The Theotokan Order of Mary the www.ecc-usa.org/OMT.html August 26, 2005 Volume 1, Issue 1 A New Religious Order

Religious Orders have always themselves to praising God and been formed in the living an exemplary Christian Faith tradition for basically life. Christ is needed in our three purposes: to praise God world today and dedicated through prayer and ; people are needed to make his to sanctify the individual order love known. member through leading a life The OMT is not of prayer and dedication; and to intended to be “right or left”, bring the loving message of “conservative or liberal”, but into the world. simply a witness to the LOVE of A quick look at our Christ for the world. LOVE is • present world situation points what makes good things happen Theotokos is out the need for a religious or as our Bishop David says: order of people who are living in “Love alone creates.” Greek for God- the world and who dedicate bearer. In the OMT, we honor A Structure for Daily Prayer the Blessed and in religious at bedtime, they would sing the Mary in her very orders have always built their evening prayer called Compline. daily activities around prayer. special role as Their prayer life That prayer was usually the Mother of God. organized their day and Divine Office. Mary dedicated provided a structure around her whole life to The Divine Office which they included work, daily provides for prayer seven chores,spiritual reading, promoting Jesus times a day; these are called meditation, and reading Sacred as the Son of “hours”. In orders with the Scripture. strictest observance, the first God. As Well, the OMT is a hour was at 2 AM. (Yes, the members of the modern in-the-world religious monks and nuns went to bed order. We do not live in a OMT, we try to early and got up to sing or say monastery and each of us has Matins at 2 AM. Then, about 5 follow her many, many daily personal, AM, just before Mass, they example and bring family, and work obligations. would sing the hour of Lauds. However, our prayers can Jesus’ love into Spread out between 9 AM and provide a structure in our lives this world of 3 PM, they would come so that everything important together to pray Prime, Terse, ours. gets done and becomes a Sext, and None. blessing for us, our family, the Before dinner they Church, and for the world. would sing Vespers, and finally (continued page 2) The prayerbook also The official prayerbook of provides the Mass text for + the OMT is a monthly prayerbook each day of the month. The Seven publication called the “Magnificat”. Spiritual Works of The cost for 13 issues is The Magnificat presents each day a currently $39.95 at To witness God’s mercy. morning prayer, an evening prayer, www.magnificat.net or call To teach God’s word. and a night prayer consisting of 1-866-273-5215. The To counsel the doubtful. psalm, prayers, and readings. It is To comfort the sorrowful. Magnificat is a beautiful beautifully organized and provides To bear wrongs patiently. little publication and well pegs for us to hang our prayer life. To forgive all injuries. worth the cost. To pray for the living and the dead. Communications

The Seven There are several avenues of will receive an invitation to join. Corporal Works of Mercy communication that we will use to You will need to respond to that communicate Order business, invitation as directed on the To feed the hungry. prayer requests, spiritual sharing, To give drink to the thirsty. invitation letter. etc. To clothe the naked. E-mail. As your and To visit and ransom the Website. The official website of captives. spiritual guide, I am interested in To harbor the harborless. the OMT is on the Ecumenical what is happening in you life; how To visit the sick. +USA website at you are getting along with your To bury the dead. www.ecc-usa.org/OMT.html. We prayer life; and what good works will post issues of the Theotokan are you involved in doing. So, off of our webpage as they are please e-mail me quarterly, if not + published. monthly. E-group. I will be setting up an Further, it is important to OMT egroup so that we can all me as the abbot that you find communicate about matters related value in belonging to the Order. I We’re on the Web! to the Order. Once it is set up, you welcome your thoughts and See us at: suggestions on how to improve any aspect of the Order as we go www.ecc-usa.org/OMT.html along together.

Consider a life of dedication to Jesus through Mary.

The Order of Mary the Theotokos is a ministry of the Ecumenical Catholic Church+USA Professed membership is open to all men and women of faith, married or single, regardless of their denominational affiliation. For additional information, please visit our website.

©Order of Mary the Theotokos, 2005