Blessed Gérard and his ‘Everlasting Brotherhood’

Epilogue

The Second Vatican Council states in Article 2 of its decree on the contemporary renewal of religious life “perfectae caritatis” from October 28, 1965:

" A contemporary renewal of religious life means: a constant return to the roots of all Christian life and to the original spirit of each institute, while at the same time adapting it to the changed conditions of the times. This renewal should be realized under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and under the guidance of the Church, according to the following principles:"

  1. The ultimate norm of religious life is the imitation of Christ, as described in the Gospel. It must be the supreme rule for all institutes.

  2. It is to the benefit of the Church that the institutes have their individuality and their special tasks. Therefore, they must the spirit and essential intentions of the founders , as well as the sound traditions which together constitute the heritage of each institution, are conscientiously researched and preserved …”553

The latter was the aim of this work. I do not claim to have fully described the charisma of my patron saint, Blessed Gérard, nor do I imply that there is no room for revision in what I have written. Therefore, I am extremely grateful for any suggestions for further study and any proposals for improvement. If I have succeeded in elucidating the indispensable foundation of all service under the Maltese cross, as it was lived and established by the founder and his first successors, my great wish to make a small contribution to the renewal of this Order, to which I feel so deeply connected, would be fulfilled.

Looking at the nature and work of the Order today, we can happily note that this renewal was not only initiated with great energy at the Second Vatican Council. Renewal, however, is not a one-time event, but rather a continuous process of change, a constant adaptation to the needs of the times. Renewal also means, but not only, an external transformation, but also, and essentially, a lasting inner change. This means that every member of the Order and every employee in the Order's works must be prepared to constantly reflect on themselves and, if necessary, to be ready to repent regarding the nature, content, purpose, and nature of their service. Especially in our time, when we often lament secularization, the decline of faith, selfishness, and so on, each individual, keeping the Order's purpose in mind, must continually ask themselves why and how they perform this service: Is it truly pure love of God and neighbour that motivates them to selflessly encounter the suffering Christ in their fellow human beings in need? The future of all who serve under the Maltese cross will be shaped and determined by the answer to this question.

Only if we can answer this question with a clear "yes" have we remained true to the intentions and goals of the order's founder.

The goal of “tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum” (protection of the faith and service to the poor) is an inseparable unity. It cannot and must not be divided into two parts. For service to the faith loses its credibility if it does not culminate in acts of service, and every act of aid to the poor, even if it stems from the best intentions and is perfectly organized, remains a pitiful fragment if it is not part of following Christ, who alone can and will bring to completion the good he has begun in us.

For the design of our ministry, this implies that we must always see those in need as a unity of body and soul. Physical healing and spiritual well-being are inextricably linked. However, the goal of "spiritual salvation" must not be confused with mental health. The latter is merely one aspect of physical health. While we rightly claim the responsibility to care for the spiritual well-being of those entrusted to us, this does not absolve us of the task of pastoral care, that is, the concern for the spiritual well-being of those we support. Since human salvation lies in communion with Christ, it is our task to bring people closer to Christ through our ministry so that they can have a saving encounter with him. Our ministry is therefore consciously and essentially also missionary service. In this way, we participate as instruments of God in his plan of salvation for the world. The essential difference between our ministry and the work of other aid organisations is that we are not only meant to heal but are also called to sanctification.

Service to the needy, motivated by faith and following Christ, is genuine service for salvation, is true worship.

This, and nothing else, was and will be the task of everyone who serves under the Maltese cross. This goal is not only our sole justification for existence, but also an inner duty, as well as the highest honour and distinction of all those who follow the ideals and example of Blessed Gérard.

Fr. Gérard Lagleder O.S.B.

554

Closing remarks

“Follow in his footsteps” – this was the exhortation Archabbot Notker Wolf O.S.B. gave me 555when he bestowed upon me the religious name of Blessed Gérard in 1982. It was a promise that would shape my life. From my admission to the Order of Malta Relief Service in 1969 until my solemn commissioning to Zululand on Epiphany in 1987, my path led me ever closer to those on the margins of society.

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In light of the immeasurable suffering I encountered in South Africa, I founded the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard in 1992. We didn't want to devise a theory on the drawing board but rather give a "courageous response" to the cry of the poor.

Today, our work at Blessed Gérard's Care Centre encompasses a wide range of assistance that those in need require for body, mind, and soul:

We see ourselves as modern heirs of the original Brotherhood of St. John. Our goal is to glorify God by serving "our Lords, the poor." It is an attempt to translate the vision of Blessed Gérard into the present day: a service of love that begins where the need is greatest.

When Hayne Clark, the director of our children's home, summarized our service after more than 30 years of membership: "It's not a job, it's a vocation!" and when Wiseman Zulu, a member of the Zulu royal family who has been actively serving with us since 1997, said: " I would die to be able to continue helping, " I thanked the Lord that the seed sown by Blessed Gérard had been allowed to bear fruit a hundredfold by God's grace.557

Yours sincerely

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Bibliography

1. Bibliographies

2. Sources

a. Unprinted sources

b. printed sources

3. General literature and monographies

a. published writings

b. Unpublished manuscripts and typescripts

c. Record

Der Historiker Wilhelm Caoursin schreibt sein Geschichtsbuch (rechts)
und übergibt es dem Großmeister (links).559