THE name of this Society shall be "THE SOCIETY OF THE OBLATES OF MOUNT CALVARY."
ARTICLE II
PurposeSECTION 1. It is the purpose of this Society to unite Clergy and Seminarists in a life of devotion for the fulfilment of their priestly vocation.
The members of this Society are Associates of the Order of the Holy Cross. It is the ultimate aim that, when possible, members shall work in association for the furtherance of the purpose of this Society.
It is the hope of this Society that the Holy Spirit will lead many to give themselves to God in the estate of celibacy; and that some may be led still further, and find the manifestation of the Divine [1/2] Will for themselves in the call to the Religious Life.
SECTION 2. The members of this Society find their model of priestly life eminently portrayed in the life of Saint Vincent de Paul.
ARTICLE III
MottoThe motto of this Society shall be, "O Crux, Ave, Spes Unica."
ARTICLE IV
Eligibility for MembershipSECTION I. Any person who for six months has been keeping the Rule of the Society, under the direction of the Father Director, shall be eligible for membership in the Society upon nomination by the Superior.
SECTION 2. Any person desiring to become a member of this Society shall make application to the Superior, who shall at once notify the Secretary.
The Secretary shall thereupon send the name of the applicant to each member of the Society.
[3] The Superior is at liberty to withhold the nomination in the case of any person he may deem undesirable in the Society.
ARTICLE V
Of Election to MembershipSECTION 1. The name of a candidate for membership in this Society shall be presented to the Secretary by the Superior of the Order of the Holy Cross. The name presented shall be sent to each Oblate, who shall send his' vote in writing to the Secretary.
Two dissenting votes shall exclude from membership.
Before his reception the candidate shall sign the Statement.
At his admission each candidate shall take the pledge, as given in the Manual. This pledge shall be renewed yearly by each member at the time of the Annual Conference.
Any member unable to be present at the Conference may renew his pledge at this time, in the presence of some priest designated by the Father Superior, or he may make it in writing to the Superior.
[4] ARTICLE VI
Withdrawal of MembersSECTION 1. Any Oblate wishing to withdraw from this Society shall signify his desire to the Superior, who shall submit the reasons for such withdrawal to this Society.
SECTION 2. Should cause arise for which the Superior would be no longer willing to retain any Oblate in association with the Order, he shall have the right to dismiss any such Oblate.
SECTION 3. Should the Superior think it for the hest interest of this Society that any Oblate should cease to be a member of this Society, while yet not desiring to dismiss him from association with the Order, the Superior will be expected to consult this Society, sitting in conference, before taking final action.
[5] ARTICLE VII
Readmission of MembersSECTION 1. Any person seeking readmission to this Society shall serve a probation of one year, from the date of his application. During this time he must be an Associate of the Order of the Holy Cross, and an election shall be held by the Society as in the case of one originally applying for admission.
ARTICLE VIII
FranchiseThe franchise of this Society shall extend only to members in Priest's Orders.
ARTICLE IX
Conferences and RetreatsSECTION 1. Once a year the Conference shall be held, which all Oblates shall attend unless dispensed by the Director. A retreat shall be held within the week preceding this Conference. This retreat shall continue for three full [5/6] days, and none may be absent without dispensation from the Director. In the case of any thus dispensed, a retreat of three days shall he made at the earliest opportunity and if possible at Holy Cross.
SECTION 2. The Director, with the consent of the Superior, may call a special Conference. The Director at the written request of five Oblates shall call a special Conference.
SECTION 3. The Director may at his discretion designate certain districts in which shall be held three local retreats each year, viz:in September, December and March, or as near these dates as possible. The Director shall have the power of dispensation.
ARTICLE X
OfficersThe officers of this Society shall be two, a Director, and Secretary and Treasurer. The Director shall be one of the professed Fathers of the Order, and shall be appointed by the Superior in consultation with the Society. The Secretary [6/7] and Treasurer shall be elected at the annual Conference.
