An Irish religious order is encouraging young men to make a New Year’s Resolution with a difference in 2007. The Presentation Brothers are asking men to give some thought to the idea of joining their Order.‘The beginning of a new year is a great time to take a fresh look at our lives,’ said Brother Andrew Hickey, director of vocations. ‘Many young people today are unhappy with their careers. People complain that their work is not offering them fulfilment even though it may be financially rewarding. ‘I am convinced that there are many people out there who feel that they may be called to religious life and throughout the month of January I am inviting them to get in touch with me if they wish to discuss or explore this.’ Brother Hickey advised men not to just think about religious life, but do something about it.
In recent times, the Presentation Brothers have experienced a revival in the number of men seeking information about becoming Brothers. A number of men attended a recent Vocations Weekend in Cork and many more have made contact with the Vocations Office directly to discuss the possibility of joining.
In November, Anthony Glasgow was welcomed into the Presentation Brothers in Cork city. Brother Hickey said the Order realised that many people were unaware of what the vocation of Brother was all about so in November they embarked on a number of initiatives, including visiting classrooms in their schools to speak of their vocation, and inviting people to their house in Glasthule. Over 300 people from the local parish availed of the open house invitation.
The Presentation Brothers was founded in Waterford in 1802 by a Kilkenny businessman, Edmund Rice. Following the death of his wife, Mr Rice was left to care for his handicapped daughter Mary and began searching for a deeper meaning in his life.
The plight of destitute boys in Waterford suggested a way forward and in 1802, at the age of 40, he gave up his business to open a school and resource centre in a converted stable in New Street, Waterford. The Institute he subsequently founded spread rapidly to towns and cities throughout Ireland and abroad over the next number of decades.
There are currently 122 schools in the Christian Brother network of schools in Ireland alone. Edmund Rice was declared ‘Blessed’ by Pope John Paul II in 1996.
Today there are approximately 100 Presentation Brothers worldwide, working in seven countries, with an additioinal 20 men training to become Brothers.
This year, the Brothers plan to open two new missions in Slovakia and in Nigeria .