Wednesday 4 January 2012

MSM Rule: Chapter XVI -Works of the Body and Mind

CHAPTER XVI - WORKS OF THE BODY AND OF THE MIND

1. The knights of Our Lady know that man is a unity of body, soul and spirit[1] (147). The human body is the expression of the soul and the temple bf the Holy Spirit[2] (148); it must therefore be pure, strong, agile and beautiful to every possible degree. By its attitudes, simple yet noble, in, perfect harmony with the soul, it must show forth the splendour of grace poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us[3] (149).

2. The knight of Our Lady prays with his body, and not in spite of it; he sanctifies himself in and through his body, not against it. He knows the value of gesture in the Liturgy, and in the spiritual life; he carefully avoids automatic and empty gestures, which profane the body; his genuflection is an act of adoration, and when he prays standing up, he honours in spirit and truth the Resurrection of the Lord, and his own to come.

3. The knight of Our Lady esteems manual work; especially if his station in life does not require it, he will practise it willingly so as to rest his mind, to exercise some practical skill, and to imitate our Lord Jesus at Nazareth.

4. Normally a knight of Our Lady should be prepared to undertake any mission and face any situation, however unexpected or perilous, for the service and defence of the Church and Christian civilization. Such a state of readiness presupposes constant and methodical physical and moral fitness, especially among the younger brethren. Officers of the Order will take care to see that training for this be not neglected.

5. Furthermore, the spiritual life of the brethren as well as their active life requires a human and religious culture which is always being extended. They will therefore always work at the study of theology and Holy Scripture, of secular and ecclesiastical history, of chivalry and the institutions of Christendom, and of the political and social teaching of the Roman Pontiffs.[4] (150)

6. The objects of the Order must be pursued in a practical manner. No brother should be content with a good will which is not translated into action. Each knight will therefore choose some special activity, with the agreement of his superiors, bearing in mind the needs of the time, his own tastes and affinities, and his general culture and his situational opportunities. He will then undertake to study his activity in depth and to join with others who have chosen the same subject.


[1] 147.       I Thes. 5, 23
[2] 148.       I Cor. 6, 19
[3] 149.       Rom. 5, 5
[4] 150.       Vat. II, Apost. of the Laity, no. 29

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