ARTICLE XI
Duties of OfficersIn addition to his regular duties, the Secretary shall keep a list of all the members of this Society, with the dates of their admission and withdrawal or death.
ARTICLE XII
DuesThe annual dues of this Society shall be, for Priests two dollars, for Deacons one dollar, to be paid for the ensuing year at the annual Conference.
ARTICLE XIII
PublicationsNo publication shall be put forth in the name of this Society until permission has been granted by this Society sitting in Conference, and until the Superior has given his approval of such publication.
ARTICLE XIV
Change in the RuleThe Rule of this Society is to be altered only with the joint consent of this Society and the Order of the Holy Cross, the consent of this Society being given in the annual Conference. Notice of any proposed alterations in the Rule shall be included with the notice of the Conference at which it is to be considered.
ARTICLE XV
AmendmentsSECTION 1. This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting in Conference, notice of the proposed amendment having been given in the notice for the Conference at which it is to be submitted.
SECTION 2. The Superior shall have the right to veto any proposed amendment.
SECTION 3. The Superior shall have the privilege of giving his counsel in writing upon any proposed amendment before final action is taken.
[9] By-Laws SECTION 1. The time and place of Retreats and Conferences shall be appointed by the Director.
SECTION 2. Notice of the annual Conference shall be sent out one month in advance, and a reply must be made a fortnight before the Conference.
SECTION 3. If there be in any neighborhood as many as three Oblates who are prevented by the distance from attending the Conference, they shall together observe the regulation and keep a time of devotion. In such cases the Director shall make the necessary arrangements beforehand, and a report of the Conference shall be sent him within two weeks after the meeting.
SECTION 4. Every Retreat shall be at least six hours in length.
SECTION 5. With the approval of the Director, other Clergy or Candidates for Holy Orders, not members of this Society may be invited to join in the Retreats.
[10] SECTION 6. The Conductors of all Retreats are to be appointed by the Director or chosen with his approval.
SECTION 7. At all Conferences and Retreats the members shall wear their cassocks.
SECTION 8. An Oblate in Priests' Orders shall be elected chairman to preside at each Conference.
SECTION 9. Order of Business.
The Conference shall be opened with the following devotion:
Invocation
Our Father
Hail Mary
Veni Creator (Sung)
Collects--Pentecost
Purity
Oblates
Grace1. Election of Chairman.
2. Roll-call.
3. Minutes of last Conference.
4. Reports of officers.
5. Reports of committees.
6. Communications.
7. Election of members.
[11] 8. Election of Secretary and Treasurer.
9. Unfinished business.
10. Adjournment.The Conference shall close with the Litany of the Saints from the Breviary Office.
The Rule of the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary Passages enclosed in [ ] relate to Seminarists or Candidates for Holy Orders only.
A. THE DUTY OF PRAYER. The Oblates will pray daily with at least the use of one Our Father for the following needs of the Church, remembering them also from time to time when celebrating or assisting at the Holy Sacrifice:
1. The Catholic Church and her Ministers.
2. The increase of the Sacred Ministry.
[12] 3. A spirit of zeal and holiness in all Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
4. The sanctification of the lives of all Candidates.
5. The love of Chastity in those who serve or are to serve the Lord Jesus at His altar.
6. The growth of the Regular Life among the Clergy.On Sundays these intentions are to be grouped under one Our Father, and on the six succeeding days they are to he observed singly, in course. And, furthermore, each Oblate will offer the intention of one Mass [Communion] every month for these same purposes collectively.
They will practice intercessory prayer, and say daily the Collects for
1. The Reunion of Christendom.
2. Order of the Holy Cross.
3. The Society of the Oblates.They shall also keep a list of the members of the Society, both living and departed, for whom they shall pray daily.
[13] B. RULE OF LIFE. 1. To make a Meditation of at least half an hour [fifteen minutes] daily. Once a month the subject of the Meditation shall be the Priesthood.
