Vatican releases statement on brothers

On December 14, the Vatican released a 54-page statement that examines the vocation of brotherhood and affirms its validity. Called "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church," the statement points to Jesus as the model for brothers.

De La Salle Brothers

"Jesus Christ first of all became brother, shared our flesh and blood and was in solidarity with the sufferings of his brothers and sisters. This is the title Jesus gives his disciples after his resurrection,” states the document, which was released by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men will sponsor a major symposium on Catholic brothers. NRVC's Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. will be co-chairing the event. Details about the symposium will be announced in this newsletter as they become available.

Other statements made in the document include these:

“The religious brother, living his lay state through a special consecration, is witness to the value of the common priesthood received in baptism and confirmation."

“His religious consecration is in itself an exercise in the fullness of the priesthood of all the baptized.”

“Rooting his life deeply in God, the brother consecrates all creation, recognizing the presence of God and the Spirit’s action in creation, in cultures and in daily events.”

“Because he recognizes this active presence, he can proclaim it to his contemporaries. This ability is the fruit of an ongoing process of openness to God through consecration, that is, through the daily experience of his baptismal priesthood.”

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To download the document, click here.