Prelude
The Order of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, as one among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Anglican Church, unites all members of the people of God, clergy and laity, who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in defense of the Creation and the Sanctity of Life.
Christ calls us to follow this way so that he may send us to offer all that we have and all that we are. We shall strive to be living witnesses among all nations to the great truth that there is only the All-loving Creator, the Divine Redeemer, the one fellowship in the All-Wonderful Comforter.
The Order of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ consists of men or women, married or single, ordained or laity from an Anglo-Catholic Province or Denomination in Apostolic Succession as determined by the Bishop Overseer of the Order; who, though following the ordinary professions of life, feel called to a lifelong dedication under a definite discipline and vows.
Principles
1.We covenant together to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and by following and maintaining the Sacramental nature of our Faith.
- We seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in our brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Sacraments of the Church, in liturgical activity, and in the defense of the Sanctity of Human Life in all of Creation.
- We shall go forth as witnesses and instruments of the Church’s mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by our life and words. Let us devote ourselves energetically to living accountable and in spiritual fellowship with Christians everywhere as we stand strong against any violation of Life.
- Let us conform our thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls “Conversion”. Human frailty calls us to strive for this conversion daily.
- Following the example of Jesus, let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all we are and do. Let us participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let us join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms in use in the Church.
- The Order shall follow the example of Mary by imitating her complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently.
- We shall faithfully fulfill the duties proper to our various circumstances of life. We shall also follow the poor and crucified Christ and witness to him even in difficulties and persecutions.
- Christ chose for himself a poor and humble life, even though he valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Order seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying our own material needs. Let us be mindful that according to the gospel we are stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children. We shall strive to purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power.
- As members of the Order, with a gentle and courteous spirit, we accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ. A sense of community will make us joyful and ready to place ourselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with those suffering from secular destruction of life in the womb through old age, for whom we shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.
- We shall individually and collectively be in the forefront of promoting justice by testimony of our human lives and courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, we should make definite choices in harmony with our faith.
11.We shall esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption and service of the human community.
- In our families, we shall cultivate the spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life; striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ.
- In obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, we are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly. We are compelled to seek out ways of resolving conflict through non-violent means, trusting in the presence of the divine soul in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon.
- As members of the Order we covenant to draw up and live by a Personal Rule of Life based on the Rule of this Order and falling into these disciplines: Worship, Prayer, Penitence, Work, Lifestyle, Mission, Obedience, Community, and a Sacramental life. We shall always be under supervision and accountable to an advisor.
Vows of the Order
Poverty: Members take a vow of poverty. However, since they live independently, they must, of necessity, own property individually. Whether married or single, all members must strive to live within their means, realizing that what they have is from God and that ownership of these things is merely temporal. Members make a commitment to use their possessions in the service of God by donating a portion of their labor to the Church and the Order ~ the Order does not specify ANY percentage or amount to be provided, such a decision is between God and the member of the Order.
Chastity: Married members must be faithful to their marriage vows. Unmarried members must live completely celibate lives. All must keep themselves pure in body and mind, according to their state in life, as well as being modest, self-disciplined and free from all excesses in order to be free to love others as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Obedience: Members owe obedience to:
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost,
acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The articles of faith contained in Scripture, Creeds,
Sacramental Nature and Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic
and Apostolic Church.
The directives of the Order, when issued by the Director of
the Order.
Each member shall report his/her activities in support of the main emphases of the Order, Sanctity of Life, the Sacramental Faith, the beauty and order of the ancient Liturgy, in writing, to the Director of the Order at the end of each Embertide (although accepted, it is suggested that Email not be used for such communications).
The Ember days (periods of fasting, prayer and renewal) are true Anglo-Catholic tradition dating back to the Apostles, (Pope Leo The Great claims it was instituted by the Apostles). Today a ‘regular’ calendar description is as follows:
The Ember Weeks, the weeks in which the Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) occur,
between the third and fourth Sundays of Advent
between the first and second Sundays of Lent;
between Pentecost and Trinity Sunday; and
the liturgical Third Week of September. According to an
old way of counting, the first Sunday of a month (a datum
important to determine the appropriate Matins readings)
was considered the Sunday proximate to, not on or after,
the first of the month, so this yielded as Ember Week
precisely the week containing the Wednesday after Holy
Cross Day (September 14)
Common Worship: It is the obligation of each Oblate, Brother or Sister to:
Participate in the celebration of the Eucharist at least once a
week.
Daily attendance is encouraged when available;
Recite the Daily Office;
Communal prayer is encouraged,
whenever possible.
Private Devotion: Members are encouraged to use their own personal form of prayer, prayer books, spiritual readings, etc. Members should also set aside a portion of time each day for meditation and the study of the Holy Scripture. Retreats are encouraged, whenever possible. All members shall place prayer as their number one priority.
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