Testimony of Brother Karl-Emmanuel, from Germany
In 1997, having just completed my first year of studies, I attended the World Youth Day in Paris. At the Champ de Mars the Holy Father greeted each nation. He spoke to the Germans twice, saying “Wo seid ihr?”, which means “Where are you?”, and then he talked about the passage in the Gospel of St Mark that relates the story of the rich young man. At that point I felt Christ’s loving gaze upon me, and He seemed to say: “What about you? Don’t you want to sell all your future plans and follow me? There are so few Germans answering my call and I need workers for my harvest. ” This interior voice remained etched in my heart. It put a spotlight on the question of vocation for me, even though it was a further two years before I responded by entering the Brothers of Saint John.
Brother Karl Emmanuel
Testimony of Brother Vincent, from France
It has now been six years since I entered the Brothers of Saint John and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever! I try to live each day more intimately with Christ and to radiate the love I have received from him. Living with other brothers requires a constant impoverishing of one’s own personal riches and securities. This can seem difficult for the human heart inside me, but it is in fact a source of peace and joy!
It is such a joy to follow Jesus in his life with the Father and in his apostolic life! I want to communicate this joy to the whole world; a joy the apostles must have experienced too after the resurrection; a joy St John experienced when he testified that he had seen, heard and touched the Word of life (cf. 1 Jn 1: 1-4).
Brother Vincent
Testimony of Brother René, from Canada
It was whilst listening to an interview with Dom Helder Camara one day that I became convinced my vocation was to the religious life. At the end of the interview the interviewer asked Msg Camara why he did what he did. His response was very simple but I found it very surprising: “For God.” Everything he did, he did for God. At the time I was a little disappointed with his answer, although it made an impression on me. I spent the next few days thinking about it and started to wonder how he could give such a simple answer to such an important question. After a few days I had to admit that it really was the only possible answer, and that it should be my answer too. From that day on I knew that my vocation was to the religious life!
Whom should I contact?
If you wish to enter the community or have questions about your vocation we encourage you to contact the noviciate in the continent where you live.
In Europe, the postulancy is in Troussures, France
Contact the novice master, Brother Marie-Alexandre at postulat@stjean.com
Address: Frères de Saint-Jean ; Prieuré Notre dame de Cana ; 3 rue du Château ; 60390 Troussures, France
For the USA and English speaking countries, the novitiate is in Princeville, USA
Contact the novice master, Brother John-Luke at brjohnluke@gmail.com
Address: Saint Joseph Friary, 11223 West Legion Hall Road, Princeville, IL 61559, USA
For Mexico and Spanish speaking countries, the novitiate is in Monterry, Mexico
Contact the novice master, Brother Léopold at frereleopold@gmail.com
Address: Priorato San Juan, Brasil 100, Colonia Rincón de la Sierra A. P. 3-B, 67181 Guadalupe (Monterrey), NL Mexique
For Africa, the novitiate is in Simbock, Cameroon
Contact the novice master, Brother Jean at frjeansoro@yahoo.fr
Address: Prieuré Notre Dame de la Lumière, Simbock – BP 765, Yaoundé Cameroun
For Asia, the novitiate is in Cebu, Philippines
Contact the novice master, Brother Clément
fr.clement@stjean.com
Address: Banawa Hills P.O. Box 1160, 6 000 Cebu City Philippines
Delve a little deeper
What is the day-to-day life of a brother like?
We live in small communities, called priories, of between 5 and 10 brothers. The day begins with a time of silent prayer in the chapel, followed by the office of Lauds.
The morning is occupied either with apostolic work (e.g. visiting the sick or catechism classes), or with study and preparation for the apostolate (homilies, classes, etc.).
Mass, the highlight of the day, is celebrated in the morning or late afternoon.
A short mid-day service is sung during the morning, often before lunch.
Like the morning, the afternoon is often dedicated to the apostolate.
During the week, time is also devoted to the material needs of the priory (shopping, cleaning, repairs, etc.), as well as to relaxation and sport. There are also times for reflection and community meetings, such as the chapter.
The late afternoon is marked by a time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the office of Vespers sung in common.
The last service of the day is Compline. It is celebrated either together or individually.
What are the 3 vows?
We take three vows: the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Life according to these vows corresponds to “that form of life which he, as the Son of God, accepted in entering this world.” (Vita Consecreta, 16)
This is why, in making this promise to live according to the vows, we rely on God’s mercy and the help of our brothers (Cf. Ritual of profession). Our desire is to unite ourselves as closely as possible to Jesus, by choosing to live the form of life He chose on earth and by seeking to ‘gradually make our own the sentiments of Christ towards his Father’. (Vita consecrata, 65).