Why not you?

What is a Brothers Vocation?

Religious Brothers serve a unique role in the Church and the world. As Brothers of the Christian Schools, founded in 1680, we are the largest Catholic religious order made up exclusively of Brothers. In following Jesus Christ and responding to the charism of our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, we Brothers consecrate ourselves to God through our apostolic ministry of education.

As Brothers, we are called to evangelize those entrusted to our care. Young people today hunger to be accompanied by trusted adults who will listen to them, care about them, and invite them to live in the Holy Presence of God. Sustained and nourished in community with our fellow Brothers, we strive to build community wherever we go.

The Discernment Process.

Are you thinking about a Brothers vocation?   Do you want to know more? 

Vocation is a process that begins with discernment, and discerning any vocation involves a combination of prayer, reflection, and accompaniment.  The first step is to contact a Brother to begin the conversation. Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, currently serves as Director of Vocation Ministry for the Midwest District, and he will accompany you through this initial phase of inquiry. He may invite you to consider the Contact Program.

Our Contact Program is  a more formal association with the Brothers, but still only part of the discernment process.  Becoming a Contact means you have decided to seriously discern a possible vocation to the Brothers.  At this point, a Vocation Director will meet regularly with you and may invite you to various gatherings and events to help you meet more Brothers. You may also be invited to a Contact retreat.

The Formation Process.

The first formal step into formation as a Brother is the Postulancy. This involves 1-3 years during which you will live in a Brothers community and be involved in a Lasallian ministry, while possibly pursuing advanced studies. During this stage you will be accompanied by a Brother and will take part in various gatherings with others in initial formation

The next step is Novitiate. This involves one full year at our novitiate residence in Chicago, where you will be living with other novices and spending the year deepening your commitment to Jesus Christ and learning more about consecrated life and the Brothers. You will also have the opportunity to be part of inter-community novitiate presentations.

The final phase of initial formation is the period of temporary vows. Once you are accepted for profession of vows, you will be placed in a community and ministry, and you will renew your vows annually for at least five years. At that point, you may be invited to make a life commitment as Brother by professing final vows.