The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory

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The Gregorian Way

Community Collect

Almighty and most merciful God, we have taken up the name of your faithful and holy servant, Saint Gregory the Great, whose life exemplified his motto, Servant of the servants of God: Grant us the guidance of your Holy Spirit in our lives and works, that we may possess our patron’s zeal and devotion to your holy Church; that through our efforts your people may come to live in that spirit of devotion: Soli Deo Gloria — to God alone the glory; and this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Soli Deo Gloria

The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory is a Christian Community of The Episcopal Church, its Communion Partners, and the worldwide Anglican Communion, whose members follow a common rule and serve the church on parochial, diocesan, and national levels. Members — clergy and lay, without regard to marital status — live individually, in small groups, or with their families. They support themselves and the community through their secular or church-related work, making use of their God-given talents in the world while not being of the world. The trust that all labor and life can be sanctified is summed up in the community’s motto: Soli Deo Gloria, To God Alone the Glory.

The Brotherhood was founded on Holy Cross Day 1969, by Richard Thomas Biernacki, the present Minister General, after consultation with many Episcopal and Roman Catholic religious. Among the latter the Sisters of the Visitation were particularly helpful and encouraging. It was in their Riverdale, New York, monastery chapel that the first members made profession of vows to the Brotherhood’s chaplain, The Rev Thomas F. Pike.

Later that year, Bishop Horace W. B. Donegan of New York recognized the Brotherhood as a Religious Community of the Episcopal Church. Upon his retirement, his successor, Bishop Paul Moore, Jr., became Visitor to the brothers, whom he came to call the “Flexible Friars.” He was succeeded by Bishop Walter D. Dennis, Suffragan of New York. The present Visitor is Bishop Rodney R. Michel, assisting bishop in Pennsylvania.

 

A Call to Service

Flexibility is crucial in the ministry of the Brotherhood. Each member is encouraged to develop his gifts and talents under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the care and direction of the community. Brothers work in parishes as liturgists, musicians, librarians, artists, visitors to the poor and the sick, administrators, sextons, teachers, guild members, and clergy. On diocesan and national levels, brothers serve in a number of administrative and pastoral capacities. Many of those in secular employment continue the servant theme, and work as teachers, nurses and administrators. The aim is always to follow Saint Gregory the Great as “servants of the servants of God” — whether in church or society.

The Brotherhood communicates with the church in part through The Servant, a quarterly publication of meditations, homilies, poetry, theological reflection, criticism, and news of the community.

 

The Rule and Custom of the Community

The Rule requires weekly participation — daily if possible — in celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, daily recitation of the fourfold office of The Book of Common Prayer, daily meditation, regular theological and biblical study, Embertide reports, and attendance at the annual convocation and General Chapter, when the community gathers from around the country for a time of prayer, counsel and fellowship.

The traditional vows are adapted to an apostolic life:

  • Poverty means devoting the fruit of one’s labor to the service of God, and entails the tithe in support of the church and the Brotherhood.
  • Chastity is living with all in love, without possessiveness or the desire to control, and entails either celibacy or fidelity.
  • Obedience is setting aside self-will in following the requirements of the community and the church.

This modern interpretation of the religious life is rooted in Saint Gregory’s Pastoral Care, Saint Francis’ Rule for All the Faithful, and Saint Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life. It embodies the integration of worship and work, contemplative prayer with active ministry.

 

The Brothers Shall be Mothers. . .

This line from Saint Francis’ Rule for Hermitages describes an exciting development in the history of the life of the Brotherhood.

A 1987 resolution of Chapter authorized the development of a Christian Community-in-formation, the Companion Sisterhood of Saint Gregory, under the sponsorship of the Brotherhood. In 1999 this community became independent, taking the name The Sisters of Saint Gregory. This community affords women who are called to the Gregorian Way an opportunity to fully live out that life.BSG

 

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

 

Gregory the Great

 

 

Life Profession

 

 

Bishop Paul Moore visits the Brothers

 

 

m21profession

 

 

Life Profession Prayers

 

 

Professed Cross

 

 

Communion

 

 

Life Profession Ring

Learn More

Contact BSG | Vocations | Recommended Reading | In Memoriam | Legal Documents |

Anyone desiring information on entering the postulancy of the Brotherhood can find more information on the BSG vocations page.

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