Oblate Brothers: Witnesses of Evangelical Fraternity
The first thing that comes to mind when speaking about Oblate Brothers is the image of a genuine friend. The Brothers are a witness to charity and fraternity in the community. Life becomes warm, joyful, and welcoming with their presence.
A Shared Mission
In the Constitutions and Rules, our Book of Life, we read, “We come together in apostolic communities of priests and Brothers, united to God by the vows of religion” (C 1) and “As priests and Brothers, we have complementary responsibilities in evangelizing” (C 7). It is true: with the presence of Brothers, the community becomes complete. There is co-responsibility between priests and Brothers in announcing the Good News to those in need of salvation. Priests and Brothers are equal and complementary.
In the document “Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church,” it is said that the Brother is a living memorial for the Church’s awareness. The first ministry that Brothers incarnate in the Church as religious is “to remind the baptized of the fundamental values of the Gospel” and “the need to respond with holiness of life to the love of God poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 5: 5).” All other services and ministries offered by the various forms of consecrated life make sense only when rooted in this first ministry (no. 7, page 12).
Brothers are not defined primarily by their work or by services that distinguish them from priests. The image of Brothers as those who carry out manual tasks, offer professional skills, or do what priests cannot do limits the true meaning of their vocation. As the Church document also states, “The fraternity of Religious Brothers is an encouragement for the whole Church because it makes present the Gospel value of fraternal relationships of equality in the face of the temptation to dominate, to search for the best place, or to exercise authority as power” (p. 13).
Our Book of Life states that, “During the years after the novitiate, the Brother grows in appreciation of his special vocation. With this in mind, professional training prepares him for his specific role. His doctrinal and pastoral education is adapted to his work and ministry. Thus, in his own community as well as outside it, the Brother can give witness of solid faith and of service that is competent and selfless” (C 67). In dedicating his whole life, the Brother gives witness to faith and fidelity. Such testimony is a reminder to all—Brothers included—that their work in various services is worthy and holy because it touches the core of faith and fidelity. The life of the Brother is truly an oblation, a fragrant offering to God.
Joyful Witness in the Heart of the Church
In the apostolic community, Brothers are always a sign of unity—a living witness of hospitality, friendship, and joy as consecrated persons. Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, reminds the Brothers and all of us: “Sometimes we are tempted to find excuses and complain, acting as if we could only be happy if a thousand conditions were met… I can say that the most beautiful and natural expressions of joy that I have seen in my life were in poor people who had little to hold on to. I also think of the real joy shown by others who, even amid pressing professional obligations, were able to preserve, in detachment and simplicity, a heart full of faith…” (no. 7).
Yes. The Brother is a witness of solid faith in the simplicity of his heart. He is a source of joy in and outside the community. Today’s world needs people like you, my Brothers!
“You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, for you have only one Master, and you are all brothers” You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father who is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ” (Mt 23,8–10).
By Henricus Asodo Istoyo, OMI
Assistant General for Formation
Published on the OMI World website