2. To give half an hour daily to the study of Divine Scripture or of Catholic Theology, except Sundays, Christmas, Ascension-day and Holy Week, or when in attendance upon Retreats and Conventions, or when traveling. Each Oblate shall also be exempt for an annual vacation of not more than four weeks, in lieu of which he may take thirty days. during the year.
3. In addition to the daily recitation of Matins and Evensong of the Book of Common Prayer, to say at least two of the Day Hours from the Office-Book of the Order of the Holy Cross; but this requirement with regard to the Day Hours shall not be exacted of Candidates and Seminarists.
4. To make a daily examen with confession of failures to God.
[14] 5. To offer the Holy Sacrifice at least once a week if an altar may be had [to receive Holy Communion weekly] and always fasting from the midnight before. When not celebrating [assisting at Mass] to make daily an act of spiritual communion.
6. To make a sacramental confession monthly.
7. Four times a year, at the Ember seasons, a report upon the observance of the rule and of the duties of the Oblates shall be rendered by each to the Superior; and, if this be neglected, the Superior shall be at liberty to strike the name of the delinquent from the list of the Society.
8. (a.) They shall always dress as Priests, and shall at all times openly wear the Cross of the Society. This section applies only to Oblates in Holy Orders.
(b.) They shall strive to follow our Blessed Lord in the spirit of Evangelical Poverty, and shall cultivate the repression of self-will after His [14/15] example of willing obedience, remembering that "As He is, so are we in this world."
(c.) The Oblates shall wear the Red Girdle at the houses of the Order and the Society. Also when assisting the Fathers of the Order.
(d.) Any Oblate withdrawing from the Society shall return the Cross and Girdle to the Society.
C. DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ORDER OF THE HOLY CROSS. 1. The Oblates shall offer the Holy Sacrifice [receive Communion] for the intention of the Order, on or during the octaves of the two feasts, the Exaltation and the Invention of the Holy Cross,--September xiv and May iii,--and the intention of one Mass [Communion] each month shall be given to the Order and to the Society conjointly.
2. They shall be ready to render personal service in the work of the Order when possible, and shall assist in the maintenance of the [15/16] Order according as they have the ability or the opportunity.
3. Oblates shall speak of the Order in such terms as shall imply the supernatural relation between the Order and the Society, and they shall refrain from all derogatory criticism of the Order.
4. They will be remembered daily in the prayers of the Order, and once each month the Holy Sacrifice will be offered for the Society. At death their names will be recorded for perpetual commemoration, and beside that offered for each at his death, a Requiem will be celebrated annually at one of the altars for all the departed.
The Statement of the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary Preamble WE, the members of the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary, recognize the following as the expression of our position with regard to certain matters of Catholic Faith and Practice.
Of the Incarnate Life We hold it to be de fide: (1st) That in the Incarnation our Lord Jesus Christ retained those attributes of Omniscience and Omnipotence which were His eternally as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity;
(2d) That by virtue of the Hypostatic Union His Human mind, according to its capacity, was, from the first moment of His conception, flooded with [17/18] divine knowledge, in addition to that experimental knowledge which He acquired by the ordinary processes of the human intellect;
(3d) That Our Lord was not only impeccant, but impeccable; that is to say, He was, in no possible sense, able to sin.
Of the Blessed Sacrament We hold it to be de fide: (1st) That Christ is really and objectively present in the Blessed Sacrament under the forms of bread and wine in such manner as He is present nowhere else; (2d) That He is in the Blessed Sacrament to be worshipped and adored with the same worship and adoration which is given Him in Heaven by the Saints and Angels. We also firmly believe that the Church requires the Blessed Sacrament to be received fasting, save when the person to be communicated is in extremis, and if it be necessary to celebrate on such an occasion the celebrating Priest need not be fasting.
[19] Of the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament We believe that the Sacrament of the Eucharist was instituted to be both for Sacrifice and Communion; and it may rightly be reserved (a) for the Communion of the sick, and (b) for purposes of devotion.
Of the Holy Scriptures We hold it to be de fide that the Holy Scriptures not only contain, but are, in their entirety, the very Word of God given by the Holy Ghost through inspired men.
