June 21 was a special day for the Brothers of Saint John in Vilnius. On that day, through the laying on of hands by Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, Brother Elijas Butkus was ordained to the priesthood.

In the presence of a large group of relatives and around 300 friends, community members, and guests, Brother Elijas received the gift of priesthood, choosing — in the words of the Archbishop — to witness to Christ’s love with his whole life in service to the Church. The festive agape was filled with delicious food and joyful fellowship, while the newly ordained priest likely didn’t taste anything himself, as he spent nearly three hours without pause receiving congratulations and generously giving blessings.

The first European Oblates Pilgrimage welcomed participants from 9 European countries for 3 days of prayer, sharing, and working together.

Thirty-six oblates, one apostolic sister, and seven brothers gathered during Ascension weekend 2025 at the priory Regina Pacis in Banneux N.D., Belgium. For the very first time in the history of the young European province, the oblates came together following an invitation from their provincial and the Regional Council of Oblates. The event took place during the Jubilee year for both the universal Church and the brothers of Saint John, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Days of Formation and Reflection

Close to the Virgin of the Poor and thanks to the hospitality of the Belgian brothers and oblates, the participants were able to immerse themselves in 3 days of liturgical and silent prayer, along with moments of formation, exchange, and reflection together.

Although coming from different cultures and languages, the oblates quickly discovered a common element in their respective lives: the desire to follow Jesus in the footsteps of the beloved disciple. During Formation Day, they heard inspiring lectures on hope and solitude, given by Br. Ignaz-Maria and Sr. Marta Marija. For those interested in the arts, a Lithuanian oblate prepared a presentation on Saint John in Art.

Community Day led the oblates to reflect on the current situation of the Family of Saint John. By working in small groups, they discussed their struggles, their views on the renewal and reform, and they explored their personal possibilities for involvement in the life of the Family as a whole and especially in their particular fraternities. Members of the International Council of Oblates, who were also present, helped clarify the intentions behind the reform and answered participants’ questions.

Moments of Joy and Sacredness

A highlight of the gathering was the oblature of a new member of the Utrecht fraternity, Emma, at the end of Holy Mass on Saturday. The festive evening that followed brought this joyful moment to a close.

Visiting the Sanctuary, learning about the history of the apparitions of Mary to young Mariette, pushing hands into the water of the source, and praying during a candlelight procession were other elements of this pilgrimage. Many participants were touched by the gift that the contemplative sisters from Vilnius, although unable to attend themselves, had handcrafted for the oblates as a sign of the unity of the Family of Saint John.

Carrying Light Forward

After three rich days, the participants made their way back home: to Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. They carried with them not only the final blessing for their fellow oblates, brothers, and sisters, but also new hope and inspiration for their respective fraternities.

Testimonials:

“Each nationality radiates a different light, so we could get a fuller picture for each one of us.” — Joanne

“Everyone, let us pray for the path of the oblates community. We, together with the Holy Spirit, form the future of oblates.” — Br. Mattheus

“I am thankful for this enriching time. I saw that it can work—in spite of all difficulties, of living far away, of the technical struggles…” — Udo

“I saw the suffering of every member, but at the same time, I received an image of a renewal chance, a new life. Like a small plant that sprouts from the ground and grows.” — Melanie

Written by the Regional Council of Oblates Europe

Perpetual profession in Utrecht

Brother François-Xavier, Prior General ;
Brother Ignatius Maria, Prior of the Province of Europe ;
the Brothers of Saint John and the family of the Brother are pleased to inform you of the Perpetual Profession of Brother

Richard Maria STEGENGA (Netherlands)

They cordially invite you to participate, in person, or through your prayer, in the Perpetual Profession mass at 10 am on Sunday the 8th of June 2025 at Gerardus Majella Church, Vleutenseweg 517, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General;
Brother Jesus Rodriguez, Prio Provincial of Americas;
the Brothers of Saint John and the family of our brother are pleased to announce the perpetual profession of

Brother John of the Cross SWEET (America)

They cordially invite you to participate, in person or through your prayer, in the Mass of Perpetual Profession at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Saint Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 2301 York Street, Denver, CO, USA.

Reception to follow
(Solemn Vespers at 6:00 PM)

Priestly ordination

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel CODJIA, Prior of the Province Africa;
The Brothers of Saint-John and their families are pleased to inform you of the priestly ordination of brother

Antoine de Padoue TOURÉ (Ivory Coast)

On Saturday 5 July 2025, at 10.00am, at Marie Étoile du matin Priory, Riviera Palmeraie (St Viateur district, Abidjan) by His Eminence Monsignor Jean-Pierre Cardinal KUTWA, Archbishop Emeritus of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

First masses : July 6, 2025 at 11:15 AM at Marie Étoile du matin Priory, Riviera Palmeraie (Saint Viateur district, Abidjan)
13 July at 9h00, Saint Luc Banabakintu parish, Adjamé, 220 logements.

