Associates
agree to uphold a common rule of life which
consists of three simple parts:
- receiving
communion on all Sundays and greater holy
days unless prevented by illness or travel,
- some
degree of fasting before receiving communion,
and
- offering
the eucharistic sacrifice as an act of
intercession for anyone the Associate desires
to lift up to God in this special and powerful
way.
In
addition to keeping these simple rules, Associates
also try to do several other things. Before
eucharist Confraternity members try conscientiously
to prepare themselves to make a worthy communion.
Through the examination of their consciences,
they try to come to the Lord's table with
unburdened minds and open hearts. After eucharist
Associates take time to render to God conscious
thanksgiving for the great gift of his Son's
Body and Blood in the Blessed Sacrament.
They may also make offerings so that the
eucharist may be celebrated with reverence,
care and beauty, and they commend the eucharist
to others as the chief form of worship appropriate
for Christian communities.
They
regard the Feast of Corpus Christi (the recognized
day of thanksgiving for the Sacrament of the
Altar) or the Sunday following as a day of
obligation. Associates of the Blessed Constance
Ward have adopted a schedule of Daily Prayer
in St. George’s Chapel, where the Blessed
Sacrament is reserved. Prayers are offered
for the work and welfare of the Church, the
parish, and its membership, using the intercession
forms provided by the Confraternity of the
Blessed Sacrament.
