Site institutionnel FR EN
Frères de Saint-Jean Province de France
PROVINCE OF EUROPE Découvrir la Province Europe Autriche Marchegg Belgique Banneux Italie Rome Lituanie Vilnus Pays-Bas La Haye Utrecht Angleterre Londres Roumanie Bucarest Suisse Genève
PROVINCE AFRIQUE Découvrir la Province Afrique Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan Cameroun Simbock Yaoundé Éthiopie Addis-Abeba Guinée Coyah Sénégal Poponguine Togo Kara Lomé

Perpetual profession in Christchurch

Published on March 12, 2024

Perpetual profession in Christchurch - Brothers of Saint John
Visitation (1433-34) - Fra Angelico, Museo Diocesano, Cortona

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General; Brother Justin LEE, Vice-Provincial of Asia-Oceania; the Brothers of Saint John and the family of our brother are pleased to announce the perpetual profession of Brother

Charles BASANI (India)

The Mass will be presided by Bishop Michael Gielen, Bishop of Christchurch, at 12:05 PM on Saturday 6 April 2024 at Saint Theresa of Lisieux Church, Christchurch (New Zealand).

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

New publication

Published on November 30, 2023

Brother Gabriel-Mary Fiore's publication : Spirituality in John’s Gospel; Historical Developments and Critical FoundationsBrother Gabriel-Mary Fiore is priest and assistant professor of theology at the Angelicum University. He teaches Christian spirituality in Rome and for other institutes of religious formation in Europe, America, and Asia, including graduate-level courses on the desert and church fathers, on spiritual growth and afflictions, and on the spirituality of John’s Gospel.

Spirituality in John’s Gospel: Historical Developments and Critical Foundations

The Fourth Gospel has been known as the “spiritual gospel” since the second century, but only recently have biblical scholars attempted to express the unique spirituality found in that sacred text. Surprisingly, no consensus has emerged even after a century of research. Thus, while John’s Gospel is widely admired as a vibrant source of Christian piety, the distinct features of its spirituality remain unclear.

Brother Gabriel-Mary addresses this problem from the fresh perspective of spiritual theology. Capitalizing on a century of Johannine biblical scholarship, he uses the interdisciplinary methods of spiritual theology to bring new data to the study of the Gospel and solutions to many lingering questions: How did ancient readers understand what scholars now refer to as the Gospel’s spirituality? How does that ecclesial reading compare to the analysis of modern critical exegesis? What makes Johannine spirituality special among other forms of Christian piety? How does the question of the Gospel’s authorship impact our understanding of its spirituality? Does the Gospel contain what we now call “mysticism”? In what ways is John’s spirituality still relevant for Christians today?

Students of Christian spirituality and Johannine exegesis alike will find here stimulating historical and theological analysis of the Gospel’s spirituality.

Purchase the book

An open letter to victims

Published on July 7, 2023

Prevention and fight against abuse - Brothers of Saint John

To the victims, especially those who have not come forward

Madam, Sir, Sister, Brother,

The report To Understand and To Heal, which has just been made public, is dedicated first and foremost to you. It is thanks to the courage of many of you, put to the test by all kinds of resistance, that the evil of the abuses committed within the Congregation of Saint John has been denounced, directly or through victims’ associations, and that it can now be brought to light and analyzed.

These steps have been decisive not only in identifying the aggressors and protecting other people, but also and above all in raising awareness of the systemic dimension of this abuse, i.e. the workings and beliefs that facilitated the contagion of abuse.

What you have experienced is an unspeakable tragedy for you, and today for the whole community. While you had every confidence in the brothers who were presented to you as men of God, you were deceived. They abused your trust and their authority. They have violated the limits of your intimacy and the respect due to you, either through hurtful words that leave a stain on your soul, or more seriously through touching or rape. A number of you have also been locked into evil by injunctions of silence, a claim to “secrecy”, by justifications or minimizations that abuse the meaning of words, the meaning of friendship and the priesthood.

The spiritual or religious life has been the motive that has captured your heart, and the abuse has made it a place of destruction for you. This betrayal of the Christian faith, a betrayal of God who makes himself man’s servant, who liberates and lifts him up, not enslaves him, shames us. The suffering you have experienced in your body, in your heart and in your soul, the suffering you still feel today in your psyche, in your relationships, in your life of faith or your religious life, never ceases to fill us with dread, shame and dismay.