Brother François-Xavier, Prior General;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel, Prior Provincial of Africa;
the Brothers of Saint-John and the parents of the brother are pleased to inform you of the ordination to the priesthood of brother

Paul-Clément DJON BISSES (Cameroon)

They invite you to participate or to join them in prayer at the ordination Mass presided over by His Excellency
Monsignor Jean Mbarga, Archbishop of Yaoundé;

Saturday 5 July 2025 at 10.00 AM at the Minor Basilica of Mary Queen of Apostles in Mvolyé, Yaoundé.

Ordinations to the diaconate

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel CODJIA, Prior of the Province of Africa;
The Brothers of Saint-John and the parents of the brothers are pleased to inform you of the ordination to the diaconate of brothers

Augustin BILAWA (Togo)
Dominique-Savio GALLEY (Togo)
Isaac-Thérèse ADJIVON (Togo)
Matthieu de la Croix KPANKPANA (Togo)

They invite you to attend or join them in prayer at the ordination Mass presided over by His Excellency Mgr Grégoire DRUOT, Bishop of Nevers, on Saturday 28 June 2025 at 11 AM at Notre-Dame de Rimont, Fley.

Perpetual Profession

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel CODJIA, Prior of the Province Africa;
the Brothers of Saint John and the families of the brothers are pleased to inform you of the Perpetual Profession of the following brothers

Pascal AGBESSI (Togo)
Vincent de Paul KOUADIO (Ivory Coast)

Mass will be celebrated at 10:15 AM on Sunday, 1st June 2025 at the Noviciate Notre Dame de la Providence (Lumen Valley Djamdè).

Alphonse-Marie-Charbel BODJOLLE (Togo)

Mass will be celebrated on the feast of Pentecost at 10:00 AM on Sunday, 8 June 2025 at College F.X Vogt chapel, (Yaounde, Cameroon).

Temporary Profession

Brother François-Xavier CAZALI, Prior General;
Brother Côme-Emmanuel CODJIA, Prior of the Province of Africa;
The Brothers of Saint John and the families of the Brothers are pleased to inform you of the temporary profession of the following Brothers

Antoine-Marie AWADE (Togo)
Benedictus OKABOUIO (Togo)
Paul de la Croix KPOBIE (Togo)

They invite you to participate or to join them in prayer at the profession Mass to be celebrated on the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday 31 May 2025 at 10am at the Novitiate of Our Lady of Providence (Lumen Valley, Togo).

Taking of the habit

Fidèle SODZEZO KOMI (Togo)
Doris NKONGOLO WA NKONGOLO (Congo)
Franck MACAIRE MBARGA (Cameroon)
Hubert Assèwi LAMBA (Togo)

Friday 30 May 2025.

Horizons in johannine spirituality

Contemporary biblical studies for exploring the spirituality of the johannine writings; selected and introduced by brother Gabriel-Mary Fiore.

Biblical theology

Over the past one hundred years, biblical scholars and historians of Christian spirituality have attempted synthetic summaries of the spirituality found in John’s Gospel. These syntheses call for more in-depth studies of the individual themes integral to the Gospel’s spirituality, like prayer and worship, ethics and community, contemplation and mysticism, discipleship and friendship. Quality research exists on those topics but often remains unknown and unexplored to all except experts in the field. The Horizons series seeks to bridge that gap, by bringing to a wider, non-academic audience thematic studies of interest for living out the spirituality expressed in John’s Gospel.

The essays included here explore the moral, spiritual, and theological teachings expressed in the Johannine writings (mainly the Gospel) from a perspective of biblical theology. Editorial introductions and questions for reflection will assist readers in translating John’s doctrines into lived spirituality. The selections for volume one address three questions vital for Christian life: How do believers become and grow as disciples of Jesus? What guidelines and insights does John’s Gospel offer for living out Christian faith in community? How do the Johannine writings inspire and enlighten Christian prayer and worship?

Authors contributing to vol.1:

Luke Hase – Sean S. Kim – Raymond F. Collins – Mark Zhakevich Andrew T. Lincoln – Mary L. Coloe – Stephen C. Barton – Johannes Nissen Dorothy A. Lee – Marianne M. Thompson – Richard Bauckham

Fr. Gabriel-Mary Fiore, CSJ is guest professor of spiritual theology at the Angelicum University. He teaches courses of historical and biblical spirituality in Rome and for other institutes of religious formation. He is author of Spirituality in John’s Gospel (Pickwick) and The St John Prayerbook (TAN, 2026).

