Br. David Vryhof

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"

Gratitude

The offering of a gift is only complete when we receive it, and our gratitude is expressed. True gratitude leads us beyond the gift itself and unites us with the giver, closing the circle and establishing a mutual exchange. Br. David Vryhof, SSJE Read More and Comment >

Communion

Everything depends on maintaining and strengthening the communion we have with God in Christ. We bear fruit by remaining connected to Jesus, just as he bears fruit through his connection with the Father. We are not the originators of the divine grace that comforts and heals and saves; we are simply mediators and instruments of…

Freedom

Jesus comes as One who can set us free from inordinate attachments, those things to which we desperately cling in our search for happiness. “Is not life more than these?” he asks, as he gently and lovingly touches the very places in our lives where we are most bound. “You lack this one thing. Let…

God Loves Humans

“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.”

Between Good & Evil: The Practice of Spiritual Discernment

“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.”