follow me (Mt. 16: 24).   There will be times of trial and error, but to be a “Brother” he must not give up in doing “God’s will” and bringing about the kingdom of God.

Br. Loren Beaudry hugging Thomas Luchagula, child of Kiza John, Bukumbi Rehabilitation Center, Mwanza, Tanzania.
– Photo © Nile Sprague

Maryknoll missionary priests and Brothers have been serving in countries throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America for 104 years now.  Traditionally, we had only accepted men from the United States to join us and they knew they would be sent outside the U.S. for mission service.  In the United States we have only served in special pastoral assignments such as Chinatown in New York City.  While our assignments still remain outside the U.S., since 2017 we have started accepting men from the countries where we serve.  Originally, we felt it important to strengthen local churches insisting their young men serve the Church in their homelands.  But so many of these local churches are now strong and among their young men there are those who wish to become Maryknoll Missioners.  So we now welcome these men to join us in Mission.

As missioners when we first arrive in new countries there is both excitement and some trepidation.  We all wonder if we have what it takes to learn new languages, adapt to new cultures and establish good healthy relationships with the people.  We are required to be patient with ourselves as we become like children again in so many ways.  Prayer becomes paramount in our lives as we depend so much upon God and slowly grow and acculturate in these new settings.  In the end it is so often the people in our host country who show us the face of Jesus through their hospitality and warm welcome.  The transformation that takes place in us is awesome and is best described as grace.  And that grace brings us so much happiness!

We hope you recognize how much you and so many others like you are needed today.  The message of God’s love for all people is so important.  It needs to be preached not only in words but in the actions of our daily lives.  Each of you is a messenger wherever you go and in whatever you do.  But, you still need to take some steps in the direction that will fulfill the dreams that have brought you in contact with us.  So, don’t be stymied by the challenge.  Rather, dream on and make the dream a reality!

As always we look forward to hearing from you at (vocation@maryknoll.org): Fr. Rodrigo Ulloa-Chavarry (Vocation Director), Fr. Mike Snyder, Fr. Joe Donovan and Mr. Greg Darr.