Aletheia (École Saint-Jean) is a peer-reviewed journal of philosophy, theology, and spirituality published biannually in French since 1992 (ISSN 1242-0832).

Publication of ALETHEIA with the École Saint-Jean and the Family of Saint-John.

Buy the book

Election of the Prior General

Continuing the Reforms: the Brothers of Saint John renew their trust in brother François-Xavier Cazali.

Troussures (Oise- France), May 1, 2025

Gathered for their General Chapter, the Brothers of Saint John have elected Brother François-Xavier Cazali for a second term as Prior General of the Saint John Congregation.

In accordance with the Congregation’s constitutions, the new Prior General was elected by a qualified two-thirds majority vote. Since this is his second term, it will last for three years.

This election reflects the Brothers of Saint John’s collective commitment to continue the reforms initiated during Brother François-Xavier’s previous term: deepening the discernment of the charism, supporting victims of abuse, enhancing formation, liturgical evolution… This momentum aligns fully with the theme chosen for their General Chapter: “Yes, the life was made manifest, we have seen it, and we testify to it” (1 Jn 1:2).

Born in 1973 in France, Brother François-Xavier Cazali joined the Brothers of Saint John community in 1993. He made his perpetual profession in 1998 and was ordained a priest in 2001. He served for several years in Lithuania, where he held the role of superior. In 2016, he was appointed Vicar General of the Congregation and secretary of the SOS Abuse Task Force. Elected Prior General in 2019, he is now elected for a final three-year term.

“Through this term, which I wish to live not as a mere continuation but as a truly new mandate, I hope, with the support of future counselors, to ensure that the life of the congregation is not consumed by death but can pass through it, with Christ, in the light of the Paschal mystery. (…) I carry within me a confident inner resolve to already begin preparing for the future after this final term,” said Brother François-Xavier in his first address to the Chapter delegates.

The 44 Brothers of Saint John delegated to the General Chapter expressed their deep gratitude to Brother François-Xavier for his achievements during his previous term. They thank him for accepting once again this role in service of all. They assure him, on behalf of all the Brothers of Saint John, of their sincere prayers, fidelity, and obedience.

Press contact: communication@stjean.com

General Chapter of the Brothers of Saint John

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us”. 1 Jn 1:2

First session from 28 April to 10 May 2025

The Congregation of the Brothers of Saint John is preparing to celebrate its General Chapter; its first session will take place from 28 April to 10 May 2025 in Troussures (60). A second session will take place from 13 to 24 October 2025. 44 brother capitulants will take part.

A General Chapter on the theme of life

As part of the dynamic of the Jubilee that the Catholic Church is experiencing, this General Chapter is a time of grace and discernment for the Brothers of Saint John, who are also celebrating fifty years since their foundation.
In a letter addressed to the brothers of the Congregation last March, Brother François-Xavier Cazali, the current Prior General, underlined the choice of the theme of life for this Chapter. He invited the whole community to give thanks for what the Lord has given during fifty years of life, and to a time of renewal, listening to the calls of his Spirit.

Work topics

The first session of the General Chapter will be mainly devoted to electing the government of the Congregation, as the Prior General and his Councillors, as well as the General Responsible for Formation, have reached the end of their mandates.

In addition to this, the capitulants will address a number of subjects that are essential for the future of the Congregation, in particular :
– An assessment of the new organisation into Provinces three years after its introduction;
– The submission of the report of the Listening Mission, requested by the previous General Chapter in 2022. This mission, carried out by psychologists and listening professionals, took place from September 2024 to April 2025 with more than 200 volunteer brothers from the five Provinces. Its aim is to encourage the development of a culture of care and listening within the community. The report will present the key information collected for the development of the community, while respecting the anonymity of the brothers listened to;
– The activity report of the SOS Abus cell, two years after the publication of the To understand and to Heal Report;
– Continuation of the liturgical reform.

The work of the General Chapter will begin with two days of retreat guided by the Esdac (Spiritual Exercises for Apostolic Discernment in Common), placing it in a spirit of prayer, fraternal dialogue and openness to the Holy Spirit.

This Chapter represents a fundamental moment for the Brothers of Saint John, who are called to discern together the paths of the future in fidelity to their charism and to the Gospel.

Brothers of Saint John in numbers

– Number of brothers in the community: 414
– Number of priories: 48 priories in 21 countries
– Number of brothers in formation: 70
– Number of Provinces: 5 (Africa, America, Asia-Oceania, France, Europe)

Press contact: communication@stjean.com