The Knights of St. Michael, Chapter of St. Vincent, will have its first meeting at the Cathedral, March 10, at 7:00 PM. All men are invited to this organizational meeting; however, the men who are communicants in good standing at the Cathedral will be the potential members for this chapter. Men from other churches can observe and even contribute to the formation of the Chapter if they wish. The goal is to enable these men to start Chapters at their own churches, and I will help them with that.
The Prayer of the Order will be found on p. 279 of St. Augustine’s Prayer Book (Rev. Ed. 1967);
Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the Power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen
Additionally The Spiritual Armor Prayer, adapted from Ephesians 6:10-18, may be used.
Heavenly Father, we ask You today for your truth as a belt tight around our waist. We put on the zeal to announce Your good news of peace as shoes for our feet. We put on Your righteousness, O Christ, as our breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet for our head. Father, we take up faith as a shield, which is able to put out all the fiery darts of the enemy, and the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word, O Lord. Father, may the love with which You have loved Jesus be in us, and may Jesus be in us. We ask You for the grace of a servant heart. Amen.
Rule of Life
The Rule of Life is a guide of prayer and study that sanctifies the soul for Christ. The priests of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC), many of whom serve the Churches in our Diocese, live by a Rule of Life. The Knights of St. Michael shall also have a Rule of Life that will include some of the same items, such as the Divine Office. Our Devotional Manual, St. Augustine’s Prayer Book, will be our guide. If you do not currently have a Rule of Life, take on these devotions gradually, and integrate them into your lives.
The Christian’s Obligations (p. 2) is the first item in our Rule. Attention should be paid to the headings therein: The Church’s Discipline as to Worship, Holy Days of Obligation, Special Days of Devotion, The Church’s Discipline as to Fasting and Abstinence, The Ordinary Catholic Duties, and The Six Precepts of the Church; Being the Irreducible Minimum of Catholic Practice (p.8)
Secondly, the Divine Office shall be said according to the guide beginning on page 12: Morning Prayers. Mid-Day Prayers, Evening Prayers. Optionally, use of the web site https://www.dailyoffice2019.com or App available for the phone, is acceptable. I would suggest starting with Morning Prayer daily, and gradually add the others as they become a part of your lives.
Next, is The Mass, p. 55. “The Mass is the Church’s obedient response to the solemn command of the Saviour at the Last Supper: Do this in remembrance of me.” The Mass is the center of our lives. It is where we encounter the Living Christ in Word and Sacrament. We accept the truth that the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ are contained in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. when consecrated by a male priest in the Apostolic Succession. The Private Prayers Before Mass are to be said beforehand.
Devotions For Holy Communion should be read and followed. At times you may be led to pray, from p. 97, To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Memorial of Saint Joseph, and To all the Angels and Saints. Devotion to the Holy Family is an ancient tradition in the Church.
Next, The Sacrament of Penance, Commonly called Confession and Absolution, beginning on p. 111, contains an explanation, and a guide to Self-Examination. “The power and authority of absolution reside in the Apostolic priesthood by virtue of our Lord’s express declaration: Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them.” From the Six Precepts of the Church, 3. Of Confession: to seek sacramental absolution when needed for mortal sin, and at Easter time to do so as a matter of obedience to normal Catholic custom.”
Next, in St. Augustine’s Prayer Book are various litanies and devotions. Special attention should be paid to the devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning on p. 249. Consider praying the Rosary, as well.
If you do not have a copy of St. Augustine’s Prayer Book (Rev. Ed. 1967) send me an email at jmunson@adfw.org
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