Brothers of Sacred Heart form intellect and heart

    I was asked to speak Sept. 27 at the celebration of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Founders Day Liturgy at school about what the charism of the brothers means to me as a Brother Martin senior. As I reflected on the subject, I realized that I have grown in my appreciation of the charism.
    As an incoming eighth grader, this phrase meant nothing to me. It is not something that can be taught. It is something that must be experienced. It is a concept that takes time to develop. It wasn’t until my classmates and I were deemed the leaders of Brother Martin High School that I fully understood the charism.
    It is the desire and vocation of the brothers, given to them by God, to help form the character of young men.  In the charism, we are called to form our faith, intellect, and compassion; and in our maturity, we look out for our brothers and strive to set an example for those to come.
    As years go by, it can be difficult to see yourself change, but looking back I can see the changes that this Brothers of the Sacred Heart school formed in me and my classmates. It is through this formation that I feel I am prepared for what life has to throw at me. Now it is time for this charism to be passed on to the younger generation.
    At the Founders Day liturgy, I directed some thoughts to the school’s freshmen. I told them that although it may not feel like some classmates and teachers want the best for them, they are helping form them into the men that they will be one day. We must try to help each other reach this goal of formation. Although students may not know all of their classmates, they will develop a sense of brotherly love toward them, the way that I did with my classmates.
    I hoped that they may one day realize the connection all of the students, faculty and alumni of Brother Martin have with each and every one of us. And I hope that when younger students reach my age, they will experience the bond that is the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.
    Connor Glennon is a senior at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. He is a student Ambassador, National Honor Society treasurer, Rugby team captain, student minister and head of the liturgy committee.