HANDBOOK OF THE COMUNITÀ DEI FIGLI DI DIO,

OF THE COMMUNITY OF GOD'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS

'ut sitis filii Patris vestri'
('Become Your Father's Sons and Daughters')

THE COMMUNITY OF GOD'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS

IN ITALIAN: 'LA COMUNITÀ DEI FIGLI DI DIO' (C.F.D.)

The Community of God's Sons and Daughters ('Comunità dei figli di Dio', C.F.D.) gives ways and means to all of goodwill to respond to the call to holiness, as was proclaimed by Vatican II in 'Lumen Gentium'. The CFD desires to call its members to a greater awareness, a fuller achievement, of the mystery of our filial adoption as God's heirs in our relation of adoration and worship to God the Father, in more intimate union with Christ, and in obedience to the Holy Spirit.

It desires to achieve this end through living in full awareness and humility the priority of the theological virtues in our daily lives, in all social ranks, in all living conditions, of all ages.

It binds its members to prayer, principally with the Offices, the Liturgy of the Hours, and with listening to the Word of God.

It promotes the communal spirit through weekly meetings in small groups, a monthly assembly and retreat, and annual exercises. The assembly also includes the study of current theology.

Its structure is governed by three major superiors, the Father and two General Assistants, who guide the Community scattered over all Italy. The major superiors are helped by Family Assistants, who assist and guide the regional groups.

The Community does not have a particular mission, such as education, but binds each member to perfecting charity, nourishing the spirit of service towards their neighbour.

The Community is inspired by monastic - and Orthodox - spirituality, specially from the first centuries of the Church, and it desires to open itself ecumenically to the understanding, respect and love of genuine religious values amongst all peoples and of all cultures.

FROM THE STATUTES

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY

1 - The Community of God's Sons and Daughters is a 'Public Association of the Faithful that unites in Consecration to the Word, to the Virgin and to the Church, brothers and sisters, who live in the world in different 'Branches': - some are united by simple Consecration in the world. - some live their Consecration in marriage, having dedicated themselves to poverty, conjugal chastity and obedience. - others live their Consecration in the world, under religious vows, - while yet others live their Consecration under vows of religion in community. Those living under vows in the various 'Branches' have their appropriate Rule.

2 - The Community of God's Sons and Daughters commits its members to living out in the world the mystery of filial adoption in the perfection of charity. The ideal the Community desires is that of renewing, today, the miracle of the Primitive Church, the Early Church.

3 - The motto summing up this call and giving this particular response is from Jesus's words: 'Ut sitis filii Patris vestri' (Become Your Father's Sons and Daughters').

4 - Each should try to achieve this call, living in the greatest obedience to the action of the Holy Spirit, so as to be conformed to Christ and thus become in praise to the Father. In this life the practice of the theological virtues is primary: a living spirit of faith, humble trust, to join the fullness of love.

5 - Each should follow their call in perfect accord with the Church, in whose womb only is it possible to be born and to live as a son and daughter of God. Divine Revelation will be result from loving and humble obedience to the Magisterium, and true faith nourished with an ever more intimate knowledge of Scripture and Tradition. Thus one will live, in harmony to the mystery of the Church, the mystery of one's filial adoption, participating always more in the liturgicy and the sacraments.

Each in the Church can take up that mission entrusted to us to fulfil in humility the apostolic work which only through the Church can be legitimate and effective.

Nevertheless, already from our Baptism, we ought to be aware of our participation in the priesthood of Christ, and in consequence live his testimonies prophetically in a continuous oblation to the Lord and in service to our brothers and sisters.

6 - And it is above all in the act of prayer that the Community achieves the coming together of its members in the Offices of praise to God.

7 - Each one's response to their Christian vocation should give testimony to Humankind of a presence of the Kingdom of God on earth, and it is principally with this testimony that one fufils the commandment of love that has for its object one's brothers and sisters.

8 - No legal condition of life, neither social class, nor age, shall, of itself, exclude one from this divine vocation. The Community is open to whoever desires to dedicate their life sincerely and seriously, providing they accept our rules given them beforehand.

CHARITY TO GOD

16 - The Gospel precepts of Our Lord teach the most active means for perfection, and the Church requires these in canonically recognised religious life. Thus the precepts continue in community as common directives for the spiritual life.

17 - For achieving this regality Christ regained for redeemed humanity, inner detachment is necessary, freeing us from the bondage of things and enabling humankind to worship God, in simplicity, in calm and in peace.

18 - Community life, freeing each one from selfishness, will teach the undoing of one's own judgement and one's own will, and will make it easier to renounce oneself in patience and humility, in order to live in love.

19 - The perfection of that charity, to which Consecration binds us, finds its most effective means, its most appropriate expression, in prayer, and it is in the life of prayer that it has its highest fulfilment.

20 - Each should live constantly in the Divine Presence, so that each of our acts may be truly a religious one, done in union with Christ.

21 - We warmly recommend the invocation to Jesus' Name, the 'Jesus Prayer'. The calling on Christ will help us fulfil the divine precept of the Saviour: 'Pray without ceasing'.

22 - The beginning and the end of the life of each Consecrated person, as for that of the Chuch, is the Holy Sacrifice, the supreme act of Christ's life. Each one's prayer, inasmuch as it participates in the act of Christ, shall thus be praise to the heavenly Father, and shall be continuous intercession and propitiation for the sins of the world.

23 - The Community binds its members to a life of prayer, which should be carried out in constant devotion to God and in an offering of ourselves, to be lived concretely in all states of life.

24 - Of all prayer, the most important is the participation in the Liturgy. Each should be conscious of their worthiness in being the voice of the whole Church in the recitation of the prayers of the Offices.

25. - Liturgical prayer cannot be truly lived if the Consecrated soul has not begun with a personal, truly intense prayer, in a spirit of faith and of charity. The Community will seek to help each soul in their pilgrimage of prayer.

26 - It is recommended that the Holy Scriptures, either the Hebrew Scriptures or the Greek Testament, be read daily, in the spirit of faith, attention and humility . The reading of the Bible should be the usual nourishment of the daily meditation.

27 - For a prayer life to be possible it is necessary that each one quests concentration and renunciation. Each must protect silence and solitude as much as is possible.

28 - Epiphany and Transfiguration are particularly celebrated in the Community, because these feasts best express the ideal that we intend to live. Among the Virgin Mary's feasts, the Maternity of Mary will be especially celebrated.

CHARITY TO NEIGHBOUR

29 - The Community has no other mission than that which Christ received from the Father. As Christ was sent by the Father to reveal himself to humanity and to begin the Kingdom of God, so does the Community - in each member and as a whole - participate in this mission. Everyone shall therefore be a 'faithful witness and true' to Christ; everyone will accept his own task, his own work in the world and in the Church with the same spirit of Christ and will live it with the same love.

30 - Only to the degree that we become one among ourselves can we even live the mission of Christ. Community life itself must give witness to the love of God working in the world; therefore nothing can ever be done that is enough to promote it.

31 - Charity is One, even if its object is double: charity to God cannot be perfect, if our love to our neighbour is not perfect. The love which we ought to have to each is that shown and taught by the Lord where he says: 'Love one another, just as I love you', and 'None has greater love than the one who lays down his life for his friends'. Be therefore patient and kind to all, preferring the others before oneself, and regarding oneself the servant of all.

32 - As nothing is to be put before charity, so nothing is worse than discord and enmity. Everything must be sacrificed, even if it seems useful or necessary, to avoid discord; we must accept and suffer anything to keep peace and charity inviolate.

33 - All who are Consecrated in the Community ought to sense themselves under an obligation to witness to God's presence among people in their love for all. At work, at home, always and everywhere having an attitude of serenity, being instruments of peace, being messengers of joy. They have to avoid any malevolent judgement, any hardness of heart. They are to be humble, tolerant, workers for peace, so that - as Jesus said - they can be recognized as children of God.

34 - Each one has to love the Community as the family into which the Lord has called one. Thus the submission and the obedience which each owes to the superiors can be transformed into an interior and true charity.

35 - Neighbourly charity is extended to all members of the Community; relations with them being kept alive in the Community's actions. Our houses have to be kept open, as much as is possible, to everybody belonging to our own family, with generous hospitality.

36 - Everyone is to feel bound to the progress of the others through their good example, whether it be in fulfilling the Community's rules and with a sincere love, whether it be in assiduous prayer for one another.

37 - No one should feel in any way left out of that charity which unites us to each other. It is the duty of each to help the shyest, the weakest, the less gifted person, to overcome any inferiority complexes they could have and which could keep them in any way apart.

38 - The utmost charity shall be displayed to invalids. We should visit them often, if possible, take care of them so that they lack nothing they need, we must not refuse, to the extent that it is possible, also to nurse them.

OF WORK

39 - Each ought to hold down employment, not only for his own support, but also as a witness to the perfect life and as a service of love to neighbour. A true testimony calls for serious preparation, continual updating, a true engaging of all one's capabilities.

40 - It may be that work takes up a lot of the day. But it must not become the most important task to which all else is sacrificed. Above all else there is for each the responsibility of living the union with God in continual prayer.

41 - If one truly lives one's work as a religious task, the work itself will become prayer.

FIRST PART

OBLIGATORY PRAYERS

1 The 'Shema' (When praying together, this prayer is recited by the leader only):

2 Lord's Prayer (When praying together, this prayer is recited by all those present)

3 Lauds of St Francis of Assisi (While praying together, this prayer is recited in chorus by two groups, but the last verse is said by all those present):

4 The Beatitudes (While praying together, this prayer is recited in chorus by two groups):

COMMUNITY'S PRAYERS

FORMULA OF CONSECRATION

O Eternal Word in which is the life of the universe, through which the universe itself came to be created, I acknowledge and accept my vow to you totally. I acknowledge and accept that the only reason for my life is your glory.

O Word incarnate in the Virgin's womb, who in you gathered up the whole universe to present and carry it to the Father, I, created by You, redeemed by You, consecrate myself to serve You for ever.

May my life be a perfect sacrifice, a complete sacrifice, in your service, consuming all the powers of my heart and soul, my very body, so that nothing in me be mine, unless it be Yours, that nothing may show You forth, unless it be yours, now in time, and tomorrow in eternity.

O Virgin Mother of Christ, I vow myself to You as a slave, I want to live for You, in order that You make me your child. You possess nothing but Christ, but in Him all belongs to You and is yours. To the measure that I shall be yours, I shall also be your Child Jesus. So possess me completely, O Virgin Mother, until nothing may live in me but Christ, until I may be, in Him and for Him, saviour of the world, revealer of the Father.

O God, who in your infinite wisdom willed the Church as the means where your name could be fully glorified on earth and in heaven, I acknowledge and adore this, your will. As a devout child of Christ's Church, I humbly and lovingly accept my dependence on the Supreme Shepherd, I offer my entire life, even to shedding its blood, for the acknowledgement of its rights and the fulfilling of its divine mission.

