The Missionary of Charity Brother is to be a friend to the poorest people, especially those most rejected and abandoned by others. The brother offers himself as an instrument of God's love and expresses his friendship by comforting and helping the poor in their immediate needs. The nature of this service differs according to the needs of the place but it is usually a service through ordinary, humble works of day to day care and concern, always in personal contact with the poor. For instance: going out to search for the poor and lonely; bathing a sick man when he is brought in dirty from the streets; feeding the man who is dying and too weak to feed himself; sitting and listening to someone who has no friend to talk to; looking after the daily needs of the aged or mentally or physically handicapped who live with the brothers. The brothers visit the old and lonely people in institutions ; they work with alcoholics addicts, the excluded, leprosy and AIDS sufferers, the travellers, the homeless and prisoners.      At the heart of our Charism is the gift of seeing, loving and serving Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor. The special and real presence of Jesus in the poor is revealed in the Gospel :

"in so far as you did this to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." (Mt 25:40)We are Missionaries, which means we "have been sent".  Our Mission is to make the Good News felt, especially by the poorest of the poor, those who seem farthest from God's love. We convey this message more often by acts than by words. Charity is another word for love. We pray each day that we may be instruments or channels of God's love. God made himself, in Jesus, the brother of all. Through our baptism we also claim to be Brothers to all people, with the poor at the centre of our family.      The Vocation is one of Brotherhood - ours is a ministry of brotherly sharing and service.

    "We may not transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, but we may touch and love the broken body of Jesus Christ present in the poorest of the poor". (Mother Teresa)

    Our co-founder, Brother Andrew, spoke of four essentials for our vocation.  

    Prayer is of great importance to us, to seek oneness with God in silent contemplation, in personal prayer and in common prayer. We spend several hours each day in various types of prayer with the Eucharist at the centre.  

    Community - we need each other and rejoice in our companionship as brothers and disciples. If we are to become men of love, the give and take of community life will help us to come to know and accept ourselves and others. The love we learn in community will overflow in service to the poor.

    Work with the poorest - we approach our work not as a job but as part of our relationship with the Lord. In serving the most needy, not only do we have the opportunity to "treat others as you would like them to treat you", but even more, "to do to the poor what you would like to able to do for Jesus." (Mother Teresa)

    Simplicity of life - we try to let the simplicity of the Sermon on the Mount impregnate our whole lives. We try to show our love for the poor and all the world's suffering people by sharing their poverty, by being content with the basic necessities of life. We want to be one with our people as much as possible, entrusting our needs to God's loving providence. We extend this simplicity to our way of working, praying and studying. Brothers wear no distinctive habit but the ordinary clothes of the local people, with a crucifix over our heart as a sign of our profession and dedication.

    As Brothers, we profess four vows. By poverty we proclaim and witness that we want to love God above all things, to have Him for our wealth and security.By chastity we proclaim that we want to love Him above all other persons, seeking our fulfulment and fruition in our commitment to Him in celibate love.By obedience we proclaim that it is our desire to love God above our own will, transcending ourselves in Him who is our freedom and our destiny.Our fourth vow of "whole-hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor" binds us to Christ in his own mission.

    Brothers are in richer as well as poorer countries. Currently we have 70 communities spread over 21 countries.     Candidates must be aged over 18 and (usually) under 30 years old, and in good health. If you are interested in finding out more about our life, begin by writing a little about yourself to the vocations director at the address below. We can then arrange for you to make a short visit to experience our way of life. Those who are accepted for entrance begin their formation with a one month experience followed by one or two years as a 'Corne and See' (postulancy). This would be followed by two years of novitiate followed by five or six years of temporary vows, renewed annually, leading up to perpetual consecration. Prayer

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men and women throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger.Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.  Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Poor - Pray for us. 

 "Behold I stand at the door and knocking...  (Rev 3:20)

    It is true. I stand at the door of your heart, day and night. Even when you are not listening, even when you doubt it could be Me, I am there. I await even the smallest sign of your response, even the least whispered invitation that will allow Me to enter.

