Saturday, March 20, 2021, Brother François-Xavier, Congregation prior, announced the closure of Saint Jodard to the brothers and Oblates.
Many who visited the priory experienced strong spiritual and fraternal encounters there. The reasons that led to this decision are covered below.
It was to the patronage of Saint Joseph that the first Brothers of Saint John had entrusted this house. May this new chapter be entrusted to Saint Joseph once more by the brothers, as well as the future mission of the Brothers of Saint John in France and elsewhere.
Decentralization
Since the General Chapter of 2019, the question on the need to decentralize leadership and formation had become more apparent and it was clear that a change needed to take place within the Congregation. The current health crisis rules fast-tracked the decision regarding moving the years of philosophy away from the original vicariates the brothers once attended.
In addition to the novitiate formation in Africa and Asia, philosophy takes place on site and the same is in advanced stages of consideration for the pro-province of the Americas. The decline in vocations for several years throughout Europe had led to the question on what to do with Saint-Jodard.
During the last vicarial and pro-provincial chapters and assemblies, it was overwhelmingly voted to close Saint-Jodard. After consulting his Council, the Prior General took the difficult go ahead with this decision.
The Prior General shared: “This place is full of memories, good for some and less so for others. Closing Saint-Jodard could be compared to leaving a family home that has become too large, with an unjustifiable maintenance cost… Thank you to all those who have given so much time and effort here, making it a wonderful place for the brothers to live. A team of brothers, around the current priory will remain on site for the coming year for a smooth transition, under the authority of the Prior General. All will be done to make sure this house remains a place of prayer and Christian life.”
The philosophy studium will be established at least for now, in Rimont.
2021 Ordinations
Brother François-Xavier ended by saying that: “…because a family home cannot be left without at least a time of thanksgiving, we have decided to celebrate the ordinations on 26 June here at Saint Jodard with friends and family before Summer ends”.