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Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Born and raised in a Catholic home in the suburbs of Detroit, Fr. Brent attended Catholic schools through high school. He studied philosophy in college and found himself increasingly compelled by the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, who first introduced him to the Dominicans. More and more, the writings of Dominicans impressed him. When he arrived at graduate school in Detroit, he became involved with a community of Dominican priests. He was impressed by their life of common prayer, study, community, and preaching Christ, so much so that he decided to become a Dominican himself. Although it was at first difficult for him to come to terms with the sacrifices that Dominican life would entail, Fr. Brent says that since becoming a Dominican, he has "known a happiness, a joy, and a peace that is nowhere to be gained from any books of philosophy. For there is a happiness that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. There is a happiness that comes from living out His call. There is a happiness that comes from having a heart consecrated to Him by vows. And it is a happiness so deep and so profound that all the happiness of this world pales by comparison to it."
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Angelic Warfare Confraternity
Posted by Fr. James Brent, O.P. on December 14, 2009
The Angelic Warfare Confraternity is an official association of the Dominican Order dedicated to the preservation of chastity and the pursuit of truth under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas. It finds its inspiration in St. Thomas' victory in his battle against sexual temptation as a teenager in the prison tower, and his being girded by the angels with the cord of chastity.
The Angelic Warfare Confraternity has existed in the Order since the sixteenth century, but due to the widespread need for spiritual assistance in the pursuit of chastity in our society today, membership in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity is currently undergoing a notable revival in the Province of St. Joseph. A new website explaining the Confraternity, and a newly established newsletter are just two signs of this revival. Furthermore, there are many new members of the Confraternity among college students, young adults, and married men and women. For today living the virtue of chastity faces great challenges in all states of life, and men and women of all states of life want to draw upon the benefits of membership in the Confraternity.
Members of the Confraternity share in the graces obtained through the combined prayers of all the members. Members pledge (but not under pain of sin) daily to pray fifteen Hail Mary's, as well as St. Thomas Aquinas's prayer for purity and chastity, and to offer these prayers not for themselves alone but for all the members. In addition, there is a cord or medal that one wears. The Confraternity is therefore a rather massive prayer group dedicated to praying for purity and chastity for all its members. Many people who have joined the Confraternity testify to a decrease of sexual temptations or an increase of strength in resisting them or both.
For more information on the history, meaning, and benefits of membership in the Confraternity, as well as instructions on how to join, go to the Angelic Warfare Confraternity website.