Late on Monday, 24 November, we learned of the passing of our brother René, who died suddenly of a heart attack while at the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, where he was preparing to take the train to Rimont.

Brother René Cinq-Mars was Canadian, from a family of nine children. He entered the community at Saint-Jodard at the age of 37 in 1998 after working in the field of education.

He did a one-year internship in Murat and two years in Poponguine. During his years of theology in Rimont, he made his perpetual profession on 4 June 2006. He was then sent to Attichy (2006-2008), Rome (2008-2011), Rimont (2011-2012), Saint-Fargeau (2012-2015), Richemont (2015-2017), Rimont (2017-2018), Brussels (2018-2021), and had been in Rimont since 2021.

Brother René was bursar for Africa for about ten years until 2020, continuing to assist Brother Philippe-François afterwards. At Rimont, he was bursar of the priory. Strong-willed, he was also remarkable for his humour and culinary talents, and happy to serve in all kinds of camps, at Richemont, Lorient and other priories. In 2018, he spent several months at the Magdalena House with women who are rebuilding their lives after leaving prostitution, inspired by the words of Saint Bernadette: ‘She looked at me as a person.’

His sister-in-law in Quebec told us this: “He had just spent a wonderful time with us, including a memorable Mass with Father Réjean Trépanier in Terrebonne on the Feast of Christ the King, and a sacrament of forgiveness at Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal. In his pocket, Brother René carried small souvenirs of Saint Brother André for you, his brothers. Fittingly, his last ‘Sunday message’ (by email) was based on the Gospel verse: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” We entrust Brother René to the mercy of the Lord and the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

The funeral celebration for our brother will take place in Rimont: a vigil will be held on Tuesday 9 December at 8.30 pm. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 10 December at 10.30 am, followed by burial in Rimont cemetery, alongside his brothers.

The General Chapter of the Brothers of Saint John has just concluded. During the first session in the spring, the brothers of the Chapter elected the Prior General (re-election of Brother François-Xavier Cazali), his counselors, and the General Responsible for Formation. Then, they began their work, which continued and was completed during the second session held from October 13 to 24. Throughout these two sessions, accompanied by ESDAC (Spiritual Exercises for Apostolic Discernment in Common), the brothers repeatedly experienced spiritual conversation to advance their exchanges.

Rooted in the dynamic of the Jubilee celebrated by the Catholic Church, this General Chapter was a time of grace and discernment for the Brothers of Saint John, who are also celebrating their fiftieth anniversary of foundation. In a letter addressed to the brothers of the Congregation last March, Brother François-Xavier Cazali, re-elected Prior General, emphasized the choice of the theme of life for this Chapter. He invited the entire community to give thanks for what the Lord has granted during fifty years of life and to enter a time of renewal, listening to the calls of His Spirit.

Several major projects had been identified before the Chapter, then confirmed during the first session and worked on during the second session.

On the subject of prevention and reparation of abuse, the capitulars requested that each province appoint a brother responsible for safeguarding and establish or join a reception, listening, and support unit for victims of sexual abuse involving brothers of the community. Furthermore, all provinces must adopt by October 1, 2026, a pastoral and community code of conduct in accordance with the guidelines of the universal Church and those of the local Churches where the priories are located. At the level of the General Government, the brothers of the Chapter decided to strengthen human resources by assigning one of the Prior General’s counselors to oversee the implementation of a safeguarding culture throughout the community.

The brothers of the Chapter also worked on the themes of mission and community life. During the first session, the presentation of the “Listening Mission” report, decided in 2022, highlighted challenges in defining our community life. Proposals were adopted to foster care and mutual trust.

Regarding missions, the capitulars acknowledged what is common within the diversity of priories and voted on texts to better value the talents of each brother and the role of non-clerical brothers in the community. The discussions reinforced the conviction of the close link between our conventual religious life and mission. This Chapter was an opportunity to recall that, as apostolic religious, work—pastoral or otherwise—is a necessity.

The establishment of provinces and the decrease in vocations in certain provinces also led the capitulars to reflect on decisions to be made regarding the initial formation of brothers. In connection with the Ratio formationis promulgated in 2022 and the ongoing Ratio studiorum, the question of balance between internal and external formation was debated.

Through the decisions taken together, the capitulars confirmed and continued the reforms undertaken since 2013. This work will culminate in the rewriting of the Constitutions, which will be one of the major projects for the next six years.

Press Release: Election of the Prior General

Press Release: Jubilee year of the foundation of the Brothers of Saint John

Joy for the Asia-Oceania Province: Brother Robinson received the habit on Sunday, September 14th, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He is now called Brother Benedict-Pio.

On Saturday, 13 September 2025, Brother Samuel-Marie made his Perpetual Profession in the Collegiate church of Murat. We give thanks to the Province of France!

On Friday morning, 5 September, we learned of the sudden death of our brother Yohanné, who died of a heart attack in Douala, Cameroon. Through this unexpected call to God, the Lord reminds us that he comes like a thief and that he wants to find us vigilant in prayer and fervent in hope.

Brother Yohanné, aged 51, entered the community in 1996. He took his temporary vows in 1998 and his perpetual vows in 2001. He was ordained a priest in 2017.

Let us entrust his soul to the mercy of the risen Christ and carry his family and the entire Congregation in our prayers and our hope.

The Provincial of Europe of the Brothers of Saint John has decided to leave The Hague as religious community. This decision was made necessary by the appointment of the Prior, Father Matthew, to the Prior General’s Council in France. With a shortage of brothers, such a decision was inevitable. 

The Brothers of Saint John came to The Hague in 2004 at the invitation of Bishop Van Luyn. Since 2012 they have been responsible for the Willibrordushuis compound, and have continued and expanded the mission of this house by promoting evangelization and a spiritual oasis in the heart of The Hague, under the name of “Stadsabdij” (Abbey in the City).

Accompanying the various residential communities (students, young families, young pro’s) in the house has been particularly dear to the Brothers. During this period, they have also received many groups of Catholic and Protestant origin, and assisted in the pastoral care of the “Sterre der Zee” Parish.

Both the brothers of the Priory and the Prior Provincial’s Council are very saddened by this decision. They would have liked to keep contributing in the future. They wish to thank particularly all the people who have shared in their mission over the years, as well as the Diocese of Rotterdam for the trust that has been placed in them.

Brother Johan and Bernhard-Maria will receive a new assignment from 1 September.

The Brothers of Saint John have offered the diocese of Rotterdam to remain available for a transitional period for the pastoral care in the after September 1^st.

The diocese of Rotterdam respects the decision of the brothers but regrets that the contribution of the brothers to the project of the “Stadsabdij” stops. The diocese is considering the future of the house and, in consultation with the current residential communities, will look at the possibilities of preserving the house as a place of faith and community in the city.

On Sunday, September 7, Bishop Van den Hende will celebrate a Holy Mass in gratitude for the pastoral ministry of the Brothers of St. John in the Diocese of Rotterdam and to mark their departure. This Eucharist will take place at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Oude Molstraat 35. Afterwards, there will be a reception to which all who feel connected to the Willibrordushuis are invited.

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General ; Brother Justin LEE, Prior Vice-provincial of Asia-Oceania; the Brothers of Saint John and the family of our brother are pleased to inform you of the Investiture of Brother

Robinson Sacro YURONG (Philippines)

during the Second Vespers of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Sunday 14 September 2025 at 6 pm, in the chapel of the Brothers, Goog Shepherd Road, Banawa Hills, Cebu City (Philippines 6014).

They invite you to participate or tu unite with them in prayer.