Published on April 3, 2021
Brothers of Saint John Prior General, Brother François-Xavier, along with the brothers families are delighted to inform you of the temporary profession for: Brother Richard-Maria, Brother Samuel-Marie and Brother Vladimir.
They invite you to unite in prayer at their Profession Mass which will be held, Sunday, 9 May 2021, 11am at Saint Joseph Priory, Saint-Jodard (42).
Published on March 27, 2021
On this grand opening day of Saint John Church in Addis Abeba, several hundred guests gathered in a festive and joyful atmosphere. Starting at 9 a.m. many people in the French-speaking parish, from the Catholic Church of Ethiopia, from the neighbourhood, some of the community member’s families and some workers involved in the construction, gathered on the freshly flowered church forecourt.
The prior general of the Brothers of Saint John, father François Xavier Cazali, came to Ethiopia for the occasion which represents a major step for the Entoto priory.
Abune Lesane Christos, bishop of Dare Dessie and the priests walked around the building three times, led by the Ethiopian youth choir and followed by the crowd all to the sound of the bells.
After the handing over the keys ceremony, the faithful discovered the interior of the church, decorated with many ornaments for this occasion. The night before, most of the furniture had been blessed during a prayer vigil in which a relic of Saint John Paul II was exposed, now placed in the altar stone.
During the inaugural Mass, the crowd sang beautiful hymns in Amharic, in English, in French or in West African languages. The many languages used to praise the Lord, testifies to the multinational aspect of our Christian community in Addis Abeba. During all the inauguration’s preparation, young Ethiopians who had attended our School of Life came to help, with some also involved in the choir. Their fidelity to the community is a way of thanks for the organised activities, the summer camps, the weekends and every moment they spent with the Brothers of Saint John during the ten past years.
After the blessing of the walls, the stain glass windows and altar, cardinal Berahneyesus celebrated Mass in the new chapel.
After Mass, Abba Philip offered gifts to the Cardinal, to the prior general, to workers and to main actors of the project. The crowd then went to the basement for grace and lunch. Families prepared several buffets: an Ethiopian buffet with the famous injera and ginger drinks, a West African buffet with traditional African food, and another which was dedicated to European food.
This magnificent day and those enjoyable moments shared with the Catholic community of Ethiopia honoured the long-term work that had begun years ago. The aim of welcoming the youth, the elderly, Ethiopians, foreigners, orphans and expatriate to the Saint John’s priory of Entoto is now closer than ever.
However, there are still some final adjustment works in the chapel like, filling of walls and site work, paving, water and energy networks, basement works, construction of the guardian’s house, etc.
The chapel hopes to wlecome those who wish to pray here at the Entoto priory.
Everyone who helped during the year is thanked, particularly those who helped with funding the project and the inauguration preparation!
Published on March 26, 2021
Saturday, March 20, 2021, Brother François-Xavier, Congregation prior, announced the closure of Saint Jodard to the brothers and Oblates.
Many who visited the priory experienced strong spiritual and fraternal encounters there. The reasons that led to this decision are covered below.
It was to the patronage of Saint Joseph that the first Brothers of Saint John had entrusted this house. May this new chapter be entrusted to Saint Joseph once more by the brothers, as well as the future mission of the Brothers of Saint John in France and elsewhere.
Since the General Chapter of 2019, the question on the need to decentralize leadership and formation had become more apparent and it was clear that a change needed to take place within the Congregation. The current health crisis rules fast-tracked the decision regarding moving the years of philosophy away from the original vicariates the brothers once attended.
In addition to the novitiate formation in Africa and Asia, philosophy takes place on site and the same is in advanced stages of consideration for the pro-province of the Americas. The decline in vocations for several years throughout Europe had led to the question on what to do with Saint-Jodard.
During the last vicarial and pro-provincial chapters and assemblies, it was overwhelmingly voted to close Saint-Jodard. After consulting his Council, the Prior General took the difficult go ahead with this decision.
The Prior General shared: “This place is full of memories, good for some and less so for others. Closing Saint-Jodard could be compared to leaving a family home that has become too large, with an unjustifiable maintenance cost… Thank you to all those who have given so much time and effort here, making it a wonderful place for the brothers to live. A team of brothers, around the current priory will remain on site for the coming year for a smooth transition, under the authority of the Prior General. All will be done to make sure this house remains a place of prayer and Christian life.”
The philosophy studium will be established at least for now, in Rimont.
Brother François-Xavier ended by saying that: “…because a family home cannot be left without at least a time of thanksgiving, we have decided to celebrate the ordinations on 26 June here at Saint Jodard with friends and family before Summer ends”.
Published on March 25, 2021
Our Lady of the Annunciation came to collect our dear Brother Jean-Pierre-Marie-Rosins, Thursday 25 March 2021 at 3:05pm, a time he loved so much following a daily Rosary at the Lourdes grotto during the hour of Divine Mercy.
His carers had told us the previous day that he may not last the night and we were able to keep vigil with him in hospital until his last moments on earth. Brother Séverin-Marie and Brother Bernard-Vianney were by his side as he breathed his last peacefully while being taken care of by hospital staff.
Our brother had celebrated his 80th birthday on 24 January. He entered the Community in 1992 on the advice of Mgr Brincard, with his Simple Profession taken the 23 January 1994, followed by his Perpetual Vows on 16 February 1997 at La Chaise-Dieu.
