Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

THE CONSTITUTION
of the
SODALITY OF MARY,
MOTHER OF PRIESTS

Mary is in a special manner Queen and Mother of priests.

Because of their resemblance to her divine Son,
Our Lady sees Jesus in each one of them.
She loves them not only as members of the mystical body,
but on account of the priestly character imprinted on their souls,
and for the sacred mysteries which they celebrate in persona Christi.
Blessed Columba Marmion

Sodalitas Mariae
Matris Sacerdotum
Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite.

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

1.

NAME

i.

The name of the organisation shall be the SODALITY OF MARY, MOTHER

OF PRIESTS founded in 2015 to enable priests to grow in holiness and to help
form those in discernment and training in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.

2.

MEMBERSHIP

i)

The Sodality of Mary, Mother of Priests is a community of Anglican priests.

ii)

Any bishop, priest or transitional deacon in good standing with a bishop in

communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury is eligible to join the Sodality.

iii)

If a priest who was previously in good standing with a bishop in communion

with the Archbishop of Canterbury joins another communion/Church he or she
will no longer be a member of the Sodality. However a priest whose good
standing lapses will normally be considered to continue as a member of the
Sodality.

iv)

Members are admitted to the Sodality at the annual retreat and General
Council. The Superior-General (or a member of the Leadership Council
delegated by the Superior) may also receive new members at other times.

v)

Members initially make a commitment for one year and this annual
commitment may be renewed for life. After five years those who wish to do
so may make a life commitment.

vi)

All members of the Sodality have an equal vote at the General Council.

vii)

Members of the Sodality will submit a report of their observance of the Rule
once each year in time for the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Reports will be
submitted to the local/regional Superior unless there is no local/regional
Council in which case the report will be submitted to the Superior General.

viii)

A member of the Sodality may be removed from membership by a majority

vote of the Leadership Council.

ix)

Membership shall comprise those who have made an annual or life-time

commitment.

3.

ASSOCIATES AND ASPIRANTS

i)

Associates and Aspirants to the Sodality do not attend and do not have a vote
at General Council.

ii)

Any Christian may become an Associate of the Sodality.

4.

THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

i)

The General Council will take place each year at the annual retreat.

ii)

A petition of one-third of the members of the Sodality may call an

extraordinary meeting of the General Council.

iii)

General Council will elect a Superior-General and an assistant SuperiorGeneral (by majority vote) for a period of five years. All priest members of the
Sodality are eligible for election.

iv)

In the event of the resignation or death of the Superior-General the Assistant

becomes Acting Superior General until a new election is held, which is
normally at the next meeting of the General Council but may be conducted by
email.

v)

The General Council will elect a Council Clerk and Treasurer for a five-year
term.

vi)

The General Council will receive annual accounts from the Treasurer and
approve any spending greater than 1000.

vii)

The General Council may alter the Manual or the Constitution by majority
vote.

viii)

The assets of the Sodality are to be used for the aim of the Sodality: the
sanctification of priests.

ix)

The General Council will approve the liturgical rites of the Sodality.

5.

THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

i)

The Leadership Council will consist of the Superior-General, Assistant

Superior-General, Clerk, Treasurer and the Superiors of the local/regional
Councils.

ii)

The Leadership Council will consist of twelve members. When there are
insufficient local Superiors to fill all the places the General Council will elect
additional members.

iii)

The Leadership Council will agree the formation of local Councils.

iv)

The Leadership Council will meet three times a year, once at the annual
retreat.

v)

The Superior General will call the meetings of the Leadership Council and the
Clerk will publish the agenda one month in advance of the meetings.

vi)

All decisions of the General Council will be by majority vote.

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

vii)

Members of the Sodality may only be removed from membership by a

majority vote of the General Council.

viii)

The Clerk shall keep Minutes of the Annual Meeting which shall be made
available for inspection by any member of the Sodality is so required. The
Clerk will publish the agenda for the General Council one month before it
meets. The Clerk is also responsible for keeping a copy of the Annual
Accounts.

ix)

The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies received and expended on
account of the Sodality. She/he shall present details of income and
expenditure at each meeting of the committee and acceptance of these shall be
recorded in the Minutes. All cheques shall be signed by at least two voting
Members of the General Council. The Treasurer shall prepare the accounts at
the end of the financial year to be independently examined. Accounts shall be
submitted to members at the Annual General Meeting. A copy of such
accounts shall be kept by the Secretary.

x)

The Clerk and Treasurer shall hold office for five years and shall be elected by
separate vote from among the members of the Sodality at the Annual General
Meeting.

xi)

An Officer shall be eligible for re-election provided that they are still a
member of the Sodality.

6.

THE EPISCOPAL VISITOR

i)

The Episcopal Visitor will present the Superiors Council Chapter with a
Visitation Report every three years and the General Council will prepare a
response.

7.

LOCAL COUNCILS

i)

Three priest members are required to form a local Council of the Sodality and
will be agreed by the General Council.

ii)

When a local Council falls to less than three members it shall cease to exist.
Any assets will be given to the General Council.

8. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

i)

Alteration of this constitution shall receive the assent of two-thirds of the

members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or a Special
General Meeting. A resolution for the alteration of the Constitution must be
received by the Clerk of the Sodality at least 28 days before the meeting at
which the resolution is to be brought forward. At least 14 days notice of such
a meeting must be given by the Clerk to the membership and must include
notice of the alteration proposed.

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

11.

DISSOLUTION

i)

The Sodality may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-third majority

of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the
purpose of which 28 days notice shall have been given to the members. Such
resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the
name of the Sodality, provided that if any property remains after the
satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such that if any property shall not be
paid to or distributed among the members of the Sodality, but shall be given or
transferred to a similar society for priests in the Anglican Communion by
agreement with the Episcopal Visitor.

This Constitution was agreed by members and adopted at a General Meeting held on
..

Signed:
...
Superior General
Address:

Signed:
.
Sodality Clerk
Address:

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

Signed:
Treasurer

Address:

....

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

NOTES
To avoid the vocabulary and language of other organisations and to indicate that we
are above all a community cell/chapter etc have been avoided and the language of
council has been used. This has New Testament warrant.
Structure:
Associates and Aspirants may attend all Sodality Days and the annual retreat but not
the Council meetings.
General Council
all members of the Sodality, meets one a year at the annual retreat
Leadership Council
12 members
Superior General and Assistant, Clerk, Treasurer
Other places elected from Local Superiors or by the General Council
Meets three times a year
Local/Regional or Diocesan Councils
Minimum of three maximum of 12 members
Elect a Local Superior
May meet bi-monthly