Communication, Dialogue & Lessons

Over the past week or so I have been journeying through the challenge of what it means to be part of a religious community. I’ll be honest – it’s not all roses, it is very much like growing up with siblings. Through the challenges and questions and frustrations I have continued to grow, learn and open myself up to the blessings and realize the gifts of community.

Communication is key in any situation but sometimes it is hard to do. Pope Francis has reminded religious brothers that approaching these challenges must be done with tenderness. For “tenderness does us good. Eucharistic tenderness does not mask conflict but rather helps us to confront it like people.” It is this approach that has shaped the communication of the past week and I didn’t even know it was happening. Thank goodness God is in control. So with tenderness and honesty in conversations with my fellow Postulant Brother, my Provincial (head Friar) and my Director of Formation my heart is more at peace. These conversations needed to happen for many reasons and in the end I see again that this journey is the path for me.

Something that was brought to my attention that I don’t think about, is that no matter where you are you need to make your surroundings your home. It has been pointed out to me that I work at and put effort into this as a natural part of my daily living. I owe thanks to my parents for this, for I saw them make our house a home no matter what condition it was in or what chaos was happening. It was a home for us, for extended family, for our friends and neighbors. This is a part of who I am and for that I am so thankful.

Dialogue is also a blessing. Recently we sat down as a group of Friars and postulants to discuss the document “Wake Up the World: A Conversation with Pope Francis about Religious Life”. I think many of my Brothers thought it would be a quick half hour discussion. It turned into two hours of sharing, input, stories, concerns, dreams, cautions, realities and honesty. We discussed everything from formation, to serving the poor, to life as a Brother to what it means to be a Friar. What a blessing to sit in the group and listen and learn and ask questions and share. It helped me to appreciate even more community life, the demands and riches of religious life and the deep desire to live out the gospel in real ways.

At the end of this conversation I walked away with some key lessons I now will try to remember and implement in my journey…

We are not the Holy Spirit but we need to be open to the Holy Spirit working in us.

There are a variety of roles for each Friar to take on and contribute their gifts towards.

There is wide diversity in the ministries that we are called to serve in and how we reach out to the People of God.

Personal growth is a key part of formation and the whole journey as a religious. We must be open to always learning and growing for the people we journey with both the Brothers and the larger community challenge us to grow and inspire us.

The ‘yes’ of my baptism is constantly deepening and enriching my journey.

We cannot have tunnel vision for if we do we lose sight of all of the above and forget about the ultimate goal that all these lead to and that is Christ Jesus.

I think this is awesome stuff and so with a deepening peace and enthusiasm in my heart I journey onward in my formation as a (religious) Brother.

Did You Know?

February 2 is World Day for Consecrated Life. Pope John Paul II commissioned this day. It is designed to bring attention to those in religious life and the gifts they offer through living out their vows.

I humbly ask for your continued prayers and for your prayers for all men and women in religious life (nuns, brothers, religious priests) and those discerning the call to religious life.

Prayer for Vocations

Faithful God,

We celebrate your fidelity and love for your Church.

You bless us and call us into a covenant with you,

with Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit.

Mary accepted this covenant,

offering herself as your blessed handmaid.

You entrusted her with your Son, Jesus,

and in turn she became our mother too.

Like Jesus and Mary,

bless us with a trusting spirit

that we might serve you faithfully.

Inspire men and women to dedicate their lives

to you through the consecrated life.

Help us to invite, encourage and support

men and women to serve the Church.

Blessed are we as we seek to live our lives

in holiness and integrity.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus

and his Blessed Mother in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen

            Source: SIVC