What exactly is a Brother?

A Brother is a man who consecrates himself to God and performs some service to God’s people. His call is to relate to others as Jesus did, as a brother.

Do Brothers take vows?

Brothers do take vows. The common vows for Brothers are the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This basically means that instead of having their own wealth, Brothers share their resources with one another; Brothers do not marry or pursue romantic relationships; when making decisions, Brothers try to listen to and follow God’s will for their life, rather than their own preferences. These vows can present challenges at times, but when lived well they can also contribute to a joy-filled life.

How is a Brother different from a priest?

The call of a Brother is to live the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience while offering non-sacramental service to God’s people through such works as education, health care, social work, spiritual accompaniment and prayer, whereas typical priestly ministry focuses on the celebration of the sacraments.

Do Brothers pray all day?

While prayer is an essential component of a Brother’s life, so is community and ministry.  While we take time for both private and communal prayer and try to remember God’s presence throughout the day, we also work, socialize, and take time for ourselves in much the same way that other people do.

Are Brothers monks?

Communities of Brothers, like the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, live in community and serve in an apostolic ministry direct service to others and are not monks. There are some Brothers who are monks who dedicate themselves to contemplative lifestyle in a monastery. 

Do the Franciscan Brothers wear a habit?

The Franciscan Habit that the Brothers wear consists of a uniform capuce and loose black tunic, girded with a white cord from which we suspend the Franciscan Crown rosary. As a sign of our unity, consecration, and poverty, we wear our Franciscan habit to regular community mass and according to the circumstances of time, place, and service.

How do the Franciscan Brothers pray?

Franciscan Brothers are called to pray communally and individually. The Brothers pray the Liturgy of the Hours and participate, where possible, in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, which is the center of our lives.  The Franciscan Brothers also make an annual retreat.

What is community life like?

Franciscan Brothers live in friaries.  Brothers live communally, sharing prayer and meals together and spending quality time with each other. Each friary strives to be a welcoming place that extends Franciscan hospitality.

What is your connection to the official Church?

We Brothers of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis form a lay religious institute of Pontifical Right.  We observe the life of the Gospel through prayer, apostolic works, and fraternity.  Our apostolate is to live the Gospel and make Christ present through our educational and pastoral ministries of the Church.

What do the Franciscan Brothers do?

Franciscan Brothers serve as teachers, counselors, pastoral ministers, spiritual directors, and mentors.  We also serve in soup kitchens and other direct service to the poor.