BROTHERS
HY BE A BROTHER? Better yet, what is a brother? People often ask
me these questions, and in attempting to answer them I have dis-
covered that misconceptions about religious brotherhood abound:
“A brother is halfway to being a priest . . . brotherhood is an alternative for those
unable to handle the studies for priesthood . . . brothers are male nuns . . . .” And
the list goes on.
Others find it easier to define a brother by what we’re not, as opposed to who
and what we are. No wonder some say the brother’s vocation is one of the most
W
An often misunderstood vocation gets a moment
in the spotlight.
What does it mean
to be a brother?
BY BROTHER PAUL BEDNARCZYK, C.S.C.
Brother PaulBednarczyk,C.S.C. hasworked in education, formation,vocation ministry, and for 14years was executive director ofthe National Religious VocationConference. Hecurrently livesin Rome andserves as vicargeneral of hiscongregation.
