The charism of the Brothers of Saint John is to live as consecrated men rooted in the Gospel of Christ, following the example of Saint John the Evangelist in prayer, fraternity, and missionary service. They seek to cultivate intimacy with Christ through silent prayer, Eucharistic adoration, the Divine Office, study, and communal life, and from this deep spiritual core they respond to the needs of the Church through teaching, preaching, youth and family ministry, parish support, retreats, and catechesis. Their spirituality emphasizes friendship with Christ, fraternal communion, the search for truth, and service in various apostolates according to local needs.

The Brothers of Saint John were founded in 1975 by Father Marie‑Dominique Philippe (a Dominican priest) as a religious institute of men dedicated to following Christ “in the footsteps of the beloved disciple, St. John the Evangelist.” The community draws its inspiration from St. John’s unique relationship with Christ — especially his closeness to Jesus at the Cross and his witness to the Resurrection — and seeks to express this through consecrated life in fraternity, prayer, study, and mission. Over the decades the community has established priories and formation houses in several countries, offering young men a path to discern and live a consecrated life marked by deep contemplation and apostolic outreach, with homes in Europe, the Americas, and a presence in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) serving East African discerners and formation.

Email: frbd@stjean.com (contact in Ethiopia for East Africa vocations) Email: frjohannespio@stjean.com (General vocation director)