    And I want you to know that whenever you invite Me, I do come - always, without fail. Silent and unseen I come, but with infinite power and love and bringing the many gifts of My Spirit. I come with My mercy, with My desire to forgive and heal you, and with a love for you beyond your comprehension - a love every bit as great as the love I have received from the Father ("As much as the Father has loved me, I have loved you." [Jn. 15:9]). I come - longing to console you and give you strength, to lift you up and bind all your wounds. I bring you My light, to dispel your darkness and all your doubts. I come with My power, that I might carry you and all of your burdens, with My grace, to touch your heart and transform your life ; and My peace I give to still your soul.

    I know you through and through - I know everything about you. The very hairs of your head I have numbered. Nothing in your life is unimportant to Me. I have followed you through the years, and I have always loved you - even in your wanderings. I know every one of your problems. I know your needs and your worries. And yes, I know all your sins. But I tell you again that I love you - not for what your have or haven't done - I love you for you, for the beauty and dignity My Father gave you by creating you in His own image. It is a dignity you have often forgotten, a beauty you have tarnished by sin. But I love you as you are, and I have shed My Blood to win you back. If you only ask Me with faith, My grace will touch all that needs changing in your life ; and I will give you the strength to free yourself from sin and all its destructive power.

    I know what is in your heart - I know your loneliness and all your hurts - the rejections, the judgments, the humiliations. I carried it all before you. And I carried it all for you, so you might share My strength and victory. I know especially your need for love - how you are thirsting to be loved and cherished. But how often have you thirsted in vain, by seeking that love selfishly, striving to fill the emptiness inside you with passing pleasures - with the even greater emptiness of sin. Do you thirst for love? "Come to Me all you who thirst."(Jn. 7:37). I will satisfy you and fill you.  Do you thirst to be cherished ? I cherish you more than you can imagine - to the point of dying on a cross for you.

    I thirst for you. Yes, that is the only way to even begin to describe My love for you: I THIRST FOR YOU. I thirst to love you and to be loved by you - that is how precious you are to Me. I THIRST FOR YOU. Come to Me, and I will fill your heart and heal your wounds. I will make you a new creation, and give you peace, even in all your trials. I THIRST FOR YOU. You must never doubt My mercy, My acceptance of you, My desire to forgive, My

longing to bless you and live My life in you. I THIRST FOR YOU. If you feel unimportant in the eyes of the world, that matters not at all. For Me, there is no one any more important in the entire world than you. I THIRST FOR YOU. Open to Me, come to Me, thirst for Me, give Me your life - and I will prove to you how important you are to My Heart.

    Don't you realize that My Father already has a perfect plan to transform your life, beginning from this moment ? Trust in Me. Ask Me every day to enter and take charge of your life - and I will. I promise you before My Father in heaven that I will work miracles in your life. Why would I do this ? Because I THIRST FOR YOU. All I ask of you is that your entrust yourself to Me completely. I will do all the rest.

    Even now I behold the place My Father has prepared for you in My Kingdom.  Remember that you are a pilgrim in this life, on a journey home. Sin can never satisfy you, or bring the peace you seek. All that you have sought outside of Me has only left you more empty, so do not cling to the things of this life. Above all, do not run from Me when you fall. Come to Me without delay. When you give Me your sins, you give Me the joy of being your Saviour. There is nothing I cannot forgive and heal ; so come now, and unburden your soul.

    No matter how far you may wander, no matter how often you forget Me, no matter how many crosses you may bear in this life ; there is one thing I want you to always remember, one thing that will never change ; I THIRST FOR YOU - just as you are.  You don't need to change to believe in My love, for it will be your belief in My love that will change you. You forget Me, and yet I am seeking you every moment of the day - standing at the door of your heart, and knocking. Do you find this hard to believe ? Then look at the cross, look at My Heart that was pierced for you. Have you not understood My cross ? Then listen again to the words I spoke there - for they tell you clearly why I endured all this for you: "I THIRST ..." (Jn. 19:28). Yes, I thirst for you - as the rest of the psalm-verse I was praying says of Me: "I looked for love, and I found none..." (Ps. 69:21). All your life, I have been looking for your love - I have never stopped seeking to love you and be loved by you. You have tried many other things in your search for happiness; why not try opening your heart to Me, right now, more than you ever have before.

