Rule of Life of the Missionary Order of St. Augustine (OMSA)

Clipped from: https://omsa.substack.com/p/rule-of-life-of-the-missionary-order
By Fr Kevin Seaver

The name of the Order shall be The Missionary Order of St. Augustine (Ordo Missionalis Sancti Augustini). It is established as a missionary order of the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word, Anglican Church of North America.

Members of the Order shall be clergy, religious, and lay missionaries and evangelists who desire to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ in Japan. Just as St. Augustine of Canterbury was sent by the Church as a missionary to England, bringing the light of the Gospel and the fullness of the catholic Faith to that land, members of the Order shall endeavor to bring that same Gospel and Faith ever more fully to Japan. Committed to the primacy of Holy Scripture as God’s Word written and to upholding the Faith as it has been received—“what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all”—members shall seek to witness faithfully to the Lord Jesus Christ in their work and in their lives.

Life of Faith

Members of the Order shall continually strive to deepen their union with Christ. They shall do so chiefly through a life of prayer centered on the Book of Common Prayer, by availing themselves frequently of Holy Communion, by reading and reflecting on the writings of “the Catholic fathers and ancient bishops” (Convocation of 1571), and, most especially, by daily endeavoring to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God written.

Holy Communion

Members of the Order shall attend Holy Communion on all Sundays of the year and, if possible, all Feasts and Holy Days as given in the Book of Common Prayer, as well as on May 26, in commemoration of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Missionary.

Priests in particular are called to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ as they serve those in their care, relieve those in need, and tend to the sick and dying, and to spread the love of God and build up His Kingdom in the preaching of the Word and the celebration of the Sacraments. Therefore, if possible, priests of the Order shall strive to celebrate Holy Communion on the above-mentioned days.

Mindful of the admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, members shall approach Holy Communion “with a penitent heart and lively faith” (Exhortation), preparing themselves through fasting.

If, for some reason, it is not possible to celebrate or attend Holy Communion on the above-mentioned days, members of the Order shall participate spiritually in the celebration of the Lord’s Sacrifice by making an act of Spiritual Communion, in the following form from the Book of Common Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I believe that thou art truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love thee above all things, and I desire to possess thee within my soul. And since I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, I beseech thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to thee, together with all thy faithful people gathered around every altar of thy Church, and I embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. Let me never be separated from thee. Amen.

Divine Office

Members of the Order shall unite themselves with the unceasing prayer of the whole Church by reciting the Divine Office daily, including while on holiday. Where possible, Morning and Evening Prayer should be recited publicly with the people of God.

If prevented from fulfilling this commitment due to poor health or some other reason, members of the Order shall make an act of devotion to join themselves in spirit with the daily prayer of the Church.

Other Means of Grace

Members of the Order are encouraged to make regular use of the rite of the Reconciliation of Penitents, at least once a year. Lent and Advent are particularly appropriate seasons for this. They should also examine themselves daily and confess their sins. This may be done in the context of the Divine Office.

Members of the Order are encouraged to meet regularly with a spiritual director to receive advice and guidance to support their growth in the Faith and encourage their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelization and Catechesis

Members of the Order shall strive to share the Good News of Jesus Christ or offer instruction about some aspect of the Christian faith, whether written, spoken, broadcast, or through another medium, at least once a week.

Intercessory Prayer

Members of the Order shall pray daily for the whole Church, for the people under their charge, for the living and the dead, and for the world, drawing near with confidence to throne of heavenly grace to offer up to the Lord in prayer the hopes and anxieties, the sufferings and joys of all whom they encounter.

Fasting and Self-Denial

Aspiring only to proclaim in word and deed the Good News of Jesus Christ and the riches of his Kingdom, members of the Order shall practice fasting and self-denial on the days and seasons appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, in addition to the normal fast before Holy Communion.

Members of the Order shall also prayerfully consider how they may support charitable causes and the work of mission.

Christ-Like Conduct

Modeling their own lives on Jesus Christ, members of the Order shall strive to live in an exemplary manner, reflecting Christ’s holiness and goodness in the ways that they behave, speak, and relate with others, conducting themselves at all times with humility, forbearance, charity, and moderation.

Yearly Retreat

Members shall make a retreat at least once a year unless prevented by unavoidable circumstances. They are also encouraged to keep a monthly day of recollection.

Prayer for the Order

Members of the Order who affirm this Rule shall be bound together above all by a holy obligation to pray for one another. They shall say the following prayer daily, after Morning or Evening Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thou hast commanded us to make disciples of all nations: Bless all those who work together for the spread of the Gospel, especially the members of the Missionary Order of St. Augustine; make them faithful and true witnesses to proclaim thy glorious Name. Send down the grace of the Holy Ghost upon all thy people, that we may give cheerfully of our substance for the evangelization of the world, and that the light of thy truth may shine brightly in every place, and most especially in Japan. Hear us, O merciful Savior, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Rejoicing in our own salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Lord’s gracious call to us to offer ourselves in the service of his Gospel, we praise and honor his Holy Name. So, then, let us be faithful to this Rule and united in faith, hope, and charity, that together we might show forth Christ’s glory in this land.

＋In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.