The Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church
An independent Catholic church in the liberal tradition

In 1951-52, during which time the Ancient Catholic Church was an autocephalous tropus of the Catholicate of the West, Mar Joannes I founded three religious Orders, The Order of St John the Baptist, The Order of Ave Maria and The Order of S. Teresa - The Little Flower. These Orders were chartered by means of exquisite hand-illuminated documents prepared by Mar Joannes I himself that received the signatures of their founding members, and were registered in the archives of both the Ancient Catholic Church and the Catholicate of the West (which was at that time incorporated in India under Act XXI of 1860). The Catholicate of the West was formally dissolved in 1953.

As Patriarchs, Mar Georgius and Mar Joannes I reserved to themselves the powers to create religious orders for the benefit of encouraging members towards particular aspirations and works. The Order of St John the Baptist is dedicated to Preaching the Gospel, Healing the Sick and Comforting the Mourner. The Order of Ave Maria is dedicated to promoting love and devotion toward the Virgin Mary. The Order of S. Teresa - The Little Flower is dedicated to promoting the Devotional Life according to the example of S. Teresa of Lisieux and sustaining the Priests of the Church by means of love and prayer.

For further information about Mar Georgius as a fons honorum, please see this page.

Foundation Charter of the Valiant Order of St John the Baptist
Foundation Charter of the Order of Ave Maria
Foundation Charter of the Order of S. Teresa - The Little Flower

In 2008, reflecting the fact that each Order was long-dormant due to the vicissitudes of the Ancient Catholic Church since their foundation, the present Metropolitan Primate regranted each of the Charters afresh, ensuring that each Order was now accorded perpetual validity within the Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church.

Renewal Charter of the Orders
Rule of the Order of Ave Maria
Statutes of the Valiant Order of St John the Baptist

The Orders are in the gift of the Metropolitan Primate, who appoints members to them in recognition of particular service to the church, and as a means of furthering ecumenical relations.

Video introduction to the Order of Ave Maria (.wmv format)

The Companions of the Cross and Passion

The Companions of the Cross and Passion are a fraternity of Priests and lay Brothers who live in their own homes, singly or in small groups. We affirm the historic creeds of the universal church as well as the Liberal Catholic Act of Faith. We do not take vows but commit to endeavour to live by the Passionist Charism, as exemplified by the lives of St Paul of the Cross and the other Passionist Saints.

We believe that the sacrifice of the cross, in which we mystically participate at every Mass, is the greatest sign of that Divine Love which is continuously poured out for the whole of creation. Just as the Passion and death of Christ was the necessary prelude to God's great demonstration of Divine Power over sin, sickness and death in the mystery of the Resurrection, so our contemplation of His Passion would be of little avail if it did not result in a demonstration of that Divine Power which makes all things well.

The spirituality of a Companion of the Cross and Passion is grounded and finds its fullest expression in the mystery of the Eucharist in which we meet the sacrificial Christ in his Risen and Glorified Presence. Frequent communion and regular Eucharistic adoration, as well as the Divine Office, the Rosary and other devotions should form a major part of the daily spiritual discipline of each Companion, according to the constraints upon his time and his state in life. Our spirituality is also expressed in the performance of works of mercy with a special orientation towards the care of the sick, the dying, the recently departed and the bereaved.

We encourage our Associates, likewise to offer works of mercy and a few minutes of Eucharistic Adoration from time to time, for our intentions and as a way of participating in our charism.

Although independent of the See of Rome and ecumenical, we are a culturally Catholic fraternity. In theological and ethical outlook we are liberal and inclusive. In the selection of candidates; age, marital status and/or sexual orientation are not our major concern, just a responsiveness to the Passionist charism and a desire to live it as best we can in our daily lives. Geographical location permitting we meet as regularly as possible for shared worship and mutual edification. The fraternity is governed by a Father Superior and all the Companions in Chapter, any decisions being reached by mutual consensus rather than majority wherever possible. The Superior is elected by the brethren and he appoints any other office bearers.

Members of the community minister to members of any Church or none and lay people, as well as clergy, are welcome to become “Associates of the Cross and Passion”. The sacraments, excluding Holy Orders, are freely available to any person of goodwill who requests them. Aspirants to the fraternity, whether candidates for Holy Orders or for the lay brotherhood must complete a six month probationary period under instruction before making a public Act of Commitment.

View the introductory video montage (wmv format; opens with all common media players).

The Little Rule of St Paul of the Cross

Become poor for the sake of Jesus.
May his Passion be always in your heart.
Be faithful to God's will.
Allow God to take root in you.
Through Christ may your whole life be a hymn of praise.
Watch and pray.
Love your brother in God.
Love God in your brother.
Share with others:
Be with them in their sufferings, their joys, their hopes.
May your favourite brothers be those who are poor.
May all creation bring you to love God.
Walk in humility, simplicity and peace before your God.
Hope... even when surrounded by unhappiness.
The source of your joy is the eternal happiness of God.



Vocations

For discussion of vocations to the Companions of the Cross and Passion, please contact:

The Rt. Revd. Mar Alexei, CCP, MA Div
14/4 Castleview House
Edinburgh
EH17 7RU
Mobile: 07817 767445
Land line: 0131 664 8384
alistair_bate@hotmail.com

Charter to the Companions of the Cross and Passion

The Order of St Michael's Great White Brotherhood of Light

This Order was formally chartered in 2008 as a revival and continuation of earlier spiritual work. The nature of the Order is that of a fraternal and specifically Christian organisation drawing on Co-Masonic, Gnostic, Martinist and Rosicrucian teachings, among others. The Order admits to membership solely those adherents of the LCAC who have passed the 3° in the Order itself or an equivalent rite and who are professed Christians. Both men and women are admitted on equal terms and assigned to a Lodge of the Order.

The word "white" in the title of the Order is a reference to spiritual energies and not to any racial context. Further information is here.