Brute Society

“There comes a kind of resolution to go after the manner of the Apostles in the greatest possible simplicity. For each moment the Lord has in view means of grace for me and for all – the altar, the sacraments, prayer, instruction.” – Bishop Simon Bruté

That and other statements from the first bishop of what is now the Diocese of Evansville were included in the program for the Oct. 26 Mass and Solemn Induction Ceremony for the Bruté Society, which annually recognizes parishioners from across our 12 counties for their service to the Church and to others.

“The Bruté Society honors your stewardship,” Bishop Charles C. Thompson told the 2014 inductees and their families, who filled St. Benedict Cathedral for the festivities. 

In discussing the day’s readings, Bishop Thompson noted that Jesus, when asked about the greatest of all laws in the Gospel (Matthew 22: 34-40), answers with two – and emphasized that they should be followed out of love.

“When the Pharisee asked Jesus, ‘Which commandment in the law is the greatest,’ he was looking for one law,” Bishop Thompson noted. “Jesus gave him two – to love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind … that is the greatest law; but He added that the second is like it – to love your neighbor as yourself. 

“Jesus told them that ‘the whole law and the prophets depended on these two.’ In those days, there were 613 Judaic laws; Jesus is saying that you cannot keep the other 611 without keeping these, and that the people should keep the law out of love.

“In his apostolic exhortation ‘Evangelii Gaudium,’” the bishop added, “Pope Francis calls us to a missionary passion for Jesus, and a passion for his people. Every person is worthy of our giving. 

“Through your faith,” he told the Bruté Society honorees, “you have become imitators of Christ and the Apostles.”

Following his homily, Bishop Thompson recognized all of the 2014 inductees and presented them with the Simon Bruté Medal, the special symbol of membership in the society. 

It depicts the official diocesan stewardship logo, which incorporates the three stewardship Ts (Talent, Time and Treasure) – presented to look like three people in a triangle. The Cross – representing the core of our Christian faith – is in the center. “The Bruté Society” rings the design, emphasizing that Bruté Society members are, above all, good stewards of the blessings they have received from God. 

Miss Ade Bethune produced the distinctive medal. She is a world-renowned religious-artifacts designer for the Terra Sancta Guild of Broomall, Pa. 

Honorees enjoyed a reception following the Mass and Induction Ceremony.