- Introduction and Caveat :
o There are formal requirements and curricula of formation for different Priories, Preceptories and Provinces of the Order, e.g. the Preceptory of the U.K.
o My own formation (described below) was somewhat different, having been organised by the Magisterium of the Order and conducted by the Provost of the Order (my co-sponsor) as, owing to the Order’s small numbers in North America, I was attached to no such structure.
o This paper organises the MSM formation process chronologically, for ease of understanding
- “Year Zero”: Basic Discernment
Discernment process guided by your Sponsor(s) into the Order, through meetings, correspondence and attendance of at least 3 Chapters, in order to answer the following:
o What has brought you to where you are in your life of faith? What is your “Catholic CV”?
o What are you looking for in the MSM?
o Do you have a vocation to an Order, to Obedience? (NB: Very important question in the Anglo-Saxon world, which so greatly values personal liberty)
o What questions do you have regarding the MSM Rule of Life?
o What are your spouse’s views on your joining the MSM?
Benchmarks:
o Recognition, on a personal level, of the importance of humility within the Order
o Consecration to Our Lady under the formula of St-Louis-Marie Grignion de Monfort
o Admission into the Order as a Brother-at-Arms, if so called by the Master
- First, Second and Third Years: Core Curriculum
Guided readings, captured through a series of 2-page papers, in the following areas:
Spirituality
o St-Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises
o Treaty on the True devotion to the Blessed Virgin (St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort)
o Rule of Saint Benedict
Chivalry
o Dom Gérard Lafond’s « Chevalerie d’hier et d’aujourd’hui » (Questions)
o Léon Gauthier’s Chivalry
o Biography of a Catholic Knight of your choice
Catholic Philosophy and Metaphysics
o S.T. Pinckaers’ The Sources of Christian Morality
o Mgr. André Léonard’s The Metaphysics of Being
Social Action
o HH John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation « Christi fideles laici » of 1987 on the vocation and mission of the laity in the Church and the world
o Ecclesia in Europa, Ecclesia in America Encyclicals
Benchmark: Graduation within the Order to the status of Squire, if so called by the Master
- Fourth Year : The Social Doctrine of the Church
Guided readings on the Social Doctrine of the Church, including select Encyclicals, etc.
Benchmark: A 12-page Memorandum on Chivalry to be prepared and accepted by your Sponsor
- Fifth Year: Focus on the Active Apostolate
Directed and personally-chosen social apostolates and acts of obedience on behalf of the Order.
Benchmark: Dubbing as a Knight, if so called by the Master
- The Rest of your Life
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Jean-Paul Gauthier, Old Brompton Oratory, London, 12th June 2011
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