Brothers of Charity receive attention during state visit to India
Mumbai. King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium paid a state visit to India from 2 until 11 November. Bro. René Stockman, Superior General, was part of the delegation. During this state visit, the Brothers of Charity signed partnership agreements with the Tata Institute for Social Sciences and Help Handicap International. Together they will develop certified training programmes in the field of mental health care and disability care. The royal couple attended both the signing and the academic session, which was organised with the Catholic University of Leuven. Early December, the Congregation will open a second home for chronic patients in Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu. In Ranchi, the Congregation has already established a halfway house.

New novices start their training
Sint-Maria-Aalter. On Saturday 30 August 2008, 17 novices from Asia and South America received the religious garb of the Brothers of Charity at the international novitiate in Sint-Maria-Aalter. After a week of contemplation led by Bro. René Stockman, Superior General, these young people consciously took a step forward to gain more knowledge about life as a religious brother. There are currently 38 African novices in Nairobi. The second-year novices went from Maria-Aalter to Moerzeke where they will pursue their training.

African Novices
Dar es Salam.

Compendium presented to the Pope
Rome. On Wednesday 28 May 2008, Bro. René Stockman, Superior General and president of the International Institute Canon Triest, and Prof. Walter Nonneman, executive director of UCSIA (University Centre Saint Ignatius Antwerp), had the honour to present the Dutch translation of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church to Pope Benedict XVI during an audience in Rome. The Pope expressed his appreciation for the realization of this work and hoped that many in the Netherlands and Flanders would get to know this important part of the evangelical message. Messrs De Pooter, Vanwiele and Vanhaverbeke also attended the audience.

Meeting Higher Superiors concluded with presentation of Constitutions
Rome. From 14 until 24 April, all provincial and regional superiors gathered in Rome with the General Council to discuss the Congregation’s policy.
It was a very fruitful meeting resulting in a number of clear decisions with regard to the apostolate, formation, formation of associate members and the financial policy. An ample amount of time was allotted to the presentations of the different regions and the introduction to the recent developments in the Congregation, among which the new foundation in China.
In conclusion, the Superior General presented the renewed Constitutions to the attending superiors during a religious ceremony. The next meeting is scheduled for April 2009.

Formation house consecrated in Tanzania
Dar es Salaam. On 1 March 2008, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, consecrated the new formation house, and by doing so, he officially welcomed the Brothers of Charity to the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. This new formation house received Saint John the Baptist as its patron saint and is initially designed for the formation of young brothers of the Saint Dominic region. However, it is currently used for the further training of second-year novices from Africa. And there is the intention of developing the care for psychiatric patients and drug-dependent persons in the future. On Monday 3 March, 22 novices start their apostolic training, organized by the International Institute Canon Triest.

39 new African novices
Nairobi. On Friday 29 February 2008, 39 postulants received their religious garb and started their two-year novitiate in Nairobi. Brother René Stockman, Superior General, stayed in their midst for one week so as to guide them during their retreat. The novices come from Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic. The training of the novices is entrusted to Bro. Paulin Kindambu, assisted by a team of African brothers. This wonderful group constitutes a promising sign for the Congregation's African province.

Formation plan
Rome . From 11 until 16 February, a group of brothers, involved in formation, gathers in Rome with the general administration so as to reflect upon the Congregation’s formation plan. The current formation plan dates back to 1997 and remains an edifying pedagogical document, however it is in need of actualizing and concretizing because of the internationalization of formation and the option of bringing more temporarily professed brothers together in adapted formation houses. The group is hoping to draw up an adapted document by the end of the week.

Psychiatric Centre inaugurated in Lubumbashi
Lubumbashi (Congo). On 28 December, the Dr. Guislain Psychiatric Centre was inaugurated in Lubumbashi. In the presence of numerous religious and worldly authorities, Bro. René Stockman (Superior General) opened the only psychiatric hospital in the Katanga Province. So as to emphasize the importance of this initiative, the governor donated an ambulance, 30 beds and mattresses to the new hospital.

Further formation fruitful
Ghent. On 11 December, the International Institute Canon Triest presented the first diplomas for ‘International Special Education Management’ to four young brothers from Congo, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and India. In addition, four brothers from India and the Philippines were awarded the certificate for psychiatric nursing, and the Dutch-speaking course participants received the degree of ‘Master in the Social Doctrine of the Church’. The pre-baccalaureate degree was also presented to a group of young brothers. These courses were set up in collaboration with the Catholic University of America (Washington) and the Pontifical Lateran University (Rome). The video speech of the president of the CUA was very notable. Once again, he stressed the importance of collaboration between the Congregation and the universities in order to let the professional care go hand in hand with the individual spirituality. It was a memorable day for all those involved in formation.

