Br Felix Mary, CFR on:

THE LAY BROTHER AND COMMUNITY

For a lay brother, fraternity is not only a part of life, it is the CHARISM of his life. It is in the lay brothers, more than any one else, that the example of true fraternity ought to be found. The focus of his consecration is to be "fraternal" or brotherly: hence his name; "brother". His title is both his name and his role in the body of Christ and in the community. His life bears witness primarily to the new order of love that Jesus established in the world. "Father, I wish that they may be one as you and I are one."

Fraternity is expressed in daily life through common recitation of the Divine Office, common meals, communal

Service to the community is the hallmark of lay brotherhood. Fraternal charity is often expressed in everyday living such as drying the dishes together.

apostolates, service to the Church and fraternity in daily activities. Fraternal life is expressed in a large way by sincere brotherly affection and honesty which is formulated by open and forthright communication. Distant apostolic missions are good opportunities for this. The virtue must be preserved by collecting positive thoughts and an avoidance of the tendency to "stew" about the imperfections of others yet not dismissing these imperfections indiscriminately. Above all, one must pray for his brothers and ask for the grace to love them.

From this, charity and charitable acts flow with little effort. One must train oneself to anticipate the needs of his brothers and to respond to them in the best way possible. As Friars of the Renewal, we share in the role of renewing Christian brotherhood which is under attack by individualism in our culture.