Bless, O God, this offer I make to You in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters and deign to accept it, making effective my will and fruitful my life, conceived and lived as an apostolic mission.

Amen.

FORMULA FOR THE VOWS

(While praying together, when brothers and sisters of the First Branch without vows are present, the words in brackets are left out)

O God, kneeling before You in the abyss of my nothingness, I adore You. I trust in Your infinite love that You hear my humble word and grant it. Therefore I implore You: Deign to accept my Consecration and receive from the hands of my sweet Mother, all of myself. I offer and give You all (in my vows of poverty, chastity and obedience) in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters of God. But because the gift does not equal the sacrifice, destroy Yourself this victim, consuming it in the flames of Your holy love.

O God, whom it pleases to show Your divine perfections in the weakness and wretchedness of your lowest servants and in the darkness of faith are good enough to consider your children those who could not but offend You, complete Your work and glorify in me Your most holy Name, elevating in Your omnipotence my prayer, listening to it in Your wisdom, fulfilling it in Your infinite love.

Through Christ Our Lord, Amen!

SHORT FORMULA OF CONSECRATION

O Word of God, I devote myself to You. May my life be a perfect sacrifice, a complete sacrifice.

Bless, O God, this oblation of mine and deign to accept it.

MEETING-PRAYER

O Lord, who said: 'When two or three of you are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of you', look down upon us, who are gathered in Your name, come in the midst of us, speak to us.

Give us that fullness of faith which You promised the conquest of the world.

Give us that fullness of love which make of us your servants and your witnesses among our neighbours, the revealers of the Father.

May Your Spirit live for us again; and so may be renewed in us the miracle of the birth of the Church.

Amen.

AGAPE-PRAYER

May the spirit of Your charity inspire us, O Lord, so that from the one bread which satisfies, so do You make, out of Your mercy, one single heart. Amen!

PRAYER BEFORE ACTION

O Lord, we call for Your help: Precede our actions, inspire and direct them, so that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from You and end for You. Amen.

PRAYER BEFORE SETTING OUT ON A JOURNEY

On the path of peace and prosperity, may the almighty and merciful God guide us.

May the archangel Raphael accompany us, so that in health, peace and joy we can then return home.

Amen.

INVOCATION TO JESUS' NAME

'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner'. (or)

'Jesus Christ' (or)

'Lord Jesus'

(While saying the rosary, we can pray at every decade)

'Fulfil in us Your will, to the Glory of Your Name'.

FURTHER PRAYERS

SEQUENCE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

(from the Eucharistic liturgy of Pentecost)

'... Our Father in Heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him for it'.
(Luke 11,13)

PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN

Remember, O most merciful Virgin Mary,
That none has ever heard in the world
That somebody was forsaken by you,
When they had appealed to your protection,
Implored your intercession
And asked for your help.
I, too, heartened by such a confidence,
Appeal to you, O Mother Virgin of the virgins;
I come to you and with tears in my eyes,
Sinner that I am,
I fall at your feet
And beg for mercy.
For you would not, O Mother of the Word,
Despise my supplication,
But kindly listen and fulfil it.
Amen.


Saint Bernard

SAINT SERGIUS OF RADONEZ'S CANTICLE

TO THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

O Saint Michael the Archangel,
Assist us in the fight
And be our help
Against the malice and the tricks of the devil.
We implore you
That God may subject him!
And you, prince of the heavenly army,
By God's virtue drive back into hell
Satan and all other evil spirits,
Who wander in the world
For the ruin of souls.
Amen.

CHARLES DE FOUCAULD'S PRAYER

(to be recited after Bible reading)

My Father,
I abandon myself to You:
Do with me as You like.
Whatever You do with me, I thank You.
I am ready for everything,
I accept everything,
So that your will be fulfilled in me
And in all your creatures:
I long for nothing else, my God.
I place my soul in your hands:
I give it to You, my God,
With all the love of my heart,
Because I love You and I need, out of love,
To give myself, placing me in your hands
without limits, with an infinite faith,
because You are my Father.

SAINT NICHOLAS DE FLUE'S PRAYER

(to be recited before Bible reading)

My God and my Lord,
take from me
whatever takes me from You.
My God and my Lord,
give me all
that leads me to You.
My God and my Lord,
take me from me
and give all of me to You.

SAINT EPHREM'S PRAYER

My God and Lord of my life,
Free me from the spirit of idleness,
From discouragement,
From my own will
And from vain words.
Grant to your servant
The spirit of chastity, of humility,
Of patience and of love.
O my God and my Lord,
Make me see my sins
And not judge my neighbour,
Because You are blessed for ever.
Amen.

OBLATION PRAYER

Accept, O Lord, my entire liberty;
Take my memory,
My intelligence
And my whole will.
Whatever I have or possess,
You gave it to me:
I give You back all your gifts,
So that You may do with them as You please.
I only ask that You give me
Your love with Your grace
And with that being richly fulfilled,
I shall seek for nothing else.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

ANGELUS

- The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary
- And she conceived of the Holy Spirit...............Hail, Mary

- Behold the handmaid of the Lord
- May it be done to me as you have said...........Hail, Mary

- And the Word became flesh
- And lived among us ......................................Hail, Mary

- Pray for us, Holy Mother of God,
- That we become worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour down Your grace into our spirit, O Lord, Who, through the message of an angel has shown the Incarnation of your Son, through Your Passion and Your Cross guide us to the glory of the Resurrection. For Christ our Lord. Amen.

REGINA COELI
(throughout the Easter period up to Pentecost, this prayer ought to be recited instead of the Angelus)

- Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia
- Christ, whom you carried in your womb, Alleluia

- Is risen, as He promised, Alleluia
- Pray the Lord for us, Alleluia

- Rejoice and exult, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia
- The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia.

Let us pray:
O Lord, You Who deigned to fill the world with joy through the Resurrection of your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, allow us, thanks to the intercession of His Mother, the Virgin Mary, to attain the joys of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

INVOCATIONS TO COMPLETE THE PRAYER

Blessed be God
Blessed be His Holy Name
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man
Blessed be the Name of Jesus
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar
Blessed be the Holy Spirit the Paraclete
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Most Holy Mary
Blessed be Her Holy and Immaculate Conception
Blessed be Her glorious Assumption
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother
Blessed be Saint Joseph, Her Most Chaste Spouse
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints

MAXIMS AND SAYINGS

SAINT PAUL

Because you are Sons and Daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying: 'Abba, Father!'.
(Galatians 4, 6)

SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is Love.
(1 John 4, 7-8)

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

It is good to pass away from the world to God, to rise again in Him! I consider it good to die to unite myself in Christ, better than to rule to the utmost ends of the earth. He, Who died for us, I want Him who for us is risen.

SAINT ANTHONY THE HERMIT

The first thing we need to observe is, all together, under the same commitment, never to abandon our sacred decision and never to be discouraged in our pains. On the contrary, it is necessary to increase our fervour each day, as if each day we had to begin our journey again.

SAINT BENEDICT

Not through many words, but from purity of heart and tears of repentance do we know that prayer is granted.

Therefore our prayer must be short and pure, at least if our prayer is not prolonged by an inspiration.

SAINT GERTRUDE

Since I put my love in you, I can on no account suffer that we should be separated from one another.
(Jesus to Gertrude)

SAINT BIRGITTA OF SWEDEN

One day Birgitta addressed to Mary the following prayer: 'Help me, dearest Mother, to love your Son perfectly! I feel so weak and incapable of loving Him as I should like! Therefore I beg you to tie Christ's love to my heart and to attract it to Him, tearing off from it every earthly affection'.

But the Holy Virgin says to her: 'Think rather to sew your daughter's dress. She wears no silk skirt, just an ordinary one of coarse wool, and which is old and patched up!'

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA

May nothing disturb you, nothing affright you.
All things are passing, God alone changes not.
With patience all can be gained.
If you possess God, you will lack nothing.

SAINT THOMAS MORE

Surely, Meg, you could not have a heart weaker than the one of your frail father. However, I firmly expect the most merciful God to support me with His holy hand, in His great goodness, and not allow me to fall into disgrace with Him.

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS

Do not seek worldly things, if you want to keep God's face bright and true in your soul. Instead, clear out and free your spirit from them and you will walk in the divine light, because God is not like them.

SAINT JOAN OF ARC

The Church! I love it and should like to support it with all my strength, for our faith... In my opinion, Our Lord and the Church are just one and the same.

OUTLINE OF A RULE OF LIFE

INNER LIFE

Try to live in the presence of God with the greatest awareness possible.

Make use of the most time possible for praying, meditating, and reading Holy Scripture, the writings of the CFD and other documents of a spiritual character.

Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion every day, if possible.

Say the Community's prayers and the four parts of the Offices and keep the Community's precepts concerning the obligation for prayer.

Cultivate in particular the devotion to the Most Holy Virgin and the love for the Church.

COMMUNITY LIFE

Understand and put into practice in your life that the Community is a work of God and, to be a good instrument, that that requires absolute dedication and a great spirit of charity.

Pray each day for the Superiors, the brothers and sisters, and the dead of the Community; pray in particular that God may keep the fidelity and unity of the CFD.

Feel responsible in the CFD and seek to carry out with devotion all tasks which the Superiors may have entrusted to you.

Attend, as often as possible, all Community meetings, so that they may be for you spiritual nourishment and not only cause for self-satisfaction.

LIFE WITH OTHERS

Strive always to achieve more charity to all without excluding strangers, those who are different, and indifferent people.

Pray for the Pope, for the bishop and the priests, for your own parish; always make yourselves useful and effective with what is requested.

Accept the weight of the work as a mortification, when you find it hard; and try your best to do it with joy, at the service of God and of your neighbour.

Try to see Jesus in all whom you meet, and behave toward them as charity directs. Pray in all cases where it is not possible to do good directly, and pray always because only God is truly effective with people.

EXAMINATION OF ONE'S CONSCIENCE

1 - Was my aspiration to the Gospels' perfection alive? Did I wilfully withdraw from the obligation to perfection, deluding myself in my unhappiness? I must be truly willing to aim at God perfecting myself continuously. A fall does not in itself mean the refusal to aim at God, if I remain faithful to the goal of seeking him.

2 - Did I live the detachment of my heart from all that could prevent me from answering my Lord, from all that could be a hindrance to my way towards Him? (For the First Branch the examination concerns above all the spirit of poverty, for the others it concerns also the matter of real poverty).

3 - Did I try and see that everything was for me a way for my ascent, for my sanctification? (We are all virginal in our love for God, which, in order to be absolute, should somehow also be exclusive). Those who belong to the First Branch will search in their own conscience the spirit of this love, which requires all to be a way to the divine union; those who belong to the other Branches will search their own conscience about the vow of chastity, which binds us to aim at God more and more directly.

