What is a Brother?
A brother is a lay religious who consecrates himself to Christ and the Church by vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience. Although ministry is essential to the life of the brother, it does not define his life. Rather, what characterizes the brother's life as unique is his lifestyle. To be a "brother" to another requires fraternal friendship and love. As a vowed religious, he lives in a community committed to prayer and to one another. Centered in community and his own interior life, a brother is able to meet the needs of the Church in ministry.
What is unique about the Holy Cross Brothers?
Our mission is to be "educators in the faith" to men and women everywhere, especially the poor, afflicted and oppressed. The Holy Cross Brothers faithfully fulfill this mission as teachers, administrators, social workers, and parish ministers, often in collaboration with our Holy Cross Priests and Sisters.
Prayer is at the root of our lives as Holy Cross Brothers. In addition to our own private prayer, we commit to pray in common twice a day. We also commit ourselves to daily Eucharist, for it is at the Lord's table where we are fortified for our commitment, and where we find ourselves especially close in our brotherhood.
Because we serve the Lord in a "brotherhood," and not as independent individuals, we live together in community.
Through the sharing of our heritage, responsibility, recreation and prayer, we fraternally support one another.
BECOME A HOLY CROSS BROTHER?
Discernment is a process of decision-making that assists us in distinguishing what may be of God and what may be of ourselves.
The two do not necessarily have to be opposed because the choice is often between that of two goods. In discernment, however, we try to be attentive to those inner movements within ourselves that may or may not be of God.
For someone who is discerning the vocation of a Holy Cross Brother, we recommend the following:
Prayer and Personal Reflection:
A . What are my gifts, talents, strengths and weaknesses? Do these express a realistic assessment of myself? Which of my gifts are consistent with the mission of Holy Cross?
B . What decision am I currently considering and how does it influence my relationship with the Lord? my service to the Church? to Holy Cross?
C. What are my initial reasons for moving toward this decision? What motivates me?
Discussion:
A . Discuss the above answers with a spiritual director, vocation director, and close friends. Do they affirm my responses? What modifications do they suggest?
B. What other lifestyle options interest me? Realistically, can I envision myself in these options?
C . Why am I considering these options? What do I find attractive in each of them?
D . Of the options before me, which one do I believe the Lord is leading me toward? What is the relationship between that belief and what my feelings tell me I would like to do?
E . Take some time before making your decision. Be patient with yourself.
Initial Decision:
A . What do I have to do to initiate my decision? Am I comfortable with that?
B . Can I clearly articulate my reasons and desires for my decision? Do other people need to help me in formalizing my decision? If yes, who?
C . Is my decision rooted in love? Do I have a sense of inner peace and calm about it?
Confirmation:
Test your decision by living with it for a period of time.
Do you still feel comfortable? Do you still experience that same sense of peace?
Bring your decision to prayer.
FORMATION-BOOKLET
