Brothers and Sisters

A pivotal part of the Eagle Eye Institute and something I’ve been remiss to comment on, is our life with the Community of St. John. The Community of St. John was founded in France by a Dominican priest, Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe. Under the guidance of a French mystic, he formed the brothers to be contemplatively apostolic. Marthe Robin was paralyzed, and later also became blind, and it was a malady that the Lord asked her to carry. She lived solely on the Eucharist, which she received once a week on Fridays. Immediately after receiving the Eucharist each week she would go into ecstasy and live of our Lord’s Passion until Sunday. Fr. Philippe would give retreats at Chateau Neuf, where she was located, and would be given 10 minute audiences with Marthe Robin. It was under her guidance that the Community was founded.

Father Philippe, himself, was a tirelessly loving priest. When he was younger he had cancer in his throat and his vocal chords were injured through the experience. Once a week, we listen to a Spiritual Conference he gave, which is translated into English for us by one of the Brothers. He had a very soft voice, and yet he knew how to communicate. Father was also very attentive to small details and also to the brothers and sisters he ministered to. Even in his old age, he would meet with Brothers until 3 in the morning. He was still the first one to morning prayer each day at 6am. He died at 93, only a few years ago.

In a story told by Fr. John Luke, he and another brother had been assigned to meet Fr. Philippe after one of his classes and help him up the stairs, as Rimont is not handicapped accessible. Father Philippe approached the two brothers and he knew why they were there. He looked from the brothers to the stairs before him and then said, “I am going to climb those.” (in French) Very slowly, and with some help from Father John Luke, he climbed the stairs.

Father rooted the novitiate of the Community in study of Philosophy and Theology. Once the brothers are professed they continue to learn, grow and question and many go on to teach. As I mentioned before the Brothers were founded to be contemplatively apostolic. Through their studies, they discover the source of all life in Christ and in prayer they are able to live of the source and be refreshed. It is only then that they are able to minister to others. That’s why during the 2 years of novitiate, novices and postulants do not take on apostolates so as to truly give themselves over to prayer.

There’s two stages to entering the brothers: postulants and novices. Postulants are those who would like to move toward becoming a brother, but must first begin their studies and live the life of the community for a time before deemed ready for the next stage. They wear street clothes and take particular pains to live in silence, prayer and study. Novices have been given habits as well as new names and are referred to as “Brother.” They’ve taken simple vows and as soon as they take their final vows, they’re known as Professed Brothers. Not every brother goes on to become a priest, part of their poverty is to give that decision to the priors and their discernment for what the community needs and how God is working in that Brother.

The Contemplative Sisters I live nearest to, live a life steeped in prayer and silence. Sr. Marie Segulund, the prioress in Princeville, once said, “When you love someone, you want to be silent with them sometimes,” in answer to my question on silence. They also study, taking Philosophy and Theology classes. Many of their classes are tapes of Sisters giving classes in French, which are translated by a sister into English, they also join the Brothers for some of their classes.

The Contemplative Sisters are not cloistered, but at the same time, they do not seek to minister. They are very welcoming and hospitable to all who come to the Community, but they do not leave the grounds in order to serve others. Apostolic Sisters, live the contemplative prayer life, and are able to minister to the community and have apostolates. They’re similar to the Brothers.

I hope that this offers a little more insight to the life I live here with this beautiful men and women of God whom I am privileged to live beside.