4 - Did I consider and live my day in service to God? Did I truly live for God alone, or also for myself? (Examination about the sense of dependence on God, about giving up my self-government and self-sufficiency; examination about obedience).

5 - Extent and test of my love for God: Did I live in fraternal charity, seeking to overcome all obstacles to the union with others? Did I strive to love my neighbour as myself? Was I ready to give my life for each, following Jesus' command?

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMING OF CANDIDATES

1 - Did I pray for them every day?

2 - Did I meet with them as we had agreed?

3 - Did I take an interest in their problems? Did I listen to them with patience and love? Did I try to help them when they were in trouble?

4 - Did I telephone them when a week went by without seeing them?

5 - In their troubles, did I pray and mortify myself to obtain from God the grace that they remain faithful to Him?

6 - In my times of difficulty or perplexity, did I write to the person responsible for the formation of candidates to receive instructions about what I should do for the good of the souls with which I was entrusted?

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR GROUP ASSISTANTS

1 - Did I pray for the brothers and sisters of my group every day?

2 - Did I keep in touch with them, when they were absent from the meeting?

3 - In their troubles, did I pray and mortify myself to obtain from God the grace so that they remain faithful to Him?

4 - In my times of difficulty or perplexity, did I get in touch with the Family Assistant about guidance for the good of the brothers and sisters with whom I was entrusted?

MATINS OF THE RESURRECTION
(from the Byzantine Liturgy)

(The Matins of the Resurrection is recited in the following feasts and solemnities: Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Holy Trinity, Transfiguration, Triumph of the Cross. The Community members belonging to the Second, Third and Fourth Branches are bound to recite this Prayer).

LITANY PRAYER

Hebd.: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Hebd.: Glory to the consubstantial and indivisible Holy Trinity, in all times,
now and for ever, without end.
All: Amen.
Hebd.: Christ is risen from the dead, through His death He has trampled down death
and to those who were in the tomb he has given life.
All: (repeat)

(all kneeling)

Hebd.: Let us pray the Lord in peace.
All: O Christ, hear us. (to be repeated at every invocation)


Hebd.: Let us pray to the Lord for peace coming from heaven and for the salvation of our souls.

Let us pray to the Lord for peace all over the world, the prosperity of the Holy Church of God and the unity of all.

Let us pray to the Lord for this holy house and those who enter it with faith, piety and fear of God.

Let us pray to the Lord for our Holy Father, for the priesthood and the people.

Let us pray to the Lord for our Community and all Consecrated souls.

Let us pray to the Lord that He allows the Community to increase in all branches so that all its members make progress in Christian perfection.

Let us pray to the Lord for every village, town and county and for the people who live there with faith.

Let us pray to the Lord for all people who do not yet know Jesus Christ, light of the world and Saviour of all.

Let us pray to the Lord for clean air, for the abundance of the fruits of the soil and for peace times.

Let us pray to the Lord for seamen, travellers, sick persons, those who are suffering, prisoners, and for their health.

Let us pray to the Lord for ... (here particular intercessions can be made).

Let us pray to the Lord that He may save us from every affliction, anger and need.

O Lord, help and save us, have mercy on us and protect us with your grace.

All: O Christ, hear us and grant our prayer.
Hebd.: Remembering our holy, pure, blessed and glorious Lady Mother of God and ever Virgin Mary with all Saints, we entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.
All: To You, Lord.
Hebd.: Because to you belong all honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, without end.
All: Amen.

(here the Litany ends; every one standing)

1st C. It is the Resurrection day,
People, let us radiate with joy!
It is Easter, Easter of the Lord,
Since Christ, our God,
Has led us from death to life,
From earth to heaven,
We who sing the hymn of victory.

2nd C. Let us purify our feelings
And we shall see Christ radiant
With the inaccessible glory of Resurrection
And shall clearly hear Him saying:
'Rejoice':
We who sing the hymn of victory.

1st C. It is right that heaven rejoice
And the earth be cheerful,
That the visible and invisible world be merry,
Because Christ, the eternal joy,
Is risen from the dead.

2nd C. It is the Resurrection day,
People, let us radiate with joy!
It is Easter, Easter of the Lord,
Since Christ, our God,
Has led us from death to life,
From earth to heaven,
We who sing the hymn of victory.

1st C. Come and let us drink the new drink,
Not the one gushing from the sterile rock,
But the source of incorruptibility
That Christ, whom we are fortified in,
Makes flow from His grave.

2nd C. All is full of light now:
Heaven, earth and hell.
May every creature welcome heartily
The Resurrection of Christ,
In whom each creature finds its strength.

1st C. Yesterday I was like You in a grave, O Christ;
I am rising today with You, who are rising.
Yesterday I was crucified with You;
Glorify me today with You,
O Saviour, in your Kingdom.

2nd C. Come and let us drink the new drink,
Not the one gushing from the sterile rock,
But the source of incorruptibililty
That Christ, whom we are fortified in,
Makes flow from His grave.

1st C. Already long before daybreak
Let us keep awake and offer to the Lord
A hymn instead of spices
And we shall see Christ, the Sun of Justice,
Making life appear for all.

2nd C. Witnesses for his infinite mercy,
Those who were kept by the ties of hell
Went towards light
At a joyful pace, O Christ,
Celebrating the eternal Easter.

1st C. Let us go and take lights
Towards Christ rising from the grave,
As towards the Bridegroom, and let us celebrate together,
In festive choruses,
The divine, redeeming Easter.

2nd C. Already long before daybreak
Let us keep awake and offer to the Lord
A hymn instead of spices
And we shall see Christ, the Sun of Justice,
Making life appear for all.

1st C. Shine, shine, o new Jerusalem,
Because the glory of the Lord rose on you.
Rejoice now and exult, o Zion!
And You, the most pure Mother of God,
Rejoice at the Resurrection of your Son.

2nd C. How divine, how lovable,
How sweet is your voice!
You promised us without falsehood
That You would be with us
Until the end of time, o Christ;
And we your faithful rejoice
Considering this hope to be certain.

1st C. Today each creature
Is feeling joyous and gay,
Because Christ is risen from the dead
And hell was imprisoned.

All: Christ is risen from the dead,
Through His death He trampled down death
And gave back life
To those who lay in the grave.

Hebd.: O my Saviour, living and yet immolated Victim, God offering Himself to the Father, coming out from the grave, You brought back to life Adam's progeny.

All: Glory to You.

(short silence)

Hebd.: After contemplating the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship our Lord Jesus, the only one without sin. We worship your Cross, O Lord, we celebrate and glorify your holy Resurrection: You are our God and we acknowledge no one else but You, and we invoke your name.

Come, all you believers, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ, since joy spread all over the world through the Cross. By blessing the Lord at all times we celebrate his Resurrection, because, after suffering Crucifixion, He destroyed death through his death.

All: Christ is risen from the dead, through His death He trampled down death and gave back life to those who lay in the grave.

Hebd.: Praise the Lord, all breathing creatures!

Psalm 148

1st C. Praise the Lord from the heavens,* praise him in the heights.

2nd C Praise him, all his angels,* praise him, all his hosts.

1st C. Praise him, sun and moon;* praise him, shining stars.

2nd C Praise him, highest heavens* and the waters above the heavens.

1st C. Let them all praise the name of the Lord!* He commanded: they were made.

2nd C He fixed them for ever,* gave a law which shall not pass away.

1st C. Praise the Lord from the earth,* sea creatures and all oceans,

2nd C. Fire and hail, snow and midst,* stormy winds that obey his word;

1st C. All mountains and hills,* all fruit trees and cedars,

2nd C. Beasts, wild and tame,* reptiles and birds on the wing.

1st C. All earth's kings and peoples,* earth's princes and rulers,

2nd C. Young men and maidens,* old men together with children.

1st C. Let them praise the name of the Lord. * for he alone is exalted.

2nd C. The splendour of his name * reaches beyond heaven and earth.

1st C. He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints,

2nd C. Of the sons of Israel, * of the people to whom he comes close.

Psalm 149

1st C. Sing a new song to the Lord,* his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

2nd C. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, * let Sion's sons exult in their king.

1st C. Let them praise his name with dancing;* and make music with timbrel and harp.

2nd C. For the Lord takes delight in his people.* he crowns the poor with salvation.

1st C. Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, * shout for joy and take their rest.

2nd C. Let the praise of God be on their lips * and a two-edged sword in their hand,

1st C. To deal out vengeance to the nations * and punishment on all the peoples;

2nd C. To bind their kings in chains * and their nobles in fetters of iron;

1st C. To carry out the sentence pre-ordained: * this honour is for all his faithful.

Psalm 150

1st C. Praise God in his holy place, * praise him in his mighty heavens.

2nd C. Praise him for his powerful deeds, * praise his surpassing greatness.

1st C. O praise him with sound of trumpet,.* praise him with lute and harp.

2nd C. Praise him with timbrel and dance,* praise him with strings and pipes.

1st C. O praise him with resounding cymbals, * praise him with clashing of cymbals.

All: Let everything that lives and that breathes * give praise to the Lord.

Hebd.: We sing your praises, O Christ, and glorify your divine clemency. The Virgin gave birth to You and You suffered as a man and voluntarily experienced the cross, even though You kept inseparable from the Father. You rose from the dead, as a bridegroom comes out of the nuptial couch to save the world. O Lord, glory to You!

1st C. May God rise and scatter his enemies And may those who hate Him Run away in defeat.

2nd C A sanctified Easter is appeared today, A new, holy Easter, A mystic, pure Easter, Easter of the liberating Christ, Easter that opens the entrance to heaven And sanctifies all believers.

1st C. As smoke clears away, disperse them, As wax melts away on the fire.

2nd C Collect yourselves from your vision, Women who announce the Good News, And say to Zion: Receive from us the joy of the Good News, Of the resurrection of Christ; Adorn yourself, make merry and rejoice, Jerusalem, In seeing Christ who comes out of the grave And who approaches like the Bridegroom.

1st C. May bad men disappear from the face of God And good men rejoice.

2nd C The women carrying spices Came early in the morning To the grave of Him who gives life And found an angel sitting on the stone. This is how he adressed them: Why do you look for the One who is alive among the dead? Why do you grieve for the One who is incorruptible As if He were corrupted? Go forth and inform his Apostles.

1st C. This is the day of the Lord's victory; Let us exult, let us rejoice!

2nd C Splendid Easter, shining Easter, Easter, Easter of the Lord, The most pure Easter glowed on us! O Easter! Let us embrace One another for joy! Easter! Purification from every sin! Today Christ, coming out of the grave As if rising from the nuptial couch, wrapped in light, Overwhelms the women with joy and says: Announce it to my Disciples.

1st C. Glory be to the Father and to the Son And to the Holy Spirit As it was in the beginning, now And for ever. Amen.

