| Missionaries of Charity Brothers |
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| Written by Admin |
| Tuesday, 08 December 2009 13:45 |
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Some years after Mother Teresa had so wonderfully established the work of her Sisters among the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India, she was inspired by the need for a group of men who would work in the same spirit. And so on March 25th, 1963, a start was made with the Brother's Congregation called The Missionaries of Charity Brothers. Shortly after founding the Brothers in Calcutta, Mother Teresa started to search for a priest to act as a spiritual Director and Superior for the Brothers. This she found in a young Jesuit whom she met when he shared in the work during his Tertianship. Ian Travers Ball, who discerned that God was calling him to lead this small band of men to serve the poorest of the poor. He received permission from the Jesuits to leave and become the head of this new community. He took the name "Brother Andrew". After many adventures, the new Congregation has grown to about 400 Brothers worldwide. These brothers are stationed throughout 44 houses located in India, Africa, Korea, Japan, The Philippines, Latin America, Europe and The United States. Between 1973 and 1975 five houses were established in Vietnam and Cambodia, but were lost when the Communist governments took over there. Their main spirit is to work among the poorest of the poor. The charism of the congregation is the gift of seeing, loving and serving Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor. At present about 400 Brothers, scattered around the world having more than 69 communities where brothers are giving whole hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor. Most of the communities are having homes: for the sick and dying, mentally and physically handicapped, leprosy patients, the abandoned and the mentally ill. |