India celebrates bicentenary of the Brothers of Charity
Ranchi (India). On 1 December, it was Ranchi’s turn to celebrate the Congregation’s 200^th anniversary. It was a huge event with about 500 participants on the Simalia grounds where the brothers have built a school for the poor. During the Eucharist, Bro. Praween pronounced his perpetual vows and Bro. René Stockman gave the homily. The performance by the children of the local community was much appreciated. Today, the Father Lievens region has 4 communities, three of which are located in Ranchi and one in Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu.

Solemn Jubilee Mass in Rome
Rome. On 25 November,on the Solemnity of Christ the King, a solemn Mass was celebrated in the General House of the Brothers of Charity, marking the 200-year jubilee of the Congregation. Cardinal Martino presidedat the service. Cardinal Godfried Danneels and Mgr. Johan Bonny were the concelebrants. In hisspeech, Bro. René Stockman,Superior General, looked back with gratitude,but he particularly looked ahead towards the future with hope.When the celebration was concluded,a visit to an occasional exhibition and a reception were planned.
More photos
The speech ofBro. René Stockman, Superior General

Bro. Stan Goetschalckx wins Opus Prize
Washington,DC.This prize is awarded every year to people or organizations dedicating themselves from their Christian inspiration to actively change the lives of those who are socially disadvantaged. During a solemn ceremony, Bro. Stan was declared the winner of the Opus Prize 2007. In his short speech of thanks, Bro. Stan emphasized ‘the option for love for the poor’. An adage which characterizes himself and the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity. More

Floral tribute to a pioneer
Butare. On Sunday 28 October 2007, the brothers of Rwanda and Burundi celebrated the occasion of the congregation’s bicentenary. Highlight of the event was the floral tribute on the renewed grave of Bro. Gabriel Vermeersch, pioneer of the missions of the Brothers of Charity.

Herman Van Rompuy receives Triest-Guislain Chair
Antwerp On 24 October, the Triest-Guislain Chair was awarded by the University of Antwerp and the Brothers of Charity. The Triest-Guislain Chair refers to two tenors in social health care, namely Canon Peter Joseph Triest, founder of the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity, and Prof. Dr. Joseph Guislain, psychiatrist, whose realizations were accomplished by an intense interweaving of inspiration and expertise. The Chair wants to kindle social interest and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of education, health and welfare, on both a local and global level. Minister of State Herman Van Rompuy was this year’s laureate. Amid great interest, he gave a lecture on dealing with ideological diversity in education and health care.

Dutch region celebrates jubilee with much lustre
Eindhoven . On 29 September, the jubilee day in Eindhoven took place. There have been activities all the year round but the jubilee day constituted the highlight of the celebrations. A solemn Mass, an exhibition in Eindhoven , the publication of a jubilee book, the unveiling of a statue and a big family day were the main ingredients. For pictures, please turn to www.broedersvanliefde.com

Brother of Charity nominated for Opus Prize
Washington . On 30 August, the Opus Prize nominees were announced in Washington DC . This prize is awarded every year to people or organizations dedicating themselves from their Christian inspiration to actively change the lives of those who are socially disadvantaged. Bro. Stan Goetschalckx, founder of an institute for distance learning in Kigoma, is one of three nominees.

New novices take the habit
Sint-Maria-Aalter. On 1 September, the oblation or the ceremony of taking the habit took place for 13 novices at the International Novitiate of the Brothers of Charity. Twelve novices from Asia(Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka) and 1 candidate brother from Belgium will receive a two-year basic formation programme so as to become Brothers of Charity. Four young men from Pakistan will join the group shortly. In the meantime, 42 postulants are preparing themselves to commence their novitiate in Nairobi.

Novitiate in Nairobi celebrates jubilee
Nairobi. On Saturday 18 August, the bicentenary of the congregation was celebrated with a solemn Mass conducted by the Apostolic Nuncio of Kenya at the Nairobi novitiate, where the novices had just ended their annual retreat. At the same time, this was a farewell celebration for the first group of novices who are returning to their region by the end of August to start the apostolic year.

Burundi rounds off jubilee year with perpetual vows
Bujumbura On Saturday 11 August, Bro. Hippolyte and Bro. Hermenégilde pronounced their perpetual vows in Kamenge-Bujumbura , Burundi . This was a reason for celebration. In the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio of Burundi, who conducted the celebration of the Eucharist, the two brothers said their vows in the hands of the Superior General. It has been years since Burundian brothers had taken this step. The entire community also celebrated the 200^th anniversary of the congregation. The attendance of numerous brothers from Rwanda , Congo and Tanzania was quite remarkable.

Indonesian Sultan enthusiastic about cooperationYogyakarta. The Sultanof Yogyakarta, Hamengku BuwonoX,found a new partner in the Brothers of Charity in the field ofdrug prevention and relief. Yogyakarta is Indonesia's main university city, and this is where the drug problem is most prevalent. In the course of their two meetings, Bro. Stockman, Superior General, and the Sultan explored the possibilities of cooperation.Cooperation at government level, in the field of prevention and relief in prisons and in referring patients to private relief initiatives. By setting up the Kunci centre, the Brothers ofCharity were able to introduce an entirely new approach in order to address these issues in Indonesia.

