May 1 marks the second annual Religious Brothers Day. Also the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker, this day is set aside to recognize and pray for religious brothers around the world.
Religious brothers play a vital role in the life of the Church, taking the same vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as priests. Although not ordained, they live, work, and pray in community with other brothers and priests, and can serve in a variety of capacities depending on the ministries undertaken by their particular community.
According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), there were more than 54,000 religious brothers worldwide in 2015, and more than 200 of those brothers are Spiritans.
Despite the large number of religious brothers, the role of a religious brother within the Church remains a mystery to some. Brother Michael Suazo, C.S.Sp., Vocation Director for the Congregation of the Holy Spirit U.S. Province, has fielded many questions over the years. He created a short video in honor of Religious Brothers Day to answer some commonly asked questions about religious brothers.
We are grateful for Brother Michael and all religious brothers worldwide and the important work they do. Read more about Brother Michael and his work with the Spiritans, or visit www.spiritans.org/path-to-spiritan-life/ to learn more about becoming a religious brother.