Rule of the Franciscan Order of the Stigmata
Our Identity
1.
The form of life of the Brothers and Sisters is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience, in poverty chastity or fidelity. Following Jesus Christ after the example of St. Francis, through their daily lives at home, at work, and within the Christian community where they live.
2.
With all in the Reformed Old Catholic Church who wish to serve the Lord, the brothers and sisters of this order are to persevere in true faith. They wish to live this evangelical conversion of life in a spirit of prayer. Reading and praying the Scriptures are central to our daily life, we are called to reflect with both mind and body on the Word of God.
3.
The sisters and brothers promise obedience and reverence to the Diocesan Bishop and the Reformed Old Catholic Church. In this same spirit they are to obey those called to be ministers and servants of their own fraternity. And wherever they are, or in whatever situation they are in, they should diligently and fervently show reverence and honour to one another. They should also foster unity and communion with all the members of the Franciscan family
Chapter II
Acceptance Into This Life
4.
Those who through the Lord's inspiration come to us desiring to accept this way of life are to be received kindly. At the appropriate time, they are to be presented to the ministers of the fraternity who hold responsibility to admit them.
5.
The ministers shall ascertain that the aspirants truly adhere to the Liberal Catholic faith and the Church's sacramental life. If they are found to have a vocation they are to be initiated into the life of the fraternity. Let everything pertaining to this gospel way of life be explained to them.
6.
Led by the Lord, let them begin a life of penance, conscious that all of us must be continuously and totally converted to the Lord. As a sign of their conversion and consecration to gospel life, they are to clothe themselves plainly and to live in simplicity. Members of the Order may choose to wear the traditional form of dress such as the habit, or the secular style of clerical shirt, trousers and brown hoodie.
7.
When their initial formation is completed, they are to be received into obedience promising to observe this life and rule always. Let them put aside all attachment as well as every care and worry. Let them only be concerned to serve, love, adore, and honour the Lord God, as best they can, with singleheartedness and purity of intention.
8.
Within themselves, let them always make a dwelling place and home for the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so that, with undivided hearts, they may increase in universal love by continually turning to God and to neighbour. (Jn. 14:23).
Chapter III
The Spirit of Prayer
9.
Everywhere and in each place, and in every season and each day, the brothers and sisters are to have a true and humble faith. From the depths of their inner life let them love, honour, adore, serve, praise, bless and glorify our most high and eternal God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With all that they are, let them adore Him because "We should pray always and not lose heart"
10.
The brothers and sisters are to praise the Lord, the king of heaven and earth, with all his creatures and to give him thanks because, by his own holy will and through his only Son with the Holy Spirit, He has created all things spiritual and material and made us in his own image and likeness.
11.
Since the sisters and brothers are to be totally conformed to the Gospel, they should reflect and keep in their hearts the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the word of the Father as well as the words of the Holy Spirit which are spirit and life
12.
Let them participate in the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ and receive His Body and Blood with great humility and reverence.
Chapter IV
The Life of Chastity for the sake of the Kingdom
14.
Let the brothers and the sisters keep in mind how great a dignity the Lord God has given them, because He created them and formed them in the image of His beloved Son according to the flesh and in His own likeness according to the Spirit. (Col. 1:16) Since they are created through Christ and in Christ, they have chosen this form of life which is founded on the words and deeds of our Redeemer.
15.
Professing chastity or fidelity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, they are to care for the things of the Lord and they have nothing else to do except to follow the will of the Lord and to please Him. (1 Cor 7:32) In all of their works the love of God and all people should shine forth.
16.
They are to remember that they have been called by a special gift of grace to manifest in their lives that wonderful mystery by which the Church is joined to Christ her spouse.
17.
Let the brothers and the sisters keep the example of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever before their eyes. Let them do this according to the exhortation of St. Francis who held Holy Mary, Lady and Queen, in highest veneration, since she is the virgin made church. Let them also remember that the immaculate Virgin Mary, whose example they are to follow, called herself the handmaid of the Lord.
Chapter V
The Way to Serve and Work
18.
