The Gospel is the root and source from which both orders, the
Brothers of the Cross and the Sisters of Jesus Crucified, drew their
inspiration, through a strong monastic community life similar to
Jesus’ contemplation in the wilderness, and according to the common
life as founded by Saint Pachomius, who laid down a Rule while
preserving, however, the ascetic individual aspect, one of their
important ascetic features (Maronite Council, 2006) and an apostolic
life similar to Jesus’ message of poverty. The brothers and sisters
commit themselves more to an ascetic life than to an apostolic one,
as a source of strength for persevering in their spiritual
life.
1-Devotion to Catholic teaching: they
completely observe the faith as taught by the mother Catholic
Church, literally applying Saint Paul‘s words: “But though we, or an
angel from heaven, preach a gospel to besides that which we have
preached to you, let him be anathema.” (Gal. 1/8) They strenuously
and continuously strive to know God deeply and thoroughly. The
pillars of faith and teaching are five: The Gospel, the apostolic
tradition, the tradition of the Fathers, the decisions of the
councils, and the Christian teachings of the Catholic Church (issued
by Pope John Paul II and Council of Bishops of the world on October
11, 1992) plus the liturgy.
2- Obedience to the Church: they submit to the
authority of the Church hierarchy. Although both orders may become
pontifical, they will not withdraw from obedience to the local
authority.
3- Constant adoration of God present in the Holy
Eucharist: they continuously offer worship in their
monasteries, and strive to assure it in each diocese where they are
called for the apostolate.
4- Striving to spread the true devotion to the Blessed
Virgin: by knowing her, imitating her virtues, identifying
themselves with her, they spread devotion to her Immaculate Heart
insisting on recitation of the rosary.
5-Prayer: they recite in common the seven
traditional Hours of the Office, and get up at midnight to pray,
using the rich and varied liturgy of many rites and the legacy left
by the Holy Fathers of the Church they belong to, with also
meditation and individual prayer, more specifically, recitation of
the rosary and other devotions.
6- Common life: like the Holy Trinity and as an
interdependent family, they strive to live a common life, with unity
in faith, in creed, in thought, in heart, in spirituality and in one
monastic tradition.
7- Living the evangelical virtues: they do so by
taking the five vows (obedience, poverty, chastity, humility and
sharing the mystery of Redemption) with simplicity and transparency,
as understood by the Church, taught by the Fathers and lived by the
holy monks.
8- Vow of humility: they learn this from the
example of the Son of God who claims to be “ the Son of man” ( Mat.
18 / 20 ), meditating on how he was conceived in Mary’s womb, after
“he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid” ( Luke 1/48 ),
constantly admitting they are “unprofitable servants” ( Luke 17/10)
and claiming to be “the disciples of Mary and the Cross” even if the
brothers themselves are priests or teachers or theologians, giving
preference to remain brothers rather than priests, lambs rather than
shepherds, sons rather than fathers, subordinates rather than heads,
servants rather masters. They do not wish to obtain high and eminent
positions of any type whatsoever. The greatest virtue the Order is
attached to is the genuine virtue of humility, because it is the
principle and buttress of the remaining vows and the veil of all
spiritual virtues and apostolic deeds, without which the good works
of the monks are valueless before God.
9- Vow of suffering: they carry the Cross and
share the Redemption mystery which expressly binds them to unite the
three vows with the Cross, and this helps them not to forget it.
Self-denial shall be achieved through fatigue because work is one of
the first of God’s commandments (Genesis 3/17) and they regard the
Cross as their great master and constant refuge.
10- Poverty and simplicity: they lead a simple
family rural life, along with hardships and severity. Thus, they
serve themselves without being served by any servant, wash their
clothes with their own hands, light fires with wood, acquiring and
using only traditional tools and lighting.
11- Ora et labora (Saint Benedict): they carry
on handy craft, including work on the land which is binding on
everyone without discrimination, regarding it as one of the elements
of the monks’ plan of repentance. In this way, they combine prayer
with work.
12- Relying absolutely on Providence and not on worldly
resources for health and subsistence, so that people may
know that “It is the Spirit that quickneth, the flesh
profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit
and life” (John 6/ 64). From the livelihood point of view,
so people may learn how to rely on God’s care as the Lord Jesus
said: “Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow
will be solicitous for itself” (Mat. 6/34) From the ownership point
of view, so that people hold on to God above all “For we have not
here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.” (Heb 13/14).
13- Absolute benevolence: this they apply in all
their works. They earn no salary in return for a service of any type
whatsoever, so as to teach people the love of giving and free
service.
14- Not carrying or using money: this is so that
people can learn detachment from it and never to hold on to it “For
the desire of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim 6/10).
Donations shall be handed over to poor people, through members of
ICTUS secular association relevant to the Order, in a loyal way
under the bursar monk‘s control.
15- ICTUS and MARAN ATHA associations from Mary‘s
Immaculate Heart: both founded by Brother Roufail
Purposes:
- The first: so that both orders can preserve
their whole Rule and spirituality and dedicate themselves to the
message of prayer, to serving the word as the apostles and seven
deacons did ( Act of Apost 1/ 6 ) - The second:
to contribute in accomplishing the genuine evangelical
apostolate, and to take part in the Church’s task of serving and
saving souls as one of the Church associations. |