| If you have friends that are in a Fraternity, ask if you may sit in on a monthly meeting. A group is often legitimately conscious of its size and the compatibility of its members, but a fraternity should never be exclusivistic or cliqueish. If there is no Fraternity that is suitable, start your own. Start with a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Browse the website for a good overview of the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests, Living in Fraternity . It is based on Dan Danielson's booklet, The American Experience.
Acquaint yourself with the over-all thrust of deFoucauldian spirituality. Read a book on Brother Charles from the Book List.. Invite two or three priests (who view their priesthood postively and have made a commitment to the spiritual life) to start meeting on a regular basis. Members must make the monthly meeting a priority (although we all know what funerals and emergencies can do to the best-planned schedule). Begin with a monthly meal and then grow into a fuller schedule. Find a place to meet where members will not be disturbed by phone calls, door bells, etc. Perhaps a retreat house, cabin, old convent, etc. One person should be elected "responsible". Don't let the word frighten you! That person agrees to arrange details of time and space and meals, and will be the contact with the Diocesan or National Responsible. A suggested term is three years.
The elements that should be part of every meeting:
- Pray together. The Liturgy of the Hours can be the launching pad for deep shared prayer.
- Try to hold some portion of yoour meeting before the Blessed Sacrament, or alternatively, offer Mass together in a very deliberate and reflective manner.
- The Review of Life is an affirmation of your spiritual and ministerial life. It recalls how God has touched your life in the past month. It is faith-sharing, not problem solving! It is confidential and must be respected.
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