In the early 1970s, a group of young French men who were following classes taught by Fr Marie-Dominique Philippe, O.P. at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland felt called to give themselves to God and were seeking a way in which they could respond to His call. They began to live together in community in Fribourg.
A gradual foundation
Father Marie-Dominique Philippe did not see himself as a âfounderâ. After much hesitation, he went to see the founder of the Foyers de CharitĂ©, Marthe Robin, with whom he had been connected since 1946. He shared his questions with her and she encouraged the process of foundation, which took place during a retreat at the Abbey of LĂ©rins on 8 December 1975.
In 1978, the Vatican (Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life) authorized the Community of Saint John to be attached to this abbey.
In 1982, when Fr Philippe had reached retirement age and completed his term as Professor at the University of Fribourg, the Brothers (around fifteen in number) left Switzerland and moved to Rimont in France, in the diocese of Autun. The mother house of the community is still located there today.
Development of the Congregation
The Congregationâs first priory was founded in Cotignac in the diocese of FrĂ©jus-Toulon, at the request of Mgr Bishop Barthe. In response to requests from other bishops, more priories were founded all over the world, rapidly attracting international vocations. By 2023, the Congregation had 450 members and nearly 50 priories.
Father Marie-Dominique Philippe was Prior General from 1975 to 2001. In 2001, the General Chapter elected Brother Jean-Pierre-Marie Guérin-Boutaud as his successor. At the end of his second term in 2010, Brother Thomas Joachim was elected Prior General and his mandate was renewed in 2016. Since the General Chapter of May 2019, the Prior General has been Brother François-Xavier Cazali.
A Time of Trial and Reform
At the 2013 General Chapter, the Prior General informed the brothers that their founder had committed âacts contrary to chastityâ. This marked the beginning of a long process of conversion, purification and reform to combat and prevent situations of abuse in the Congregation.
In 2016, the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life sent a letter to the three Priors General of the Family of Saint John. Without playing down the difficulties the community has encountered, the authorities in Rome highlighted the beauty of our charism and its contemporary relevance, as well as the important work that has taken place within the community to rectify aspects that needed improvement. The letter said: âthe prospect of young people being called to religious life in your family is a good both for them and for the Church.â
In February 2019, the Prior General sent a letter to all the brothers of Saint John to take time once again to raise the sad issue of abuse in the community and address how the government of the community had worked on the issue since 2013.
In a new letter sent to the Prior General of the Brothers of Saint John on 18 February 2019, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life stated that, âacknowledging the work that has been undertaken, [the Congregation of Consecrated Life] wants to encourage the Brothers and Sisters of Saint John to continue along this path, humbly and with courage, confidence and determinationâ.
At the 2019 General Chapter, the Brothers voted for a statement on their relationship to the founder, in which they said:
âThe brothers therefore no longer refer to him as a norm for living out their charism today. They wish to bring an end to the centralised position he held in the community and unambiguously condemn his abusive actions (abuse of conscience, power and sexual abuse), as well as the dysfunction they engenderedâ.
Delve a little deeper
How are the different religious communities in the Family of Saint John linked?
Even though all three religious communities are united in one family â the Family of Saint John â each community has its own government, history and way of life. They are distinct from one another both juridically and financially.
The brothers and sisters work together on some of their missions: youth camps, parish work and family weeks, among others. Together they run some of the bigger events such as youth festivals and festivals for families. Although they usually have distinct offices, they have the same breviary. Three times a year the Council of the Family of St John brings together the three Priors General and those responsible for studies in each of the congregations.
The Contemplative Sisters today
The 62 sisters that currently make up the community of the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John have made the choice to cooperate with the Church authorities and to put in place the reforms asked of them during the crisis their community went through from 2009-2014.
Since this difficult time, the sisters have engaged in a process of reconstruction (cf. history of the Family of Saint John). To support this important and necessary process, they have for a number of years sought the help of people from outside the community, in particular female and male religious from other congregations.
What is an oblate?
Oblates are laypeople who desire to live their baptismal vocation in the footsteps of Saint John and who feel called to live the same charism of the Brothers and Sisters in the world by committing to secular oblature.
Oblates make a commitment to pray, to listen to the Word of God and to engage in fraternal charity. They offer an apostolic witness in the context of their respective families, parishes, and social and political responsibilities.
How do I become an oblate?
Whether married or single, young or old, anyone who wants to live by the spirituality of the Family of Saint John is able to become an oblate.
Oblates live out and bear witness to their baptism in the manner of St John, whilst living in the world. Before becoming an oblate, a candidate undergoes a period of preparation lasting from one to three years. This allows them to discern their aspirations and to deepen their understanding of the charism of the Family of Saint John. In order to achieve this, the candidate lives according to the rule of the oblates, participates in oblate meetings in their respective priory and follows at least two retreats preached by the Brothers or Sisters. Preparation for oblature is carried out under the supervision of the prior of the candidateâs nearest priory. At the end of the period of preparation, the decision belongs to the prior, following consultation with the members of the priory, as to whether the person can become an oblate. If you would like more information, please contact your nearest priory. If you are interested in becoming an oblate, please contact the prior or prioress of your nearest priory. You can then get more information and discern whether this path is for you.
Where are the Brothers of Saint John in the fight against abuse?