2nd C It is the Resurrection day! Let us radiate with joy because of the solemnity And let us embrace one another! Let us call 'brothers' the enemies too! Let us forgive all because of the Resurrection And let us sing All: Christ is risen from the dead, through His death He trampled down death And gave back life to those who lay in the grave.

SERMON BY SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Reader: May he who is pious and loves the Lord take delight in this fine and luminous solemnity! May each faithful servant enter happily into the joy of his Lord! May he who mortified himself through fasting receive his reward. Those who worked since the first hour will receive their fair pay today; those who came at the third hour will be happy giving thanks; those who arrived at the sixth hour must have no doubt, because they will lose nothing; those who were late until the ninth hour can come near without hesitation, without fear; those who appeared at the eleventh hour only, do not have to be afraid of their delay, because the Lord is magnanimous. He welcomes both the last and the first, admits to the rest both the worker of the eleventh hour and the one who worked since the first hour; He favours the last and loves the first; He presents the one and distributes to the other; He receives the work and completes the intention; He honours work and praises every good purpose. Therefore all of you can go into the joy of your Lord. Receive the reward, both the first and the second; you rich and you poor exult together; you who practised the abstinence and you who were lazy, honour this day; you who fasted and you who did not fast, rejoice today! The table is sumptuously laid: You are all invited. The fat calf is prepared: Nobody must leave hungry. All have to take part in the banquet of faith, all can take advantage of the abundance of goodness. Nobody has to complain about his poverty, since the common kingdom has come. Nobody must bewail his own sins, because Forgiveness came out of the grave. Nobody must be afraid of death, since the death of the Lord sets us free. He who was seized by death, killed it. He who descended into hell, imprisoned it. He who let hell taste his flesh, made it bitter. And Isaiah, who long before knew it, foretells: 'Hell has become bitter, when it met You underground'; it has become bitter, because it was mortified; it has become bitter, because it was put to death; it has become bitter, because it was knocked down; it has become bitter, because it was tied up. Hell seized a body and came in the presence of God. It took the earth and met heaven. It took what was visible and fell in with the Invisible. Were is your sting, O death? Where is your victory, O hell? Christ is risen and you were mortified. Christ is risen and evil spirits fell down. Christ is risen and Angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life triumphes. Christ is risen and there are no more dead in graves, because Christ has been raised from death, as a guarantee for those who sleep in death. Honour and glory to Him for ever without end. Amen.

(all kneeling)

Hebd.: O Lord, be merciful to us, according to the greatness of your love; we pray to You, listen to us and have mercy on us.

All: Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Hebd.: Let us pray again for our Holy Father, for our Bishop and all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

All: Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Hebd.: Let us pray again for our Community, in order that each one be in peace and joy in the resurrection of Christ.

All: Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Hebd.: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O Lord, through your grace.

All: O Christ, listen to us.

Hebd.: Let us beg the Lord this day to be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin.

All: O Christ, hear us. (to be repeated at every invocation)

Hebd.: Let us beg of the Lord an angel of peace, loyal leader, guardian of our souls and our bodies.

Let us beg God's pardon for our sins and disobediences.

Let us ask the Lord for all that is good and helpful for our souls and for the peace of the world.

May the Lord allow us to pass the rest of our life in peace and penitence.

Let us ask the Lord for a Christian and peaceful end of our life, without pain, without disgrace, and a good defence before the terrible court of Christ.

Remembering our holy, pure, blessed and glorious Lady Mother of God and ever Virgin Mary with all Saints, we entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.

All: To You, Lord.

Hebd.: Since You are a good God, a friend for your people, we offer You our praise, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit now and for ever without end.

All: Amen.

Hebd.: (standing alone and holding the cross) Christ is risen from the dead, through His death He trampled down death

All: And gave back life to those who lay in the grave.

Hebd.: Christ, who is risen from the dead, Who trampled down death through His death And gave back life to those who lay in grave, He, our true God, Thanks to the prayers of His most pure Mother And of all Saints, May be merciful on us and save us Through His goodness and His love for His people. (while blessing, he says three times)

CHRIST IS RISEN

All: HE IS RISEN INDEED

Hebd (in conclusion, again says): Christ is risen from the dead, through His death He trampled down death and gave back life to those who lay in the grave.

All: (repeat)

Hebd.: And we, whom He gave eternal life to, worship His resurrection on the third day. (All go and kiss the cross, which will be put on the altar or at the foot of the altar as on Good Friday)

THE ACATHISTOS HYMN

(The Acathistos Hymn is recited in the following solemnities or feasts: Immaculate Conception, the Most Holy Mary Mother of God, Lady Day, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Community members belonging to the Second, Third and Fourth Branches are bound to say this prayer).

Hebd.: After receiving the order, The Angel immediately presented himself at Joseph's house And said to the Virgin: He, the Immutable, who bent the sky and came down, Is contained in you. And I, contemplating in your womb He who has taken the form of a slave, Wonder and cry out to you:

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: The first of the Angels Was sent from heaven To say 'Hail' to the Mother of God. He saw you as a man, O Lord, He was astonished And with angelic voice Pe proclaimed to the Mother what follows:

1st C. Hail, through you joy shines; Hail, through you pain is ended.

2nd C. Hail, salvation of fallen Adam; Hail, redemption of Eva's tears.

1st C. Hail, inaccessible height to human minds; Hail, deep abyss in the Angels' eyes.

2nd C. Hail, you are the King's throne; Hail, you carry Him, who rules over all.

1st C. Hail, star anticipating the sun; Hail, womb of the divine incarnation.

2nd C. Hail, through you the Creation is renewed; Hail, through you the Maker is a child.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: Mary was well aware that She was a pure Virgin And bravely said to Gabriel: 'Your extraordinary message Appears incomprehensible to my soul, As you foretell a birth From my virginal womb, exclaiming:

All: Alleluia!'

Hebd.: The Virgin tried to get To the heart of the mystery And asked the divine messenger: 'Can my virginal womb ever Give birth to a child? Say it to me!' He spoke to her with reverence And this is what he said:

1st C. Hail, guide to the mysteries of an inexpressible will; Hail, proof of mysterious designs.

2nd C. Hail, first wonder of Christ; Hail, summary of his truths.

1st C. Hail, O heavenly ladder that God descended; Hail, O bridge leading from earth to heaven.

2nd C. Hail, marvel praised by Angels; Hail, scourge abhorred by demons.

1st C. Hail, you gave birth to the inexpressible Light; Hail, you did not reveal the 'way' to anybody.

2nd C. Hail, you go beyond the wisdom of sages; Hail, you light up the believers' hearts.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: The power of the Most High Cast its shadow over the Virgin, Stranger to marriage, And made her womb fruitful Like a soft field For all who want to find salvation Singing:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: Carrying the Lord in her bosom, The Virgin went in a hurry to Elisabeth's. The child in her womb Heard the Virgin's greeting, Exulted And leaping for joy Sang to the Mother of God:

1st C. ÿuc Hail, shoot of holy Bud, Hail, branch bearing an incorruptible fruit.

2nd C. Hail, you bring Him up, who takes lovingly care of his people; Hail, you give birth to the Maker of our life.

1st C. Hail, ground sprouting abundance of graces; Hail, table laid with plenty of gifts.

2nd C. Hail, you make grow a rich pasture; Hail, you are a prompt refuge for the faithful.

1st C. Hail, incense that makes supplications fulfilled; Hail, tender forgiveness for the world.

2nd C. Hail, clemency of God towards his people; Hail, confidence of man in God.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: His heart troubled By contrasting worries, The sensible Joseph, Who regarded you as a virgin, Suspects secret nuptials, O Virgin! But when he learnt that you were Mother Through the action of the Holy Spirit, he exclaimed:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: Shepherds heard The Angels celebrating Christ descended among us. Running towards Him as towards the Shepherd They see Him as an innocent little Lamb, Whom the Virgin is nurturing at her breast, And they sing to Her this chant:

1st C. Hail, O Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd; Hail, enclosure of faithful flock.

2nd C. Hail, you shelter from evil enemies; Hail, you open the gates of heaven.

1st C. Hail, through you heaven exults with earth; Hail, through you earth rejoices with heaven.

2nd C. Hail, you are the eternal voice of the Apostles; Hail, you are the invincible courage of martyrs.

1st C. Hail, firm bulwark of faith; Hail, shining symbol of grace.

2nd C. Hail, through you hell was stripped; Hail, through you we were covered with glory.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: The Magi saw the star Guiding to the Eternal And followed its light. It was for them a trusty beacon And they found the Almighty, The Lord. After reaching the unattainable God They rejoice and cheer Him:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: The Three Wise Men admired The supreme Maker of man In the Mother's arms. Knowing He was the Lord, Even if He had assumed the appearence of a servant, They solicitously gave Him their gifts, While saying to the blessed Mother:

1st C. Hail, Mother of the eternal star; Hail, dawn of mystical day.

2nd C. Hail, you damp down the furnace of deception; Hail, you light us up the way to the true God.

1st C. Hail, you removed the hateful despot from the throne; Hail, you give us Christ, the merciful Lord.

2nd C. Hail, you redeemed us from barbarous rites; Hail, you save us from the works of corruption.

1st C. Hail, you wipe out the worship of fire; Hail, you put out the flame of vices.

2nd C. Hail, guide of wisdom for the believers. Hail, joy of all peoples.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: The Magi became Prophets of God On their way home. They carried out your prophecy And were preaching You, O Christ, To all people, Careless of Herod, the foolish one, Who could not sing:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: Shining the light of truth upon Egypt You drove away the darkness of error: The idols fell indeed, O Saviour, Thrown down by your divine might. And those who were set free Cried out to the Mother of God:

1st C. Hail, you brought men back to the straight path; Hail, defeat of the infernal kingdom.

2nd C. Hail, you trample on error; Hail, you reveal the fraud of idols.

1st C. Hail, sea swallowing up the great Pharaoh; Hail, rock making flow the water of life.

2nd C. Hail, column of fire guiding in the darkness; Hail, refuge for the world wider than the cloud.

1st C. Hail, you give manna from heaven; Hail, you dispense holy delights.

2nd C. Hail, mystic promised land; Hail, source of milk and honey.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: Simeon, inspired venerable old man, Was already on the point Of passing away. You were given in his arms as a child, But he recognized You As the perfect Lord. He was astonished and admiring The eternal wisdom he exclaimed:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: The Maker reformed the laws of nature And appeared among us, his children: Flourishing from the womb of a Virgin, He kept it as it was, Inviolate. And we who admire this wonder, Sing to the Holy Virgin:

1st C. Hail, flower of purity; Hail, crown of fortitude.

2nd C. Hail, you show the future destiny; Hail, you disclose the Angels' life.

1st C. Hail, splendid plant nourishing the faithful; Hail, fine and shady tree sheltering all.

