ROME, AUG. 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The congregation of the Brothers of Charity is like a small seed that has grown into a big tree and continues to bear fruit, said Brother Aimé Peirsman.
Brother Peirsman is the secretary-general of the Belgian congregation that is celebrating their bicentenary with a jubilee year.
"In this year of grace and thanksgiving," Brother Peirsman told ZENIT, "we want to offer special gratitude to God, for all the good we have contributed to holistic development and happiness of our fellow human beings, and for the special attention we render to the marginalized of our society, the deprived and oppressed people."
Founding
Father Peter Joseph Triest founded the congregation of religious brothers in 1807 in Belgium.
Brother Piersman explained: "In Ghent, like in many towns in our region, the circumstances in which the poor, the sick and the elderly were forced to live were abominable.
"Father Triest wanted to improve these conditions, so he founded four congregations, one of which was the Brothers of Charity.
"What had started on a very small scale in 1807 has grown into an international congregation with houses in 25 countries and about 500 members. A small seed has grown into a big tree that continues to bear fruit."
Jubilee celebrations
We wanted "to highlight the following aspects of our vocation: brotherhood, spirituality, charity, hospitality and solidarity," said Brother Peirsman. "The challenge given to each brother, especially in this year of the Jubilee, is: 'How each one of us can express these ideals charitably and concretely in our local, diverse situations?'"
Each region and province will celebrate the anniversary in various ways. A museum about the congregation will open in Ghent, and in the Netherlands, the brothers have created a monument in honor of their founder, Father Triest, to be unveiled in November.
