Vocation to the Brotherhood

The soul of a religious brother is the soul of a man eager to consecrate his life in a very special way to God. Though not called to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a priest, the religious vocation is in no way to be despised. By taking the three vows of religion: poverty, chastity, and obedience, a brother abandons everything to embrace a life whose sole purpose is union with God.

Vocation to the Brotherhood

The soul of a religious brother is the soul of a man eager to give his life in a very special way to God. Though essentially different from the priesthood, the religious vocation is a call to consecrate one’s entire life to God by taking the three vows of religion: poverty, chastity and obedience. By abandoning everything to embrace this life, the brother seeks to glorify God through a closer union with Him.

The Religious Vows

The vows of religion have been recommended by Our Lord in the Gospel, and are the surest path to sanctity.  Through them a generous soul is stripped of every obstacle to union with Christ.

Poverty: By this vow, the religious abandons the possession or administration of all earthly goods, which distract him from his goal.

Chastity: The brother renounces the legitimate joys of married life for something higher: love for Christ and His Church, completely unhindered by the cares involved with a life in the world.

Obedience: This vow strikes at the root of what men hold most precious: their will. He who is truly determined must abandon this too into the hands of God by submitting to the commands and judgments of human superiors who represent Him. This is the most difficult, and thus the most meritorious act of the religious, for it will encompass every aspect of the rest of his life.

The Brothers of the Society of Saint Pius X

Archbishop Lefebvre founded the Society of Saint Pius X to ensure the continuation of the Catholic priesthood. The brothers of the Society are meant to do everything in their power to assist the priest in his apostolic labors. The help he gives can be quite varied; cooking, gardening, sacristy, secretarial work and teaching may be part of his day assisting the priests’ to save souls.
In every activity, the brothers will always keep in mind the salvation of their souls and those of others through the loving exercise of the vows.

How to Become a Brother

The SSPX Brothers’ Novitiate in the United States is located in Winona, Minnesota. In order to become a brother, an applicant should have no impediments, such as outstanding debts or the primary care of a family. The application must be made to the District House along with a letter of recommendation from a priest of the Society.

Click here for more information on becoming a brother.

Click here for more information on the role of the brothers.