As poor people, the brothers and sisters to whom the Lord has given the grace of serving or working with their hands, should do so faithfully and conscientiously. Let them avoid that idleness which is the enemy of the soul. But they should not be so busy that the spirit of holy prayer and devotion, which all earthly goods should foster is extinguished.
19.
In exchange for their service or work, they may accept anything necessary for their own temporal needs and for that of their sisters or brothers. Let them accept it humbly as is expected of those who are servants of God and seekers of most holy poverty. Whatever they may have over and above their needs, they are to give to the poor. And let them never want to be over others. Instead they should be servants and subjects to every human creature for the Lord's sake .
20.
Let the sisters and brothers be gentle, peaceful and unassuming, mild and humble, speaking respectfully to all in accord with their vocation. Wherever they are, or wherever they go throughout the world they should not be quarrelsome, contentious, or judgmental towards others. Rather it should be obvious that they are joyful, good-humoured, and happy in the Lord as they ought to be. And in greeting others, let them say, "The Lord give you peace."
Chapter VI
The Life of Poverty
21.
All the sisters and brothers zealously follow the poverty and humility of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Though rich beyond measure (Cor. 8:9), He emptied Himself for our sake (Phil. 2:7) and with the holy virgin, His mother Mary, He chose poverty in this world. Let them be mindful that they should have only those goods of this world which, as the Apostle says, "Provide enough food and sufficient clothing; with these we are content" (1 Tim. 6:8). Let them particularly beware of money. And let them be happy to live among the outcast and despised, among the poor, the weak, the sick, the unwanted, the oppressed, and the destitute.
22.
The truly poor in spirit, following the example of the Lord, live in this world as pilgrims and strangers (Mt. 10.27:29). They neither appropriate nor defend anything as their own. So excellent is this most high poverty that it makes us heirs and rulers of the kingdom of heaven. It makes us materially poor, but rich in virtue (Jn. 2:5). Let this poverty alone be our portion because it leads to the land of the living (cf. Ps 141:6). Clinging completely to it let us, for the sake of Our Lord Jesus Christ, never want anything else under heaven.
Chapter VII
Fraternal Love
23.
Because God loves us, the brothers and sisters should love each other, for the Lord says, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you". (Jn. 15:12). Let them manifest their love in deeds (cf. Jn. 8:18).
Also whenever they meet each other, they should show that they are members of the same family. Let them make known their needs to one another. Blessed are they who love another who is sick and seemingly useless, as much as when that brother or sister is well and of service to them. Whether in sickness or in health, they should only want what God wishes for them. For all that happens to them let them give thanks to our Creator.
24.
If discord caused by word or deed should occur among them, they should immediately (Mt. 18:35) and humbly ask forgiveness of one another even before offering their gift of prayer before the Lord (cf. Mt5:24). And if anyone seriously neglects the form of life all profess, the minister, or others who may know of it, are to admonish that person. Those giving the admonition should neither embarrass nor speak evil of the other. but show great kindness. Let all be careful of self righteousness, which causes anger and annoyance because of another's sin. These in oneself or in another hinder living lovingly.
Chapter VIII
The Obedience of Love
25.
Following the example of Our Lord Jesus Christ who made his own will one with the Father's, the sisters and brothers are to remember that, for God, they should give up their own wills. Therefore, in every kind of
Chapter they have let them "seek first the kingdom of God and its justice," (Mt. 6.33) and exhort one another to observe this rule which all have professed more exactly, as well as how they might more faithfully follow in the footprints of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let them neither dominate nor seek power over one another but let them willingly serve and obey each other with that genuine love which comes from each one's heart (cf. Gal. 5:15). This is the true and holy obedience of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
26.
They are always to have one of their number as minister and servant of the fraternity whom they are strictly obliged to obey in all that they have promised the Lord to observe, and which is not contrary to conscience or this rule.
27.
Those who are ministers and servants of the others should visit, admonish and encourage them with humility and love. Should there be brothers or sisters anywhere who know and acknowledge that they cannot observe the rule according to it's spirit, it is their right and duty to have recourse to their ministers. The ministers are to receive them with such love, kindness, and sympathy that the sisters or brothers can speak and act towards them just as an employer would with a worker. This is how it should be. The ministers are to be servants of all.