Not all of you have been able to talk about the abuse you have suffered, or have wished, or found the means, to talk about it to an official body. Our thoughts are with each and every one of you. I’ve listed some contacts below for those of you who would like to take this step today.

Even if we are aware that we still have a long way to go, I wanted to tell you that thanks to your testimonies, we are deeply committed to a process of conversion and want to respond in deed and in truth to this report.

Brother François-Xavier Cazali CSJ
Prior General

Consult the report “To understand and to heal”

Contacts in America

Find contacts in America

Contacts in France

– The SOS Abuse Commission sos.abus@stjean.com, set up by the Congregation, is chaired by a magistrate. It is made up of four lay outsiders, including a lawyer and a psychologist, and two brothers from the Congregation. The commission is available to listen to you [in French or in English] and to recommend to the Prior General the steps to be taken with regard to Church and State justice systems.

– Bishops’ conferences or national conferences of religious: paroledevictimes@cef.fr and ecoutevictime@corref.fr in France.

– The Commission Reconnaissance et Réparation (CRR, victimes@crr.contact), an independent commission for victims of sexual abuse by religious, set up by CORREF (Conférence des religieux et religieuses de France). It formulates requests to the accused religious institute for recognition and reparation for the victim. Similar bodies may exist in other countries where the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint John is based.

– It is also possible to contact local civil society helplines, such as France victimes in France (01 41 83 42 17 (7 days a week, 9am to 9pm) or victimes@116006.fr).

Release of the Report “To understand and to heal”

Published on June 26, 2023

In October 2019, the General Chapter of the Brothers of Saint John asked the Prior General to set up an interdisciplinary commission with the mission to establish what links exist between the high number of instances of sexual abuse committed by the members of the Family of Saint John and the personal and family history of Father Marie-Dominique Philippe OP (1912-2006), their founder. Today, after more than three years of work, the Commission submitted its report. Entitled “To understand and to heal – Origins and Analyses of the Abuse within the Family of Saint John”, the report totals 800 pages. The Brothers of Saint John is making it public, conscious of the gravity of the deeds it details and their dramatic consequences.

Introduction by brother François-Xavier, General Prior

Interview on KTO TV

Prevention and fight against abuse - Brothers of Saint John

Fight against abuse

What progress have the Brothers of Saint John made in the fight against abuse?

Ordinations to the Diaconate and the Priesthood, Summer 2023

Published on May 23, 2023

Ordinations

Ordinations to the Diaconate

Brother François-Xavier Cazali, Prior General; 
Brother Côme-Emmanuel, Prior Provincial of Africa;
 the Brothers of Saint John and the brothers’ families are delighted to share with you news of the ordination to the Diaconate of Brothers:

Élisée Djogba (Ivory Coast)
François-Emmanuel-Marie Ziggar (Togo)

The ordination took place on Saturday 24 June 2023, at Notre Dame de Rimont in France. The mass was presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Patrick Le Gal, Auxiliary Bishop of Lyon.

Ordinations to the Priesthood

Brother François-Xavier Cazali, Prior General;
Brother Justin, Prior Vice-Provincial of Asia-Oceania;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel, Prior Provincial of Africa;
the Brothers of Saint John and the brothers’ families are delighted to share with you news of the ordination to the priesthood of Brothers:

Jean-Savio Aubry (France)
On Saturday 24 June 2023, at Notre-Dame de Rimont in France. The mass was presided over by Mgr Patrick Le Gal, Auxiliary Bishop of Lyon.

Paul-Raphaël Setchi (Côte-d’Ivoire)
On Saturday 8 July 2023, at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Abidjan (Ivory Coast). The mass was presided over by Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa, Metropolitan Archbishop of Abidjan.

Ange-Marie Klu (Togo)
Lazare de la Mère de Dieu Nassabe (Togo)
On Saturday 5 August 2023, in Lomé (Togo). The mass was presided over by Mgr Nicodème Barrigah, Archbishop of Lomé.

Professions 2023

Published on May 9, 2023

Professions

Brother François-Xavier Cazali, Prior General;
Brother Henri-Dominique, Prior Provincial of France;
The Brothers of Saint John and the brothers’ families are delighted to share with you news of the

Temporary Profession of Brother

Charles de Jésus LAFARGUE (France)
on Sunday 21 May 2023, at Notre-Dame de Rimont, France.

Solemn Profession of Brothers

Théophane BOUSSION (France),
Thomas de la Croix DE BAUDUS DE FRANSURES (France).
which took place on the Solemnity of Pentecost, 2023 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paray-le-Monial.

