One of the Society of Jesus’ greatest annual feasts celebrates the life and gift of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez – Patron of the Brothers. Our Jesuit Brothers have a communal and an apostolic influence that reaches far and wide because of their true “simplicity.” They live and love out of the Spiritual Exercises. Below is a reflection from one of the Society’s Brothers whose heart is on fire for Jesus. Listen with your heart and see if his story resonates with yours.
When I was in high school I began to feel the call to be a brother – a lay brother, as we were called then. (We are now, by change in Jesuit governance, called coadjutor brothers.) I did not want to be a priest nor did I want to be a teaching brother. There was something different in my heart.
After high school I had a good job, good friends and a steady girlfriend, but still, I kept hearing that call to my heart. My life was normal and successful, but I felt the need for more in my heart. Finally, I decided to check out the Jesuits, and before I knew it, I was applying to be Brother in this group of men serving the Church. I went through all the formal testing and entered the novitiate in January, 1961.
Why Jesuit? I became a Jesuit because during a high school retreat and a long talk with a Jesuit priest, my heart felt encouraged and inspired to consider this Jesuit vocation. The rest is history; and it has been a wonderful 48 years.
As a Jesuit Brother, I professed the same vows of poverty, chastity and obedience that a Jesuit priest does. Although I’m not ordained, we are all Jesuits with lives focused on Jesus, and lived for Jesus.
In my years in the Society I have served in college and high school administrative offices, been a church sacristan, spent two years in Nigeria giving retreats and helping set up a new retreat house. And now, I am helping spread the written word by working at America Magazine for a total of 17 years, three as managing editor.
My life in community has been a very important part of being a Jesuit. Community liturgy, common life and daily interaction with my fellow Jesuits all make me feel part of one, big, happy family. As a Jesuit Brother, my obligations differ from the priests, but principally, for me, I have more time to be aware of ways in which I can be of help in the community. I pray that God will give me many more years to serve him in this least Society. I pray too, that men respond generously to God’s Call to join the Society of Jesus – brother or priest.
Be an Attentive Heart of Service for Jesus!