“Being a brother [with the Priests of the Sacred Heart] means that I stand with one foot in the life of the laity and other in life of the clergy. I am both and neither at the same time. It means learning to be in a relationship with people as if they are a family, but they are not my family. I am a steward to things I do not own. I am an advocate, I am a support in times of celebration and I am a witness and companion in times of suffering. I am devoted to St. Joseph, husband of Mary (Joseph is the patron saint of religious brothers), I live under a Rule, I am a brother.”
-Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ
“Being a brother has taught me to look for solidarity with God’s people,” said Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ, speaking about his vocation during a “Cocktails and Catholicism” presentation to parishioners in northern Mississippi on January 12.
“We each find holiness in the path we have committed to,” he continued. “No path is deeper or more holy. We can learn how to be holy and how to live the Christian life by witnessing to each other. The vows that I take as a brother don’t separate me from families, from other men and women. It just gives me a different perspective. Your witness enriches my life.”
Br. Duane emphasized that his vocation as a religious brother is fully intertwined with his vocation as a Priest of the Sacred Heart. “I cannot separate my brotherhood from the Priests of the Sacred Heart,” but added that at first glance, it may seem like a contradiction.
“When I introduce myself, I say, ‘I am BROTHER Duane, a PRIEST of the Sacred Heart,’” he said. Though it may sound confusing, it is an opportunity to talk about the call of baptismal priesthood, the type of “priest” referenced in PRIESTS of the Sacred Heart.
“When we say we are priests, we mean baptismal priesthood, the priesthood we all received: priest, prophet, king,” said Br. Duane. “A priest is someone who makes an offering. Parents exercise their baptismal priesthood when offer their time and energies to their children. Spouses are priests when they offer their futures to each other. Nurses are priests when they offer their talents and abilities to their patients. Teachers offer themselves to their students…
“Priests of the Sacred Heart offer themselves in a specific way. Our offering is conscious of the love the Sacred Heart. We try to be conscious of God’s love for us. We offer ourselves to people who need to know what that kind of love looks like. That’s who we are…
“Being a brother [with the Priests of the Sacred Heart] means that I stand with one foot in the life of the laity and other in life of the clergy. I am both and neither at the same time. It means learning to be in a relationship with people as if they are a family, but they are not my family. I am a steward to things I do not own. I am an advocate, I am a support in times of celebration and I am a witness and companion in times of suffering. I am devoted to St. Joseph, husband of Mary (Joseph is the patron saint of religious brothers), I live under a Rule, I am a brother.”
Click here or on the image above to view Br. Duane’s full presentation.
