Following four weeks of fraternal fellowship, the sharing of experiences and new learning, the 4th edition of the “Tutti Fratelli” formation session for Religious Brothers, held in Rome from 28 September to 24 October 2026, and supported by the Union of Superiors General, came to a close.
“The theme of this session was the attractive joy of fraternity, focused on pastoral care of vocations,” comments Br Valère Adonsou, who was part of the programme’s Coordinating Team. The programme was designed “with the aim of strengthening and developing a culture of vocations within the congregations of Religious Brothers”.
Culture of Vocations
“The first week was devoted to getting to know one another and discovering the realities faced by young people. The second week focused on the identity and mission of the Religious Brother within the Church. We then addressed the situation of those responsible for pastoral ministry of vocations, how to accompany young people and how to facilitate discernment. And the final week was devoted to the resources we can develop in the digital area, to physical materials and, above all, to artificial intelligence, which we can utilise whilst being mindful of both its positive and negative aspects,” explains Br. Valère, as he takes stock of the programme shared by 40 Brothers from 12 Congregations of Religious Brothers, of various nationalities, who carry out their evangelising mission in 25 countries around the world.
In addition to Brother Valère, five Brothers from the Christian Schools took part in the formation programme, which concluded with a brief meeting with Pope Leo XIV during one of the general audiences held in St Peter’s Square.
Reflecting on the experience, Brother Kassaye Antuan Petros, from the Lwanga District, highlighted the importance of this inter-congregational experience and the contributions of the speakers to the development of his mission: “It has been useful and enriching experience for us to carry on vocation promotion ministry; it has given me more ideas on how to work with young people”. This aspect has also been particularly significant for Brother Roberson Minosoa Narivelo, from the Madagascar District, who believes that “the experience of all the communities present here and of the Congregation really helps us on the vocational journey”.
For his part, Brother Leonard Rhoades, from the District of Eastern North America (DENA), has reaffirmed his conviction that “the Brothers’ vocation is still very important; we still need to touch hearts to young people in our classes and those whom we meet” in order to invite them to embrace the Lasallian charism.
Lasallian Digital Mission
Specifically, Brother Genaro Mareco Quiñonez, from the Argentina-Paraguay District, has highlighted the potential for using certain technological tools, including artificial intelligence, to “complement all this work of promoting vocations”. Furthermore, Brother Genaro is considering the possibility of integrating the Lasallian Digital Mission into his evangelisation and vocation promotion work: “I would like to broaden that concept and also the issue of digitalisation – this ‘digital missionary’ – in order to reach out to and draw closer to today’s young people”.
In summary, for Brother Peter Killeen of DENA, “the most important thing for me, the greatest blessings of this ‘Tutti Fratelli’ experience has been the emphasis on fraternity as a theological important idea for Brothers’ congregations, that were meant to promote universal fraternity both in the Church and in the world as a very important aspect of our life.”.
At the end of this journey, “the time has come to be sent forth, not simply to return to routine, but heading back to your local communities and ministries as joyful, bold ambassadors of Magnifica Fraternitas”, as suggested by Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, during his address in the first week of the programme.
“Our task today is both clear and urgent. As the Church continues her synodal journey, striving to heal from clericalism and rediscover how to walk together, the vocation of the Religious Brother is not a relic of the past or an afterthought. It is an essential, indispensable gift. Our very existence serves as a living roadmap for the whole Church. By reclaiming our baptismal equality, practicing shared leadership, and building communities where listening comes before speaking, we show everyone that a fraternal, synodal Church isn’t just an abstract dream—it is already happening among us,” concluded Brother Armin.