2nd C. Hail, you carried in your womb the Guide for those who are erring; Hail, you gave birth to the Liberator of slaves.

1st C. Hail, supplication to the just Judge; Hail, forgiveness for all who were misled.

2nd C. Hail, robe covering those who are not in a state of grace; Hail, Love that overwhelms every desire.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: Admiring such childbirth, We leave the world And turn our minds to heaven. That is the reason why the Most High Appeared among us With the humble appearance of a man: To take to heaven Those who cheer Him:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: God as infinite Word Was here on the earth in his fullness And yet remained also in heaven: As the divine descent occurred Without changing place, It was a gentle lowering Of God towards man, As the Son was born from the Virgin, Mother whom all of us cheer:

1st C. Hail, home of God, the Infinite; Hail, doorway to the holy mystery.

2nd C. Hail, insecure announcement for unbelievers; Hail, certain boast for believers.

1st C. Hail, throne holier than the cherubic one; Hail, chair finer than the seraphic one.

2nd C. Hail, you join opposite greatnesses; Hail, you conciliate virginity and maternity.

1st C. Hail, through you our sins were forgiven; Hail, through you heaven was opened again.

2nd C. Hail, key of Christ's Kingdom; Hail, hope of eternal treasures.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: The Angels wondered At the sublime event Of your divine Incarnation, Because they saw the unapproachable God Now easy to approach by all, As a man, Living among us And cheered by everybody:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: Talented orators Are as dumb as fishes Before you, Mother of God; They are absolutely incapable Of explaining how you can be Virgin and Mother. But we who admire the mystery We sing with faith:

1st C. Hail, home of eternal Wisdom; Hail, treasure of his Providence.

2nd C. Hail, you prove scholars to be ignorant; Hail, you command silence to rhetoricians.

1st C. Hail, subtle minds become foolish before you; Hail, thanks to you inventors of myths disappeared.

2nd C. Hail, you break the plots up of all sophists; Hail, you fill the fishermen's nets.

1st C. Hail, you raise us from the abyss of ignorance. Hail, you are beacon in learning.

2nd C. Hail, boat of those who want to save themselves; Hail, harbour of those who are sailing to life.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride!

* * *

Hebd.: To save the world The Maker of all things Came spontaneously down to earth. As a God, He was our Shepherd, But He wanted to appear among us As a Lamb. As a man, He attracted men, As a God, we cheer Him:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: You, Mother Virgin,
Are defense of virgins
And of those who appeal to you.
The Lord of heaven and earth
Made you Immaculate
To live in your womb
And teach all to sing:

1st C. Hail, mainstay of virginity;
Hail, doorway to eternal salvation.

2nd C. Hail, beginning of a new progeny;
Hail, distributor of divine gifts.

1st C. Hail, you gave life back to those who were conceived in sin;
Hail, you made wise again those who were lacking in reason.

2nd C. Hail, you destroyed the great seducer;
Hail, you give us the Sower of chastity.

1st C. Hail, nuptial couch of pure wedding;
Hail, you win the faithful over to the Lord.

2nd C. Hail, beautiful foster parent of virgins;
Hail, you drive souls to the Bridegroom.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride! * * *

Hebd.: Every hymn
Presuming to be equal
To your countless graces
Is overcome.
Even if we should offer You,
O Lord,
As many hymns as the sand-grains,
We never could attain to the number of your gifts,
That You gave to those who sing:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: We admire the holy Virgin
As a lamp lighting up
Those who are in the darkness.
She lit the divine light
And guides all to the knowledge
Of God
Shining to the minds,
And each one praises Her singing:

1st C. Hail, ray of divine sunlight;
Hail, beam of eternal Light.

2nd C. Hail, flash giving light to souls;
Hail, thunder frightening enemies.

1st C. Hail, you are for us the source of holy Mysteries;
Hail, you are a spring abounding in water.

2nd C. Hail, symbol of spiritual bath;
Hail, you remove the stains of our sins.

1st C. Hail, source cleansing our souls;
Hail, cup pouring out joy.

2nd C. Hail, fragrance of Christ's chrism;
Hail, vine of the mystic banquet.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride! * * *

Hebd.: As He wanted to forgive
All old trespasses,
The Redeemer of men came down
And lived among us,
We who had lost grace.
He wiped off the debt
And all cheer Him:

All: Alleluia!

Hebd.: Praising your Son,
All are exalting You
As a living church, O Mother of God!
For by dwelling in your womb
He who holds everything in his hands,
The Lord,
Made you blessed and glorious
And teaches us how to praise you:

1st C. Hail, home of the Word of God;
Hail, you are greater than 'The Most Holy Place'.

2nd C. Hail, 'Ark' lined with gold through the Holy Spirit;
Hail, unexhausted 'Treasure' of life.

1st C. Hail, precious crown of holy kings;
Hail, noble virtue of pious priests.

2nd C. Hail, firm tower of the Church;
Hail, indestructible bulwark of the Kingdom.

1st C. Hail, thanks to you we raise trophies.
Hail, through you the enemies are defeated.

2nd C. Hail, medicine for my body;
Hail, salvation of my soul.

All: Hail, Virgin and Bride! * * *

Hebd.: Great and glorious Mother,
You who gave birth to the Word,
Holier than all saints,
Deign now to accept our praise!
Guard all of us against every trouble.
Rescue us from the imminent punishment,
We who cry out:

All: Alleluia!

COMMITMENT TO MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Hail, humble servant of the Lord. Blessed are you among women! Hail, Holy Mother of God, glorious and blessed Virgin! Hail, Mother of the Church, Holy Mary, our Mother! Blessed Virgin, you open your arms to welcome your children! You listen to them, both children and grown-ups, you comfort them; you show them the source of every joy and peace, Jesus, the fruit of your womb. I offer to your maternal love our whole Community with all its members. The Superiors, in order that you obtain for them the spirit of wisdom and love. May they have during their lifetime a deep sense of their responsibility. They were entrusted with the souls that cost the blood of your divine Son; may they sacrifice themselves for them in imitation of Christ, your Son, give them a little of your maternal love. May they be humble and patient, may they give peace to souls, engage them in good works, sustain the weak, guide the uncertain, be a model for all in praying. We commit to you those who took their religious vows, in order that they may be faithful, persevere in good, aim intensely at the perfection the Lord called them to. O Mother, we entrust to you those who are Consecrated in the Community: may they be witnesses in the world for the Kingdom of God, sacrament of the presence of Christ, your Son. We entrust to you all our brothers and sisters advanced in years and who are ill, those who are lonely and weary, in order that you assist them in their sickness and renew their hope. We entrust to you our youngest members, who are more exposed to temptations: protect them all, defend them from the attractions of evil, do not allow them to abandon themselves to evil and to withdraw into their own egoism moving away from your love: may they be your darlings. We entrust to you the married couples, who are called to become saints in matrimony: may bride and groom really love one another, so that the mystery of the alliance joining Christ to the Church may shine and reveal itself in their match. We entrust to you our families: may the serenity, the pure joy of the family of Nazareth reoccur in their circle. We entrust to you our children: may their fathers and mothers bring them up well and may they grow not only healthy in body, but also in wisdom, gaining favour with God and people thanks to your intercession. We entrust to you the most humble and hidden souls of our Community: we do not know how much we owe to them, but you know it. Reward their sacrifice, their humility through the gift of your love and may we all feel increasingly grateful to them for the example they give to us in their silence and in the simplicity of their abandon. We entrust to you those who practise a profession in the world: physicians, teachers, all those who work and do a service of social utility. May they all have a true spirit of service and live their commitment as a practice of love to their neighbour. We entrust to you our candidates, O Mother: may they listen to the word of God, who calls them, and reply with docility. You, Mother, know those whom God destined to belong to our Community: bring them to us, lead them in your maternal love and may we welcome them as a gift of your love. Mother of believers! Pray for us poor sinners. Teach us how to live in the friendship of God and in the mutual fraternal aid to follow the path to God, strong in faith and fortified by the support of your presence. I introduce my brothers and sisters of the Community to you. Receive all in your reassuring goodness and maternal tenderness, as they are loved by your Son, Jesus, who entrusted them to you at the moment when He offered his life for the multitude. Amen.

SECOND PART

ACTS OF THE COMMUNITY LIFE

The SOCIAL YEAR of the Community begins on September 14th, the day of the Triumph of the Cross, that is particularly celebrated by the Community through the recitation of the Matins of Resurrection.

SEASONS The Community recognises and respects the recurrence of the SEASONS\ TEMPORA and offers in those days the PRAYER (presence at Holy Mass, receiving Holy Communion, recitation of the Liturgy of Hours, Litanic prayer, some personal renouncing) and everyone's OFFERING (those who belong to the 2nd and 3rd Branches are bound to offer an amount equal to a day's work) according to the following intentions:

- Autumn Tempora: these recur in the week after the Sunday immediately following the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Prayer is for the sanctification of Consecrated souls and for priestly Vocations. Donations are set aside for the Requiem Mass Treasury of the Families.

- Advent Tempora: these recur in the third week of Advent, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We pray for non-Christian religions. Donations are set aside for missionaries.

- Lent Tempora: these recur in the week following the first Sunday in Lent, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We pray for sinners. Donations are set aside for the poor.

- Pentecost Tempora: these recur in the week following the Feast of Pentecost on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We pray for the unity of the Church. Donations are set aside for our Houses of Common Life or are assigned to the Families' Fund for travelling expenses of their members (Family Assistants, persons responsible for the forming of candidates, councillors, for the periodical meetings at the Centre).

COMMUNITY LIFE

Community life is achieved through weekly meetings, the monthly assembly and retreat and the annual Exercises.

The weekly MEETING in little groups is an obligation for all members Consecrated in the Community and aims to support and nourish that fraternal relationship which comes from praying together, from living the same spirituality, from reflecting upon common subjects, from the mutual exchange of feelings of joy and pain.

Moreover, each Family takes care of the MONTHLY ASSEMBLY, which is the meeting of all members of a Family. The assembly has the same aims as the group meeting, but it is attended to a greater extent. In fact, all members Consecrated in the Community are bound to be present or to give an explanation for their absence, if a good reason prevented them from being present. This Community event includes, besides the common prayer, organizing activities and subjects under consideration proposed by the leader and presented and enlarged on by a Community member of the Family or by a member of another Family called upon to talk about it. Therefore, the assembly is a matter of organization, culture and - if necessary - of catechesis. During the assembly problems and undertakings of the Family are managed with spirit of fraternal charity and cooperation.

The MONTHLY RETREAT - that has to be attended by all those who belong to the Second and Third Branches - is a matter of ascesis and prayer; in silence and concentration those present live the vertical dimension, i. e. the soul-God relationship. The Family retreat should last at least half a day (with Mass included) or the whole day.

