Religious Brothers Day, marked May 1st, offers the opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for religious Brothers in our lives. It also offers an opportunity to consider how we all invite, walk with, and encourage young people to discern God’s call in their life.
All are invited to mark the day through engaging in one or more of the opportunities presented to participate.
Inspire & invite young people to consider the Brothers’ vocation
Give thanks for the Brothers that have impacted your life
Celebrate the gift of Religious Brotherhood
MAY 1, 2022
Resources
Videos
Religious Brothers Day Virtual Gathering
Join us on May 1 for Religious Brothers Day! A one hour Zoom program from 1:30-2:30 PM (Eastern Time) will include prayer, reflections, and an opportunity for small group conversation. Enjoy a variety of perspectives – from clerics, laity, women religious, and brothers themselves – before a chance for open discussion with other brothers. Sponsored by the CMSM, NRVC, RBC, and RFC. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZUucemqrjwoH9HH61cb0berJpVoy…
Ideas, Activities, Prayers
For Religious Brothers Day, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men put together a new resource guide of ideas, activities, and prayers that can be utilized to participate in the day. Download the guide.
Background & Other Resources
- The Vatican Document published in 2015, “Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church,” is the first official Church document to address Religious Brotherhood. It is lengthy, but you may find it helpful. DOWNLOAD
- This video featuring Franciscan Brother Nick Romeo is a particularly good background resource for teachers; he does a fine job of articulating the gift and mission of Brotherhood within the Church. WATCH
- The Religious Brothers website is another good resource. VISIT
- Videos of Brothers from other congregations
Some other ideas to participate in the day include:
- Offering specific prayers or a day of prayer for Brothers and vocations to the consecrated life (a prayer serviceand prayer card are available as resources);
- Watching and showing vocation videos of the Brothers’ vocation and life.
- Writing a hand-written note, or email, of gratitude to a Brother you know.
- Specific invitation to young people, pondering the question, “have you ever thought about being a Brother?”
Additional Resources:
- Prayer Card
- Prayer Services (Morning and Evening)
- Letter on Religious Brothers Day from Papal Nuncio to the United States
- Listing of congregations of Religious Brothers
- Vatican Document, “Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church“
- Religious Brothers Day, www.yearforconsecratedlife.com
- Religious Life Today, 2020 study highlighting recent young women and men joining religious life, from the National Religious Vocation Conference.