It was also at La Chaise-Dieu priory that he was ordained deacon 19 June 1999, a place he was very attached to having spent 8 years there from 1993-2001, before being sent to Jaumes (2001-2014) and finally Saint-Savournin (since 2014) where he will be laid to rest until the Resurrection.
May Our Lord shine on his countenance and welcome him into His heavenly home with the Virgin Mary.
Please pray for him and the brothers of Saint-Savournin who were with him so beautifully to the end.
After he is laid to rest, our brother’s body will arrive Firday 26 March at the church of Saint-Savournin. The funeral Mass will be held there Saturday 27 March at 2:30pm.
Published on March 24, 2021
After having renovated the exterior side of their presbytery 2 years ago, that covered part of their guesthouse, the Brothers of St John in Austria are now tackling the interior by transforming the reception, with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic into an opportunity for improvements.
In conjunction with experts from the diocese of Vienna – because the German-speaking organization provides diocesan departments for almost everything – they launched a call for tenders. On 1st March, work began, overseen by a building engineer from the diocese. Among the works – all the plumbing – and upgrades, like bathroom fixtures in bedrooms, new flooring and paint.
To keep costs down, the brothers also rolled up their sleeves. Helped by a few friends, they set out to install a new kitchen, living room and dining hall for guests. A computer room will also be created at the priory. These works bring back memories for many brothers from their community days in Rimont! A mention also goes out to the diocese who have promised the brothers a small grant, and the parish who own the building, will also put their hands in their pocket.
It goes without saying, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders work in vain” (Psalm 126). So the Brothers of Saint John in Marchegg have entrusted all these works to Saint Joseph to whom they pray daily! They hope to be able to receive guests for this summer’s inauguration.
Published on March 23, 2021
About a year ago, Brother Samuel Mary composed the music track Rise, inspired by the Gospel of Saint John on the resurrection of Lazarus. This track is taken from the album Bring You Home.
Brother Samuel Mary had the idea that he would shoot the clip in the Philippines at the end of his internship. However, Covid put a spanner in the works to this project. Whilst taking some time off over the Christmas holidays his desire to shoot a short film resurfaced.
His appeal for Puy-en-Velay, in particular its cathedral, made him think it would be the perfect setting to carry out his project. With Brother Jean of the Eucharist’s love for making culinary videos, the two perpetually professed student brothers at Rimont, embarked on this common goal. It is thanks to the inspiration of Brother Jean of the Eucharist, who plays the role of actor in the clip, that the choice for the title Rise was decided.
The two brothers stayed at the priory of the Apostolic Sisters of Saint-Jean in Puy-en-Velay during this time, and the latter gave them privileged access to the cathedral, in particular the very impressive singular staircase which begins from the outside of the building and emerges at the top, through the thick slab of the sanctuary where many pilgrims have walked. This magnificent staircase was the perfect backdrop to illustrate the upward movement of the sinner towards Christ in symbolizing the Resurrection.
For Brother Samuel-Mary, this very first film and video edititing shoot taught him a great deal on how to showcase his music… and also what to improve on next time. It’s a promise! You will soon be able to view wonderful scenes of our brothers in formation made by this talented American brother, via the Brothers of Saint John Youtube channel.
Published on March 1, 2021
Let us give thanks for our brothers who celebrate their Solemn Profession of Faith Jubilees in March 2021.
40 years, Solemn Profession of Faith:
Brother Marie-Bernard (25/03/1981)
20 years, Solemn Profession of Faith:
Brother Jovan-Bosco (23/03/2001)
Deo Gratias!
Published on February 12, 2021
Published on June 14, 2020
On Sunday 14 June, three Brothers of Saint-John made their temporary profession at the Noviciate House in St Jodard, France: Brother Pacifique, Brother Jean-Baptiste of the Lamb and Brother Raphaël. The professions were made in the presence of the Prior General, Brother François-Xavier.
We confide the next step of their path to your prayers.
Published on June 10, 2020
A few hours after Brother Charles and Brother James pronounced their first vows on 15 March, strict confinement was announced in Cebu. Very few cases of COVID 19 had been diagnosed, but the epidemic was already significantly present in Manila. A large section of the population in the Philippines live on a daily wage, which meant that confinement very quickly became problematic for poor families who have no income or savings. With the help of the friends of the Community, the Brothers decided to try to help their closest neighbours in the barrios in Cebu. The friends of the Community responded very generously and we also received donations from the United States, allowing us to get to work in collaboration with the Apostolic Sisters. We went to the shops and brought back large sacs of vegetables and prepared packets of rice, sugar, lentils, etc., which we distributed to around 130 families for two months. Through this work the families were able to experience God’s Providence, who watches over the poorest of his children. With the encouragement of Sr Mila-Maria, many families are now starting to plant their own vegetable garden.
The Brothers of Saint John are building a new priory in Taboan, Cebu. The name Taboan means “meeting place” and is an area where people mostly come to go shopping – an important place for apostolic work!
Construction work was ready to start when the pandemic put the brakes on the project. Demolition of some of the surrounding walls had already begun in January. The Brothers hope the work can start up again soon, but activity in Cebu is only slowly starting to increase. The priory will be situated in a popular and reasonably populated area, not far from the universities and the old town. It is an accessible place and means we can envisage an apostolic life in conjunction with our life of fraternity and prayer. The current priory in Banawa Hills will remain the noviciate house.
The Brothers confide this project to your prayers and hope they will soon be able to show you work in progress.
