On 25 January, in Rome, the General Curia of the Society of Jesus hosted the inaugural International Commission on the Jesuit Brother, which marks the beginning of a three-year process to help deepen the Jesuit Brother vocation.

The new Commission, which was initiated by the global leader of the Jesuits, Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, will address fundamental issues such as the identity and mission of the Jesuit Brother in today’s world, vocation promotion, and formation processes (the way Jesuit Brothers are trained).

The vocation of Jesuit Brother has been strongly promoted as important by all the General Superiors of the Society of Jesus, especially those since Vatican II. Servant of God, Pedro Arrupe SJ, said in a talk to all the Jesuit Brothers in Rome in 1978: “The contribution of the Brothers, both to community life and that of the apostolate, is irreplaceable.”

St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, soon after the Society was approved, had the new Order re-instituted in 1550 to officially include Brothers (and Spiritual Co-adjutors). It seems he did this because he could not carry out the mission effectively without this provision.  

Br Stephen Power SJ, Socius of the British Province of Jesuits, said:

“The Brother’s vocation, apart from involving men in very varied ministries, from astronomist, to artist, to teacher, to cook, also keeps the Society’s priestly mission as free as possible from a clericalism so derided by Pope Francis.

“The new Commission will discern on how best to describe and present this vocation in the world of today, for the better promotion of our mission. The vocation is a hard one, but great things are achieved with perseverance through adversity!”

Br Mikhael Ahmad SJ, who joined the Society of Jesus five years ago and is studying in Paris, said:

"What surprises me most is how, no matter what role a Jesuit Brother takes on—no matter how "ordinary" or "everyday" his circumstances may seem—there is a special grace at work that produces extraordinary acts of service and love, both within the community and in the lives of those we minister to."

Jesuit Brothers are fully professed members of the Society of Jesus, but unlike Priests, they are not ordained. Instead of sacramental duties, Brothers focus on various ministries such as education, administration, spiritual direction, social justice, or technical work. They live out their vocation through service and community life, emphasizing the non-ordained aspects of religious life, although some also take leadership roles in the Society.

Jesuit Brothers from around the world, two Jesuit priests, a religious sister, and lay collaborator attended the first meeting of the Commission. This diverse composition reflects the spirit of collaboration that characterizes the Jesuits’ way of proceeding in today’s world.

If you are interested in a vocation in the Society of Jesus please visit our vocations website here.

Banner photo: Fr Arturo Sosa SJ meeting with Jesuit Brothers (courtesy of Jesuits Global)