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In
oratione, labore et caritate: pax |
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The very name of the Congregation gives the clue to its
spirituality:
BROTHERS of the HOLY FAMILY.
Brothers in
word and deed.
"You bear the sweet name of Brothers. Let no one call you by
any other name. Titles may awaken
or demand respect, but Brother has an air purely of
charity and simplicity".
(Br. Gabriel Taborin)
The Constitutions describe the
religious consecration of the Brother, lived in accordance
with the charism of Gabriel Taborin in two ways: as the
characteristic which gives us our identity in the Church and
as a means of recreating today the life of Jesus in
Nazareth, where his experiences in his family were what He
later preached to others.
For a Brother, living the spirituality of the Holy Family of
Nazareth means recreating the mystery of
that family in today's terms, and keeping
it alive. We do this mainly by living simply, through
meditation and humility, in other words, by making the
extraordinary history of the Gospel come true in ordinary,
everyday activities.
Work, prayer and brotherhood are the constant pattern of
this Nazarene lifestyle, summed up in the motto:
"In oratione, labore et
caritate: Pax".
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Brothers in prayer.
The choice of the religious
life is founded, amongst other things, on a natural
inclination to prayer: the religious must have a desire to
meet God.
For a Brother of the Holy Family, a life of prayer is a
daily need for silence and meditation. Our prayers are
simple, trusting, joyful, as befits a son who takes to the
Father his concerns for his own apostolate, the needs of the
brothers, those of the Church and of the world. We continue
to pray at other times of the day to show that we love God
and are aware of His presence.
For a Brother, sharing in the Eucharist is the act which
most clearly expresses his religious consecration. Through
Christ's example, we learn to give ourselves in love to God
and to humanity.
Anyone who wishes may join us in celebrating the liturgy of
the hours, an important time in the community's life of
prayer.
"Prayer
has been the cornerstone of our Institute; it will be one of
the strongest pillars to uphold it."
(Br.Gabriel Taborin NG p. XXVII)
"In their life
as a community, prayer is the most important feature of the
Brothers' consecration to God for the sake
(Constitutions, Art. 129)
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Brothers at work.
Being a Brother means being with
others and for others. For a Brother, the only satisfactory
way to work is by being attentive and open to others: by
giving and giving of oneself. That is why we willingly put
our talents, our abilities, our whole selves at the service
of God's work, wherever we may be sent, in obedience to our
vows.
The Constitutions see apostolic activity as an essential
aspect of our consecration to God and the Kingdom, and a
practical expression of our love for our fellow human
beings. The specific area in which the Brothers work is
education: in the Institute's own schools, or sometimes in
State schools, and in centres of professional formation,
catechesis and liturgical animation. So, we receive a solid
professional formation and take the necessary examinations,
keeping abreast of current trends so that we can respond to
the demands of a rapidly changing society.
The Brothers pay special attention to the disadvantaged:
young people, the poor and families in difficulty.
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Brothers in community.
Life in a community means taking
pleasure in sharing with other Brothers the same passion for
God, the same desire to serve, selflessly, and with respect
and generosity, as we meet the stresses and strains of
everyday life and work. The Brothers form a family community
where each individual is welcomed, encouraged, loved and
helped.
Time is set aside each day - as well as longer periods
during the year - for getting together, for talking, for
relaxation, moments when joys and problems are shared.
Anything that strengthens the bonds of fraternity is celebrated:
birthdays, anniversaries, study sessions...
"Each
member welcomes his Brothers as a gift from God"
(Const. Art. 90)
"Your religious life is not just living together, but a
communion of persons. Your Brothers are a gift from the
Father.
Take care of them. Love them.
Th
too consider you as a gift from the
Father."
(Introduction to the Constitutions)
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A sense of
family.
In their community life, the Brothers
try to recreate "the same feeling that united Jesus, Mary
and Joseph in Nazareth, which has its origin in the Holy
Trinity and which creates and transforms the bonds that God
placed at the heart of the natural family."
This spirit is expressed in the qualities that give the
Brothers of the Holy Family their special nature, that
demonstrate and nourish their sense of family: joy,
conversation, understanding, tact, simplicity, service.
Brother Gabriel defined this way of living as "team spirit
and a sense of family" and he passed on a practical
expression of that spirit to the Brothers:
"My
dear Brothers one thing that contributes greatly to the
happiness, success and strength of a religious society and
which lightens the burden of the person
God has chosen to be its Superior, is its "team spirit and
sense of family". It springs from charity, and hence from
God himself, who is the source of charity... In a
congregation which truly has this
spirit, all the members have but one heart and one soul;
they love each other, help each other, share
each other's joys and sorrows, successes and setbacks..."
(Const. Art. 13)
The sense of family is also a
distinguishing feature of the Brothers' work in education
and their relationships with all who collaborate with them,
whether at work or in the apostolate.
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The Holy Family
of Nazareth, a model for all time.
The Holy Family of Nazareth is a model
for every community.
"The
Brothers perceive the Holy Family as the most perfect
earthly fulfilment of the loving community which is the
Holy Trinity. They demonstrate their will
to serve God and humanity by living the
mystery of Christ, in his family life
with Mary and Joseph."
(Const. Art. 6)
We set aside every Monday for special
veneration of our patron saints.
At Christmastime, we joyfully share in the close family
relationships of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
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