Prayer for vocations, from the Prayer Book of the Irish Alexian Brothers.

Our Heavenly Father,

With grateful hearts we thank you for the week ahead and all the blessings of the day. Thank you for our work and ministry this past week and for the opportunity to rest. Please bless the weekend that now begins, that we may be renewed in body and spirit. Give us rest, relaxation and happy moments with our loved ones. Help us, that we may take time for ourselves and our loved ones, and for your praise. Protect us from harm and guide us in Your ways.

Amen.

Brother Barry and Marley.

The copper wall decoration, made on the occasion of the General Assembly held in Kleve, Germany, in May 2016, features the pelican feeding its young with its own blood (symbol of self-sacrificing love), which also appears in the Alexian coat of arms, and on the reverse the inscription "Caritas Christi Urget Nos" - Christ's love urges us (2 Cor 5:14).

Two members of the Alexian community in Hungary, Brother Alexius and Brother Leo, were able to spend a week in the monastery of the Irish Alexian community in the village of Knock, near the Irish National Shrine. Thank you for this week of experiences, kindness and hospitality of the Brothers.

Brother Leo at the entrance to the Alexian Monastery in Ireland, 
in the company of Saint Alexius

 

 

 Brother Alexius says goodbye to Ireland and Rosie

Saint Alexius, patron of the Alexian Order, we thank you for the example you set with your life: service, humility and love for the poor. We ask you to strengthen all members of our Order around the world to faithfully continue their mission of service to those in need. Grant them strength in fatigue, wisdom in decision, and patience in adversity. Help them to be guided always by love and mercy in their service. Bless all the institutions of the Alexian Brothers to be a source of refuge and hope for those who suffer. We ask that your holy example may inspire them to reflect God's love in their daily lives. Amen.

Brother Dermot with a newborn Nigerian dwarf goat.

Timeline with the most important moments in the history of the Alexian Order from the beginning to the end of the 18th century.

Saint Alexius, 17th century, Matelica, Italy.

This month was the anniversary of the death of Stephen Russell CFA (1911-1975), Alexian Brother, who also wrote poetry. These poems are full of incredible empathy and compassion, worthy of the spirit of our Order's patron, St Alexius, patron saint of the homeless. From this we would like to share a beautiful one. A homeless shelter named after the brother is still in operation today. 

Prayer card to Christ the Healer, decorated with a drawing of Brother Valentino Bianco CFA (1923-2013).

Gracious God, as the week concludes and the weekend begins, we give thanks for your blessings and guidance. Grant us rest and rejuvenation, time for reflection and renewal. May we find peace in your presence and strength for the challenges ahead. Guide our thoughts and actions, and help us to use this time wisely, to serve others and to draw closer to you. Amen.

For Mother's Day

Our Heavenly Father, on Mother's Day, we turn to you with a grateful heart to thank all mothers for their love, sacrifice and devotion. Let us pray for them who are the heart of the family and hold our families together with their love, wisdom and care. Bless them with health, peace and joy. Give them strength to overcome daily challenges and fill their hearts with a sense of love and appreciation. Help us, their children, to be worthy of their love and sacrifice. Amen.