Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Praying with Brother André




I've been doing some traveling recently. I was in Toronto, Canada, with four other members of our Leadership Team. It was an opportunity to meet with the Brothers ministering in that part of our congregation. We spent a lot of time reflecting on our 2011 Chapter Vision Statement, we prayed, shared and enjoyed the gift of Brotherhood together.
We also visited Montreal city and had a guided tour of St. Joseph's Oratory on Mount Royal. This beautiful, prayerful and reflective place is associated with Frére Andre of Montreal. Our guide’s devotion to Br. André was quite evident as she narrated many anecdotes about his life with great enthusiasm. Our pilgrimage into the inner sanctuary where the "Saint of the Mountain" lies was a special and moving moment.
We also took the opportunity to visit the cemetery at Longueuil near Montreal where 44 Presentation Brothers are interred. They spent their lives working with poor emigrant children. We had a prayer service at the graveside.
We also celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Chapel of the Longueuil House of Prayer with friends of the Brothers and presented a candle to each of those in attendance. This was a reminder that we are all called to carry Christ's light in our lives. It is also a sign that Christ's message continues to shine today even with the allurement of our materialistic world.  
If you are interested in finding out more about the Presentation Brothers, feel free to call me or drop a line at your convenience. Just e-mail vocation@PresentationBrothers.org