A Jesuit brother is a man who has accepted the gift of the evangelical counsels, to live a life under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in the Society of Jesus.  He is a ‘servant of Christ’s mission’ (c.f. GC35).  He is a man of prayer as formed by the Spiritual Exercises.  He carries out his life-mission united with his fellow Jesuit scholastics and priests.

The work to which he may be missioned varies widely according to the needs, and their own abilities.  Some brothers are skilled laborers; some are academics. Some work in spirituality; some are cooks, tailors, gardeners.

Brothers are always a part of a team, the body, even and maybe especially when that work is hidden or unrecognized.   There are many who teach leadership skills nowadays.  Most modern theories agree that all are involved in ‘leadership’ even if some are involved in ensuring to their particular and maybe obscure parts of the mission are done well.  Life as a brother in the Society is like being in a band; someone else might be the singer, or play lead guitar, while the brother might be part of the rhythm section that keeps the song moving.

The brother has often been a special facilitator of his community in a non-threatening way.

Brothers can serve as a bridge between priests and laity.  The Jesuit brother can also talk to the other Jesuits, sharing the same Jesuit spirituality, the experiences of the Spiritual Exercises and other aspects of Jesuit formation.

The one fundamental truth for every brother: He is a man who has been called by God to be a Jesuit. It is God’s choice, not theirs.