Professions

Brother François-Xavier Cazali, Prior General;
Brother Jesús, Prior Provincial of the Americas;
the Brothers of Saint John and the brothers’ families are delighted to share with you news of the

Solemn Profession of Brother

Gabriel PRIETO (Mexique)
on 28 May at Saint Joseph’s Priory, Mexico.

Brother François-Xavier Cazali, Prior General;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel Codjia, Prior Provincial of Africa;
the Brothers of Saint John and the brothers’ families are delighted to share with you news of the

Temporary Profession of Brothers

Anthelme de l’Enfant Jésus HOUNDAHO (Togo),
Dieudonné AZOVIDE
(Togo),
Émile KONDAMA (Togo),
Emmanuel Eddy DOGMOU
(Cameroun),
Jean-Éloge LOKOSSOU (Togo),
Jean Maurice KOBA (Bénin).
on Saturday 3 June 2023, at the Noviciate House Our Lady of Providence in Lumen Valley (Tchitchao-Waya).

Solemn Profession of Brothers

Matthieu de la Croix KPANKPANA (Togo)
on 17 June in Addis-Abeba (Ethiopia)
 Watch the video


Blaise LENO (Guinée Conakry)
on 24 June in Popenguine (Sénégal)

Emmanuel DA SILVEIRA (Togo),
Théophane-Marie MBOUA
(Côte d’Ivoire)
on Sunday 2 July 2023, at Mary Morning Star Priory in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast.

Joseph-Désiré GOUMAI NASSAM (Togo),
Jean-Raphaël FARARA
(Togo),
Samuel-Donatien KPOMEGBE (Togo).
on Saturday 5 July 2023, at Saint John Bosco Parish in South Kara.

Professions

The first Provincial Chapters of the Congregation

Published on January 30, 2023

First Provincial Chapters of the Brothers of Saint John

At their last General Chapter in November 2022, the Brothers of Saint John voted to decentralise their governance, with the different regions acquiring the status of Provinces. The whole Congregation is currently experiencing its first Provincial and Vice-Provincial Chapters during which the elections of their Provincials Priors are taking place.

– Province of France: from Saturday 7 to Friday 13 January 2023 at Notre-Dame du Chêne (72),
– Vice-Province of Asia-Oceania: from Saturday 7 to Friday 13 January 2023 in Cebu,
– Province of Europe: from Tuesday 10 to Tuesday 17 January 2023 in Marchegg,
– Province of the Americas: from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 January 2023 in Mexico City,
– Province of Africa: from Monday 30 January to Tuesday 7 February 2023 in Simbock.

With this decentralisation of their governance, the brothers want to implement part of their reform which consists in being closer to the needs of the priories and in making their structure less pyramidal in order to favour more participation in the decisions. The new Provincials and Vice-Provincials Priors will have direct authority for the governance of their Provinces, including the assignment of brothers who are affiliated to them or made available by other Provinces. The role of the General Prior is therefore to watch over the unity, spirit and life of the whole Congregation in its international dimension.

We entrust the continuation of these first Chapters to your prayers.

Provincial Chapter of France

Brother Henri-Dominique de Certaines was elected Provincial Prior of France on 10 January, during the first Provincial Chapter of France. Brother Henri-Dominique entered the novitiate of the Brothers of Saint John in Saint Jodard in 2006 at the age of 21. After his simple profession in 2008 and his theology studies, he did his apostolic internship in Cameroon as Vice-principal of the Vogt College in Yaoundé. He took his perpetual vows in 2012 and was ordained a deacon in 2014. He will then be for two years curate (right-hand man of the prior) of the formation house of Saint-Jodard (42). After his ordination to the priesthood in 2017, he was sent on mission to Lomé in Togo to work in the university parish. Elected prior in 2019 of the priory of Saint-Quentin-sur-Indrois, in the diocese of Tours, he returned to France.

Download the final message of the french Provincial Chapter in french

Brother Henri-Dominique, first Provincial Prior of France
Brother Henri-Dominique, first Provincial Prior of France

Vice-Provincial Chapter of Asia-Oceania

In accordance with the wishes of the brothers of Asia-Oceania, the General Chapter of the Congregation (October 2022) asked the Prior General to establish this vicariate as a “vice-province”, in order to ensure that they have the necessary means for the mission and a sufficient number of formators for vocations. Brother Justin Lee was elected Vice Provincial Prior of Asia-Oceania on January 9, at the first Vice Provincial Chapter held at the Novitiate in Cebu City, Banawa. Brother Justin joined the Brothers of Saint John in 1999 and, after his formation, was assigned to Cebu from 2006 to 2017. He now lives at the priory in New Zealand. A vice-provincial assembly preceded the Chapter, which meant that all brothers, regardless of their stage of formation, were called to participate. For the Chapter, only a few delegates represent the vice-province and will have to choose their Province.

