Excerpts from our Constitutions & Rules
1. Introduction
As Companions, we are called to embrace the common life. Community living is central to our vocation. We base ourselves on the model of Jesus and his disciples who lived together, ministered together, and supported one another. St. Paul teaches that while not all members of the Church have the same talents together they can count on God to provide all the gifts needed for ministry (cf. Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-30). We are convinced that our ministry in the Church is made more fruitful by the fact that we live and work together. We live the common life in order to affirm, support, and challenge one another.
2. The Local Community
The fundamental expression of our community life is the local community, which consists of members in permanent and temporary commitment who are not living in a house of formation. Local communities are the living cells of the Society. Every member has the right and duty to belong to a local community and to participate in its life and mission. A local community ordinarily consists of a minimum of four members, and a maximum of eight, under a local superior. As a brotherhood that desires to grow in the Lord, our life together consists principally in the day-to-day caring for one another and the fulfilling of our apostolic mission.
As part of a local community, every member commits himself to the daily building up of his brothers by service, self-sacrifice, and mutual respect. We make every effort to avoid living away from a local community. Any temporary absence, for exceptional reasons, must be approved in advance by the local superior.
In support of unity, every local community holds meetings at least every quarter, in order to discuss openly both the personal and ministerial concerns of its members.
Each local community engages in regular common prayer during the week, which includes the Liturgy of the Hours. Our times of common prayer will often include individual simultaneous vocal praise, and a time of discerning and sharing the Lord's word.
Each local community normally shares a set number of meals each week. Each local community is strongly encouraged to share a regular extended social time, on a monthly basis, if possible. All members who are in close proximity are to meet on a regular basis for prayer, teaching, discussion, and fellowship.
The community is to be committed to hospitality, as far as its capabilities allow, providing a warm welcome and ministry to priests and seminarians.
3. Accountability
Members of the community are accountable to one another. While respecting the privacy of each member, they call one another in love to their particular and mutual responsibilities. We are committed to affirming and fostering every member's unique qualities and gifts, while also respecting differences among individuals, so that the overall good and unity of the community is maintained.
4. Share Group
Every member participates in a small share group. Every share group meets at least twice a month. This is a forum where members offer one another moral and spiritual support through personal sharing, listening and prayer with each individual. Matters mentioned in a share group are to be held in confidence. For grave cause, however, matters mentioned in the group may be revealed. Furthermore, when a member has direct knowledge of something serious regarding another member, which became known outside the context of the share group, this may be revealed to the appropriate authority. However, in case of doubt as to the source of knowledge regarding the serious matter, it should not be revealed.
5. Commitment to Relationships
Difficulties in relationships-between community members are worked out in an open, honest and supportive climate. We are aware that the tendency to avoid relational difficulties rather than face and sincerely work at resolving them is an ever-present temptation that can undermine the love and unity we are committed to fostering.
6. Simplicity of Lifestyle
Mindful of the life advocated by the Gospel, we are called to live a simple lifestyle. We believe that the Church must take a prophetic stand in the midst of a culture almost totally secular in its goals and in a world so unhappily divided between the rich and the poor.
While acknowledging legitimate personal differences and the need for a healthy diversity in the use and ownership of goods, each member of the community strives to live a life unencumbered by a concern for the goods of the world. Always fostering a practice of detachment, he freely chooses to be a good steward of his material possessions and to grow in generosity. As Saint Ignatius teaches, "we ought to use [created things] to the extent that they help us toward our end, and free ourselves from them to the extent that they hinder us from it" (Spiritual Exercises, [23]).
Community houses and personal rooms are arranged in such a way that even the poorest feel welcome visiting them. In their lifestyle choices, members are conscious of the need not to compromise their witness to the Gospel.
7. Contractual Agreement for Members
Upon definitive incorporation into the community, members enter into a contractual agreement with the community. Each member retains full rights to the use and administration of his income, personal property, and patrimony. A certain percentage of each member's income and of significant gifts, as well as revenue from personal patrimony, will be given over to the community. The amount of this contribution is determined by the Moderator, with the consent of his Council, each three years, based upon guidelines set by the assembly, after consultation with the community. In special cases, arrangements shall be made with the Moderator.[Current rate = 20% for priests who are ordained 5 years or more, 15% for those ordained 5 years or less]. The community provides each member with retirement security and health benefits.
8. Clerical Dress
We wear the community cross as a symbol of who we are. Ordinarily, in ministry situations, ordained members of the community wear a Roman collar to identify themselves clearly as priests and as a sign of respect and reverence for their office and consecration in the Church. When appropriate, members are also encouraged to wear it in other public situations.
9. Personal Health
The Companions of the Cross believe that the human body is dignified and needs to be maintained. Each member makes his best effort to be vigilant in the fostering of a healthy lifestyle regarding diet, exercise, sleep, and recreation.