Those who cannot attend the Family retreat are obliged to do it on their own for at least three hours (including Mass) and to have, besides the obligatory prayers, two meditations, separated by a silence pause. Notice of this has to be given to Superiors by means of the monthly report.

All those who belong to the Second, Third and Fourth Branches are obliged to attend every year a course of SPIRITUAL EXERCISES which the Community organizes at a particular time and place. However, it is very desirable that those of the First Branch attend the spiritual exercises too, where silence is obligatory.

REQUIEM MASSES FOR THE COMMUNITY'S DEAD

From our Constitutions: 'A Mass perpetually said for the soul of every deceased member'.

'On the occasion of the death of every member a Mass will be said by the Mother house, one by the Family and one by the Group the member belonged to'.

'Every member is bound to attend the Mass said for the soul of a deceased member. If one cannot be present, it is one's duty to attend a Mass by oneself'. At the death anniversary of any brother or sister, it is good to re-read the obituary notice again that appeared in the special part or in the News Bulletin.

When reciting Lauds or Vespers, the dead are commemorated on the day of their anniversary in the Invocations and Intercessions. The table reporting the the deceased's names and their anniversary days is given to each newly Consecrated member by the Family Assistant on their Consecration day.

BIBLE READING IN FOUR YEARS

FIRST YEAR

December - Genesis (chapters 1-25)
January - Genesis (chapters 26-50)
February - The Gospel according to Mark
March - Exodus
April - Leviticus
May - The Acts of the Apostles
June - Numbers (the chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 26, 33, 34 can be omitted)
July - Deuteronomy
August - The Gospel according to Matthew
September - Letter to the Romans
October - Joshua and Judges
November - Ruth and 1st Samuel

SECOND YEAR

December - 2nd Samuel
January - 1st and 2nd Letter to the Corinthians
February - 1st Kings
March - 2nd Kings
April - The Gospel according to John
May - Tobit; 1st Chronicles (the chapters from 1 to 12 and from 23 to 27 can be omitted)
June - 2nd Chronicles
July - Ezra and Nehemiah
August - The Gospel according to Luke
September - Judith and Esther
October - 1st Maccabees
November - 2nd Maccabees

THIRD YEAR

December - The Gospel according to Matthew
January - Job
February - Psalms
March - Letter to the Philippians, the Colossians, the Ephesians and three letters from John
April - Proverbs
May - The Acts of the Apostles
June - Ecclesiasticus (chapters 1-25)
July - Ecclesiasticus (chapters 26-51)
August - The Gospel according to Mark
September - Ecclesiastes and Wisdom
October - Isaiah (chapters 1-39)
November - Isaiah (chapters 40-66)

FOURTH YEAR

December - 1st and 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians; Letter to Titus; to Philemon; to the Hebrews
January - Song of Songs; Daniel
February - Jeremiah (chapters 1-31)
March - Jeremiah (chapters 32-52); Lamentations; Baruch
April - The Gospel according to John
May - Ezekiel (chapters 1-24)
June - Ezekiel (chapters 25-48)
July - 1st and 2nd Letter to Timothy; Letter to the Galatians; 1st and 2nd Letter from Peter; Letter from James; Letter from Jude
August - Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
September - The Gospel according to Luke
October - Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi
November - Revelation

LITURGICAL CALENDAR

OUR FEASTS

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Reciting of the Acathistos)

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

ANNUNCIATION\ LADY DAY (Reciting of the Acathistos)

MAUNDY THURSDAY: if possible, the Groups should meet and attend together the evening Mass in memory of the Supper of the Lord

EASTER (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

ASCENSION (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

PENTECOST (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

HOLY TRINITY (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

TRANSFIGURATION (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY (Reciting of the Acathistos)

TRIUMPH OF THE HOLY CROSS (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Reciting of the Acathistos)

CHRISTMAS OF THE LORD (Reciting of the Matins of Resurrection)

NOTE

This calendar mentions the solemnities and feasts that are the dearest to the Community and the saints who were chosen as patrons of the single Groups or who stood particularly by us in the course of our spiritual Exercises.

When the anniversary of the patron saint of a Community Group recurs, it is a good thing to recite the litany prayer entrusting expressly the Group to that saint. Also, if possible, it is a good thing to read a page from the writings of the saint or to recall his or her life and spirituality.

FEAST DAYS OF THE SAINTS AND BLESSED TO WHOM OUR GROUPS ARE DEDICATED
(In brackets, the place of the group. Updated to November 30th, 1993)

JANUARY

2 - St. Gregory Nazianzen (Biella)
St. Seraph of Sarov (Modena)
3 - St. Joseph Mary Tomasi (Sommatino - CL)
4 - St. Elizabeth Seton (Leghorn)
B. Angela of Foligno (Vittorio Veneto - TV)
17 - St. Anthony, Hermit (Palaia - PI)
20 - St. Sebastian (Marigliano - NA)
24 - St. Francis de Sales (Floridia - SR)
27 - St. Angela Merici (Brescia)
28 - B. Joseph Freinademetz (Merano)
31 - St. Geminiano (Modena)
St. Francis Xavier Mary Bianchi (Naples)

FEBRUARY

19 - St. Conrad, Hermit (Syracuse)

MARCH

9 - St. Catherine de' Vigri (Bologna)
St. Frances Romana (Roma)
19 - St. Joseph (Naples)
25 - SS.ma Annunziata (Lady Day) (Florence)

APRIL

2 - St. Francis of Paola (Naples)
4 - St: Benedict the Moor (Palermo)
11 - St. Barsanufio (Oria - BR)
12 - St. Joseph Moscati (Naples)
16 - St. Bernadette Soubirous (Argenta - FE)
21 - St. Cassian (Merano)
St. Ignatius of Laconi (Oristano)
22 - B. Mary Gabriella Sagheddu (Serramanna - CA)
23 - St. Joseph, Hymnist (Floridia - SR)
25 - St. Mark (Syracuse)
27 - St. Zita (Lucca)
29 - St. Catherine of Siena (Florence)

MAY

5 - B. Nunzio Sulprizio (Naples)
6 - St. Dominic Savio (S. Severo - FG)
10 - B. Nicholas Albergati (Bologna)
15 - Blessed Virgin of Montenero (Leghorn)
16 - St. Gemma Galgani (Modena)
St. Possidonio (Mirandola - MO)
17 - B. Antonia Mesina (Oristano)
20 - St. Bernardino of Siena (Castel del Piano - GR)
22 - St. Rita (Naples)
23 - B. Elena Guerra (Lucca)
24 - Our Lady, Help of Christians (Modena)
25 - St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi (Florence)
26 - St. Philip Neri (Brescia)
29 - St. Bona (Pisa)
30 - St. Gavin (Nuoro)

JUNE

9 - B. Anne Mary Taigi (Rome)
13 - St. Anthony of Padua (Padua)
14 - St. Marcianus (Syracuse)
15 - St. Methodius (Syracuse)
16 - St. Mamilian (Palermo)
22 - St. Paulinus of Nola (Marigliano - NA)
St. Thomas More (Modena)
24 - St. John the Baptist (Ragusa)
Marian Amico Roxas (Caltanissetta)
25 - St. William, Abbott (Avellino)
26 - St. Vigilio (Trent)
30 - Sts. Roman Protomartyrs

JULY

4 - B. Piergiorgio Frassati (Turin)
8 - St. Adrian, Pope (Spilamberto - MO)
9 - B. Pauline Visentainer (Bolzano)
11 - St. Benedict (Sesto Fiorentino - FI)
13 - St. Clelia Barbieri (Modena)
25 - St. James, Apostle (Pistoia)
26 - St. Anne (Dronero - CN)

AUGUST

1 - St. Alphonsus Liguori (Naples)
2 - St. Eusebius of Vercelli (Sandigliano - BI)
4 - St. Dominic (local liturgy) (Bologna)
7 - St. Gaetano of Thiene (Rovigo)
St. Albert (Trapani)
11 - St. Clare (Venice)
20 - St. Bernard (Trent)
21 - St. Pius X, Pope (Mestre - VE)
25 - St. Patricia (Naples)
St. Ludovic (Modena)
28 - St. Augustine of Hippo (Ripa di Lucca)

SEPTEMBER

3 - St. Gregory the Great (Leghorn) 4 - St. Rosalia (Palermo)
8 - St. Infant Mary (Palermo)
14 - SS. Crucifix (Palo del Colle - BA)
Ven. Celeste Crostarosa (Foggia)
15 - St. Catherine of Genoa (Genoa)
19 - St. Januarius (Naples)
St. Richard Pampuri (Sommatino - CL)
24 - Cardinal Guarino (Montedoro - CL)
25 - St. Sergius of Radonez (all those who are outlying)
29 - St. Michael, Archangel (Caltanissetta)

OCTOBER

1 - St. Therese of Lisieux (Syracuse)
2 - Holy Guardian Angels (Mola di Bari - BA)
4 - St. Francis of Assisi (Merano)
5 - B. Louis Scrosoppi (Udine)
8 - B. Louis Calabria (Verona)
15 - St. Teresa of Avila (Bologna)
18 - St. Luke (Camposampiero - PD)
St. Paul of the Cross (Grosseto)
26 - B. Louis Orione (Magreta - MO)

NOVEMBER

3 - St. Sylvia (Palermo)
4 - St. Charles Borromeo (Pallanza - VB)
SS. Vitale and Agricola (Bologna)
9 - B. Elizabeth of the Trinity (Modena)
19 - St. Jordan Ansalone (Caltanissetta)
29 - St. Francis Anthony Fasani (S. Severo - FG)

DECEMBER

1 - Charles de Foucauld (Milan)
2 - B. Jan van Ruusbroec (Palermo)
5 - B. Nicholas Stenone (Leghorn)
6 - St. Nicholas (S. Spirito - BA and Bomporto - MO)
7 - St. Ambrose (Milan)
13 - St. Lucy (Syracuse)
14 - St. John of the Cross (Viareggio - LU)
26 - St. Stephen, Protomartyr (Milan)
27 - St. John the Evangelist (Florence)