    Whenever you do open the door of your heart, whenever you come close enough, you will hear Me say to you again and again, not in mere human words but in spirit : "No matter what you have done, I love you for your own sake. Come to Me with your misery and your sins, with your troubles and needs, and with all your longing to be loved. I stand at the door of you heart and knock...  Open to Me, for I THIRST FOR YOU..."

(Meditation based on the spiritual teachings of Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

   

"Jesus is God, therefore His love, His Thirst, is infinite.  He the creator of the universe, asked for the love of His creatures.  He thirsts for our love...  These words: 'I thirst' - do they echo in our souls?"

Mother TeresaTHE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE     Throughout life, every Christian is called by Christ to follow his way of love and selfless service of others.           All of us with your own gifts and personality respond in our own way. Most people respond to Christ in their choice of a married life, while some remain single ; others are drawn to serve God in Religious Life. In taking up this challenge we follow a road which leads to human fulfilment and divine promise.  WHAT IS A BROTHER ?     The Religious life of a Brother is one way of being a layman in the Church.        Committed by his Baptism to Christ and his concern for the needs of the world of a Brother is challenged to enter into a more intense life of prayer, reflection and self growth so that he may truly brother within God's family.     The Brother recognizes the need for support and service of his brothers and sisters. In following our brother, Jesus, the religious Brother shows his compassion and solidarity towards the poor and marginalised of our world.  MISSION     There are many ways of being brother in God's family. Today's Brother is insolved in whatever kind of work is most needed among the people with he lives. Different communities undertake various forms of education, medical and social work. Wherever people are poor, deprived, oppressed or in need, that is where the Brother is called to serve. Some men respond to the needs of the world in a life of prayer and solitude.AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE     A Brother's lifestyle centres on prayer, community and service. CelibacyHe centres his love on Christ in whom he can love all his people as brothers and sisters. His life in community is one of support, companionship and shared vision. Poverty

He tries to live simply, working for God's Kingdom on earth, tristing him for his material needs. He commits himself to share what he has, his gifts, talents, love, time, life, prayer and material goods with all who are in need. ObedienceA Brother is open to the Spirit in accepting that others play a part in the direction of his life and in finding God's will for him at all times. PrayerA brother's life of service is supported and strengthened by a life of prayer :    Eucharist    Daily prayer of the Church    Personal prayer YOUR VOCATION 

    If you think that the Lord might be calling you to be a Brother but are unsure or bewildered as to how you can take the first step, the following points might be useful.

    lt is not uncommon to feel the call of the Lord and at the same tirne be apprehensive about the idea of giving up all and becoming a Brother. This is natural - don't worry about it.     Remember Christ calls you to personal fulfilment also, so any way of life must be suited to your own unique personality.

    Find out as much as you can about the life of a Brother - there are many different ways of being a Brother. Talk to Brothers. Visit communities. Getting to know people is important, you have to know whether you could live with them.

    Find someone you can talk to, a person who will help you make a decision in a prayerful way. Find someone who is honest, open, informed and who doesn't put pressure on you.

Remember that a vocation is a calling from God not merely a pursuit of your own feelings. There will always be trained individuals in every Religious family to help you to know whether or not you are called to be a Brother in a particular way, with a particular group.

    Above all pray for guidance and be patient, wait for his reply.  

Prayer 

Lord,make me a better person,more considerate towards others,

more honest with myself,more faithful to you. 

Make me generous enough to want sincerelyto do your will whatever it may be. 

Help me to find my ture vocation in life and grant that through it, I may find happiness myself and bring happiness to others. 

Grant, Lord, that those whom you call to enter the priesthood or the religious life,may have the generosity to answer your call,so that those who need your help may always find it. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.