The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-12-07
A LIFE OF JOYFUL WORK.
Christian Brothers Busy and Happy

Christian Brothers Busy and Happy.
1t is not too much to say, perhaps,
that never before in all history has
the Catholic Church had such splen-
did prospects as are now spread out
before her in these United States,
writes Reverend Patrick J. Burke, of
Baltimore. But in order to take full
advantages of this magnificent oppor-
tunity the Church requires an immense
army of men and women to engage in
her service. The demand for Brothers
is so great that these Communities
are sadly compelled to refuse appli-
cations for their services in various
places on account of not having
enough men. Now there are many
boys who, while having no inclination
at all to spend long years in hard
study for the priesthood, would be
able to do excellent work as Brothers
teaching in the schools or assisting in
Homes and Industrial Schools. Trades
men, such as carpenters, painters,
plumbers, bakers, and cooks are
needed, as we'll as boys having taste
for these trades. Every boy should
seriously ask himself, therefore,
whether he ought to remain in the
world or devote himself to the service
of God in religion. Work in the mills
and factories is hard. The majority
of bookkeepers and clerks have long
hours and small pay. The higher
salaried officials in the railroads and
corporations have their rivalries and
disappointments. 1t is not always the
most capable or the most worthy that
is promoted, so that most of these
officials have their grievances, not to
speak of the strenuous work they
must do. All this hardship and worry
gains for the toiler, in most cases,
nothing more than living. Even ii
he succeeds in amassing fortune, he
cannot take one cent of it beyond the
grave. The life of a Brother, it is
true, is far from being life of ease
and comfort; on the contrary, it is
one of labor and toll. The joys of
married life, the pleasures of the
world, with it's honors and distinctions
are denied him. But to imagine that
he is thereby depressed and made
gloomy and sad would be very great
mistake. The fact is there is no class
of people anywhere so happy as those
who devote themselves unreservedly
to God in religion. Happiness does
not consist in the money one pos
sesses, or in the pleasures INDUCED in,
but rather in the peace and joy of
good conscience. In other words, the
more perfectly one serves God the
happier he is. Hence it is that those
who give themselve to God by the
vow of obedience are happier than
those who remain in the world. The
Brother is happier, moreover, because
his fellow-Brothers are congenial
souls to whom he is deeply attached
by the bonds of common interest Liv-
ing as they always do in communities
of three or more, the Brothers have
an advantage in this respect over the
secular priest, who is often obliged to
live alone deprived of agreeable COM
panions While the Brother of limited
education can make himself very use
full, one who has a taste for study is
given every encouragement and en-
ployment suited to his talents. Fear
not, therefore, to enlist in the great
army of Christ Have the courage to
despise the judgments of the world,
which will seek to make little of what
is in reality noble enterprise. Come
forward and help Holy Church to
make this the strongest, happiest and