OSM Contsitutions
THE CANONS REGULAR OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
also known as
THE ORDER OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
CONSTITUTION
As ratified by the General Chapter meeting
December 19, 2011
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
PREAMBLE
Of the Defenders of Faith: Satan Thrown Down to Earth
“ 7Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).
In the Revelation to St. John, chapter 12:7-9, we are told of a great battle between good and evil in heaven, ending when the great Archangel Michael and his Angels prevailed over the Devil, and threw the Devil and his minions from heaven to the earth.
Clearly, we live in the world where that battle continues to this day. The Christian Faith is assaulted on every side by the very same Devil and as we look at the Spiritual condition of our world we feel called to enter into this battle as warriors also.
Armed with the full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), the members of our Order commit themselves to the battle. With a zeal for souls, our call is to plant, nurture, and grow churches to become outposts for the battle, and safe-havens for the protection, healing, and nurture of souls.
We, like our Patron Michael, are “Defenders of the Faith,” and we commit ourselves as warriors to our Order, its principles, and the very God who calls us each by name. Duty, honor, integrity, and courage light the path of faith for our Order.
We walk together in a common community of call and purpose, yet each in his or her own station in life. Yet together we all remain ever on guard, to defend, as well as to build up God’s Kingdom.
Why Canons Regular?
Canons Regular are one of the oldest ministries in the Church, belonging to the family of monastics. They tend to be clergy, however not always. Unlike traditional monks or nuns, a canon is a religious in community under a Rule, and attached to a Canonry (a group of canons living a common purpose), and generally to a church. Their ministry is primarily in these churches. Their focus is outward and mission-oriented, while monks and nuns tend to live in cloisters, are more contemplative, and live their lives in common ways to perpetuate their Order and its ministry.
ARTICLE I: FUNDAMENTAL DECLARATIONS OF THE ORDER
1. Inspired by many of the Saints of the monastic tradition, members of the Order of St. Michael the Archangel (OSM), clerics or lay persons, commit themselves to a life of Christian servitude, charity, biblical teaching, and a desire to participate in the advancement of God’s Kingdom in the world through faithful participation in Christ’s Great Commission: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age’” (Matt 28:18-20).
2. As defenders of faith, hope, and love, members will strive to fulfill Christ’s solemn mission in unity of mind, heart, and hands with the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church instituted by Christ. In the context of daily life, members will be examples of God’s love to all with whom they live, work, and encounter and will introduce the Order’s ideals to the world around them. Therefore they will strive for unceasing obedience to Christ’s two great commandments: “And (Jesus) said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets’” (Matt 22:37-40).
ARTICLE II: THE CHARISM OF THE ORDER
1. In the spirit of historic monasticism, communion between members of the Order and the Order’s service to the Church and the entire world, when at all possible, will be an act of charity. The members of the Order will freely offer their spiritual and material assistance for all works of the Gospel.
2. The Order recognizes that because man was created in imago Dei, humanity is relational by nature, for God Himself is a relationship. A result of original sin was the severance of relationship between human beings. Not until after this catastrophic event did humans attempt to know one another outside of the context of relationship. Therefore, in regards to how we know one another, ministry in the Order will be based on an epistemology that is relational and dialogical in nature, both with God and man. Members of the order will seek to hear and know the Shepard’s voice and will seek to listen and know one another through a loving mutual reliance.
3. Although many methods of fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission are possible, medieval monastic communities planted churches. Anglicanism itself traces its birth to these monastic church planters. The Order of St. Michael the Archangel is firmly rooted in the soil of this historic monastic practice. The Order is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through planting new churches, nurturing and feeding these new churches, and freely assisting, with the resources God gives us, anyone outside the Order called to plant churches.
ARTICLE III: THE ABBOT
1. The Abbot, also known as the Superior, is the spiritual father of the Order, and all members owe him the respect due to a spiritual father. The Abbots duties include:
a) Accepting new novices and professed into the Order
b) Approving the leaders designated by the Chapter of the Order.
c) Holding meetings for the Order.
d) Facilitating for the Order conferences, spiritual retreats, and days of
reconciliation.
e) Providing classes for the Novitiate.
f) Providing spiritual direction and pastoral care.
g) Approving the Rule of Life for novices and any major changes in the Rule of
Life of the professed.
h) Facilitating fraternal life in the Order and facilitating effective communication
through emails, newsletters, and Chapter meeting reports.
i) Serving as the Rector of the Canonry Parish.
j) Appointing from the members of the Order a fratribus concilium to advise him
on the state of the Order and the governance thereof.
k) Appointing a secretary with the following responsibilities:
-Recording minutes of each meeting and sending minutes of meetings to all members of the Order.
-Recording attendance at each meeting and Novitiate class.
-Maintaining the updates listings of names and addresses of members with dates of their clothing and profession.
2. The Abbot may delegate any responsibilities at his discretion.
3. The Abbot may, at his discretion, create a position within the Order and appoint from its members, a brother or sister to fulfill that Office with the appropriate authority of that Office as deemed by the Abbot.