Of the Life after Death We hold it to be de fide that immediately after death every soul undergoes a Particular Judgment, which decides once for all its eternal destiny. We firmly believe, further, that the souls which are perfect pass from this Judgment immediately into the enjoyment of the Beatific Vision in Heaven; that the souls in mortal sin pass from this [19/20] Judgment immediately into Hell; and that the souls which are in grace, but still imperfect, pass from this Judgment immediately into Purgatory, where all imperfections are purged away by the instrumentality of suffering. We believe further that the souls in Purgatory are helped and their perfection hastened by the prayers, alms and good works of the faithful on earth, especially by the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; and that when the souls in Purgatory reach the state of perfection they go immediately into Heaven, where they forthwith enter upon the enjoyment of the Beatific Vision.
Of Invocation of Saints We believe that the Saints in Heaven and the Angels have knowledge of our needs and of our appeals to them, and that it is therefore a pious practice, salutary for all men, to invoke directly their prayers in our behalf.
Service of Admission to the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary At the appointed time, which shall be, if possible, immediately before Mass, the Officiant, vested as for Mass, with the exception of chasuble and maniple, shall stand facing the Altar. The candidate, vested in an ungirded cassock, shall kneel at the Altar Rail; those present standing.
¶ Then shall be said or sung this psalm. Ant. Thou hast redeemed us . . .
PSALM XV LORD, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle: or who shall rest upon Thy holy hill?
2. Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life: and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart.
3. He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour: and bath not slandered his neighbour.
[22] 4. He that setteth not by himself, but is' lowly in his own eyes; and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.
5. He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not: though it were to his own hindrance.
6. He that hath not given his money upon usury: nor taken reward against the innocent.
7. Whoso doeth these, things: shall never fall.
Ant. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, by Thy Blood: and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests.
¶ Then shall the officiant proceed to admit the candidate after the following form. MY brother, is it your desire to be received as a member of the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary?
Ans. That is my desire.
Off. Have you duly considered the obligations thereby to be imposed upon you?
Ans. I have duly considered them and am prepared to assume them.[23] Off. Are you determined, by the help of God, faithfully to fulfil the promise you are called upon to make?
Ans. I am so determined, the Lord being my helper.¶ Then shall be read the pledge by each candidate singly. I, N. . . , trusting in the grace of God and to the prayers of Blessed Mary, and all Saints, promise to fulfil the rule of the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary, and do pledge myself to live a celibate life for the ensuing twelve months, and to this intent I will endeavour, during that space of time, so to govern myself, in speech and actions, as one permanently vowed to this holy estate.
¶ Then shall the officiant receive him as follows. WE receive you, N as a member of the Society of the Oblates of Mount Calvary. May Christ our Great High Priest accept the offering of your soul and body, and may His Holy [23/24] Spirit sanctify you, that you may be blameless in the day of the Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall the cord, the cross and the girdle be blessed upon the altar as follows. The Cord V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
R. Who hath made heaven and earth.V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.Let us pray. LORD Jesu, King of Virgins and our Eternal High Priest, bl + ess with the unction of Thy Anointing Spirit, this cord that is to gird the body, and defend the soul of him that dedicates both body and soul to Thee, and so fill Thy servant with chaste love and holy desire, that he may find in Thee all that satisfies the heart and enables the will to please Thee, our Lord and Saviour, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Receive this cord, the token of holy [24/25] chastity. The love of Jesus Christ be your protection and your treasure.
V. My Beloved is mine and I am His.
R. And His banner over me is love.The Cross Our help, etc.
Let us pray. O LORD Jesu Christ, Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by the Will of Thy Father, didst save the world by the pouring out of Thy Precious Blood upon the Cross, bl + ess and hal + low, we beseech Thee, this cross, which we conse +crate in love and honour of Thy Victorious Name, and grant that he who bears it may be ever mindful of Thy Saving Passion, and bear about in his body Thy dying, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
V. Receive the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. By Whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world.The Girdle Our help, etc.
