How To Begin Forming A Fraternity

This will serve as an introduction to how to start a Fraternity in a local area. Ideally, a Fraternity Conference is scheduled which is a 4-day retreat that introduces the life and mission of the Fraternity. However, there are times and circumstances that may not make that possible. This brochure along with other brochures can show you how to start a Fraternity and have a Fraternity Conference at a later date.

How Do We Get Started?

A priest would gather a group of priests together who show an interest in the Fraternity of Priests. A good introduction to the life is given in the Fraternity of Priests brochure. This points out the 4 elements that are common to every Fraternity meeting: fellowship, praise and worship, teaching and formation and pastoral care. Time could be spent over the first few sessions learning about these different elements and how they would work in a local situation. The local organizer would work in consultation with others to see how the life would work best with the brothers. As early as possible the group should strive to have each of these elements in their meeting.

Fellowship

One of the gifts of the Fraternity is the priority we give to having good relationships with one another. These take time to develop and must be made a priority. The time and frequency of local meetings has to be decided upon by the brothers. If the brothers live close to one another they can meet weekly or if they live farther apart they would meet less frequently but possible for a longer period of time. It is important to have time just in being together as brothers. It is there that we develop a deeper trust and a deeper relationship. Part of the meeting should be spending time together in fellowship with each other.

Praise and Worship

We desire to give God the praise and honor that are His due. In our time of prayer we not only give God glory but also listen as He speaks to us. As we accept that the Lord desires us to know Him and to speak a word to us our time and praise and worship develops. For those who are not familiar with charismatic prayer this may take a time to develop. There are teachings that show us to grow in this area. Also, experience is the teacher. As we grow in our depth in this area we will see the fruit in our lives.

Teaching and Formation

One of the main ways that we learn about the life of the Fraternity is through our common teachings. Copies of all Fraternity teachings are on the Fraternity’s website, “fraternityofpriests.org”. It would be best to start with the teachings under the Fraternity Conference section. These give an overview of the life and how it can be lived out. After those teachings are presented you could move onto the teachings about the Kingdom Disciplines. These are agreements that we make together that allow us to live out the life of the Fraternity. Soon a set of teachings, which are an adaptation of The Life in the Spirit Seminar especially for priests, will be available. These will serve as a good introduction for those who have not had experience with the Charismatic Renewal. Other teachings are available that have been developed by local Fraternities.

Pastoral Care

An important aspect of our life together is the care we take for one another. This is done primarily in small groups that would meet. If a Fraternity has 5 members or less this could be done all together. If you get much larger you may want to split up into smaller groups. Here the brothers would have an opportunity to share about their life. It could be a sharing about their life and ministry, their joys and struggles, what God has been saying to them in prayer, their plans and decisions. Whatever is going on in a brother’s life that he wants to share or get input on is important. Again this will take time for trust to grow. There are teachings that help us learn about this aspect of our time.

How Do We Proceed

If the starting of a local Fraternity seems to be something you are interested in you are asked to contact the Fraternity of Priests. They will be in contact with you to help you in the process.

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100 Belleview Blvd., Steubenville, OH. 43952
Phone: 740-283-4400
Fax: 740-283-3622
E-mail: contact@fraternityofpriests.org