VINCENTIAN STUDIES COURSE

BOQUERON, CHIRIQUI, PANA

JOHN P. PRAGER, C.M. 1995

7. THE CONSTITUTIONS: THE MEMBERS

GOAL: Understand the rights and duties of the members if the C.M.

READINGS FOR THE TEACHER:

Baylach, J.O.,: Les Frères, Hier et aujourd'hui," Vincentiana 33 (l989), p. 195-228.

 Brufau, J., De Egressu e Congregationis Missionis, (Tegucigalpa, Honduras:l959).

 Darricau, R., El obispo según San Vicente," Anales 91 (l983), p. 27-31.

 "Document: Brothers of the Mission," Vincentiana 33 (l989), p. 139-148.

 Palú, L., "Los Hermanos Coadjutores: Situación, Problemas, Soluciones," Vincentiana 21 (l977), p. 45-59.

 Pérez-Flores, M., "Los Antiguos Privilegios de la C.M. y el Nuevo OrdenamientoCanónico," Vincentiana 36 (l992), p. 35- 97.; also Anales 99 (l991), p. 5-158.

 --," The Brother in the C.M.," Vincentian Heritage 10 (l989), p. 45-70.

READINGS FOR THE NOVICES:

 Constitutions No 51-76 & 91-92; Statutes No. 19-35 & 48.
 
 

CASE STUDY

Joe, the superior at St. Anthony's parish, mentioned at table one evening that the provincial had called to ask about naming a brother to the staff.

Tom, an older man, aked in a good-natured way: "What
would a brother do here in a parish? He can't say Mass or
hear confessions."

Half seriously, Frank added, "We already have a cook."

Joe let the joke pass and responded to Tom's question. "The provincial says that the brother he has in mind has just finished his studies in social work. He'd be assiged to develop programs for the poor of the parish."

"Things have changed. And for the better!" Said Tom. " When I entered the community the brothers only did manual labor. They couldn't even talk to the priests."

Mark, a young confrere, offered: "We were taught that all of the confreres have the same rights and responsibilities. Everyone is a missionary. Some live out the Vincentian vocation as priests and others as laymen."

Frank said: "What's all this talk about rights and responsibiliies? How can a brother with no theological training evangelize?"

Lou, another middle-aged confrere responded: "I think the Church recognizes that there's more than one way to do evangelization, Frank. We really could use someone with expertise in areas other than theology."

"That's right," said Mark. "Brothers are supposed to do lay ministry. Think of the possibilities this creates."

"I take it that most of you are in favor?" asked Joe.

"Frank?" Frank quickly replied: "I'm not against the idea of having a brother here. But, I'm still not sure what he'd do."

Standing up to leave, Joe told him: "We'll just have to wait and see what ideas he has. I'll call the boss later."
 
  Discussion questions

1. What's your reaction to the above discussion on the brothers and the Vincentian vocation?
2. What would you have added to the conversation?
3. What are the rights and responsibilities that all members share?
4. What are some of the distinctions with regards to rights and responsibilities?
5. How does one gain or lose membership in the C.M.?