Download the final message of the assembly that preceded the Chapter

Download the final message of the Vice-Provincial Chapter of Asia-Oceania

Brother Justin, first Vice-Provincial Prior of Asia-Oceania
Brother Justin, first Vice-Provincial Prior of Asia-Oceania

Provincial Chapter of Europe

Brother Ignaz-Maria was elected on 12 January by the capitulants of the Provincial Chapter of Europe, held in the Priory in Marchegg, Austria. Brother Ignaz-Maria entered the Brothers of Saint John in 2000 and was ordained a priest in 2009. He was assigned in our priories of The Hague and then in Utrecht before he was serving as councillor of the General Prior for the last three years. He lives currently in our priory in Utrecht.

Download the final message of the european Provincial Chapter

Read the news about the election of the new Provincial Prior of Europe

Brother Ignaz-Maria, first Provincial Prior of Europe
Brother Ignaz-Maria, first Provincial Prior of Europe

Provincial Chapter of the Americas

The first Provincial Chapter of the Americas took place from 16 to 21 January 2023 in Mexico City. The brothers began their gathering with a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. The Province is made up of seven priories: four in the United States, two in Mexico, and one in Brazil, which presents great challenges in terms of a common language and the mission of each country. But the brothers are also aware of the vitality and richness of their Province and give thanks to the Lord for the mission he entrusts to them.

The Chapter took place in a fraternal atmosphere, which allowed us to have exchanges in truth and in depth. Among other things, the Chapter elected the Provincial Prior: Brother Jesus Rodriguez, the person responsible for formation for the Province: Brother Mario González, and a Councillor: Brother Miguel Pro Castañeda.

Download the final message of the american Provincial Chapter

Brother Jesus Rodriguez, Provincial Prior of the Americas (centre): surrounded by the Formation Officer and a Councillor.
Brother Jesus Rodriguez, first Provincial Prior of the Americas (centre): surrounded by the Formation Officer and a Councillor.

Provincial Chapter of Africa

The brothers of the Africa Province gathered at the Studium de philosophie in Simbock, Cameroon, for their first Provincial Chapter from 30 January to 6 February 2023.

The Chapter was marked by the deliberations for the elections of the Prior Provincial and his Council. The following were elected: Brother Côme-Emmanuel, Prior Provincial of Africa; Brother Joseph, Provincial Officer in charge of Formation; and Brothers Gilbert (Vicar Provincial), Joseph Marie de la Trinité (elected), Théodore de la Croix (appointed) and Thibault (elected) as Councillors.

Download the final message of the african Provincial Chapter in french

Provincial Prior of Africa - Brothers of Saint-John

Election of the new Provincial Prior of Europe

Published on January 12, 2023

Brother Ignaz-Maria, first Provincial Prior of Europe

The Brothers of Saint John of the Province of Europe are happy to announce the election of our new and very first Provincial Prior, Brother Ignaz-Maria Ringhofer!

Brother Ignaz-Maria was elected today, January 12, by the capitulants of the Provincial Chapter of Europe, held in our Priory in Marchegg, Austria. Brother Ignaz-Maria entered the Brothers of Saint John in 2000 and was ordained a priest in 2009. He was assigned in our priories of The Hague and then in Utrecht before he was serving as councillor of the Prior General for the last three years. He lives currently in our priory in Utrecht.

Let us pray for our new Provincial Prior.

Brother Jurek was elected Counselor and Brother Athanase Provincial Head of Formation.

Download the final message of the European Provincial Chapter

Final message of the second session of the General Chapter

Published on October 27, 2022

Logo Brothers of Saint John

The second session of General Chapter 2022 was held from October 11 to 24, 2022 at the Our Lady of Cana Priory, in Troussures, France. It had been five months since the elected brothers from the different vicariates and “pro-provinces” of the Congregation came together for the first session. 

Please find the link to access the final message the second session of the General Chapter.

We thank you for your prayers and entrust to you the implementation of all these decisions and orientations.