The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is a day to honor the father of Jesus as well as the friar brothers who serve Our Lady of the Angels Province. Religious Brothers Day is also celebrated on May 1, where, at The Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Md., the noon Mass was attended by, among many others, eight friar brothers with more watching online.
The gift of the religious brother is “not to be a star but to be a light,” Brother Sebastian said, “A quiet light. A faithful flame that burns without consuming. A presence. A witness. A brother to all.”
In his welcome, Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., vicar provincial of the province and director of the shrine said, “We give them thanks for their witness of the Franciscan life. We ask God to help us to acknowledge their commitment to our order and to us in a way that will help us honor God this Easter season and help us all see what total commitment to Jesus Christ looks like.”
Prior to the offertory, Friar Gary offered a special blessing for the friar brothers: “Lord God, bless those called to the religious brotherhood, those gathered here and throughout our communality and our Church.”
The reflection was delivered by Brother Sebastian De Backer, OFM Conv., who will make his solemn profession of vows at the shrine on May 2, 2025. “I think the real question of vocation isn’t, ‘What is God calling me to do?’ but rather, ‘Who is God calling me to be?’ He said the vocation of a religious brother is never private. “It’s a response to God’s love and a gift to others. A brother’s life is rooted in prayer, nourished by relationships, and shaped by a desire to be a sign of God’s tenderness in the world for all.”
Prior to the offertory, Friar Gary offered a special blessing for the friar brothers: “Lord God, bless those called to the religious brotherhood, those gathered here and throughout our communality and our Church. Let Your spirit uphold them always as they continue their fidelity to their call of God to both service and witness among your people.”
The gift of the religious brother is “not to be a star but to be a light,” Brother Sebastian said, “A quiet light. A faithful flame that burns without consuming. A presence. A witness. A brother to all.”
The friars gather with Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., (far left).
