Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Every spring, the Church celebrates Religious Brothers’ Day, recognizing men who belong to religious communities and have taken vows to serve in unique ways such as teaching or missionary work.

This week, the New Outlook introduces Brother Javier Hansen, FSC (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum), commonly referred to as Brothers of the Christian Schools. Brother Javier grew up in a rural community in northern California. Before coming to San Miguel High School in Tucson, he served at a school in Louisiana. In discussions with students at San Miguel, he explains the distinction between brothers and priests: “In my freshmen religion class, I begin the school year by covering the history of our congregation. It all started with a French priest in 1680 who saw a serious divide between the poor, who had no access to quality education, and the wealthy elite. He began a lay congregation of men who devoted their whole lives to the education of young people, especially those of limited means. They soon became a congregation of Religious Brothers. I tell my students that a priest can also be a teacher, but their first obligation is the responsibility of being a priest, which involves saying Mass and administering the Sacraments. A Brother, who does not administer the Sacraments, is free to put all his attention towards teaching and mentoring his students.”

Brother Javier did not attend a Catholic school until he went to Saint Mary's College of California. However, it was during a high school confirmation retreat that he was first introduced to religious life outside that of a parish priest. “It was there that I first felt a tug to religious life in the Church,” he recalled. While attending Saint Mary's College of California, Brother Javier made an effort to learn more about Scripture and the Church.

His message to young people exploring religious life is clear: “I always begin by explaining that everyone has the same vocation at a primary level: to become a saint. How we live out that vocation (whether as a Religious Brother or Sister, priest, or sacramentally married person) requires time and discernment. I also like to tell my students that it is a lot easier to try out being a Brother than it is to try out being married. I would recommend the Brother’s life to anyone who would like to seriously dedicate himself to serving young people through education and living in community with other Brothers.”

Brother Javier views his vocation as blending teaching with religious life: “There are many stories of Brothers who did monumental things before me, and I aspire to do something like them. The book of Daniel in the Old Testament says, ‘Those who instruct many to justice shall shine as stars for all eternity.’ Education is a noble profession and the brothers have been expert teachers for over 300 years. Finally, knowing that my primary vocation is to be a saint, the Brothers offer the perfect avenue for me to work towards achieving it.”