Brother Patrick Varilla, CFC

After graduating from DePaul University in Chicago, Patrick Varilla taught in an inner city school. He knew he was called to be more than just a teacher. When he met the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, he was drawn by their esprit de corps and the joy in their commitment to service.

Brother Patrick entered the congregation in 1971. Among his greatest joys in his religious life are living in a community which has shared goals and responsibilities, and which encourages the diversity of talents. In his 52 years in the order, Brother Patrick has been an educator and after training in Clinical Pastoral Education, he served as Chaplain at two hospitals.

His service as a Catholic Hospital chaplain has seen Brother Patrick accompanying people during some difficult moments, including the death of loved ones. He has been able to bring a sense of God’s grace to those who mourn.

These days, Brother Patrick continues ministry and tutors disadvantaged students in Chicago as well as assists with food distribution at a mission on the west side of the city.

When asked for some words of wisdom to share, Brother Patrick highlights this quote from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis: “Oh my soul, above all things and in all things always, rest in the Lord, for he is the eternal rest of the saints.”

The Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America recently received a SOAR! grant to install chair lifts.