LITANIES TO THE ITALIAN SAINTS

St. Peter, who wanted Rome to be your seat, pray for us
St. Paul, who gave your word and your blood to Rome, pray for us
St. Lawrence, administrator of the poor, pray for us
St. Agnes, pure bride of the Lamb, pray for us
St. Cecilia, who lived praying continuously, pray for us
SS. Agatha and Lucy, virgins and martyrs of Christ, pray for us
St. Nicholas, who wanted to give us your body, pray for us
St. Eusebius of Vercelli, splendid confessor of the faith, pray for us
St. Ambrose, great bishop of Milan, pray for us
St. Benedict, monks' patriarch, pray for us
St. Gregory, father and teacher of the peoples, pray for us
St. Nilus of Rossano, who brought us light from the East, pray for us
St. Romualdo, hermits' father, pray for us
St. Peter Damian, valiant fighter for the holy Church, pray for us
St. John Gualberto, teacher of forgiveness, pray for us
St. Ranieri, pilgrim in Jesus' land, pray for us
St. Omobono, model for all fathers, pray for us
St. Francis of Assisi, pure image of Christ, pray for us
St. Clare, faithful bride of poverty, pray for us
St. Anthony, saint of miracles, pray for us
St. Thomas, doctor of the holy Church, like the angels, pray for us
St. Catherine of Siena who worked for peace, pray for us
St. Frances of Rome widow, angels' friend, pray for us
St. Bernardino, great preacher of people, pray for us
St. Antonino of Florence, archbishop of wisdom, pray for us
St. Lawrence Giustiniani, protopatriarch of Venice, pray for us
St. Francis of Paola, example of Christian life, pray for us
St. Catherine of Genoa, great lady of love, who became servant of the incurable, pray for us
St. Philip Neri, jester of God, pray for us
St. Camillus de Lellis, minister of invalids, pray for us
St. Louis Gonzaga, patron saint of youth, pray for us
St. Charles Borromeo, a model for shepherds, pray for us
St. Veronica Giuliani, bride of Jesus Crucified, pray for us
St. Ignatius of Làconi, with staff and shoulder-bag, pray for us
St. Alphonsus Liguori, teacher of piety, pray for us
St. Paul of the Cross, mystic of the Passion, pray for us
B. Anne Mary Taigi, Christian bride and mother, pray for us
St. John Bosco, apostle of youth, pray for us
St. Gemma Galgani, humble daughter of our country, pray for us
St. Pius X, fearless defender of faith, pray for us
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, assistant and companion of the emigrants, pray for us

Let us pray,

O God, who gave so many saints to Italy, may we not be too unworthy of being their brothers thanks to their intercession. Amen.

(From the book In the Communion of Saints: pages 429-431)

RITUAL ADMISSION TO THE CANDIDACY

The Father calls each new Candidate by name to come before the front of the altar.

Father: What do you seek?

Candidate: I seek to be admitted as an Candidate to the Community of God's Sons and Daughters.

Father: Will you obey the rules of the Candidacy with discretion, faithfully and meekly?

Candidate: I will.

Father: May the Lord confirm your purpose.

'May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May the Lord be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace'. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

After Mass.

The Father gives the Handbook to the Candidate, speaking as follows:

- Receive the Handbook and may it be an effective aid to your daily conversation with God, in order that He may enlighten you and give you the strength to do His will.

RITE OF CONSECRATION FOR THE FIRST BRANCH

Promise of the Godparents/Sponsors.

At the beginning of Mass, the Father calls the Godfathers and Godmothers of those who are going to be Consecrated and addresses them these words:

Father: Do you promise to take on the responsibility of these brothers (and/ or sisters) of yours before the Community and before God?

Do you promise to take care of them, to support them in troubles, to stimulate them to good and to act as their guide on the path of virtues?

Godfathers and Godmothers: I promise.

As a tangible sign of the commitment they are taking on, they will kiss the altar before going back to their seats.

Ritual

In the course of Mass, after the 'Creed':

Father: What do you seek in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters?

R.: I seek God only.

Father: If you seek God, obey the precept of perfect love: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength', and your neighbour as you love yourself.

To fulfil this precept, will you follow Jesus, Son of God, even to death on the cross?

R.: Yes, I will.

Father: Do you renounce Satan?

R.: I renounce him.

Father: And all his works?

R.: I renounce them.

Father: If you will follow Jesus, listen to His Word and may it be a life programme for you. Repeat with me:

'Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek; for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who went before you'.

Formula of Consecration

At the Communion, before receiving Holy Communion, he/ she who is going to be Consecrated, with his/ her Godfathers/Godmothers beside him/ her, says:

'Today, I . . . . in the presence of God Almighty, of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the Saints and in your presence, Father, and in yours, my brothers and sisters, intend to give myself and consecrate myself totally and for ever to the service and praise of the Word of God, made flesh for our love, in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters'.

After Mass.

The Father delivers the Statute of the Community. Next he blesses the image of the Nicopeia and, while handing it to the new Candidate, he says the following words: 'Receive the image of the Mother of God. May She be with you on your journey; may She be a support in your weakness, may She be a light to guide your steps, may She bring sweetness to your heart, until She leads you into the Father's House'. The Consecrated Candidate goes to the altar and signs the deed of Consecration. It also has to be signed by the Father, the Godfathers or Godmothers and, if present, by the General Assistant.

PROFESSION OF VOWS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD BRANCHES

In the course of Mass, after the 'Creed':

Father: What do you seek in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters?

R.: I seek God only.

Father: If you seek God, obey the precept of perfect love: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength', and your neighbour as you love yourself. To fulfil this precept, will you follow Jesus, Son of God, even unto death on the cross?

R.: Yes, I will.

Father: Do you then freely will, and in all conscience of the commitment you undertake, renounce yourself perfectly in obedience, chastity (for married couples: conjugal chastity) and religious poverty?

R.: Yes, I will, and with God's help I shall try to keep this commitment a whole year long (or: unto death).

Father: If you desire to follow Jesus, listen to His word and may it be a life programme for you. Repeat with me:

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account, for your reward shall be great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you'.

Formula of Vows At the Communion, he/ she who is going to make his vows, recites the following formula:

'In honour and glory of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, of the Blessed Virgin ..., Mother of God, of the Apostles Peter and Paul, of St. ... and of all Saints, in the presence of the brothers and sisters and of you, Father, in your hands I ... make (or: renew) my annual (or: perpetual) vows of poverty, chastity (for the married couples: conjugal chastity), and obedience in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters'.

After Mass the Father delivers to each one who has made his/her vows, the Rule for the 2nd and 3rd Branch, saying:

'I send an angel in front of you to guard you on the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Have respect for his presence, listen to his voice and do not rebel against him; he in fact will not pardon your transgression because my name is in him. If you listen to his voice and do all that I will say, I will be the enemy of your enemies and the adversary of your adversaries'. (Exodus 23, 20-22).

For those who have made perpetual vows there is the blessing of the naked Cross and, for women, of the ring. While delivering the ring the Father says: 'May this ring be for you a sign of union with Christ, a pledge of faithfulness, a solemn promise of total dedication'.

Then he says to women: 'Receive the Cross and may it be the wedding bed of your marriage with Christ'. To men he says: 'This is the Cross, which will be for you sign and bond of your perpetual consecration to the Lord'.

RITE OF ADMISSION TO THE NOVITIATE

Before Mass the Father addresses following words to those who want to become novices:

'The Fourth Branch of the Community is institutionally the most perfect expression of our religious life, a life aiming at the perfection of charity. It intends to fulfil that law of love requiring the total dedication to God and the most intimate union with Him in a prayer life and in humility. Rather than to be against love towards the neighbour, we want to realize this life in the most intimate union with our brothers and sisters. The union with brothers or sisters in the life of the Houses of common life will always be for us the most certain sign of the Lord's presence among us. We want to live together the possession of a common good that is the peace of God and the humble joy of the fraternal service. This is the life God called us to'.

The Father addresses now separately each candidate to the common life:

'N.N., do you want to bind yourself to follow the Lord by this way in our Community?'

R.: Yes, I will. Father: May the Lord, who calls you, help you realize what He himself made you long for.

Let us pray. O Father, look at this son (or daughter) of yours, who is sincerely trying to find your will and allow him (or her) to fulfil it with strong and generous heart. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN

FIRST VOWS IN THE COMMON LIFE

After the Homily

Father: What do you seek in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters?

R.: I seek God only.

Father: If you seek God, obey the order of perfect love: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength' and your neighbour as you love yourself. To fulfil this precept, will you follow Jesus, Son of God, even unto death on the cross?

R.: Yes, I will.

Father: Do you then freely and in all conscience of the commitment you undertake renounce yourself perfectly in obedience, chastity and religious poverty? Do you want to live in the Community as your family, leaving your home and binding yourself to live as the last among your brothers (among your sisters) a life devoted to the service of all for God's sake?

R.: Yes, I want it and with the help of God I shall try to live this commitment for a period of one year.

Father: (speaking to the assembly) Conscious of our weakness and inconstancy, as witnesses of the intention just manifested by this brother (sister) of ours, let us ask the Lord that He may help him (her) and make him (her) faithful to what he (she) is going to promise.

All: O Lord, have mercy on him (her), be a comfort to him (her), support him (her) through your almighty Grace.

Father: (speaking to him/her who is going to be Consecrated) Do you want then to persevere in your will to offer yourself to God in our Community?

R.: Yes, I want it, but again I ask for your prayer, in order that I can be faithful to the purpose God inspires to me.

Father: (speaking to the assembly) Let us pray again, brothers and sisters, imploring God insistently, and let us say together: All: Give your Holy Spirit to this brother (sister) of ours.

Litany of Saints. Assembly kneeling

Father: After praying God, let us implore the Saints, so that they intercede for him (her)

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

O God, who called us to sanctity, help him/her

O God, who has given us your Spirit, help him/her

O Virgin Mother of God receive him (her) as a son (a daughter) St. Mary pray for him/her
All you angels of heaven pray for him/her
St. Abraham, patriarch of faith pray for him/her
St. Moses, God's friend pray for him/her
St. Elias, prophet pray for him/her
St. John the Baptist pray for him/her
St. Joseph pray for him/her
All you Saintly Patriarchs and Prophets pray for him/her
St. Peter pray for him/her
St. Paul pray for him/her
St. John Apostle and Evangelist pray for him/her
(Saints founders and patrons of the local Churches) pray for him/her
All you Saints Apostles and followers of the Lord pray for him/her
St. Mary Magdalene pray for him/her
St. Stephen pray for him/her
(For a man) St. Ignatius pray for him
St. Lawrence pray for him/her
St. Vincent pray for him/her
(For a woman) St. Agnes pray for her
St. Agatha pray for him/her
St. Lucy pray for him/her
(Saints Martyrs of the local Churches) pray for him/her
St. Augustine pray for him/her
St. Basil pray for him/her
(For a man) St. Thomas pray for him
St. John of the Cross pray for him/her
(for a woman) St. Teresa of Avila pray for her
St. Catherine of Siena pray for him/her
All you Saints Pontiffs and Doctors, pray for him/her
St. Anthony, first hermit, pray for him/her
St. Benedict pray for him/her
St. Dominic, pray for him/her
St. Francis, pray for him/her
(For a man) St. Ignatius of Loyola pray for him
St. Paul of the Cross pray for him/her
St. John Marie Vianney pray for him/her
St. Thomas More pray for him/her
St. Joseph B. Labre pray for him/her
St. Nicholas de Flue pray for him/her ... ...
(For a woman) St. Clare, pray for her
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque pray for him/her
St. Therese of Lisieux pray for him/her
St. Gemma Galgani pray for him/her ... ....
All you Saints of God pray for him/her

- Be merciful to us save us, O Lord

- From every evil save us, O Lord

- From eternal death save us, O Lord

- Through your Incarnation save us, O Lord

- Through your Death and Resurrection save us, O Lord

- Through the effusion of the Holy Spirit save us, O Lord

- We sinners implore You, listen to us

- In order that You increase the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your servant, our Pope ... and in all ministers of the Church we implore You, listen to us

- In order that You allow the Community to increase in all branches, so that all its members make progress in Christian perfection we implore You, listen to us

- In order that You keep and increase the spirit of prayer, simplicity, humility and love in the new family that receives him (her) we implore You, listen to us

- In order that You may reward through the abundance of your blessings the parents who offer You their son (daughter) we implore You, listen to us

- In order that You may make more and more similar to the image of Christ this son (daughter) of yours, who puts his (her) life in your hands today we implore You, listen to us

- Jesus, Son of the living God we implore You, listen to us The Father stands up alone and says:

- Welcome, O Lord, the invocations of your people and through your Grace prepare this son (daughter) of yours, in order that the fire of the Holy Spirit may purify him (her) from sin and may inflame him (her) with the ardour of charity. Through Christ our Lord. Imposition of the name (standing up)

Father: The Community welcomes you and gives you a new name (Rev 2, 17).

