And The Lord Gave Me Brothers

When I was asked to take on the responsibilities of vocation   director I was filled with apprehension. The job of vocation director is one filled with disappointment and rejection; watching men you have walked with join other orders, the dioceses or leaving religious life. This is not to say there are no success stories and men who successfully endure the rigours of formation; it is the hope in these successes that gives me the desire and will to take on my new responsibilities.

This hope, in fact, led me to choose a quote from the testament of St. Francis as my maxim. The quote comes after St. Francis describes his encounter with the lepers and his love for the church. He says “And after the Lord gave me brothers,” and it is my   belief that the lord continues to give St. Francis brothers. The testament continues:

“...no one showed me what I should do, but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live according to the form of the Holy Gospel. And I had this written down simply and in a few words and the Lord Pope confirmed it for me. And those who came to receive life gave to the poor everything which they were capable of possessing and they were content with one tunic, patched inside and out, with a cord and short trousers. And we had no desire for anything more. We who were clerics used to say the Office as other clerics did; the lay brothers said the Our     Father; and we quite willingly stayed in churches. And we were simple and subject to all.”

I believe the Capuchin Order still lives these precepts, and that by living them we will continue to inspire men to join us in living the Gospel Life. As evidence, in the short time I have been vocation director I have met several men who desire to follow           St. Francis and live his gospel life.

Please pray for these men as they discern their call to join us:

Michael Giglio          from  Toronto, Ontario

Akram Esho              from  Toronto, Ontario

Martin Ngo                from  Toronto, Ontario

Vince Thomas          from  London, Ontario

David Clark               from  Ottawa, Ontario

Victor Doudolad       from  Montreal, Quebec

Joe Rodrigues          from  Winnipeg, Manitoba

It is my prayer that these men be inspired by God and the life of the  Capuchin Friars to follow the gospel life as St. Francis understood it and experience the joy of that life.

- Bro. Stephen Van Massenhoven, ofm, cap