28.
No one is to appropriate any office or ministry whatsoever as if it were a personal right; rather each should willingly relinquish it when the time comes.
Chapter IX
Apostolic Life
29
The brothers and sisters are to love the Lord with their whole heart, their whole soul and mind and with all their strength, and to love their neighbour as themselves. Let them glorify the Lord in all they do. For He has sent them into the world so that they might give witness by word and work to His voice and to make known to all the Lord alone is God.
30.
As they announce peace with their lips, let them be careful to have it even more within their own hearts. No one should be roused to wrath or insult on their account, rather all should be moved to peace, goodwill and
mercy because of their gentleness. The sisters and brothers are called to heal the wounded, to bind up those who are bruised, and to reclaim the erring. Wherever they are, they should recall that they have given themselves up completely and handed themselves to every enemy, visible and invisible, for love of Him because the Lord says: "Blessed are they who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 5.10)
31.
In that love which is God (1 Jn.4:6) all the brothers and sisters, whether they are engaged in prayer, or in announcing the Word of God, or in serving or doing manual labour should strive to be humble in everything. They should not seek glory, or be self-satisfied, or interiorly proud because of a good work or word God does or speaks in or through them. Rather in every place and circumstance, let them acknowledge that all good belongs to the most high Lord and Ruler of all things. Let them always give thanks to Him from whom we receive all good.
32
Let the sisters and brothers always be mindful that they should desire one thing alone, namely, the Spirit of God at work within them.
EXHORTATION AND BLESSING
Always obedient to the church and firmly established in the Liberal Catholic faith, let them live according to the poverty, the humility and the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ which they have solemnly promised to observe. Whoever will observe these things shall be filled with the blessings of the Most High Father in Heaven, and on earth with the blessing of His beloved Son, with the Holy Spirit, and with all virtues and with all the saints. And I, Brother Francis, your little one and servant, in so far as I am able, confirm to you within and without this most Holy Blessing.
Our Identity
1.
The form of life of the Brothers and Sisters is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience, in poverty chastity or fidelity. Following Jesus Christ after the example of St. Francis, through their daily lives at home, at work, and within the Christian community where they live.
2.
With all in the Reformed Old Catholic Church who wish to serve the Lord, the brothers and sisters of this order are to persevere in true faith. They wish to live this evangelical conversion of life in a spirit of prayer. Reading and praying the Scriptures are central to our daily life, we are called to reflect with both mind and body on the Word of God.
3.
The sisters and brothers promise obedience and reverence to the Diocesan Bishop and the Reformed Old Catholic Church. In this same spirit they are to obey those called to be ministers and servants of their own fraternity. And wherever they are, or in whatever situation they are in, they should diligently and fervently show reverence and honour to one another. They should also foster unity and communion with all the members of the Franciscan family
Chapter II
Acceptance Into This Life
4.
Those who through the Lord's inspiration come to us desiring to accept this way of life are to be received kindly. At the appropriate time, they are to be presented to the ministers of the fraternity who hold responsibility to admit them.
5.
The ministers shall ascertain that the aspirants truly adhere to the Liberal Catholic faith and the Church's sacramental life. If they are found to have a vocation they are to be initiated into the life of the fraternity. Let everything pertaining to this gospel way of life be explained to them.
6.
Led by the Lord, let them begin a life of penance, conscious that all of us must be continuously and totally converted to the Lord. As a sign of their conversion and consecration to gospel life, they are to clothe themselves plainly and to live in simplicity. Members of the Order may choose to wear the traditional form of dress such as the habit, or the secular style of clerical shirt, trousers and brown hoodie.
7.
When their initial formation is completed, they are to be received into obedience promising to observe this life and rule always. Let them put aside all attachment as well as every care and worry. Let them only be concerned to serve, love, adore, and honour the Lord God, as best they can, with singleheartedness and purity of intention.
8.
Within themselves, let them always make a dwelling place and home for the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so that, with undivided hearts, they may increase in universal love by continually turning to God and to neighbour. (Jn. 14:23).
