How can we describe religious brotherhood, and what does it mean to be a Viatorian brother?
All professed Viatorians begin religious life as brothers, receiving the title “Brother” from when they first join the community as novices and then living as religious brothers following their first vows. In this new video for Religious Brothers Day (May 1), Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, of the US, and Br. Marc Innocent Prophète, CSV, of Haiti, reflect on religious brotherhood as a vocation and on the brothers in the community who model this vocation for us.
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Br. Marc thinks first of “Frère Jacques” – Br. Jacques Lucerné, CSV, a Viatorian in Haiti, is a school teacher who has been in religious life for over 30 years. “He’s a really good teacher, and I really like his vibe with the children in kindergarten,” Br. Marc said. “There’s something really special in the brothers. They are original, very cool people – their vibe is so good. It’s a particular vocation with a special willingness to serve the community.”
Br. Peter appreciates the range of witness, ministry, and gifts he has witnessed in brothers, especially when he was a student, both with Viatorians at Saint Viator High School and Benedictines at Benedictine University. “I got to know a number of religious brothers as teachers, as coaches, as campus ministers. I found they present a really compelling way of living the Gospel,” Br. Peter said. “They are people who have made the life commitment to live the Gospel as the visible brother of Christ. Even just the word ‘brother’ – it connotes closeness and family.”
Many other Viatorian brothers discern to live as brothers for life. Br. Marc and Br. Peter are two examples of Viatorian religious who have discernered God’s invitation to priesthood and requested theological studies with a view to ordination. They are students at Viatorian-sponsored Catholic Theological Union in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, where they live with members of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in their community house there.
Br. Marc has appreciated the distinct context of CTU, including the excellent faculty and the international, multicultural student population. “Seeing the atmosphere, working in this building, seeing different nations, even having laypeople as professors – it’s all so amazing.,” Br. Marc said. “That changed my perspective from seeing this narrow Church in my mind to see that it’s so huge.”
Each May 1, the Church marks Religious Brothers Day in conjunction with the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a great time to offer special prayers for our religious brothers. (More on Friday!)