In light of the articles that appeared in the media following Pope Francis’s press conference during his return flight from the United Arab Emirates, we would like to clarify some of the points made.

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Replay EWTN news report from Rome about sexual abuse 2019-02-08

The 34th World Youth Day has just begun in Panama. The brothers attending give us their first impressions of the event.

The opening Mass was presided over by the Archbishop of Panama City, Msgr José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta. The Archbishop preached movingly, evoking the fact that all young people should be able to achieve their dreams, whatever their race, sex or socio-economic standing. He also expressed his thanks that Panama City made every effort to welcome the young, putting their whole heart into the event.

The brothers and young people of their group were able to participate in the Way of the Cross with the Pope. Numerous American countries were able to prayerfully express their faith in God through the hands of the Virgin Mary, whilst confiding to her the sufferings of many nations.

The young people and brothers accompanying them are getting ready to leave for a time of prayer. The sun is not up yet and everyone is expecting a beautiful sunny day, humidity and faith-filled activity. From the Isthmus of Panama, they pray for all whom they know and who are confided to them.

A retreat for men was organised by the French parish run by the Brothers of St John in Tlalpan, Mexico, on a weekend in late January, 2019. The retreat took place within the same environment as the retreat for women, but the programme was different for the men. The weekend began on Friday 18th January with Mass, followed by dinner and a conference to set the tone of the retreat.

During this extraordinary weekend, those on the retreat reflected upon the theme of fatherhood and manhood. A walk through the Tlalpan forest on Saturday afternoon provided an occasion for the men to pray the rosary. During the walk, under the trees and free from noise and pollution, another talk was given. Everyone participated in a night vigil of adoration, beautifully enhanced by those who were musicians and singers. The retreatants ensured someone was always present before the Blessed Sacrament until 8am on Sunday, when they sang Lauds together. It was a real moment of grace!
On the Sunday, families and friends gathered for the celebration of a final Mass, with retreatants contributing to readings and music. Following Mass, everyone shared a picnic in a leafy park under bright sunshine.

All who attended give thanks for this fervent retreat. Each returned home transformed, like the water changed in to wine at Cana. The Lord gave them a superabundance and they drank their fill of Jesus, drunk with joy at having tasted how much the Lord is good to us! Glory to God!

The chapter for the Southern Europe vicariate took place in a snowy Bucharest from 7-12th January.

It began, as is the tradition, with reports from the various priories. The priories are all doing well; they are seeing growth in both their apostolic life and their fraternal life. However, it was noted that each priory experiences certain difficulties due to not having enough brothers.

The reports from the Prior General and the Master of Studies helped the brothers understand the work that has taken place over the last three years. The brothers were grateful for the freedom with which the superiors expressed themselves, and which enabled them to receive their reports in a calm and constructive way.

Refreshment and enrichment were provided by excursions and visits enjoyed together. The brothers were particularly moved by a pilgrimage to Jilava Prison, where Blessed Vladimir Ghika died a martyr for the faith on 16th May 1954: a Romanian priest and an intellectual giant, he had a deep Johannine spirituality, and prepared the way for the work of the Brothers and Sisters of Saint John.

The rest of the chapter focussed on the particular issues faced in this vicariate. The closing of the priory in Nalchik was discussed, as well as the future of the priory in Bucharest and of the whole of the Southern Europe Vicariate. It seemed important that its current structure should be maintained, even though it may not be very robust.

During the chapter, the brothers benefited from a remarkable presentation by the Romanian Jesuit Fr Marius Talos on spiritual accompaniment. A Francophile and Francophone, Fr Talos delighted the brothers with his approach to the biblical figure of Samuel, who was both a master and someone who accompanied others. His talk was full of culture and humour, and generated a reflection together on the different ways we can accompany people spiritually.

The brothers elected to take part in the general chapter are brothers Dan, Gabriel-Mary and Johannes; the ‘subs’ are brothers Johann and Jean Bosco.

Everyone was united in giving thanks for how much life there is in the vicariate and in hoping that things will go from strength to strength in the future.

