What Is Brotherhood?

This article originally appeared in The Boston Pilot's "Vocations Awareness" special feature on November 1, 2019. 

People often ask me, "What is a brother?" I like to turn that question around and ask, "What is brotherhood?"

In today's secular society, brotherhood is most often associated with a group of men bound together by a common cause. We see it in sports and the military, but it’s becoming harder to find examples of genuine brotherhood today. 

In the Catholic Church, the vocation to religious brotherhood is one of the oldest vocations we have. Our commitment to being men joined together on a mission is expressed in our name. There aren't a lot of brotherhoods in the Church, but that is definitely who we are. 

And we’re certainly not gathered around as a sports team. What brings us together is the true source of life, Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus is enough, and our simple and celibate lives witness to this fact. And we believe that the Lord has this unique calling — not only for us, but for other men as well. 

A vocation to religious life is a radical calling

Perhaps the military analogy comes closest to capturing our calling. As brothers, we are “spiritual marines” in and for the Church. Our mission to college students places us at the front lines of spiritual battle in the New Evangelization. But we also serve together in “tight units” of teamwork. We live together, pray together and serve together under the inspiration that Jesus Christ is all-sufficient. 

This is our founding charism. It sustains us. It emboldens us to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). It fills us with the desire to be Christ’s brothers, men set apart for the Lord. We represent his Church on college campuses, where we bring students the hope of salvation that can only come from Jesus Christ. 

We are blazing the way for this generation to renew the Church. We represent the Catholic Church on five campuses across the United States: Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts); Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey); Florida State University (Tallahassee, Florida); University of Central Florida (Orlanda, Florida); and University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minnesota). 

Many of our alumni go on to bring renewal far beyond campus as leaders and lifelong evangelists. More than 100 alumni are pursuing priesthood or religious life. 

The beginnings of our brotherhood

We began our spiritual mission in 1980 in Newark, New Jersey. Today we are based in the Archdiocese of Boston under the supervision of Cardinal Seán O’Malley. 

As consecrated men, we take lifelong vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. We live as celibate brothers because we believe that our consecration to Jesus is enough to fulfill our deepest desires. Likewise, we are brother-evangelists because Crhist alone can satisfy the lost. The anchor of hope (Hebrews 6:19) is our symbol because only he can give lasting hope to people. 

Brother Ken Apuzzo, our general superior, beautifully captures our brotherhood community with this reflection:

"The charity, unity and loyalty we have in the Brotherhood of Hope is rarely seen amongst a group of men. Almost every day of my life with the brothers, a brother will share something from his day that inspires me to be more Christ-like, and to be more generous in offering my life for the good of others.” 

Today, the Brotherhood of Hope has 18 perpetually professed brothers and 24 men in various stages of initial formation. Our process of formation takes about seven years. The novitiate year is the most intensive component and the only period of full-time formation. After that “spiritual boot camp,” brothers typically profess temporary vows for five years before professing perpetual vows. They also serve in the brotherhood’s campus ministries during this period. 

Discern with us 

God searches for the unsatisfied, for those longing for something more in life. And he searches for men to find them. Men willing to give their lives over to him, even as his son gave his life for us.

We desire to be those men and invite you to learn more about our life. 

Please contact me, Brother Patrick Reilly, at [email protected], or visit our website at www.brotherhoodofhope.org. God bless you in your discernment. 

Brother Patrick Reilly is a member of the Brotherhood of Hope and the Director of the Catholic Center at Rutgers University, News Brunswick, N.J.