The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is a day to honor the [earthly] father of Jesus as well as the religious brothers who serve the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA. Religious Brothers Day is celebrated on May 1. On that day, among the many attending the noon Mass at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA, there were eight religious brothers with more watching online.
In his opening remarks, Friar Gary JOHNSON, the Vicar Provincial and Director of the Shrine said, “We give them [the religious brothers] thanks for their witness of the Franciscan life. We ask God to help us to acknowledge their commitment to our Order and to us in a way that will help us honor God this Easter season and help us all see what total commitment to Jesus Christ looks like.”
During the Mass, a reflection was offered by Friar Sebastian DE BACKER, OFM Conv., a religious brother who will make his solemn profession of vows at the Shrine on May 2, 2025. He said, “I think the real question of vocation isn’t, ‘What is God calling me to do?’ but rather, ‘Who is God calling me to be?’“
He explained that the vocation of a religious brother is never private. “It’s a response to God’s love and a gift to others,” he said, “A brother’s life is rooted in prayer, nourished by relationships, and shaped by a desire to be a sign of God’s tenderness in the world for all.”
Prior to the offertory, Friar Gary offered a special blessing for the religious brothers: “Lord God, bless those called to the religious brotherhood, those gathered here and throughout our communality and our Church. Let Your Spirit uphold them always as they continue their fidelity to their call of God to both service and witness among your people.”
The gift of the religious brother is “not to be a star but to be a light,” Brother Sebastian said. “A quiet light. A faithful flame that burns without consuming. A presence. A witness. A brother to all.”
Kevin A. KEENAN, Director of Communications
