Our Charism
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the charism of being diocesan priests living in fraternity. The rule of life we follow has three emphases:
Common Life
Fraternity: In our life and ministry, we accompany each other in the mission entrusted to us as Diocesan priests, building a priestly culture of support and communion. Each Companion participates in a fraternal group wherein he shares deeply and openly about his life and ministry. Fraternal groups foster affirmation, fellowship, mutual help, and accountability. We also strive to live a life of common prayer, study, meals, and recreation.
Households: Whenever possible, we live in residence together. When our pastoral duties do not allow for common residence, each member gathers with his assigned household for weekly meals and the celebration of the Lord’s Day. The Lord’s Day celebration is open to any of the presbyterate as an outlet for priestly fellowship.
Prayer: When in residence together, we pray our daily holy hour and portions of the Liturgy of the Hours in common. We likewise gather monthly as an association for common prayer and fellowship.
Evangelical Counsels
Poverty: Though we each manage our own personal finances, we hold each other accountable to simplicity of life. Our personal possessions are to be “reasonable in style, durable for use, and simple in appearance.” We tithe to our apostolates, assist the poor, and own only what we truly need for ministry and the reasonable care of our persons.
Chastity: Our support groups create an environment of “fearless frankness.” We hold each other accountable to healthy habits of life that allow us to make a pure gift of ourselves in ministry.
Obedience: Strengthened by our fraternal support, we call each other to openness. We are ready to serve the Church, the needs of the Diocese, and to give of ourselves.
Evangelization
Vocations: Living out the priesthood in a fraternal way, we provide a remedy to priestly isolation. Taking joy in our own call to priestly celibacy, we readily work to encourage others to pursue priestly and religious vocations. As men of communion, we also strive to build up the dignity of Christian marriage.
Spiritual Renewal: Our common life, mutual help, and pursuit of Christ bear witness to the joy of the Gospel. In an age when hearts are hungry for meaning and communion, we provide an example of Christian charity and koinonia that draws others into discipleship and relationship with Our Lord Jesus.
Catechesis: Through personal study and the pursuit of truth, we encourage each other to cultivate our knowledge of the Word-made-flesh. Annually, we pursue our continuing education together at our Summer Conference.