Let us pray. [25] O LORD Jesu Christ, Who hast redeemed us unto God by Thy Blood, and in that Precious Blood-letting, didst will to endure bonds and scourgings, at the hands of sinful men, we beseech Thee, bl + ess and hal + low this girdle, that he who wears it may be bound to Thee with cords of love, and being ever mindful of the great price of our redemption willingly suffer for Thy Name's sake, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Receive this girdle, the token of thy bonds in Christ, and may the dying of the Lord Jesus be manifest in thy body.
V. It is God that girdeth thee with strength.
R. And maketh my way perfect.¶ Then shall be said or sung the psalm following. Ant. These are they .. .
PSALM CXXXIII BEHOLD, how good and joyful a thing it is: brethren, to dwell together in unity!
[27] 2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard: even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts' of his clothing.
3. Like as the dew of Hermon: which fell upon the hill of Sion.
4. For there the Lord promised His blessing: and life for evermore. Glory be, etc.
Ant. These are they which follow the Lamb: whithersoever He goeth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.Ant. The Lord chose him out of all men living: to offer sacrifices unto the Lord.
V. Thou art a Priest forever.
R. After the order of Melchizedek.Let us pray. O LORD Jesus Christ, Great High Priest, and gracious Shepherd: receive us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, whom Thou hast consecrated to minister to Thee in holy things; and grant [27/28] us such purity of heart and life, and such zeal for souls that we may bring many into union with Thee, and fulfil our ministry in holiness to Thy glory, our Lord and Saviour, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me: for I am meek and lowly in heart.
V. Then said Jesus: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,
R. And take up his cross and follow Me.Let us pray. O LORD Jesus Christ, Who in divers ways callest Thine elect ones to follow Thee, yet drawest all by the love of Thy saving Cross: favourably accept Thy servants who have devoted themselves to Thee in the Order of the Holy Cross; and of Thy mercy grant that, as through the fellowship of Thy sufferings they are made conformable to Thy [28/29] death, so they may ever show forth Thee their true Life, Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart.Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of Thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where Thou art guide, no ill can come.Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee, of both, to be but One;
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:Praise to Thy eternal merit,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.[30] ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily magnify Thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless', preserve and keep you, now and ever. Amen.
¶ Then shall be given the Pax. Prayers before Mass IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.Let us pray. ENLIGHTEN, O Lord Jesu Christ, the minds of us Thy servants, that we may be worthy to behold Thy most sacred Body and Blood under the veils of bread and wine: and to offer this adorable Sacrifice to the great comfort [30/31] and health of our souls, the increase of our faith, and the setting forth of the worship of Thy great love and power and glory, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen.
¶ As they proceed to the altar the priest and server say silently: COME, Lord Jesus, dwell in Thy servants in the fullness of Thy strength, in the perfection of Thy ways, and the holiness of Thy Spirit; and rule over every hostile power in the might of Thy Spirit and the glory of Thy Father. Amen.
Prayers after Mass V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.Let us pray. O GOD, Who in this wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to reverence the sacred mysteries [31/32] of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of Thy redemption, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
BLESSED, praised, and adored be Jesus Christ on His throne of glory, and in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
Grace before Meals IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
V. The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord,
R. And Thou givest them their meat in due season.V. Thou openest Thine hand
R. And finest all things living with plenteousness.V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall he, world without end. Amen.[33] BLESS us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, of which through Thy bounty we are about to partake. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Grace after Meals V. All Thy works praise Thee, O Lord.
R. And Thy Saints give thanks unto Thee.V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.WE give thanks to Thee, O Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest, world without end.
R. Amen.
[34] Resolutions 1909. It is the sense of this Society that the Cross be worn over the Cassock. And when out of Cassock over the vest.
1910. The Director shall appoint one of the Fathers of the Society to celebrate a Requiem Mass for the Departed Members of the Society at the time of the Annual Retreat and Conference at Holy Cross, and this Mass shall be said or sung in the presence of the Society.