Who is an Apostle of the Resurrection? The Apostles of the Resurrection is an association of Catholic laywomen who are united spiritually to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the RULE approved for them by the Church. Chapter 1 AIM of the APOSTLES OF THE RESURRECTON

1. Glory of God

The aim of the Apostles of the Resurrection is to give glory to the Triune God by their life and their work. 2. Proclamation of the Risen Christ

The Apostles of the Resurrection are called to proclaim that Jesus Christ is risen and is our peace, hope and joy. 3. Witness to the Resurrection

The Apostles of the Resurrection give witness to the Risen Christ by living the Paschal Mystery and by becoming signs of peace, hope and joy as they strive to bring about the religious and moral rebirth of society. 4. Life in the world

The Apostles of the Resurrection fulfill their Christian vocation as persons who live their life in the world in the ordinary circumstances of family and social life. Chapter 2 RESURRECTION SPIRITUALITY

5. God’s unconditional love

Through her Faith, the Apostle of the Resurrection learns to experience God’s unconditional love for her. 6. Truth about Self

The Apostle of the Resurrection is conscious of the work of the Holy Spirit who helps her recognize the truth of her strengths and weaknesses. 7. Union with Christ Crucified

The Apostle of the Resurrection is called to live in solidarity with the Crucified Christ, recognizing that her daily cross is a means of her constant conversion and transformation into Christ. 8. Death to self; Joy in New Life

The call of every Christian, and particularly of every Apostle of the Resurrection, is to die to self, so as to rise with Christ and to proclaim joyfully this Christ-life to the world. 9. Cooperation with the Holy Spirit

Throughout her life, the Apostle of the Resurrection shall strive to grow ever deeper in her union with God the Father through the action of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of the Risen Christ living in her. 10. Will of God

The Apostle of the Resurrection believes that seeking and fulfilling the Will of God in her daily life is the condition of her union with God. 11. Mary – Mother of the New Life

Mary, the Mother of the Christ-life in us, is the model for the Apostle of the Resurrection in her union with God and the fulfillment of His Will. 12. Means to deepen Resurrection Spirituality

In order to live our Resurrection spirituality more fully, the Apostle of the Resurrection is encouraged to deepen her understanding and knowledge of the lives of our Mother Foundress, saintly Sisters of the Resurrection and the first Apostles of the Resurrection. Chapter II SACRAMENTAL LIFE

13. Baptismal Commitment Incorporated into the life of the Risen Christ by her baptismal commitment and strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, every Apostle of the Resurrection is called to immerse herself in the sacramental life of the Church. 14. Living the Liturgy

The Apostle of the Resurrection shall frequently and fully participate in the Eucharist with a deep sense of thanksgiving for the profound spiritual nourishment which the sacramental presence of Christ extends to her. She is called to prepare for, celebrate, reverence and live this Sacrament in a spirit of thanksgiving. 15. Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Apostle of the Resurrection will seek God’s merciful forgiveness by frequently celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Chapter IV PRAYER LIFE

16. Spirit of Prayer The Apostle of the Resurrection will allow the spirit of prayer to permeate all dimensions of her life. She will welcome those occasions for deepening her prayer life which are possible in the given circumstances of her life. 17. Living Word of God

Through hearing the Living Word of God, an Apostle of the Resurrection comes to a deeper understanding of God, His Love, His Will for her and her life as an extension of the dying and rising of Christ. 18. Personal Prayer Life

The Apostle of the Resurrection will strive to develop a vital personal prayer life which is sensitive to the particular prompting of God’s Spirit in her life, through: - Eucharistic Liturgy - Liturgy of the Hours - Scripture Reading/Prayer - Meditative/Contemplative Prayer - Devotional Practices - Spiritual Reading/Media 19. Love for Mary

The Apostle of the Resurrection expresses her tender love for Mary by honoring her on her Marian feasts and in the devotional prayer of the Church, especially the recitation of the rosary. 20. Annual Retreat

An Apostle of the Resurrection will make an annual retreat based on Resurrection spirituality. 21. Other Spiritual Opportunities

Besides the annual retreat, the Apostle of the Resurrection is encouraged to participate in other retreats, conferences, days of prayer in the parish or diocese, days of recollection and prayer evenings organized for them. Chapter V APOSTOLIC SERVICE

22. Apostolate of Prayer

The Apostle of the Resurrection will pray and sacrifice for the intentions of the Church, the world, the Congregation, and for each other, as well as for vocations to the priesthood, religious life and the Apostles of the Resurrection. 23. Apostolate of Suffering

The Apostle of the Resurrection participates in the mission of the Congregation by accepting her own sufferings in union with the suffering Christ and by offering them for the needs of the Church, the Congregation and the world. 24. Apostolate of Witness

The Apostle of the Resurrection gives witness by the example of a life which is Catholic and Christian - in the family - in the world - in the parish - among themselves 25. Evangelization

The Apostle of the Resurrection shares in the mission of the Church and the Congregation to proclaim the Gospel of Christ through evangelization. 26. Works of Mercy

The Apostle of the Resurrection contributes to the material and spiritual growth of the entire community in which she lives by practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Chapter VI MEMBERSHIP

27. Membership

Any Catholic woman who has a sincere intention to do the Will of God in the ordinary circumstances of her life and is drawn to live the Resurrection spirituality according to the RULE OF THE APOSTLES OF THE RESURRECTION may apply to be an Apostle of the Resurrection . 28. Acceptance of Candidates

Candidates are accepted by the Directress of the Apostles of the Resurrection. 29. Probation Obligations

The period of probation lasts at least one year. During this time the Candidate participates in the monthly formative meetings of the Apostles, is instructed in the RULE, shares activities with the other Apostles and Sisters, and receives individual guidance from the Directress, Moderator or Animator. 30. Documentation

After a period of probation, the Candidate will present to the Moderator a brief autobiography and a formal letter requesting to make her Promise of Commitment. These materials, along with the written evaluation of the Moderator or Animator, are forwarded to the Directress. The Directress submits a recommendation to the Major Superior who decides to accept the Candidate as an Apostle of the Resurrection . 31. Ceremony of Commitment

Preceded by a preparatory retreat, the ceremony of public Commitment takes place in the context of a Eucharistic Liturgy, the Liturgy of the Hours or other Scriptural Prayer Service presided over by the Mother Superior or sister designated by her. 32. Formula of Promise

The formula of Promise of Commitment is as follows: I, (Name), in the presence of the Blessed Trinity, the Father, son and the Holy Spirit, of Mary Immaculate, of Saint Joseph, of all the Saints, of all here present, and before you, sister …, promise to live, work and serve God according the RULE OF THE APOSTLES OF THE RESURRECTION.

Major Superior: God, You have given ______the desire to make her Promise; grant that she may fulfill it through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of the Risen Christ.

All present respond: AMEN.