4. The Abbot must guard the mission and character of the Order by making certain its ends are observed, that no abuse of discipline occurs, and that the faith and practice of the Order and all its members remain pure.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER
1. The order consists of men and women both lay and ordained.
2. Members may be active or inactive. Active members have an active or passive vote in all motions submitted to the General Chapter for decision. To remain an active member one must attend at least half of all required meetings between annual General Chapter Meetings. While not required for active membership, it is recommended that all active members participate in an annual spiritual retreat. Inactive members, while retaining full membership and an invitation to share in the spiritual benefits of the Order, will not have an active or passive vote in General Chapter decisions.
3. There are three minimal requirements for those seeking promotion to Holy Orders:
a) Only fully professed members or those in the process of becoming fully professed may pursue ordination in the Order. They must have a full recommendation from the Abbot stating he believes their call is genuine, their competence is efficient, and their character meets the biblical requirements for Holy Orders.
b) Candidates to the Diaconate and Priesthood must receive adequate training for the exercise of these ministries. This training will take place through the candidate’s relationship to the Order and their commitment to the course of formation required by the Order for these ministries. Before giving his recommendation, the Abbot reserves the right to determine if one is adequately prepared or needs more training than has already been offered. Ministry education is a part of the spiritual fabric of the Order, and all members will dedicate themselves to a lifestyle of continued education in faith and practice.
c) Before promotion to the Diaconate and Priesthood, all candidates must present to the Abbot a handwritten and signed declaration, by which they testify that they knowingly and willingly are ready to receive the Sacred Order which they are pursuing, and that they have devoted themselves perpetually to the ecclesiastical ministry.
4. The Abbot may not dismiss any member from the Order without just cause. The Abbot will dismiss all members who publicly distance themselves from the faith, leave the ecclesial communion, or are excommunicated after the biblical standard of discipline has been met.
ARTICLE V: THE RITE OF ADMISSION
1. The admission of members into the Order must always be done in such a manner that it reveals the spiritual character of the Order.
2. The rite of admission must be presided over by the Abbot, the Ordinary, or another professed priest whom the Abbot has delegated this responsibility.
3. The formula for the Novitiate profession is: “I, Brother / Sister N, offer and give myself to the work of this Order, and for the purpose of my formation within it. I promise to seek a conversion of my ways and life in community, especially in hospitality, mission, and obedience, according to the Gospel of Christ and the apostolic way of life, according to my Rule and the constitutions of the Order of St. Michael; I promise this before N, the Ordinary / Abbot of this Order and its members.”
4. The formula for the Perpetual profession is: “I, Brother / Sister N, offer and give myself to the Church, and I promise a conversion of my ways and life in community, especially in hospitality, mission, and obedience, according to the Gospel of Christ and the apostolic way of life, according to my Rule and the constitutions of the Order of St. Michael; I promise this before N, the Ordinary / Abbot of this Order and its members.”
ARTICLE VI: FORMATION IN THE ORDER
1. Formation in the Order consists of three stages:
Affiliate Formation. Affiliate formation will help affiliate members discern whether they have a call to a full vocation in the Order. Before entering the novitiate, one must be affiliated with the Lay Order for at least three months. Affiliate formation meeting attendance is required to discern a vocation to the Order.
Novitiate Formation. Discernment continues in Novitiate formation. It begins with the vesting of an affiliate member into the Novitiate. Its end goal is the installment of the novice as a fully professed member. Its scope and length are determined by the Abbot with the advice and counsel of the Novitiate Director. Novices are required to undergo a more intense formation, and to be professed, one is required to show a life-long commitment to the Order. Along with helping novices discern a vocation to the Order, Novitiate formation prepares novices for life in the Order.
Professed Formation. This begins with the installment of a novice as a fully professed member and continues throughout life. The purpose of Professed formation is unceasing spiritual growth in Christ and growth in one’s spiritual bond and communion with the Order of St. Michael. This is accomplished by fidelity to one’s Rule of Life which is drafted during Novitiate formation.
ARTICLE VII: THE RULE OF LIFE
1. A member’s Rule of Life should be characterized by the following marks of the spiritual life of the Order:
a) Eucharist
b) Personal Prayer
c) Continual Study
d) Hospitality
e) Obedience
f) Penance
g) Mission and zeal for souls
The marks of the spiritual life of the Order should be incorporated into one’s Rule of Life in the following ways:
The Holy Eucharist. The Rule of Life should revolve around the Eucharist and weekly celebration of the Mass or attendance at a celebration is minimal.
Personal Prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours. The Rule of Life should make provision for the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, at least in part. Once a day, some part of the Liturgy of Hours should be recited. At a minimum the Benedictus and Our Father should be recited in the morning, and the Magnificat and Our Father in the evening. Evening prayer should also be characterized by an examination of conscience and act of contrition.
Continual Study. Spiritual reading and meditation are necessary to maintain a prayerful spirit. The Rule of Life should set aside some time every week for meditation and spiritual reading, daily study is preferred if at all possible. Along with regular spiritual reading and meditation, members of the Order commit themselves to a life of formation. This involves a lifelong commitment to continual education in spiritual matters and practical matters related to the Church.
