The vocation of brothers E RELIGIOUS brothers are men striving together to follow Christ as we serve the human needs of those around us. Whether enjoying our communal life or working in our ministries, we pray together and laugh together. We share our resources and our lives. In saying yes to God’s will, we seek to move beyond our individual preferences and aim to integrate the gospel into the whole of our lives within our particular community’s tradition. For centuries we have served the poor and abandoned in schools, hospitals, and numerous other settings. Being a brother isn’t about prestige, privileges, or power. The only vestment Jesus ever wore was the apron he put on at the washing of the feet, when he instructed us to follow his example. Just so, we brothers either wear simple religious habits or professional dress suitable to our work. Nothing in our appearance connotes rank or precedence because we are all on the same level. Even positions of leadership are only of temporary duration. At Mass, we rightfully take our place in the pews among the faithful rather than in the sanctuary. We seek to be brothers to all, to build communion in the church and the world through our shared life of prayer, service, and fraternity. That means we not only pray together and eat together, but also do the dishes together. We carry those same instincts and tendencies into the world around us.
COURTESY OF BROTHER BRIAN POULIN, F.M.S.
W
The Benedictine monks of Mount Angel Abbey invite you to join us at the Abbey or online for a free
D i s c e r n m e n t R e t r e at O c t o b e r 1 5 - 1 7, 2 0 2 1 Fe b r u a r y 1 8 - 2 0 , 2 0 2 2 Ju n e 1 7 - 1 9 , 2 0 2 2 Oc tob e r 1 4 - 1 6, 2 0 2 2
BROTHER BRIAN Poulin, F.M.S. is a vocation minister for the Marist Brothers USA.
Because we are not ordained, our work is not based on sacramental ministry. Anything we do could also be done by any faithful Catholic. Whether we engage in specifically religious ministry, such as catechesis or spiritual direction, or in more socially oriented ministry, such as healthcare or education, we welcome God’s grace into every aspect of our lives and seek to share it with those of any faith or no faith. We bind ourselves to Christ through the vows of celibate chastity, poverty, and obedience, making us uniquely available to emergent needs near and far. As these vows shape us throughout our religious life, we come to rely ever more exclusively on the love of Jesus. Psalm 133 captures well the spirit of brothers: “How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers live together as one!” —Brother Brian Poulin, F.M.S.
questions | register: Fr. Odo Recker, OSB, Vocation Director 503.881.8919 | vocation@mtangel.edu
m o u n t a n g e l a b b e y. o r g Code #365 @VocationNetwork.org Community Search
SHARING FAITH
SERVING THE YOUNG
CALLED AS BROTHERS
We are called to educate and evangelize in community. Today, the Brothers & Lasallian Partners serve more than 1 million young people in 80 countries. BROTHERSVOCATION.ORG Code #100 @VocationNetwork.org Community Search
VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2022 | 73
