Consecrated life is a vocation just as marriage and priesthood. Both men and women can choose to consecrate their lives to Christ as a way to seek an intimate relationship with him.
I am a brother with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT); a Society of Apostolic Life, a missionary community serving those in deepest apostolic need.
Growing up in the northeast of England, as a young man I only knew about priests and nuns. My first role models were diocesan priests who enabled me to start serving the Church.
The Church has few vocations to religious brothers. This may be because this vocation is not widely known.
One of the priests, who supported me in my vocation, knew that God called me to serve his Church. At the time I thought God was calling me to become a diocesan priest, but that was not the case. Through others’ guidance I felt that God was calling me to be a religious brother.
At the time of my discernment, there were several religious brothers that I got to know, including some with the Dominican Order at the Dominican Priory in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. This was my first exposure to religious life.
Brothers use their gifts, skills and experience in the community and mission they serve. The men who inspired me were great brothers. One was a sacristan, another a plumber, another ran a soup kitchen and another served at one of the major hospitals.
In the Diocese of Corpus Christi there are only four religious brothers. They use the gifts that God has given them for the glory of God and his people. Brothers serve in many ways, including evangelization, education, healthcare, social work, trades and the arts.
Though life as a brother is challenging it is also exciting. I gained many brothers (and sisters) in the Church through my own witness of Christ.
As brothers, we use gifts that God has given us. I have the gifts that God gave me as music, administration, sacristan, master of ceremonies and teaching.
Before joining SOLTs, I served as an organist both in England and in the United States. I also volunteered with a local hospital in the northeast of England.
I wrote a formation program for my community which has been running now for two years.
After serving as a secretary to our regional superior, I moved into pastoral work in a parish in Corpus Christi and mentor younger brothers in formation to become permanent brothers. We have more permanent brothers coming through to serve the people of God in missions.
In SOLT, as religious brothers we take the three promises of poverty, chastity and obedience. SOLT members usually live in community and are dedicated to a specific apostolic or missionary task. We serve in ecclesial teams, which comprise of priests, religious and laity serving together.
I have been with SOLT for 12 years. I walk with faith loving Jesus, serving him through my witness of brotherhood to all.
I encourage any young Catholic man who is single, older than 18-years-of-age and feels called to serve in the vineyard to come and serve the people of God as a priest or as a brother. Talk to your priest or the nearest religious community of men who are serving near where you live.
I love being a brother, being in family and being part of a community.