Chaplains

In order to ensure a sufficient regularity in the practice of sacramental life, each house will have recourse, if possible, to the assistance of a chaplain. He will be chosen with care, through applying the following criteria of discernment:

-That he be a man of peace in total communion with the local bishop and with the entire   
 church.

-That he have the piety and the necessary training to understand spiritual paths.

-That he subscribe to the Community's choices in the respect of liturgical texts, in the 
 observance of moments of silence in the course of Eucharistic celebrations, in the 
 administration of the sacrament of reconciliation, which he will not confuse with spiritual 
 direction, reserved either to the novice master or to the shepherd or to a spiritual director 
 outside the Community, chosen by a member in accordance with his superiors.

Chaplains will not be a members of the Community, but will be attached to it by a contract, which must be drawn up in each case.

Deacons and Instituted Ministries

Out of the same concern to serve the Church, the Community will rejoice in the call from a bishop of some of its members to the ordained diaconate (or to an instituted ministry). The deacons will be, at the heart of the diocese and within the Community, signs of a servant Church and, "strengthened by sacramental grace they serve the People of God in the diaconate of the liturgy of the Word and of charity." The elected leaders, recognized by the bishop, need not necessarily be ordained ministers. The latter will be subject to them during the time of their mandate in all things, except those relative to the pastoral ministry entrusted to them by the bishop.

Ministry within the Community

The Lord equips and directs his Church with a variety of hierarchical and charismatic gifts, and adorns Her with His fruits. Among His gifts, the grace given to the apostles occupies the first place. The Spirit Himself submits even the beneficiary of charisms to their authority. The same Spirit, Who is by Himself the principle of unity in the Body wherein His virtue is exercised and where He realizes the internal connection between the members, produces and stimulates among the faithful that charity inspired by the Spirit. The Community, wherein are developed the gifts and fruits, the charisms and fraternal love, recognizes the Bishop by the hierarchical gift with which he is endowed as its pastor.

Government of the Community

Every four years, the superior of each house will be elected or re-elected by the totality of the full members of the province to which he is attached. After having prayed and fasted, the voting members will choose the one in whom they recognize the charism of government and unity. This election, by a majority of two thirds of the votes, effected by secret ballot, will have to be submitted to the discernment of the bishop-protector and approved by him. In the case of difficulty, of contestation or of crisis within a house, the matter will be settled and referred to the bishop-protector by the body of superiors, united in general council around the superior general.

General Council

The local superior will surround himself with elders chosen from the community for their wisdom and for the example they give. These will exercise their function during the term of the superior whom they assist.

The Shepherd

The superior will see to the proper functioning of the house, both in the management of material goods and in the liturgical and fraternal life, seeking in all things the unity of the members and the fidelity of his foundation to the vocation of the entire Community, and to the doctrine of the Church. As the servant of all, he will exercise his function with gentleness and humility, teaching, exhorting, encouraging and always inciting to the Love of God and the service of the brethren. He will take care of the spiritual growth of each of the bothers and sisters entrusted to him, being attentive to the work that God is realizing in them, providing counsel and carrying them in his intercession. He will give fully of his time and of his person, for there is no greater love than to give one's life for one's friends. Out of paternal care, it is he who will preside over liturgical prayers, community meetings and over meals.

Provinces

The considerable increase of the Community and the dispersion of its foundations will justify the establishment of "provinces." These will simply be geographic groupings aimed at promoting communion among different houses and their union around the superior general.

The superiors within each province will elect one of their number to the office of provincial coordinator, for a duration of four years, renewable. The provincial coordinator will be charged mainly with facilitating meetings and exchanges involving the houses pertaining to his particular province, and will organize the elections of their superiors. On no account will he enjoy the right of inspection or exercise any power of decision in a house of which he is not the superior. He will take care not to exert any influence which would tend to interfere with responsibilities proper to local superiors or to the superior general.

The Superior General

The superiors are subject to the superior general, who will be proposed by the general council and elected by an extraordinary general chapter for a term of eight years. As for any responsibility within the community, no limitation of renewal shall be set a priory.

The superior general has authority over all the houses and their members. He must regularly visit them, consult them, encourage them and gather suggestions and remarks from everyone. He will watch over the unity of the Community as a whole, while preserving the distinctive character of each house which corresponds to a specific mission, whether conferred by the bishop or arising from local circumstances or conditions of life. He will be assisted by a general bursar in order to maintain the same standard of living throughout the whole Community, to equally share resources, if necessary, and to administer the common goods such as the allocation to the poor of the tithing of all revenues. The superior general will be the privileged instrument in the relation of the bishop-protector to the Community.

Degrees of Integration into the Community

A period of probation will always be necessary before any degree of integration. We will propose to each candidate a stay in one of our houses to share in all aspects of the Community's life, without any time limit, unless the shepherd and the elders decide otherwise.

This period of probation may lead to an initial degree of integration wherein the candidate will test himself and verity his vocation. Prior to his admission he may be asked to wait in order to complete, as the case may be, a human or spiritual education. At the conclusion of this initial period of commitment, whose duration shall be no less than one year, the Community and the person concerned will discern together the opportuneness of a second degree of commitment of a definitive character. In the course of these next three years, the brother or sister, having severed all attachment to the world, having heard the word, "If you would be perfect, go, sell all that you possess and come, follow me," having been seized by Christ, yet without having attained perfection or having won the prize, will run toward the goal, straining with his whole being toward the Lord.

Except for participation in elections, every domain of Community life will be open to him: prayer, sharing, apostolate and chapter meetings. He will then wear the Community habit and, during the offices, the robes of the choir.

This period of three years shall be a privileged time for study and for doctrinal and spiritual training.

If it happens that the candidate comes to express a desire to withdraw, the Community will uphold him in prayer and will see to his social reintegration by all its financial means.

A third degree of commitment is provided for brothers and sisters whose human and spiritual maturity and the solidity of whose vocation to the Lion of Juda and the Slain Lamb are recognized by all.

These will be selected to establish the basis of new foundations, to share in the decision-making power of the shepherd and to stimulate, by their total consecration, the spiritual growth of the other brothers. The elders will be chosen from their number.

We want to be open to the signs or guidance of the Spirit, especially in these times of foundation in order to accelerate, if necessary, the process of integration.

Single members in the Community

Since the monk is the eschatological being par excellence, the Community cannot but be fortified in its vocation by the presence in its midst of celibate members who have entered into this state of perfection.

The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience will be pronounced into the hands of the bishop-protector according to a particular ritual approved by same. These brethren will constitute a strength for the Community, dedicating their free time to prayer, having no other concern but to please the Lord, consecrating themselves more intimately to divine service. In no case will the taking of vows become an obligation for those members who, for other reasons, would remain single. Monastic vows shall be accessible only to those having persevered in the second degree of Community integration.

Admission of Married Couples

Married couples shall be admitted only on condition that their decision to enter the Community is unanimous. The integration of families must be achieved in a climate of peace, requiring the consent of children at the age of reason. Of course, children shall not be regarded as members of the Community.