In the name of the Lord, from today your name will be: ..........................

R.: Amen. Taking the habit (veil)

Father: O Father, who allowed your Son Jesus to take on our human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary, let this servant of yours take on the seamless garment of charity, the sign of which is this habit we are blessing in your name: (ÿar) May he (she), transformed into your Son, be a revelation of You in the world, in the light of a holy life. R.: Amen. Father: The habit I deliver to you now may be the sign of that covering of grace and of that splendour of sanctity that must now enshroud you up and bear witness to the world that from today you totally belong to the Lord.

All: Amen. (The newly Consecrated member puts the habit on in a proper place. After putting the habit on, he\ she comes and kneels down before the celebrant, the Assembly also kneeling).

Profession of Vows At the Communion, he/ she who is going to be Consecrated stands up alone)

'In honour and praise of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, of the Blessed Virgin ..., Mother of God, of the Apostles Peter and Paul, of St. ... and of all Saints, in the presence of brothers and sisters and of you, Father, in your hands I ... make my annual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. I shall live in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters as my family and shall bind myself to live as the last among my brothers (my sisters) a life devoted to the service of all for the love of God'.

Imploring Prayer (For a woman, female terms)

Father: We implore You: Protect and guide this servant of yours, who asks for your help, in order that he may fear You and serve You with love. May he be chaste, sober and prudent

All: Amen

May he be humble and wise Amen

May he be devoted to prayer Amen

Prompt to obedience Amen

Patient in troubles Amen

Founded in peace Amen

May he always be faithful to Christ, his Only Bridegroom, and may he put nothing before his love Amen

May he love the Mother Church with filial devotion Amen

May he bear in his heart the anxiety about the salvation of all people Amen

All: Amen

We beg You, O Lord, Almighty Father, through your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to deign generously to send the gift of the Holy Spirit on your servant ..., whom You have chosen to be consecrated to You.

All: Amen. (Mass continues with the Offertory)

Delivery of the Rule (At the end of Mass, the Father delivers the Rule of the Fourth Branch to the newly Consecrated member, saying) 'I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Pay attention to him and obey him. Do not rebel against him, for I have sent him, and he will not pardon such rebellion. But if you obey him and do everything I command, I will fight against all your enemies'. (Exodus 23, 20-22).

PERPETUAL VOWS IN THE COMMON LIFE

After the homily

Father: What do you seek in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters?

R.: I seek God only.

Father: If you seek God, obey the order of perfect love: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength'. and your neighbour as you love yourself. To fulfil this precept, do you desire to follow Jesus, Son of God, even unto death on the cross?

R.: Yes, I will.

Father: Do you then will freely and in all conscience of the commitment you undertake to renounce yourself perfectly in obedience, chastity and religious poverty?

R.: Yes, I will and with the help of God I shall try to live this commitment unto death.

Father: (speaking to the assembly) Conscious of our weakness and inconstancy, as witnesses of the intention just manifested by this brother (sister) of ours, let us ask the Lord that He may help him (her) and make him (her) ever faithful to what he (she) is going to promise.

All: O Lord, have mercy on him (her), be a comfort to him (her), support him (her) through your almighty Grace.

Father: (speaking to him (her) who is going to be Consecrated) Do you want then to persevere in your will to offer yourself to God in our Community?

R.: Yes, I want it, but again I ask for your prayer, in order to be faithful to the purpose God inspires to me.

Father: (speaking to the assembly) Let us pray again, brothers and sisters, imploring God insistently, and let us say together:

All: Give your Holy Spirit to this brother (sister) of ours. Litanies of Saints

(At this moment he (she) who is going to be Consecrated prostrates himself on the ground; assembly kneeling)

Father: After praying God, let us implore the Saints, so that they intercede for him (her) Lord have mercy Christ have mercy Lord have mercy O God, who called us to sanctity help him/her O God, who has given us your Spirit help him/her ................................................................

(the litanies follow the previous outline)

At the end, the Father stands up alone and says:

- Welcome, O Lord, the invocations of your people and through your Grace prepare this son (daughter) of yours, in order that the fire of the Holy Spirit may purify him (her) from sin and may inflame him (her) with the ardour of charity. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Profession of Vows

(He \ she who is going to be Consecrated kneels down. The assembly is standing)

'In honour and praise of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, of the Blessed Virgin ..., Mother of God, of the Apostles Peter and Paul, of St. ... and of all Saints, in the presence of brothers and sisters and of you, Father, in your hands I ... make my perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. I shall live in the Community of God's Sons and Daughters as my family and shall bind myself to live as the last among my brothers (my sisters) a life devoted to the service of all for the love of God'.

Solemn Prayer of Consecration

(The Father stands up and spreads his arms; for a woman, female terms)

- O Lord God and Our Almighty Father, we thank You because You, following your design of love, have chosen the human beings to be your children, holy and without fault in Christ. Your fatherly voice extends to all in Him, in order that all may become a live praise to your Grace, obeying your word and fully accepting your alliance.

But our praise rises higher to You, O Lord God and our Almighty Father, because You wanted this mystery of love - through which Christ assembles all people in the communion of the Church, his bride - to be lived as a deeper reality and through the full reply of a nuptial donation by those whom You choose in your plan to be in the world the live images of the same Church.

And so, O Lord, today we offer and Consecrate to You this son of yours and brother of ours ..., who, conquered by your love, which revealed itself to him in Christ, and supported by the power of your Spirit, wants to adhere to You in an eternal alliance.

(Here the Father, rejoining his arms, stretches them on the one who is going to be Consecrated)

Accept, O Father, this brother of ours who offers himself to You in the same oblation of your Son; join him to Christ through a love that may not know other donations; consecrate him as temple of the Holy Spirit in soul and body, in order that he, founded on the rock of a deep faith, may be a luminous and perpetual testimony of your love.

(Here the Father spreads his arms again)

We put his human weakness in your hands, O Father; fortify his purpose every day, so that he may always be vigilant waiting for Christ; give him your Spirit abundantly, so that this Spirit may always keep him in your light and guide him to your truth; may he listen to your word carefully and fulfil it perfectly, in order that he, as a living image of your Son, may be an offer welcome by You, consecrated in the Holy Spirit.

O Father, we ask that this brother of ours in prayer may know and proclaim through his life the Easter mystery of Christ's Death and Resurrection, always searching not for his, but for your will, being totally faithful to You.

May he be a model in his behaviour
Alli: Amen
May he be wise and humble
Amen
May he be perfect in obedience
Amen
May he be open to your word
Amen
May he stand the test
Amen
May he be serious and judicious
Amen
May he be prudent in action
Amen
May he resist temptations
Amen
May he be patient in troubles
Amen
May he be fond of peace
Amen
May he be pitiful to those who are suffering
Amen
May he give freely
Amen
May he be constant in prayer
Amen
May he be kind to all
Amen

Holy Father, may You be guide and support to this servant of yours on his way to Christ and may he not fear, before Him, for the decision of the Judge, but on the contrary may he listen to the friendly voice of his Lord who calls him to the eternal prize. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the oneness of the Holy Spirit, we offer up eternal praise to You, O father, for ever. Amen.

(At this moment, the newly Consecrated member stands up and sings the antiphon TU ES DOMINE (if he is a man), or the antiphon SUSCIPE ME DOMINE (if she is a woman). Then the assembly sings Psalms 15 or 44. While the assembly is singing, the newly Consecrated member goes to the altar, signs the act and delivers it to the Father. And then he/she goes and embraces the brothers or sisters of the common life and his (her) relatives)

For a man: Psalm 15

Antiphon: TU ES DOMINE, QUI RESTITUES HAEREDITATEM MEAM MIHI

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: 'You are my God.

My happiness lies in you alone.'

He has put into my heart a marvellous love

for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.

Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.

Never will I offer their offerings of blood.

Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.

The lot marked out for me is my delight:

welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

not let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,

the fulness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand happiness is for ever.

Glory

For a woman: Psalm 44

Antiphon: SUSCIPE ME DOMINE SECUNDUM ELOQUIUM TUUM, ET VIVAM ET NON CONFUNDAS ME AB EXSPECTATIONE MEA

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:

forget your own people and your father's house.

So will the king desire your beauty:

He is you lord, pay homage to him.

And the people of Tyre shall come with gifts,

the richest of the people will seek your favour.

The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour,

her robes embroided with pearls set in gold.

She is led to the king with her maiden companions.

They are escorted amid gladness and joy;

they pass within the palace of the king:

Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers:

you will make them princes over all the earth.

May this son make your name for ever remembered.

May the peoples praise you from age to age.


Glory ...

A woman receives the gift of a white mantle, that she will always wear for the holy liturgy; the Father delivers the mantle saying:
'May the Lord dress you with glory and may you praise God together with the angels'. AMEN:
(Mass continues with the Offertory)

Delivery of the ring
At the end of Mass the Father blesses the ring and delivers it - to sisters only - saying:
'May this ring be for you a sign of union with Christ, a pledge of faithfulness, a solemn promise of total dedication'. AMEN.

Delivery of the cross
At the end the Father delivers the cross to the newly Consecrated member, saying:
(For a man): - 'This is the cross, which will be for you sign and tie of your perpetual consecration to the Lord'. AMEN.
(For a woman): - 'Receive the cross and may it be for you the wedding bed of your marriage with Christ'. AMEN.

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The Julian Library Portfolio, 1996.
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This site last updated 15 March 1999.