Chapter III
The Spirit of Prayer
9.
Everywhere and in each place, and in every season and each day, the brothers and sisters are to have a true and humble faith. From the depths of their inner life let them love, honour, adore, serve, praise, bless and glorify our most high and eternal God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With all that they are, let them adore Him because "We should pray always and not lose heart"
10.
The brothers and sisters are to praise the Lord, the king of heaven and earth, with all his creatures and to give him thanks because, by his own holy will and through his only Son with the Holy Spirit, He has created all things spiritual and material and made us in his own image and likeness.
11.
Since the sisters and brothers are to be totally conformed to the Gospel, they should reflect and keep in their hearts the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the word of the Father as well as the words of the Holy Spirit which are spirit and life
12.
Let them participate in the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ and receive His Body and Blood with great humility and reverence.
Chapter IV
The Life of Chastity for the sake of the Kingdom
14.
Let the brothers and the sisters keep in mind how great a dignity the Lord God has given them, because He created them and formed them in the image of His beloved Son according to the flesh and in His own likeness according to the Spirit. (Col. 1:16) Since they are created through Christ and in Christ, they have chosen this form of life which is founded on the words and deeds of our Redeemer.
15.
Professing chastity or fidelity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, they are to care for the things of the Lord and they have nothing else to do except to follow the will of the Lord and to please Him. (1 Cor 7:32) In all of their works the love of God and all people should shine forth.
16.
They are to remember that they have been called by a special gift of grace to manifest in their lives that wonderful mystery by which the Church is joined to Christ her spouse.
17.
Let the brothers and the sisters keep the example of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever before their eyes. Let them do this according to the exhortation of St. Francis who held Holy Mary, Lady and Queen, in highest veneration, since she is the virgin made church. Let them also remember that the immaculate Virgin Mary, whose example they are to follow, called herself the handmaid of the Lord.
Chapter V
The Way to Serve and Work
18.
As poor people, the brothers and sisters to whom the Lord has given the grace of serving or working with their hands, should do so faithfully and conscientiously. Let them avoid that idleness which is the enemy of the soul. But they should not be so busy that the spirit of holy prayer and devotion, which all earthly goods should foster is extinguished.
19.
In exchange for their service or work, they may accept anything necessary for their own temporal needs and for that of their sisters or brothers. Let them accept it humbly as is expected of those who are servants of God and seekers of most holy poverty. Whatever they may have over and above their needs, they are to give to the poor. And let them never want to be over others. Instead they should be servants and subjects to every human creature for the Lord's sake .
20.
Let the sisters and brothers be gentle, peaceful and unassuming, mild and humble, speaking respectfully to all in accord with their vocation. Wherever they are, or wherever they go throughout the world they should not be quarrelsome, contentious, or judgmental towards others. Rather it should be obvious that they are joyful, good-humoured, and happy in the Lord as they ought to be. And in greeting others, let them say, "The Lord give you peace."
Chapter VI
The Life of Poverty
21.
All the sisters and brothers zealously follow the poverty and humility of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Though rich beyond measure (Cor. 8:9), He emptied Himself for our sake (Phil. 2:7) and with the holy virgin, His mother Mary, He chose poverty in this world. Let them be mindful that they should have only those goods of this world which, as the Apostle says, "Provide enough food and sufficient clothing; with these we are content" (1 Tim. 6:8). Let them particularly beware of money. And let them be happy to live among the outcast and despised, among the poor, the weak, the sick, the unwanted, the oppressed, and the destitute.
22.
The truly poor in spirit, following the example of the Lord, live in this world as pilgrims and strangers (Mt. 10.27:29). They neither appropriate nor defend anything as their own. So excellent is this most high poverty that it makes us heirs and rulers of the kingdom of heaven. It makes us materially poor, but rich in virtue (Jn. 2:5). Let this poverty alone be our portion because it leads to the land of the living (cf. Ps 141:6). Clinging completely to it let us, for the sake of Our Lord Jesus Christ, never want anything else under heaven.
