The Fellowship of the Way of the Cross

(Fraternitas Viae Crucis)

CONSTITUTION

Article I. Name

This Society shall be known as The Fellowship of the Way of the Cross (Fraternitas Viae Crucis).

Article II. Purpose

The society exists for the greater glory of God, to be promoted more especially in the four ways following, namely:

n By nurturing the spiritual life among the Fellowship and in the Church

n By practicing and encouraging Christ-like love among all people, especially among clergy

n By striving for authenticity in the Christian Faith

n By increasing effectiveness of ministry through working and praying in love and companionship with others

Article III. Vision

We are a society of clergy primarily of the Episcopal Church, seeking to glorify, love, and serve God ever more faithfully and to minister according to God’s calling. Our desire is to be contemplatives in action who draw from the wellsprings of intimacy with God as the primary source of energy and guidance for ministry. Our fellowship flows out of our relationship with God the Holy Trinity and with each other as colleagues in ministry. Although we do not live in physical community, we are united by a Common Rule of Life, a daily Office of prayer, an annual retreat, and days of reflection. Since Christian life and ministry are communal, we seek to develop communities of prayer, reflection, and action with those among whom we live and serve. We are also linked with those who have gone before us in this Fellowship.

Article IV. Members

The members of the Fellowship shall be clergy of the Church, willing to be present at our meetings and worship.

No one shall be admitted a member of the Fellowship until after having a probation of at least three months, and made a report to the Superior of the Superior of the way in which the rule has been kept. Such person may then be admitted to full membership with the consent of the Superior, and of the majority of such of the members as are present at any regular Chapter meeting.

Members shall engage themselves to the Fellowship in the first instance for the duration of the current triennium. (NOTE: The Triennia began June 1, 1936, by amendment of the Constitution.)

Within the six months next before the Annual Meeting of the Fellowship nearest to the expiration of any triennium, all members who wish to renew their engagement for the next triennium may do so with the consent of the Superior. A majority of the members present at such Annual Meeting may by vote extend the period for renewal to a date not later than the next following meeting of the Fellowship at the Retreat.

Article V. Withdrawals

A member desiring, for any weighty reason, to withdraw from the Fellowship before the expiration of this engagement, shall consult with the Superior. If the Superior, after consultation with the Council, shall consider the reasons sufficient to justify withdrawal, consent may be given.

Article VI. Probationers

All applications for admission to probation shall be made to the Superior. If the Superior consents to receive the applicant, the applicant shall serve a term of three months, before being eligible for membership in the Fellowship.

Probationers shall report to the Superior at the end of three months as to the way in which the rule has been kept.

They may withdraw at any time by giving notice to the Superior.

At the expiration of three months from the beginning of the term of probation, if the probationer does not apply to the Superior for admission to full membership, the Superior shall confer with the probationer. The term of probation may, with the consent of the Superior, be extended for six months, but no second renewal shall be made. If at the expiration of the second term of probation not application for admission to full membership be made, the name of such probationer shall be stricken from the list.

Article VII. Postulants

Any candidate for Holy Orders may apply to the Superior for admission as a Postulant; and, if accepted, shall endeavor to keep the rule of the Fellowship, provided that modifications may be made in individual cases at the discretion of the Superior. A Postulant shall report to the Superior at the end of three months as to the way in which the rule has been kept. If no report is received after three months of Postulancy, the Superior shall confer with the Postulant. A Postulant failing to report within an additional three-month period shall be stricken from the list.

Article VIII. Chapter Meetings

Meetings of the Chapter shall be held at least twice in the year. Regular meetings may be held only pursuant to a vote of the Chapter.

Special meetings may be called by the Superior.

At any meeting three shall suffice for a quorum for the transaction of business, but for the election of a Superior five shall be required to constitute a quorum.

The meeting nearest to the Feast of the Ascension shall be the Annual Meeting for the election of officers.

Article IX. Officers

The officers of the Fellowship shall consist of a Superior, a Vice Superior and a Secretary and Treasurer. The Superior shall be chosen for a term of three years. The Vice Superior shall be chosen for one year, or to serve until a successor has been appointed. The other officers shall be chosen for a term of one year, or to serve until the Annual Meeting next succeeding their election.

All the officers are eligible for re-election.

The Superior, Vice Superior and Secretary shall constitute the Council of the Fellowship.

Article X. Elections

All elections shall be by ballot. This rule shall never be abrogated nor suspended.

At the election of the Superior, the chairman shall appoint two members to act as tellers, and the list of members shall be read. The rule of silence shall then be declared in force. A simple majority vote shall be necessary to an election.

After each ballot the tellers shall declare whether there has or has not been an election, but shall make no further statement as to the ballot. If there has been no election a further ballot shall be had, and this process shall be continued without adjournment or recess, until an election has been brought about.

The particulars of the several ballots shall forever remain a secret with the tellers. No member shall at any time hold any conference with any other member as to the suitableness of any member for the office of Superior.

The Superior, on being notified of election, and accepting the office, and also at the two succeeding Annual Meetings, shall nominate a member as Vice Superior. If a majority of the members present at the meetings when the nomination is made, and voting by ballot, fail to confirm the nomination, the Superior shall make a second nomination. Should this also be rejected, the members shall proceed to ballot for Vice Superior, and a majority shall suffice for an election.

The other officers shall be elected by a majority vote without the special formalities observed in the election of the Superior.

A vacancy in the office of Superior shall be filled only at the Annual Meeting.

When the office of Superior is vacant the Vice Superior shall discharge all the duties appertaining to the same.

Vacancies in any office, except that of Superior, may be filled at any regular Chapter Meetings, notice having been given to all the members at least two weeks beforehand that such election is liable to take place.

The Superior shall always have the right to nominate a Vice Superior, whenever a vacancy shall occur in that office, and the election shall take place in the manner already described.

If at any Annual Meeting the Superior shall fail to nominate anyone to the office of Vice Superior the member then holding that position shall continue in office until a successor has been elected.

A member who cannot be present at a meeting at which an election of Superior is to take place, may send in duplicate, two sealed votes numbered 1 and 2 to the Secretary, who shall deposit them on the first two ballots only.

No proxy voting shall be allowed.

Article XI. Habit

The members shall wear habitually a dark wooden cross with the monogram of the Fellowship engraved thereon.

At retreats of the Chapter a cassock may be worn, but at other times no distinctive dress is recommended.

Article XII. Rule of Life

The Rule of Life may be amended only by the unanimous consent of those present at any Annual Meeting, notice of the proposed change having been given in writing by the Secretary to all the members that such amendments have been proposed.

Article XIII. Amendments

This constitution shall not be altered nor amended except by unanimous consent of such of the members as are present at a regular Chapter Meeting, the proposed amendment having been submitted in writing at a previous meeting, and notice having been given to all the members that such amendments have been proposed.

Article XIV. Prayer of Vocation

O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set for your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed Kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

NOTE: This copy of the Constitution contains all amendments adopted to date, June 1, 2006.

The Members, Probationers, and Postulants are asked to read this document carefully so as to be familiar with what is required of them in addition to the rule of life, and with what is required at elections, etc.