by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — When it comes to living in poverty, the Little Brothers of the Lamb here put their money where their mouth is.
At least, they would if they had any.
The fact is, the Little Brothers are beggars.
“Our charism is to announce the begging love of God who made himself vulnerable as a lamb,” said Little Brother David. “We embrace being mendicant religious — beggars in our lives and in our life of prayer.”
Origins in Kansas City
Founded in France in 1990, the Little Brothers are part of the Community of the Lamb that began with the Little Sisters of the Lamb in 1981. Worldwide, there are 35 Little Brothers, including ordained priests and religious brothers. They are contemplatives and missionaries consecrated to living the Gospel.
Through providential interactions with Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann and Father Anthony Ouellette, the Little Brothers first visited Kansas City in 2006.
“We fell in love with the neighborhood,” said Little Brother Francois-Xavier, the local superior.
The Little Brothers established their official foundation in the archdiocese in 2013, and in 2018 they opened the new Light of Mary, Mother of God Monastery in eastern Wyandotte County. Five Little Brothers, one postulant and two men discerning their vocations live at the residence.
The Little Brothers do not own a car. Following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Dominic, they walk or hitchhike throughout the metropolitan area to beg for food.
They wear the traditional Dominican garb of a blue floor-length robe, an apron-like scapular overlay, a large rosary and a leather belt.
“Our habit identifies that we’re consecrated to God,” Little Brother David said.
Those who have professed final vows wear a medallion with the figure of the lamb. Men in formation and persons associated as the spiritual family of the Community of the Lamb wear a pendant that features a simple cross.
Prayer tells the time
Prayer permeates the lives of the Little Brothers. Their day begins with morning prayer, eucharistic adoration and breakfast. Next comes time for individual study and formation, house chores, administrative duties and liturgical planning.
After late morning prayer, the Little Brothers set out in twos or threes to beg for food or to take their lunch at a food kitchen. Little Brother Francois-Xavier believes the latter provides the opportunity to represent the presence of the church, sitting at table with people living in poverty.
“We never know who we are going to meet,” Little Brother Francois-Xavier said of knocking on doors to beg for food. He recalled an encounter with a woman who answered the door to her home and shared that the Lord had told her something special was going to happen that day. She gave them food and thanked the Little Brothers repeatedly for stopping at her home.
“We come asking, letting them know we’re in need,” Little Brother David said. “We’re showing them another side of the church: the face of the vulnerable Christ, allowing God to work in his own way.”
The Little Brothers also visit men in the local jail to pray and share the Gospel and the juvenile detention center to eat lunch with the young men.
“It’s beautiful and striking to see how God speaks to those who are suffering,” Little Brother David said.
In the early evening, the Little Brothers join the Little Sisters for Mass. Then, it’s back to their monastery for dinner and night prayer.
Off duty
For recreation, the Little Brothers write and perform songs and plays. When they receive a cake as a gift, they form a procession to celebrate.
The monastery hosts open tables on a regular schedule. One is for Spanish-speaking guests, and the other is for those who wish to join the Little Brothers for a family-style meal.
Young adults (ages 18 to 35) are a focus of the community’s outreach. Every Monday evening, they invite young people to Mass and dinner. Between 20 to 30 guests show up to pray with the Gospel and discover ways the word of God interacts with their lives. Many vocations, like Little Brother David’s, have evolved from these gatherings.
Annually, the Community of the Lamb organizes a pilgrimage and retreat for young adults following the path of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Kansas. With their origin in France, the community has a kinship with this French nun who ministered to the Potawatomi tribe at the Sugar Creek Mission near Mound City.
Many of the young adults who join them have never made a walking spiritual pilgrimage.
“It’s a beautiful experience of feeling more simple and poor as we walk together as a strong community,” Little Brother Francois-Xavier said. “We recognize the truth of our condition as pilgrims on a journey.”
Little Brother David encouraged anyone discerning a religious vocation to come and see.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “It’s not as if you will be signing up at the first visit!”
The Community of Lamb provides multiple opportunities for visitors to join them for prayer, including extended services on vigils of feasts and other occasions. For more information, visit: https://communityofthelamb.org/little-brothers-of-the-lamb/.