The Brothers of Saint John want to ever increasingly serve the youth of Cebu in the Philippines. In the video below some of the young people of Cebu testify to what they have discovered with and received from the Brothers. It is for these young people that the community wants to seize an opportunity to expand their youth ministry.
Watch the video below to discover more about our project to build a place of mission, consisting of a house for young people and a new priory in downtown Cebu.

Visit the website for the Brothers of Saint John in Cebu

The brothers who are lectors for each vicariat meet every year to take stock of heir brotherly service and discuss together. This year the brothers concentrated on the question of culture and inter-religious dialogue.

They invited Father Louis Marie Coudray, director of the national service for Judeo-Catholic relations, who gave them two presentations. Of note was his presentation on Nostra Aetate, the declaration of Vatican II on the Church’s relations with non-Christian religions. The brothers also reflected on the duties and tasks of the Orthodox Jew.

From the 17th-21st December last year – the final week of Advent – the brothers gathered around the crib at Troussures in a sign that it is Christ who unites them. Each glimpsed that they are the bearers, in their respective priories, of the ‘charisms’ needed for their missions: charisms which are to be at work too both in the brothers’ personal lives, and in community.

The brothers were first given an overview of the life of the Community and the Vicariate through reports from each priory. The Vicariate could be characterised by the apostolic dynamism of these priories. The brothers’ deep innovation is evident in vastly different domains: from a parish renewal scheme being implemented by dozens of fraternities in Boulogne, to the introduction of the ‘Sophia Programme’ formation programme in Troussures, or courses in ‘integral ecology’ in Notre-Dame du Chêne. There is diversity, too, in the work being carried out by individual brothers who stage musicals which gather audiences of thousands, who offer pastoral support to transgender people, who facilitate meetings for couples in ‘fraternities’ of St Jean, the list goes on…

Following this, reports were heard from Br Thomas, Br François-Frédéric, and Br Geoffroy-Marie. Then from Lector Br Christophe, Vicariate Bursar Br Benoît-Etienne, Br Pierre-Vianney for the Pastoral Office for Young People, and Br Jean-Yves for Communications.

Wednesday was dedicated to theological reflection on the ways in which we might understand Pope Francis’ vision for the Church, with Br Denis. Practical workshops helped the brothers to highlight their own understanding of both the Universal and the local Church. Particular attention was paid in the latter to poverty, to preaching, and to the brothers’ missionary activities in the Vicariate seen as a ‘local church’.

The brothers expressed their expectations and needs with regards old age and dependency.

On several occasions, they were able to once again consider the recent evolution of the Community in light of Fr Philippe’s personal history.

Br Gabriel L, Br Jean-Pierre-Marie, and Br Sébastien-Marie have been elected to the 2019 General Chapter. Br Basile and Br Jean-Marie-Luc will serve as deputies.

The brothers of the Vicariat of Central France gathered in Pellevoisin from the 3rd to the 7th December 2018, under the protection of Our Lady of Mercy. Hearts were joyful despite the winter greyness outside! In addition to celebrating Mass together at the Shrine, there was also the chance to do so at Les Besses, where all were warmly welcomed by the brothers and young people of Saint-Jean-Espérance; one young person shared his story with the brothers – a memorable moment in the week. The contemplative sisters joined the group at midday on Friday for a fraternal coffee and catch-up.

As happens at others chapters, the brothers heard from the priors of each priory, as well as from the Vicar of the region, the Prior General, the Master of Studies, the Brother Lector and the Brother Bursar. They reflected together on the theme of growth and maturity. They also discussed the place of their founder, and re-read the letter from Rome (2016) making reference to the subjects of communication and the accompaniment of young people.

Throughout the chapter, the brothers split into small groups for discussion; all the brothers appreciated how this was done, brothers who entered in the 80’s, 90’s and after 2000 discussing together.

At the end of the chapter, delegates from the vicariat were elected for representation at the General Chapter: Brothers Jean-Symeon, Honorat, Raphael and Vincent (and as a deputy: Br Marie-Géraud). As well as several notices for the Genral Chapter, the brothers encouraged the Prior General to build up the priories of Richemont and Le Mesnil.