|
|
 |
Brothers of St. Patrick (F.S.P.) |
“In the early days of the nineteenth century, the
torch of faith burned uncertain among the people of Ireland. Decades of penal
restrictions had failed to extirpate the people’s faith, but ignorance of the
principles of religion caused great anxiety among the hierarchy of the country.
Dr. Delany, bishop of the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, saw an opportunity in
the relaxation of the Penal Laws to arrest the evil. Wishing to impart a
knowledge of the principles of religion to the people of his diocese, he formed
a group of catechists at Tullow, Co. Carlow,. Under his direction these zealous
young men devoted their time on Sundays to the instruction of the laity, both
juvenile and adult. To insure continuity in their work, the bishop formed from
these catechists the nucleus of a religious congregation of Brothers.
Appropriately, the servant of God who had a fervent
devotion to the Blessed Sacrament placed the congregation under the special
protection of the Sacred Heart and under the patronage of the Blessed Mother and
of St. Patrick. Succeeding generations of Brothers have endeavored to develop
in the minds of those confided to their care a tender devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament, to the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Mother.
Primarily an active congregation, the Brothers view as
their highest goal God’s honor and glory by the proper employment of the talents
He has given them. To this end they follow a way of life that obligates them to
the perpetual observance of the vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience, and a
rule of life having the approbation of the Holy See. Joining action to
contemplation, the Brothers dedicate themselves to the particular end of their
vocation which is the Christian education of youth.
From lowly beginnings the congregation spread
throughout Ireland. Animated by that zeal that fired their holy founder, the
Brothers extended their work of spiritual and educational endeavor to foreign
lands. The call for help in extending Christ’s kingdom came from Madras, India
in 1870 and the Brothers responded. Today, they conduct schools and orphanages
in India. In 1880, the land of Southern Cross beckoned, and the Brothers
established their first foundation in Sydney. Other foundations in the new
commonwealth followed. India and Australia are now provinces with novitiates
and houses of formation.
In 1961 the Brothers opened their first foundation in
Africa, followed subsequently by another establishment. In more recent years,
the Brothers have entered on real pioneering work in mission lands, establishing
in New Guinea where in addition to the teaching apostolate, social agricultural
and technical skills are fostered and developed in another of the newly emerging
nations.
It was not until 1948 that the Brothers made their
first foundation in America. This was in Santa Monica, California, followed
later by other establishments. As well, the Brothers have established a
Novitiate for American aspirants who have graduated from high school.
|
The Patrician Brothers - California
"Travelling along Bolsa Avenue in Midway City
(a small enclave in west Orange County) one may notice the sign
'The Brothers of Saint Patrick, Novitiate'. The short
explanation of this notice is that the Brothers of St. Patrick
are an Irish Congregation, established in 1808 by Bishop Daniel
Delany for the purpose of helping the poor and educating youth.
Over time the Brothers established several houses in Ireland.
Responding to numerous invitations from abroad, they answered
the call in many parts of the world. Today you can find our
Brothers in India, Australia, Kenya, the United States and New
Guinea. The Brothers' first foundation in the United States was
in Santa Monica in 1948. After that another opening was made in
Los Angeles.
Ever since their coming to the United States,
the Brothers have had as their principal aim the education of
youth. More recently, other areas where youth and the poor can
be served have involved the Brothers in Campus Ministry,
Counselling and Parish Ministry.
Today we see the pressing need to provide our
youth with a sound, solid Christian education, and we invite
men, preferably in the 20-30 age bracket, to ponder the idea of
dedicating their lives to serving God and youth in this calling.
We also invite readers of this to join us in fervent prayer to
God to send labourers into His vineyard to aid the church and
the Brothers in a combined effort to spread the good news.
Potential candidates coming to us get the
feel of this kind of life by following a schedule of daily
prayer, study and self-appraisal. Some months after entering,
they begin the Novitiate training, which lasts for two years.
During this time emphasis is placed on dedication to God and the
vows of the consecrated life and of all the requirements of such
a life is made. Great emphasis is placed on the role of prayer,
on the study of scripture and doctrine, and all the factors
necessary for true community living.
Following the two years of the Novitiate, the
candidate takes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience
annually for a period of at least five years. Then the Brother
takes final vows if he really feels that this is God's will for
him.
During the time of temporary vows, the
Brother pursues college courses as needed. He will be expected
to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees.
We cordially invite prospective candidates
who may be considering giving their lives to God's service and
that of youth to look into this mode of life with us.
We also invite the prayers of all - young and
old - to join with us in daily prayer that God will call many
labourers into His vineyard to aid us in that most indispensable
of works - the education of youth and of aiding the poor. What
better way could there be to serve God and country? "
source:http://www.iol.ie/~patbros/Global/global.html and
http://www.patricianbrothers.com/patwebsite/america/america.html
Provincial: Bro. Edwin Guidera,
Provincial Office,
P.O. Box 116,
Midway City,
California 92655, U.S.A.
Phone: 714 - 897 8181
Fax: 714 - 898 9020
email:
brosstpatrick@yahoo.com
Provincial Council
Aquinas Cassin (Vicar Provincial)
Kevin Minehan
Los Angeles
Patrician Brothers,
1713 Hill Drive,
Los Angeles,
California 90041, U.S.A.
Phone: 323 - 257 4108
email: brophilip@aol.com
Midway City
St. Patrick's Novitiate,
P.O. Box 116,
Midway City,
California 92655, U.S.A.
Phone: 714 - 897 8181
Fax: 714 - 898 9020
Young men interested in the life and wishing to labor with youth
at the high school level should apply for further details to:
Director of Vocations
7820 Bolsa Avenue
Midway City, CA 92665 |
|
|
