Who are the Friends of Bethany?

•    The Friends of Bethany are a young movement of Christians. Some Friends of Bethany were first publicly mentioned in 1924 (almost ten years after the death of Claret de la Touche, who expressly wanted the support of lay people for the Work of Infinite Love). The recognition of the Friends of Bethany as a spiritual movement took place in 1984 by Luigi Bettazzi, Bishop of Ivrea/Italy.

•    The Friends of Bethany are inspired by the special bond of faithful friendship that unites Mary, Martha and Lazarus with Jesus.

•    The Friends of Bethany live their particular vocation within the Church by consecrating  their lives to the Infinite Love of God, according to the message of the Apostle John: "God is Love" (1 Jn 4:16); they pray and sacrifice in a special way for the sanctification of priests. Their intention is to spread the work of Infinite Love in the world, especially through the mediation of priests.

•    The Friends of Bethany follow the mission and writings of Claret de la Touche (more on Claret de la Touche will follow in one of the next blog posts).

•    There are Friends of Bethany all over the world. Our German website receives hits from 18 countries around the globe. Most of the hits come from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, USA, Brazil, and Indonesia. There - as well as in Ireland, Colombia, Argentina and in some African and Asian countries – Friends of Bethany live demonstrably.

•    The headquarters of the Work of Infinite Love is the Motherhouse of the ers of Bethany Sistof the Sacred Heart in Vische/Italy.

How do you become a Friend of Bethany?

•    Participation in the Movement does not require specific external works. Anyone who knows that he is united to Infinite Love and wants to put his life at its service can join the Friends of Bethany.

•    Joining the Work of Infinite Love is for all, as described in the epilogue of the booklet "The Love and Service of God, Infinite Love": after an appropriate period of reflection through the silent and personal Act of Adoration and Devotion to God, Infinite Love written by Claret de la Touche.

•    The Friends of Bethany pray this act of devotion daily if possible in order to renew and affirm their attachment to the Work of Infinite Love.

•    The Movement is open to all lay people of every age and constitution, as well as to non-ordained religious of both sexes.

•    In the sense of Claret de la Touche, the Work of Infinite Love knows only a minimum of organization, for:

"Nothing is so contrary to the Spirit of God as the overestimation and exaggerated use of human means. The works of God are only built on the foundation of simplicity, smallness and humility".

•    The Friends of Bethany try to live a quiet life of prayer and sacrifice as individuals, according to the hidden character of the Work, usually without the meetings or other activities customary for spiritual communities.

•    Claret de la Touche expressly did not want to establish a new spiritual community, but rather to create a global network in which each person remains anchored in his or her spiritual homeland.

•    In this way, the ministry of the Friends of Bethany animates and supports the special spirituality of all other institutes and associations.

What are the tasks of the Friends of Bethany?

The fundamental commitment of the Friends of Bethany is to live in the service of Infinite Love.

•    The Friends of Bethany meditate on the truths of faith and the message "God is Love", drawing on Holy Scripture, the Magisterium of the Church and the writings of Claret de la Touche.

•    They spread to the outside world serenity, joy and trusting devotion to Infinite Love, especially in moments of temptation and suffering.

•    They frequently (daily if possible) renew the Act of Adoration and Devotion to Infinite Love.

•    They deepen the spirituality of the lay priesthood and make it known through their devotion to the priesthood of Christ.

•    They promote respect and esteem for priests. 

And if possible:

•    The Friends of Bethany offer their own collaboration with the work of the priest in the apostolate and in the ministries for the Church (and, if necessary, for the domestic life of the priest).

•    They visit and support old, sick and lonely priests.

•    They promote initiatives of prayer and the animation of priestly vocations (e.g. Bethany Hour on Priest's Thursday).

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Credits for translation to DeepL