200 years Brothers of Charity on Vatican Radio Rome. From 13 until 20 June 2007, the French broadcasts on Vatican Radio feature an interview with Brother Aimé Peirsman (Secretary General) on the occasion of the bicentenary of the Brothers of Charity. Listen to the interview here (RealPlayer):interviewwith Bro. Aime Peirsman.

New group of associate members Manila. Thirteenassociate members affirmed their promise on 11 June. This means that associate membership is greatly expanding for the Brothers of Charity in the Philippines. This joyous event fits in with the activities that are organized on the occasion of 200 years of Brothers of Charity in the Philippines. Bro. René Stockman, Superior General,also attendedtheoccasion.

Double jubilee in the Philippines Manila. On 10 June, an official ceremony was held in Baguio on the occasion of 200 years of Brothers of Charity. Actually, itwas a double celebration, because the congregation celebrated 25 years of the Brothers' presence in the Philippines.

Vietnam continues to flourish Ho Chi Minh. On Sunday 3 June, Bro. Dominic renewed his vows and 5 new postulants were welcomed during a solemn Mass on the occasion of the 200-year jubilee of the Brothers of Charity. The congregation in Vietnam is really starting to take shape.

International group discusses solidarity within the congregation.
Rome. From 21 until 24 May 2007, the Generalate in Rome invited an international group on the occasion of the celebration of the bicentenary of the Brothers of Charity. The group included representatives of the Friends of the Brothers of Charity-committee from Belgium, the Brothers of Charity protection committee from the Netherlands, and the Committee of New York.
In addition to visiting Rome, there were meetings on solidarity within the congregation and on the future of the apostolic works. It was decided to establish an international board for international fundraising, of which CardinalMcCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, accepted the post of honorary chairman.
On Wednesday 23 May, a delegation of the group was received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI, and on Thursday 24 May, by Cardinal Bertone, the Secretary of State of the Vatican.

Secretary of State of the Vatican meets with Superior General
Rome, 24 May 2007. On the occasion of the assembly of the international group in Rome, Bro. René Stockman, Superior General, had a meeting with Cardinal Bertone, Secretary of State of the Vatican. He talked about the congregation, and presented the jubilee book and the insignia of the congregation to the Cardinal Secretary of State. Cardinal Bertone congratulated the congregation for its 200 years of dedication to the poorest and hoped that this important apostolate could be continued with inspiration and professionalism, as a reflection of the evangelical love, as shown to us by Christ. He emphasized the importance of staying and becoming present in countries where the Church is facing difficulties.

Jubilee Eucharist at Saint Peter’s tomb in Saint Peter’s Basilica
Rome, 23 May 2007. On the occasion of the congregation’s jubilee, the students of the Pontifical Belgian College and the brothers of the Generalate celebrated the Eucharist at the tomb of Saint Peter in the crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Mgr. Johan Bonny, rector of the Pontifical Belgian College conducted the Solemn Mass.
After the celebration, the Superior General had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, during which he presented the jubilee book and the insignia of the congregation to the Pope. The Holy Father gave his apostolic blessing to the congregation, the brothers, the associate members, the staff members and those who arein theircare.

First community in Ukraine is a fact
Berezhany. On 8 May, a cross was planted near the former "Hunter Palace", in accordance with local custom. It is a sign for the fact that the building is now brought into use and acts as the first convent of the Brothers of Charity in Ukraine. The community and their lovely private chapel were consecrated, and the first Ukrainian brother took his first vows, after his period of novitiate in Belgium. The apostolate was started already. In the house “Light of Christ”, mentally challenged persons will find a home and a family atmosphere, where love and respect are key words. An innovative concept of care for Ukraine.

Kenya seals the jubilee with a new chapel
Nairobi. The brothers have hada formation house in Nairobi for a few years now,for the African brothers who want to continue studying. Now that the chapel was finished, the opportunity of the 200-year jubilee of the Brothers of Charity was seized to consecrate it. First and foremost, this time of jubilee wants to be a time of prayer, which requires a place of prayer. More pictures

Triple celebration in Tanzania
Marumba. On 24 March 2007, not only the festivities on the occasion of 200 years of Brothers of Charity were started, but there was also Brother François’ profession and the celebration of 10 years of brothers in the region. In Marumba, a small-scale psychiatric centre is being built. This way, the brothers inTanzania emphasize their visible presence for destitute people. Marumba is now developing into the place of reference as far as mental healthcare in the region is concerned.More pictures

200 years Brothers of Charity-hymn is here
Manila. When we look back on history, we can see a tradition of translating every important jubilee into a piece of music. This time, it is no different. Bro. Tony Rodano wrote the words and the music of the “Brothers of Charity Bicentennial Hymn”. Gene M. Delfin signed on for the arrangements and friends of the Brothers of Charity along with the GMD Harmonic Orchestra provided the performance. The instrumental as well as the vocal version can be found on this website and are available f