Chapter VII
Fraternal Love
23.
Because God loves us, the brothers and sisters should love each other, for the Lord says, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you". (Jn. 15:12). Let them manifest their love in deeds (cf. Jn. 8:18).
Also whenever they meet each other, they should show that they are members of the same family. Let them make known their needs to one another. Blessed are they who love another who is sick and seemingly useless, as much as when that brother or sister is well and of service to them. Whether in sickness or in health, they should only want what God wishes for them. For all that happens to them let them give thanks to our Creator.
24.
If discord caused by word or deed should occur among them, they should immediately (Mt. 18:35) and humbly ask forgiveness of one another even before offering their gift of prayer before the Lord (cf. Mt5:24). And if anyone seriously neglects the form of life all profess, the minister, or others who may know of it, are to admonish that person. Those giving the admonition should neither embarrass nor speak evil of the other. but show great kindness. Let all be careful of self righteousness, which causes anger and annoyance because of another's sin. These in oneself or in another hinder living lovingly.
Chapter VIII
The Obedience of Love
25.
Following the example of Our Lord Jesus Christ who made his own will one with the Father's, the sisters and brothers are to remember that, for God, they should give up their own wills. Therefore, in every kind of
Chapter they have let them "seek first the kingdom of God and its justice," (Mt. 6.33) and exhort one another to observe this rule which all have professed more exactly, as well as how they might more faithfully follow in the footprints of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let them neither dominate nor seek power over one another but let them willingly serve and obey each other with that genuine love which comes from each one's heart (cf. Gal. 5:15). This is the true and holy obedience of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
26.
They are always to have one of their number as minister and servant of the fraternity whom they are strictly obliged to obey in all that they have promised the Lord to observe, and which is not contrary to conscience or this rule.
27.
Those who are ministers and servants of the others should visit, admonish and encourage them with humility and love. Should there be brothers or sisters anywhere who know and acknowledge that they cannot observe the rule according to it's spirit, it is their right and duty to have recourse to their ministers. The ministers are to receive them with such love, kindness, and sympathy that the sisters or brothers can speak and act towards them just as an employer would with a worker. This is how it should be. The ministers are to be servants of all.
28.
No one is to appropriate any office or ministry whatsoever as if it were a personal right; rather each should willingly relinquish it when the time comes.
Chapter IX
Apostolic Life
29
The brothers and sisters are to love the Lord with their whole heart, their whole soul and mind and with all their strength, and to love their neighbour as themselves. Let them glorify the Lord in all they do. For He has sent them into the world so that they might give witness by word and work to His voice and to make known to all the Lord alone is God.
30.
As they announce peace with their lips, let them be careful to have it even more within their own hearts. No one should be roused to wrath or insult on their account, rather all should be moved to peace, goodwill and
mercy because of their gentleness. The sisters and brothers are called to heal the wounded, to bind up those who are bruised, and to reclaim the erring. Wherever they are, they should recall that they have given themselves up completely and handed themselves to every enemy, visible and invisible, for love of Him because the Lord says: "Blessed are they who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 5.10)
31.
In that love which is God (1 Jn.4:6) all the brothers and sisters, whether they are engaged in prayer, or in announcing the Word of God, or in serving or doing manual labour should strive to be humble in everything. They should not seek glory, or be self-satisfied, or interiorly proud because of a good work or word God does or speaks in or through them. Rather in every place and circumstance, let them acknowledge that all good belongs to the most high Lord and Ruler of all things. Let them always give thanks to Him from whom we receive all good.
32
Let the sisters and brothers always be mindful that they should desire one thing alone, namely, the Spirit of God at work within them.
EXHORTATION AND BLESSING
Always obedient to the church and firmly established in the Liberal Catholic faith, let them live according to the poverty, the humility and the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ which they have solemnly promised to observe. Whoever will observe these things shall be filled with the blessings of the Most High Father in Heaven, and on earth with the blessing of His beloved Son, with the Holy Spirit, and with all virtues and with all the saints. And I, Brother Francis, your little one and servant, in so far as I am able, confirm to you within and without this most Holy Blessing.
