What is Religious Brothers Day?
Religious Brothers Day is May 1, 2023, and offers all who know, all who minister alongside, and all whose lives have been transformed by religious brothers to celebrate and hold up their vocation and contributions within Church and society.
Religious brothers are often a “best-kept secret” of the Church, however, their contributions historically and in present-day to live and give communal witness to distinct and dynamic ways of living the Gospel are profound and prophetic. Widely, Brothers of many congregations’ ongoing ministry in the fields of education, healthcare, and social services, among others, is essential to building up a more just and humane world.
As De La Salle Christian Brothers, we live out our communities charism and mission by providing an evangelizing presence mainly through the ministry of education of young people, especially attentive to those on the margins.
We hope this Religious Brothers’ Day you are able to:
- Celebrate the gift of Religious Brotherhood within the Church.
- Give thanks for the Brothers that have impacted your life.
- Inspire and invite young men to consider the Brothers’ vocation.
When is Religious Brothers Day?
Religious Brothers Day happens annually on May 1st, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph was known for his service, deep faith, and accompaniment of Jesus, relational traits that many religious brothers live out in their work and vocation.
10 Religious Brothers Day Activities and Ideas
All are invited to mark the day by engaging in one or more of the opportunities presented:
1. Learn More About the De La Salle Christian Brothers
In 30 Seconds…
Sharing about the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers) and their call to provide a human and Christian education to young people, especially those on the margins. An introduction to the Brothers, their vocation, charism and mission at is lived out in the world today.
In Their Own Words…
Brother Mark, Brother Paul, and Brother Kyle share about their vocation as De La Salle Christian Brothers. They share about how the Brothers’ vocation is a call that integrates a life-giving spirituality, engaging service and ministry and lived out in community.
2. Learn More About Religious Brothers in the Church
The National Religious Vocation Conference is an organization that partners with congregations and vocation directors to look at ways to invite, encourage, and accompany young people who are discerning religious life. Their site, highlights a variety of Church resources, as well as a listing of other orders with religious Brothers.
3. Pray for Religious Brothers
4. Join Religious Brothers in Prayer
A special time of prayer, storytelling, and celebration will be hosted by the Midwest District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. It is meant especially for those within our Lasallian community who have lived, ministered, and shared joyfully in the communal witness the De La Salle Christian Brothers continue to share. Contact us to learn more.
5. Share Your Gratitude
In writing, with a phone call, or email, let a Brother(s) know you are thinking of them. Share your gratitude for their vocation, and the impact they’ve had on your life, and the lives of many others. Do you have a specific memory or story that comes to mind, recall that in sharing your thanks.
6. Share Socially
Post about Religious Brothers! Post about the day, post about the impact of them in your life, and post an invitation and encouragement to young people to be open to God’s call in their lives.
Connect with us on our social media as well!
7. Listen and Join the Conversation
The Brothers’ Banter podcast is created and hosted by two religious brothers looking to invite everyone into a conversation about religion, spirituality, current events, and all things Lasallian.
8. Learn about Young People Entering Religious Life Today!
RELIGIOUS LIFE TODAY
We hope this information offers a deeper understanding of newer entrants to religious life and how young people are saying “yes” to God’s call in their lives as religious sisters, brothers, and priests.
9. Serve and Volunteer alongside Brothers
Beyond an appreciation event, what opportunities might there be in your local setting to serve with Brothers and volunteer? Either in a ministry related to their charism – education, for example, or in a volunteer experience that is attentive to social justice needs and marginalized communities in our society. While this will take some planning, so it might not happen May 1, maybe it’s an invitation to explore what this can look like to do more frequently.
10. Invite, Encourage, Accompany Young People as they discern God’s call in their lives
This doesn’t necessarily mean asking every young person you know, “Have you ever thought about being a Brother?” Rather, it means being in trusting and caring relationships with young people where they feel named and known, creating spaces of belonging. In these spaces, deeper questions of meaning and exploring of purpose can be asked. It’s incredible the world Springtide Research Institute is doing to listen to young people and offer adults inform, insights, and action steps how to better accompany and be attentive to their needs. Check out their research.
In Summary
In the Rule of the Brothers, it is written, “all are responsible for awakening vocations in the Church.” Our invitation and hope is that Religious Brothers Day is one way you can awaken or re-awaken your own vocation, as well as awaken the vocational call in others in your life.
Thanks for all you do to participate and promote Religious Brothers Day!