WORK IN A DIGITAL ERA
In the image we see a group of work colleagues discussing and planning their activities. They seem to have fun and an amicable relationship. The future of work passes through team work and co-operation in a spirit of mutual collaboration.
VOCATION
THE VOCATION OF COMBONI BROTHERS
BY FR RAUL TABARANZA
THE THEME of this edition is Work and Employment. I would like to highlight the vocation of brothers in our Comboni Institute, basing my reflection on the publication of Famiglia Comboniana (2018: 786). Brothers perform very special works in our Institute. According to our Founder’s (St Daniel Comboni) original inspiration, the Institute is composed of priests and brothers which gives her a more complete ecclesial character and its activity more fruitful.
The context of the work of the brothers has changed, from ‘implantation of the Church’ to Mission Dei—to various ministries, in the vast and complex areopagi of the modern world. Comboni brothers are working on a broad range of missionary realities in four continents, such as first evangelization, infrastructures for local churches, formation and promotion of Christian leaders, justice and peace, human rights, mission animation and other developmental projects.
Comboni brothers and priests complement each other, like the two wings of a bird, forming one family. At the heart of a Comboni brother is the identity of brotherhood (fraternity). Fraternity is accompaniment and facilitation, empathy, empowerment and love. It touches on people’s hopes and anguish. Fraternity is the very soul of community life.
All steps of formation are important to prepare young brothers: professional training, formation in the postulancy, noviciate and studies in social ministry, social pastoral and religious sciences, at their International Brothers’ Centres. All these stages aim to acquire a solid and ongoing religious formation and consecration. The ministry of the brother finds ways to integrate different dimensions together; profession, spirituality and social work around the core element of fraternity.
A brother who starts exercising his profession encounters people. He sees their needs and, surpassing his professional training, he ventures out into them. His profession is ‘translated’ into another ‘language’. His profession becomes the entry to a broader Mission. His formation in social ministry/social pastoral is then of great help.
We need brothers in the field of evangelisation. I would like to invite young men to join our works of evangelization as Comboni Missionaries, priesthood or brotherhood.