Hospitality. As Scripture teaches us, we are to practice hospitality, not to affect personal gain, but as an act of thanksgiving to God. As we freely receive the sacrifice of Christ, we freely share with the world the blessings God gives us. For members of the Order, hospitality is a way of life.
Obedience. We are called to obedience, not just to our Rule of Life and Order, but to all those whom the Lord has put over us.
Penance. The most efficient means of conversion and penance is the Sacrament of Penance. The Rule of Life should provide for this as our primary expression of living a penitential life. The sacrament should be approached frequently. Monthly confession is recommended, preferably from a regular confessor who can also provide spiritual direction.
Mission and Apostolic Service. The Rule of Life should call us to service and send us forth in mission. For as St. James admonishes us, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). The first and essential mission every member of the Order has is faithful fulfillment to the daily duty of one’s family, neighbor, and work place. Everything else is subordinate. Since example is the most powerful means of proclaiming Christ, charitable speech and modest dress is particularly important. Also a requirement for a life of mission is sacred study and preparedness for ministry. Scripture mandates that we always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ. In light of this, time should be set aside every week for sacred study and preparation for ministry.
2. After being installed a fully professed member, one may revise their Rule of Life as need arises with the help of one’s confessor. The revised Rule of Life must be submitted to the Abbot for approval.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMUNION WITH THE DIOCESE AND ITS BISHOP
1. The nature of human and Christian communion, whose culmination is found in the celebration of the Eucharist, ought to be evident in our relations with the bishop, clergy, and laity of the locality wherever we reside.
2. Consecrated to the solidarity of the collegial and pastoral mission, the priests of our churches are bound by sacramental fraternity with the bishop and other members of the clergy. Wherefore, through the truly common life which they have embraced, they should be a leaven of communion among the diocesan clergy and the people of the diocese. We do not all have the same duties to carry out in the pastoral office. “Just as each of our bodies has several parts and each part has a separate function, so all of us, in union with Christ form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other” (Rom 12:4-5). Therefore, our pastoral activity should be collegial.
3. The pastoral activities of our communities are to be inserted into the pastoral program of the dioceses and are to be carried out according to the norms determined by local Ordinaries.
4. In choosing forms of ministry for the Order, the more pressing needs of the Church and the contemporary world should be kept in mind. Our members, although they carry out their work chiefly in the dioceses in which they are situated, nevertheless, should be prepared to be at the service of the universal Church.
5. After consultation with the diocesan bishop there ought to be carefully sought out ways whereby those members of the secular clergy, who, finding themselves attracted to our way of life while still wishing to belong to their own diocese, may be able to establish some bond with a canonry of the Order and live in common.
6. Members of the secular clergy who seek full incorporation in our Order are to be admitted, after evaluation, to the novitiate, which must be carried out observing the due prescriptions of law, and only after consulting their own ordinaries. By perpetual profession such clergy are incardinate in the Order and excardinate in the Diocese.
7. If several members of the secular clergy of the same diocese desire full incorporation into a the canonry of the Order, a prudent inquiry should be made to see whether, with the consent of the diocesan bishop at an appropriate time, a new foundation can be made in this diocese and also whether such a foundation is expedient.
ARTICLE IX: THE GOVERANCE OF THE ORDER
1. The Abbot / Superior. At the time of his election, the Abbot must be a priest and at least five years solemnly professed in our Order. The Abbot remains in office for life. When, however, he has reached seventy years of age, and when the General Chapter is in session, he should of his own accord or when properly requested, resign. He should do the same whenever failing health or some other grave reason shall in his judgment render him unequal any longer to carry the burden of government. The Chapter may then, or at any time due to the Abbot’s request, call for the election of a coadjutor with right of succession.
2. The Chapter. The chapter is the college of all members incorporated by perpetual vows into the Order. It is also one of the ways / examples by which the Order governs itself within the context of the Order. By its activity the chapter implements that collegiality which is rooted in the mutual responsibility of all members of the Order and which directs its mission.
3. Chapter meeting (non-General). The Chapter shall be called together by the Abbot or his delegate from time to time to discuss issues and keep the lines of communication open within the Order.
4. General Chapter. Once a year the Abbot shall call together the entire Order for the purpose of a General Chapter meeting. This is where the Order discusses and may adapt through the voting of professed /active members, this constitution, and conduct other business as it pertains to the Order.
ARTICLE X: THE CANONRY PARISH AND APOSTLATES
1. The Order of St. Michael consists of the members of the Order, both lay and ordained, and the Canonry Parish of the Order, also known as St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church of Central Indiana, which the Order serves and develops. Apostlates, also known as Mission Churches, make up the Canonry Parish.
2. The Abbot/Superior of the Order also serves as the Rector of the Canonry Parish.
3. The Canonry Parish consists of Mission Churches, planted by the Order, and has its own board and by-laws. The Rector serves as the Chair of that board.