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Jesus
speaks:
Your
vocation: Preach the Gospel silently as I did in My
hidden life, and as also did Mary and Joseph.
Your
rule:
Follow Me,
do what I did, in every situation ask yourself: What
would Our Lord have done? Then do that. That is your
only rule, but it is absolutely binding on you.
What is needed to be a Little Brother or Sister of
Jesus Caritas?
- You must have a calling… it’s
that simple
- Male or female, married or divorced, with
children or without, heterosexual or homosexual, older
or younger, legal or illegal citizenship… when you are
called, you answer
- No vocation is the same so we may answer
differently based on our life circumstances, but you just
have to answer
- If the person were to live away from Providence, RI then it would be ideal if the candidate had former religious formation
If you think that you are called to this charism, what is the next step?
- Pray long and hard about it. If you have a calling to this lifestyle, the calling will not go away
- Read, pray, study, and live the Gospel
- Talk to other people about your decision but don't anticipate a lot of support
- Read biographies of Bl. Charles de Foucauld
- Contact us through mail or email
Questions:
Q. What are the vows?
A. Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.
Chastity will only mean celibacy for those who chose that commitment. Chastity otherwise means being faithful to the lifestyle to which you're called. Those who are in a relationship would carry the expectation of monogamy and fidelity. A married person could still become a community member.
Poverty is regulated by the individual. Money is not turned into a motherhouse, nor will stipends be supplied. Members are encouraged to take this vow seriously.
Obedience means to listen. Listen in prayer to God; listen to your fellow Brothers and Sisters in community; listen to superiors; listen to nature; listen for truth in praise and in criticisms...
Q. What if I'm gay?
A. The community welcome's anyone with this calling with open arms. We don't make people chose between their sexuality and God. A homosexual man or woman faces many of the same challenges as heterosexual community members. Both would be treated with equal dignity or respect.
Q. What would I do for ministry?
A. Bl. Charles lived among Arab people in Algeria. He gave himself to a life of prayer and presence in the community. He evangelized through friendship and although he did not have a single "convert" he was loved by his neighbors.
Other expressions of this charism have arisen in Bl. Charles' communities. One Sister traveled with the circus to offer pastoral care for the migrant and refugee communities who worked in the circus. Other members work in health care or other professional services. Some members work in very common jobs. A Brother or Sister could offer an effective ministry presence being the janitor at a college or working the register at Wal-mart. It is not as important what a Little Brother or Sister does for work, it is how he or she does the work. Work done with joy and love is ministry. Smiling is ministry. Listening is ministry. Everything we do must preach the Gospel and be ministry.
There is also a need for Sacramental ministry. For those members who feel called to be ordained but have not completed seminary, a seminary program will be needed. A separate process exists for seminary and ordination through your ordinary. If you have more questions about the process, please contact us.
Q. It sounds like anyone can be a Little Brother or Sister, is that true?
A. Yes and no. Most of the life of a Little Brother or Little Sister is just being a good person. Everyone is called to be a good person. This calling to be a Little Brother or Sister is more specific than being a good person. This life is one of sacrifice and commitment. It is a life of espousal love with Christ. This life is committed to the service of God, Church, and neighbor. If God has called a person to this vocation, it will be a task that is easy, a burden which is light.
Q. Do the members wear a habit?
A. As much as a habit is only the external expression of an internal disposition, it is important for witness purposes. Each member, in dialogue with a spiritual director, community steward, spouse, and employer will have to help you decide what is most appropriate given the situation which you are in. The community has a habit but other approved symbols may be approved given the situation.The habit is often the best symbol but there is flexibility given the circumstances.
Examples:
For a married woman with children: a simple dress, head kerchief, and symbol of the order would suffice.
For an ordained member: the collar and the symbol of the order
For someone employed where a uniform is required: the uniform and a community pin if allowed.
For someone who has to wear dress clothes for work: wear the symbol of the community.
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