The Church lays a wealth of riches before the faithful. These devotions can increase our piety and inspire us to holiness. As Brothers we want to develop deep friendships with Mother Mary and the Saints, always directed toward the one Lord, Jesus the Savior. We pray the rosary together to ask for communal protection and intercession. Often we encourage one another with the example of Pier Giorgio Frassati [our patron of mission] or St. John the Baptist [one of the patrons of our life]. This has become an integral part of our spiritual heritage together.
Sacred Heart
We worship the Word-made-flesh, Jesus Christ our All-Sufficiency, in a special way in his Sacred Heart. The heart of Christ is not only the symbol but in a sense the summary of the whole mystery of our redemption. Into It we have been drawn by the mercy of God; in It we find the source of our love for him and for our neighbor. As scripture says, “You shall draw waters with joy out of the Savior's fountain” (Is 12:3). Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a particular feature of Brotherhood life (Statutes, §15).
Many Brothers find expression for the All-Sufficiency by contemplating this Fount of Charity. We know that God’s heart has been pierced for our sins, but also that it burns with love.
“It is altogether impossible to enumerate the heavenly gifts which devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has poured out on the souls of the faithful, purifying them, offering them heavenly strength, rousing them to the attainment of all virtues.” (Haurietis Aquas, His Holiness Pope Pius XII)
Mary, Mother of Hope
We invoke Mary, ever-virgin, Mother of God as the protectress of our Brotherhood and to her powerful intercession we entrust our needs and our future. The privilege of her Assumption strengthens our hope in the resurrection of the body in the fullness of salvation and marks a particular aspect of our devotion to her. She is the exemplar of how we want to respond to the word of God and is a model for our consecration to him. We want to be obedient to her injunction: "Do whatever he tells you." Each brother is encouraged to seek her intercession, pray her Rosary, daily if possible, and proclaim her devotion in our apostolic works. (Statutes, §16)
Patron Saints
Saints are given to the Church as protectors and intercessors. They are given to the Faithful as models and as friends. We Brothers try to cultivate a deep friendship with the “cloud of witnesses” that has gone before us by learning about their lives and seeking their prayers. John the Baptist has blessed our Brotherhood with his example of radicalism and detachment. When he might have claimed glory for himself he instead turned toward Christ as the Bridegroom and Savior of the world. Pier Giorgio Frassati is the patron of our missions. This apostle of youth made a deep decision to live for Christ through a life of prayer, penance, and works of charity. His authentic discipleship resulted in joy and peace through the Holy Spirit. We pray these same fruits come to those to whom we minister in secular universities. Br. Andre has encouraged us through his example as Brother. This holy man manifested the power of Christ by performing miracles, but only because of his humility and cooperation with grace. He would be the first to admit his lowliness, and desire to be seen only as a humble servant of the Lord. May the same spirit dwell in us!
