Faith & Spirituality
Brother’s Vocation: The best-kept secret of the Catholic Church
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In the vast tapestry of the Catholic Church, there exists a group of individuals who minister through silence working diligently with the people of God.
Their contributions are best understood through the fruits of their ministry of witness to the Gospel of love and service. These individuals are the religious brothers, they embody the spirit of humility, service, and quiet strength exemplified by St. Joseph.
St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is often revered for his silent obedience and unwavering faith. Despite his lack of words recorded in the Bible, his actions spoke volumes. In a world that values noise and constant chatter, St. Joseph’s example reminds us of the power of silence and the importance of patiently listening and acting with humility and love.
Silence invites us to connect to God through Nature
The reality is that in today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, the role of religious brothers is more crucial than ever. These men dedicate their lives to working alongside the marginalized, the forgotten, and the downtrodden, embodying the teachings of Jesus by being present in all circumstances going about doing good in their ministry of presence; and smelling the sheep. Their quiet presence and unwavering commitment to serving others make them indispensable in the modern Church.
Journeying with young people as educators in the faith is one way we witness to the gift of our vocation
Through our selfless service and humble demeanor, we carry out the mission of the Church in a way that often goes unnoticed by many that is why people will always ask a brother “When are you becoming a priest or when will you be ordained? I personally always tell people
One is not “better” than the other God calls all of us all to serve Him with humility and with respect to the gift that each vocation type brings. It is important to follow one’s call, whatever it may be and you know in Holy Cross the vows bind us together as a family to serve God’s people and each vocation has a uniqueness it brings in as a gift to the church and those we serve.
Our work may be hidden from the spotlight, but its impact is undeniable. Just as St. Joseph’s silent presence shaped the life of Jesus, the work of religious brothers quietly transforms the lives of those they encounter in ministry.
Caring for God’s Creation and responding to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor
In the rich tradition of the Catholic Church, there are countless examples of the invaluable contributions of religious brothers. From founding schools and hospitals to ministering to the poor and marginalized, these men have left an indelible mark on the Church and society. Their dedication to serving others, and willingness to listen and learn. Humility in all we do is a testament to the power of quiet, steadfast service.
Finding God in every small thing we do
As I reflect on the legacy of St. Joseph and the important role of religious brothers in the Church, join me in praying and remember to honor and appreciate this vocation by being its witness. Talk to young people in institutions about us and encourage them to join this beautiful vocation of men with hope to bring, because our silent work may not always be visible, but its fruits are evident in the lives of those we touch in the communities and institutions we serve. As we celebrate Brothers Day today, may we continue to grow in humility and embrace the gift of this vocation like no other by inviting more people to serve the church as religious brothers.
Share your story of an encounter with a brother who showed you God’s love and served with humility and love. As a religious brother in the Holy Cross, I thank God for the gift of my vocation and those who have helped embrace it with dignity and love to embody the spirit of St. Joseph and continue to quietly, faithfully, and humbly serve the Church and the world from my family setup to a community, then serve in a high with students and now serving the Global Holy Cross Mission making God known loved and served in Media Ministry.