THE MARIANIST - Letters to the Editor - Call Me "Brother"

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

A Marianist publication issue includes multiple sections such as short stories, poetry, articles, features, news notes, and a book shelf, along with formal editorial and subscription information. The document contains letters to the editor from readers in Hollywood, California and other U.S. locations, including a letter titled “Call Me "Brother"” that argues for a new title for Brothers to address perceptions of a secondary vocation within Catholic minds. It also references a cover statue and directs correspondence to a news service.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time49 min

AccessFree to download

Short story

Poem

Articles

Features

This Month's Who's Who

Letters to the Editor

Marianist News Notes

Marianist Book Shelf

the MARYGRVE COLLEGE LiERA DETROIT.MICHIGAN n NOT REM Mauianist 0CT 12 1948 Letters to the Editor From Holly wood Dear Editor一I received your very wel-come letter and the June copies of THEMARIANIST. I want to thank you for sending me thesecopies.It was very thoughtful of you andI certainly appreciate it. I enjoyed reading the magazine.It is afine publication. Dennis DayHollywood,California Call Me"Brother," Dear Editor —Since reading the MarchMARIANIST article “Vocations to theTeaching Brotherhood”by Very Rev.Syl-vester J.Juergens,S.M.,I have tried tofathom some basic reasons for the second-ary position of Brothers'Vocations. There is no doubt that Brothers occupy avery high place in the educational world.And as co-adjutors in the various orders ofpriests they are invaluable. But try as we may we cannot get Catho-lics to think of the Brothers except as menwho were not bright enough to master thephilosophy and theology of the priestlystate.Even without any conversation onthe matter or any predetermination aboutthe vocation Catholics seem to sense thatBrothers occupy a secondary vocation andas Americans they look askance at any vo-cation that carries the stigma of servility一(a co-adjutor Brother is a domesticservant in many cases). It is my contention that the name一Brothers —needs the NEW LOOK一oran entirely NEW TITLE. The Brothers themselves are deeply fondof the term Brother.But in the practicalworld this term signifies something second-ary.Even educated Catholics who shouldknow better are inclined to think along thisline. So I propose that without losing the term,Brothers,internally,i.e.,inside the ordersand among themselves—that the Brothers seek a New Title to describe their vocation—a substitute for the word Brother,forexternal use. For example —instead of saying"Rev.Brother Peter Benignus"we might say"Rev.Associate Peter Benignus"or Rev.Assistant Charles Ambrose.” In some way we must lessen the widegulf that exists in Catholic minds aboutpriests and Brothers.Perhaps this ideamight be of some help. The Irish Christian Brothers and possiblyother orders wear a Roman collar whichalso helps to lessen the gulf.The Brothersthemselves may like the clear distinction inevery way between the two vocations.Butin recruiting work for the Brothers theseare great obstacles to be overcome in theworld. Personally I feel I would be embarrassedif,wearing a Roman collar and present atthe scene of a street or rail accident,Icould not give absolution to a dying per-son.I would have to explain"I'm only aBrother.” With best regards and success to the Ma-rianists. Seton A.Gillen Jersey City,New Jersey Cover Picture Dear Editor—I thank you for THE MA-RIANIST which comes regularly to thishospital and which is also much appreciatedby the boys at Fort Lyon.When I saw thecover picture for May I was very much im-pressed by its resemblance to the statuewhich we have in St.Mary's Church,LosAnimos,which I serve as pastor.The sta-tue is a most beautiful one,imported fromFrance by the Jesuit Father who was mis-sionary in this valley.I could never findthe title or name of this statue and wouldappreciate your help.Rev.J.A.Laguerre Los Animos,Colorado We refer our correspondent to ReligiousNews Service,381 Fourth Ave.,New York. In This Issue: # SHORT STORY POEM ARTICLES # FEATURES This Month's Who's Who James C.G.Conniff is a prolific contrib-utor to Catholic magazines. Thomas F.Doyle,originally from Ire-land,lives in New York City and is theCatholic editor of Religious News Service. Emerson Hynes,a graduate of NotreDame,is at present professor of Sociol-ogy at St.John's University,College-ville,Minn. THE MARIANIST is published ten times a year,with ecclesiastical approbation,by the Cincin-nati Province of the Society of Mary.Manuscripts should be sent to the editorial office,Univer-sity of Dayton,Dayton 9,Ohio.All changes of address,renewals,and new subscriptions shouldbe sent to the

FAQs

What does “Call Me "Brother"” argue about Catholic perceptions of Brothers?

It argues that the term “Brothers” is commonly viewed as secondary, and that this perception affects recruitment and understanding of their vocation.

What example re-titling does the letter propose for Brothers?

It suggests using substitute titles for external use, such as “Rev. Associate” or “Rev. Assistant,” instead of “Rev. Brother.”

How does the issue handle correspondence and editorial references?

It provides editorial office and circulation details and, for at least one statue-related request, refers the correspondent to a Religious News Service address.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Liam