Vocations with the Brothers of St. Patrick

Superior General Brother Jerome directing the First Profession of Brother Joseph, July 3, 2010

The Patrician Brothers have missions in Ireland, India, USA, Australia,
Kenya, Ghana and Papua New Guinea and encourage men from all ethnic
and racial groups to consider a vocation with our Order.

What is a Brother?
The Brother’s Vocation
Brothers are men who have been called. God calls some to be priests and some to be brothers. They are two distinct vocations.

The Brothers’ vocation is a special call from God complete in itself. Brothers live in a community under the authority of a superior. We find in our way of life, satisfaction for our tastes and ideals, and we are content in a life for which our God-given talents, abilities and interests have fitted us.

Being a disciple has to do with following Christ’s example with personal holiness, personal loyalty to Christ and personal love for Christ.

The Brothers are a group of men who try to follow Christ in their daily life through:

Prayer

Eucharist

Community Living

Christian Service

What Does a Brother Do?

The Patrician Community is a group of unique members of differing backgrounds, temperaments, desires, goals, and ideals. Nevertheless, the community allows such unique and differing members to come together to pray, to share Eucharist, to learn from and help one another and to enjoy community. Each Brother works for a union of minds and hearts among the members.

Primarily an active congregation, the Brothers view as their highest goal God's honor and glory by the proper employment of the talents He has given them. To this end, they follow a way of life that obligates them to the perpetual observance of the vows of celibacy, poverty and obedience and a rule of the congregation. Joining action to contemplation, the Brothers dedicate themselves to the particular end of their vocation.

The Brother lives his vocation engaged in works suted to the needs of the present time. Brothers are involved in education and apostolates such as campus ministries, hospital ministries, parish ministries, youth ministries, counseling and charismatic programs.

A Day in the Life of a Brother

7:00 am—Morning Prayers and Meditation
8:00 am—Holy Mass
8:45 am—Breakfast
9:15 am to 5:00 pm—-Brothers Ministries
5:20 pm—-Evening Prayers
5:40 pm—-Dinner
6:00 pm—Rosary and Night Prayers
6:30 pm—Recreation and Personal Work

How To Become a Brother?

Formation formally commences with a pre-Novitiate period of up to two years in which the candidate examines more closely Patrician Brotherhood by living in one of the Patrician communities. The Novitiate of two years is a time for prayer, reflection and closer study of the Patrician way of life, its rules and Constitution, the bible and catechitics.

Formation concerns the human, spiritual and pastoral dimensions in the development of a Patrician Brother; it is adapted to the needs of the individual and to the Brothers as a whole. During the time of temporary vows, the Brother pursues college courses and needed. He will be expected to have or obtain bachelor's and master's degree.

We cordially invite prospective candidates who may be considering giving their lives to God's service and that of youth to look into this mode of life with us.

Are You Called?

Do you have a sense of humor?
Do you like to work with people?
Do you want to make a difference in the world?
Can you lead?
Do you sense there is a deeper meaning to life?
Are you sensitive to the needs of others?
Do you think there is usually more than one way to do something?

Do you get satisfaction from getting involved?
Do you consider yourself to be a hopeful, positive thinker?
Are you concerned with the direction that our society is taking?

If you found yourself answering yes to most of the questions above, you are probably giving thoughtful consideration as to what you could do with your life.

More than likely, you view your time and your life as unique resources which are too important to waste. You probably want to do more than “just a job”—you want to make a difference.

There is a great need in the Church for creativity and for individuals who can communicate through word and action the message of the Gospel. Do you think you can make a difference to the Church in your lifetime?

We take this opportunity to invite you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to consider following Him in this special way. Think about the source of all your talents and gifts. Think how you could share these gifts with many people, both young and old.

Listen to the voice deep within as it calls you to Come and Serve. Do you feel ready to to consider this challenging though rewarding way of life?

FORMATION

For the Patrician Brother, formation is a life-long journey. We choose to live our Baptismal consecration by living celibacy in communities, sharing poverty, and obediently listening to one another.

Formation concerns the human, spiritual and pastoral dimensions in the development of a Patrician Brother; it is adapted to the needs of the individual candidate and to the Brothers as a whole.

Formation formally commences with a pre-Novitiate period of up to two years in which the candidate examines more closely Patrician Brotherhood by living in one of the Patrician communities. The Novitiate of two years is a time for reflection and closer study of the various aspects of Patrician Brotherhood and Church. The candidate may then make his First Profession of Vows - Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. He lives his Brotherhood engaged in the works of the Brothers and/or in further study. After five years, he may apply for Final Profession of Vows.

Ever since their coming to the United States, the Brothers have had as their principal aim the education of youth. More recently, other areas where youth and the poor can be served have involved the Brothers in Campus Ministry, Counseling and Parish Ministry.

Today we see the pressing need to provide our youth with a sound, solid Christian education, and we invite men, preferably in the 20-30 age bracket, to ponder the idea of dedicating their lives to serving God and youth in this calling. We also invite readers of this to join us in fervent prayer to God to send labourers into His vineyard to aid the church and the Brothers in a combined effort to spread the good news.

Potential candidates coming to us get the feel of this kind of life by following a schedule of daily prayer, study and self-appraisal. Some months after entering, they begin the Novitiate training, which lasts for two years. During this time emphasis is placed on dedication to God and the vows of the consecrated life and of all the requirements of such a life is made. Great emphasis is placed on the role of prayer, on the study of scripture and doctrine, and all the factors necessary for true community living.

Following the two years of the Novitiate, the candidate takes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience annually for a period of at least five years. Then the Brother takes final vows if he really feels that this is God's will for him.

During the time of temporary vows, the Brother pursues college courses as needed. He will be expected to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees.

We cordially invite prospective candidates who may be considering giving their lives to God's service and that of youth to look into this mode of life with us.

We also invite the prayers of all - young and old - to join with us in daily prayer that God will call many labourers into His vineyard to aid us in that most indispensable of works - the education of youth and of aiding the poor. What better way could there be to serve God and country? "

Young men interested in the life and wishing to labor with youth at the high school level or helping the poor should apply for further details to:

Bro. Aquinas Cassin
Provincial Office,
P.O. Box 116,
Midway City,
California 92655, U.S.A.
Phone: 714 - 897 8181
Fax: 714 - 898 9020
email: brothersoc@yahoo.com

Daily Prayers for Vocations

Loving and Gracious God, You are the giver of all good gifts. We ask You to look upon us in Your kindness and mercy and grant more laborers to Your Vineyard.

We especially ask You to send more worthy Priests, Patrician Brothers and Brigidine Sisters into Your Holy Church. You are attentive to those who ask, seek, and knock. Enkindle in the hearts of men and women the spark of a vocation.

Through the intercession of St. Patrick, St. Columba, St. Brigid and that of the Blessed and Virgin Mother of Your Son, we beseech You and ask You to hear us O Lord.

Amen

May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go,
and guide you in whatever you do--
and may his loving protection be a blessing to you always.