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"It is not right for us to neglect the preaching of God's words in order to handle finances. So then brothers, choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom and we put them in charge of this matter. We ourselves’ then will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching" (Acts 6:3-4) |
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Dear Brother! |
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Our life is a journey on which we are to play a certain role. Some people prefer to be just the spectators, as we see them at the sport's stadium. Normally God destines each human being to a task given to him. "It was he who gave gifts to mankind; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers.” (Eph 4:11). Who am I to be?
This question starts ringing in our mind stronger at certain age; it could be 13, 15, 18 or later. The answer to this question is equally important as the question. Once correctly answered makes someone very happy for the whole life. On the other hand if it is wrongly answered it makes someone to be miserable to the end of his life. How to know the correct answer? Well there are different programs, workshops, talks, topics and very good books as well, which can help to make a proper decision. It is important to know myself - my abilities, gifts and interests. It has to be done on a very sincere way, with an open mind, and a wide perception to accept myself the way I am. We should not demand from ourselves more than we can, because even the Lord does not expect us to do impossible things. A wrong decision can never make someone happy. The life would be full of pretence and dissatisfaction with myself and from the people I will be working with. My decision can be wrongly influenced simply by my jealousy, my high ambitions, or laziness to serve others. Also some people may have a wrong impact on my decision, especially the parents or close friends.
Among different vocations there is a call to be a brother. That call is equally important as the priestly vocation. It needs only to be properly discovered and fully accepted. It is really a beautiful vocation for the one who is called to it. Maybe today it is not as popular as some time back, when there were so many young boys who generously responded to such call. Why there are so few who answer the call to the brotherhood? The main reason could be the lack of proper understanding and information about this vocation.
At the beginning of Divine Word Missionaries blessed Arnold Janssen had plenty brothers comparing to the number of priests. In fact the brothers and fathers were founded together on the 8th of September 1875 in Steyl as one SVD family. The brothers were given various tasks and responsibilities like: building, carpentry, mechanics, press printing, mass media program, electrical and electronics work, plumbing, agriculture, the apostolate in schools, hospitals and other, doing an administration work, not forgetting an active role in evangelization. They were working hand in hand with the fathers, living together in the same communities. Also living the same three vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. Up to today the role of brothers in our Society did not change, only somehow the number of brothers has been decreased. Maybe there was not enough focus on the brother vocation. This is why today I would like to encourage young boys to be brave enough to take this challenging vocation. And God who is calling You would give You plenty gifts and graces to be happy with such vocation.
What really makes the difference? The brothers and fathers make their final vows. The brothers are not ordained to carry on a sacramental work like saying Mass, listening Confession, anointing the sick. When is a need they distribute Holy Communion, in case of emergency they can baptize, they can visit and pray for the sick. The brothers organize different services and prayer meetings. In case of need they can also run a parish, especially to do the administration work of the parish. Quite often they are involved in doing the practical work as those mentioned above during the time of our founder. Normally there is a different formation program for brothers. Only the first stage is done together for those who are to be fathers and brothers. Later the brothers have their own professional training, their own spiritual and pastoral formation. After the basic formation and final vows there are still plenty possibilities for higher study and different courses according to the brother's interests and the needs of the Congregation. The brothers are the same way missionaries like the fathers. And similarly they go to work outside their own country. The brother's vocation is equally important as the father’s vocation. It is not half vocation as some people think. For God brother's vocation and father's vocation have the same value.
I hope by now the brother vocation is very clear to You, and You are able to recognize this vocation if You are called to it. Don't worry if at the beginning your family and your friends may not be able to understand exactly what is this vocation about. But as time goes You may be able to explain and witness to them your vocation as a brother. Be sure that today our Congregation is so much in need of brothers in the whole world. There is so much need for the brothers with good practical skills, with an open heart and mind to serve others. Any yours skills and training before entering the Society could be very useful.
Then if today You hear God's voice calling You to be a brother, have the courage to answer his call. The one who has chosen and appointed You to be a brother in Divine Word Missionaries would give You enough graces to fulfill this vocation. If You still have any questions or clarifications they are welcome, but don't forget to pray and discern correctly. Yours in Christ Fr. Simon Nyirenda SVD Zambia Fr. Slawek Wiecek SVD Botswana Fr. Maciek Malicki SVD Zimbabawe Vocation
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