From 7 to 14 September 2025, 63 Claretians gathered at the Fraterna Domus retreat house for the World Meeting of Claretian Brothers. They reflected on the identity, mission and future of this vocation within the Congregation.
The meeting, prepared through podcasts and virtual gatherings, brought together participants from all the Conferences — MICLA, ASCLA, ECLA and ACLA — highlighting its universal and fraternal spirit. Accompanying the meeting were the Superior General, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, and members of the General Government.
A key moment was the jubilee pilgrimage to St Peter’s Basilica, where the participants crossed the Holy Door as a sign of communion and synodality. The memory of countless brothers who served faithfully and silently throughout history was also honoured.
The week concluded with a message of hope: to walk as one congregational family with a Brother’s Heart, faithful to the charism of St Anthony Mary Claret and attentive to the signs of the times today.
“This meeting has reaffirmed me in my vocation as a Claretian Brother. If a Major Organism of our Institute has no Brothers, it begins to sink. We Brothers share the same mission as priests, deacons and students: to work, each from our own role, for the Greater Glory of God, with a heart open like Mary’s and always attentive to those most in need.
I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of participants — almost 70 brothers — among them our Superior General, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam. It was a great joy to share this gathering with an enthusiastic group of young Brothers.
The field of work has expanded in many directions: teaching, professional careers and other diverse means. For this reason, it is essential to promote and make known the vocation of the Brother, as well as his formation, within the different teams of the Congregation.
I feel deeply grateful for my vocation and renewed in my missionary commitment in the Province of Fatima.”
Testimony of Juan Pozo Moreno, cmf
