Brothers of Mercy of Mary Help of Christians

The Brothers of Mercy of Mary Help of Christians (Latin: Fratres Misericordiae Mariae Auxiliatricis, religious symbol: FMMA ) are a founded by Blessed Peter Friedhofen in Weitersburg at Koblenz 1850 Catholic order.

History

The first mother house was located in the old town of Koblenz. Here, named after its founder Peter Friedhofen Chapel was built in 1854. 2013 will return the congregation again in her first mother's house, now the Peter- Friedhofen - house, to Koblenz. Objective of the Community is to be for sick, elderly, disabled and socially disadvantaged people as well as to realize the Augustinian faith, living and working community as a " Church in miniature". The Community Center is located in Trier. There, the general mother house with sitting of the Superior General. In addition, in Germany convents in Koblenz, Paderborn and Zemmer (Schön Felderhof ). Further offices in Luxembourg City, in Strasbourg (France), in Lucerne ( Switzerland ) in Maringá (Brazil ), Ipoh (Malaysia) and Singapore.

The Order members live according to the Augustine rule. Modeled on the life and community of goods of the first Christians in Jerusalem.

Some quotes from the Constitutions of the Brothers of Mercy of Mary Help

  • Christ has taken upon the earth with a preference for the poor, the weak and the sick. In his name and order we conduct brothers here and now this his service on. (Lf 201)
  • As Brothers of Mercy we are in the midst of the world. We strive to be a living testimony of God's merciful love the people and make them especially the sick credible. So should become visible presence of Christ through us. (Lf 208)
  • Since we have surrendered completely to God by the profession, we are now using all our abilities, powers and interests that is (...) his kingdom of love on earth are increasingly common. (Lf 212)
  • Where are fraternal communion of faith, sincere kindness and genuine friendship at home, we find our home and the place where crises and burdens to overcome. (Lf 312)
  • By the vow of poverty we promise the Lord for us to look at this attitude and to live accordingly. Out of love for him, we commit ourselves to a simple, unpretentious way of life and also to dispense free Have over earthly goods. (Lf 315)
  • Our life in community leads us, like the first Christians, the common possession of spiritual and material goods. (Lf 317)
  • Through the exchange of experiences in the spiritual life we give the brothers share in the gifts of God which we have received themselves. (Lf 318)
  • In so far as each individual is striving to know the will of God and to live as Christ in the Community will be present and show her the way that he has determined our community for today. (Lf 326)
  • Own initiative and joyful, responsible employees are the ideal obedience not answer; rather, we see them as conditions for a fruitful activity in our community. (Lf 330)
  • Through the living communion with Christ, we are also living in fellowship with the brethren. (Lf 402)
  • The same vocation, the common way and one goal have brought us to a community of brothers. The follow Christ can fully realize with us only in and as a community. (Lf 501)
  • Love makes us each other mutual respect and trust and leads to affirmation of the values ​​and personality of the confrere. Also it helps us for mutual thoughtfulness of our limitations and weaknesses. (Lf 502)
  • As a fraternal communion - with the Lord in the middle - we are a representation of the church in which Christ continues his work of redemption and leads to perfection. (Lf 503)
  • Each brother is responsible to actively contribute to the fact that family community life can unfold simply and sincerely in an atmosphere of security. (Lf 506)
  • Our Order ideal demands of us a continuing effort to be more and more human and more Christian. (Lf 603)
  • The household should strive to be of one heart and one soul in joyful together in prayer, work, suffering, and parts of their goods and following the example of the early Christians at the time of the apostles. (Lf 729 )

Order

Since the founding of the Congregation of the Brothers and with them many employees fulfill their mission in the work and care for sick, disabled, elderly and disadvantaged people. The Congregation of the Brothers of Mercy of Mary Help of Christians today in the legal form of the Merciful Brothers Trier eV ( BBT group) received numerous hospitals and care facilities, such as the Hospital of the Brothers of Charity in Trier and the facilities for the elderly and disabled of Mercy brothers in Saffig (Eifel ). The brothers feel responsible for God and implement the saving mission of Jesus by the unconditional and active charity. Addition, however, they also see in the realization of the Augustinian religious, labor and community life as well as in the exercise of hospitality their mission.

Vow

The so- called "three evangelical counsels " (poverty, obedience and chastity, celibacy ) to show that people can not find in earthly things alone the final and complete fulfillment of their great desires. In this way they keep open for God and for others.

  • Poverty: free from worrying about ownership and guarantees
  • Obedience: free from selfish turning around itself
  • Celibate chastity: free from the pursuit of recognition and love, because you know they are loved by God

Membership

Feels a young man in the community called, so it's only once getting to know the community to see if the life of a merciful brother of Mary Help of Christians may be the way to fulfillment in life for him. It should be aimed that when the candidate confidence in God's promise - "I am with you ... wherever you go " (Gen 28:15 ) - grows, so an attitude of sincerity towards himself created, in which he in liberty by the will of God can look for his life. In mutual agreement begins after the decision, the 6- month trial period, the postulate. This is followed by the 2-year novitiate as an introduction to the religious life under the guidance of the master of novices. The novitiate ends with the passing of the temporal vows to 2 and then to 3 years. After 5 years in which deepens the personal and religious maturity and vocational training, further training or education is pending, the final profession is stored so as to definitively tie to God and the community.

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