VOCATIONS TUESDAY: Community Of St. John: 32 Years, 500 Members & Growing

A friend of mine once stated “The only good things to come out of France were wine, cheese and Jean-Claude Van Damme!”

Of course he was wrong about that.

Jean-Claude Van Damme is from Belgium.

But these folks definately DID come from the “Elder Daughter of the Church”… And they are certainly a very GOOD thing.

Community of Saint John, founded in 1975 by five or six university students under the guidance of a Dominican priest, Fr Marie-Dominique Philippe. They are now a Congregation of diocesan right, approved by the Church, with over five hundred members, about two hundred of whom are priests; they also have contemplative sisters and sisters of apostolic life who share the same charism and spirituality.

From their FAQ: “What is the current number of Brothers in the Community of St. John?On July 31, 2006, the Brothers were 531 in number; 365 (68%) were perpetually professed Brothers (of which 221 were priests) and about 40% were in formation. The Sisters were 464 and there were more than 2,500 secular Oblates. “

 

In the US there web presence is: http://www.communityofstjohn.com/

From that website:

The brothers have excercised much of their apostolic activities through the Retreat Center in Laredo, Texas. Brothers living in the Laredo priory serve as University chaplains and also minister to prison inmates. The Contemplative Sisters of Saint John live adjacent to the Laredo priory.

In 2000, the Congregation opened a Novitiate House for brothers and sisters in Princeville, Illinois, where they receive their first formation to the religious life, before going to France to complete it.

In 2005-2006, the Congregation is expanding its apostolic presence by developing a Spiritual Center in Princeville, Illinois. It consists of a Conference Center and a guesthouse, and will be at the service of the Diocese of Peoria, as well as other dioceses. The funding, construction, and completion of this project is of primary importance to the community.

Should you happen to find some spare change in the bottom of the washing machine, they might have some use for it.

St. Joseph’s Priory
11223 W. Legion Hall Rd.
Princeville, IL 61559
Phone : 309-385-1193
Fax : 309-385-1830
E-mail : stjohn@ocslink.com
Building Project for the U.S.
Project Director : Br. Nathan

Fundraising : Fr. John-Therese x214

or Fr. Antoine x211

H/T: Laus Crucis Blog

From: http://www.stjean.com/EN/Jeu_accueil.php

How did the Community of Saint John come into being ?

It all began at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, where several French students were studying with a Dominican Father, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, a professor of philosophy. Some of these students, wanting to totally consecrate their lives to Christ, had asked Fr. Philippe to be their spiritual director.

During the summer of 1975, five of these students decided to meet regularly together with a priest from the diocese of Versailles (France). He was one of Fr. Philippe’s former students and had been authorized by his bishop to return to Fribourg to undertake studies toward a doctorate in theology. We then began to live a communal life with a rather extraordinary schedule for students: rising at 5:30 a.m., one hour of silent prayer in community, morning prayer, then Mass…. It was a good start to the day!

SEE ALSO: http://www.stjean.com/EN/Jeu_accueil.php
SEE ALSO: http://www.communityofstjohn.com/?rub=in_us

NOTE TO READERS: If you have any suggestions for orders or communities you feel should be highlighted for TCB’s “Vocations Tuesday” please Contact us! @ ASimpleSinner@gmail.com! Include “VOCATIONS TUESDAY” in the subject line please!