Br. David Vryhof, SSJE
Br. David Vryhof, SSJE is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended Calvin University, then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education of the Deaf at Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to the Community in 1985, he taught at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf in Providence, then at the MICO Teachers’ College in Kingston, Jamaica (where he also became an Anglican). Following his arrival at the Monastery, David studied at Duke University and the General Theological Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood 1994. He was life-professed in 1997 and has served the Community as Assistant Superior as well as Novice Guardian (a post in which he served for a total of 17 years!). His specific interests include Ignatian Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment, U.S. and world politics, as well as issues surrounding minorities in the U.S. such as African-Americans, native peoples, LGBTQ people and those living in poverty. He is currently studying Spanish, and enjoys exercising, reading, and watching movies. David is credited with being the most committed sports fan in the Community and loves all the Boston teams.
Learn more about Br. Davids's Catch the Life journey to monastic life >
Selection of Br. David's teachings from "Brother, Give Us a Word"
Scripture
Reading and hearing the Word is essential to Christian faith and worship. The stories contained in Scripture form the foundation of our faith and steady us amidst all the “changes and chances of this life.” Knowing the stories, absorbing the truth of them into the depths of our being, changes us and equips us to…
Read MoreFaith
Apocalyptic writing arises out the experience of tragedy and oppression, as people of faith look to God for the revelation of God’s will and for relief from their suffering. It is the voice of faith in the most difficult of times, casting all its care upon God to act on behalf of those who are…
Read MoreAttention
Some of us may experience a dramatic call, which turns us around and points us in an entirely new direction. But most of us, most of the time, will experience God’s call as something that only becomes clear over time, and seems to unfold gradually in very ordinary ways. Don’t wait for the writing on…
Read MoreSelection of Br. Davids's writing
“If forgiveness is one of the most powerful forces for redemption in the Christian faith, unforgiveness is one of the most powerful forces for destruction. Unforgiveness hardens the heart. It magnifies a perceived offense to the point where we can no longer appreciate a person’s value because all we see is how they have grieved us. No wonder the petition about forgiveness – “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” – sits at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer.”
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“The spiritual skill of discernment enables us not only to resist the lure of those voices that would distract and distance us from God, but also to perceive directly God’s engagement with us in the circumstances of our lives as we navigate the many decisions that crop up along our way.”
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