Statutes

Statutes

1. Constitution

1.1. Societas Sancti Iustini Martyris, hereafter referred to as SSIM or the Society is constituted as a private association of Christ’s faithful in response to the call to make a common effort to foster a more perfect life, in this case through the promotion of faithfulness to the magisterium of the Catholic Church, the observance of the Precepts of the Church and the carrying out of spiritual and temporal works of mercy. In particular to pray for the souls of those who served the Catholic Church in the cathedrals, shrines and monasteries of the British Isles (United Kingdom and Ireland) which are now either no longer used for Christian worship or are in use by other ecclesial bodies.

2. Juridical Status

2.1. The SSIM is a private association of Christ’s faithful as described in Canon 299[1].

3. Governance

3.1. The SSIM shall be governed by up to seven members, known as the Chapter.

3.2. The Chapter is presided over by the Master. It is the Master who appoints the Chapter.

3.3. It is the duty of the Chapter to collaborate with the Mater in the governance of the Society and to attend Chapter meetings convened in accordance with statute 3.8

3.4. Members of the Chapter (including the Master) who for whatever reason do not attend two successive ordinary meetings of the chapter shall offer their resignation to the Master who shall consider the matter in consultation with the other members of the Chapter. The Master may accept or decline the offer of resignation. In the case of the Master he submits his resignation to the full Chapter.

3.5. Should a member of Chapter be in breach of his obligations the Chamberlain, or another member of the Chapter shall propose to the master that the member be removed from the Chapter. This is for the Master to decide having first consulted the other members of the Chapter.

3.6. The Chapter, by simple majority vote, may remove the Master from office and appoint a successor and if necessary may revoke his membership of the SSIM.

3.7. Within the Chapter the following offices may be established. Appointments are made by the Master and confirmed by Chapter:

3.7.1. A Chaplain General with responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the SSIM, to be appointed from amongst the ranks of the clerical membership of the Chapter. The Chaplain must be a priest. If he is not already a member of the Chapter it is necessary that he is made so prior to assuming this office. Should any member of the SSIM be made a Prelate of the Catholic Church he will be an honorary Chaplain of the SSIM de facto unless he specifically wishes not to accept that position. The Chaplain General blesses the insignia of the Society. He may delegate the blessing of medals to be used in admission ceremonies to one of the honorary Chaplains or to any Catholic priest or deacon. He offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at least once each year for the members.

3.7.2. A Chamberlain with responsibility for the temporal goods of the SSIM, to keep the roll of members and see to other administrative matters as determined by the Master or Chapter

3.7.3. Other offices may be established from time to time as the needs of the SSIM determine with the consent of the Master.

3.8. It is the duty of the Master to convene meetings of the Chapter. These shall be held sufficiently frequently to enable to the business of the Society to be transacted.

3.9. A meeting shall be quorate when half of Chapter members participate in the meeting.

3.10. Meetings may be held without members being present in the same place through the means of electronic communication (e.g. internet or teleconferencing facilities).

3.11. All decisions of the Chapter shall be made though simple majority voting and shall be binding on the Society.

3.12. Should meetings of the SSIM or the Chapter include the celebration of Mass this is to be celebrated in Latin by one of the priest members of the Chapter or another priest invited by the Master. If a Prelate is present he takes precedence. And shall be invited to preside. Other clergy and the Chapter assist in choir subject to the provisions of relevant liturgical law.

3.13. Ordinarily all liturgical celebrations of the Society will be celebrated in Latin.

4. Membership

4.1. Membership is open to any member of Christ’s faithful, clerical or lay who is in full communion with the Sovereign Pontiff and who has attained sixteen years of age.

4.2. Full Membership is open to those whose habitual place of residence or of worship is within the British Isles (United Kingdom and Ireland).

4.3. Associate Membership is available to those who fulfil the conditions of membership but whose habitual place of residence or worship is not within the British Isles (United Kingdom and Ireland).

4.4. Members must have received the sacrament of Confirmation.

4.5. No distinction in membership is made between Catholic women and Catholic men.

4.6. Application for Membership of the SSIM is made to the Chamberlain and is subject to approval by the Master or the Chapter.

4.7. Members are admitted by the Master unless he delegates this to another member of the Chapter or because of distance to another commissary.

4.8. Any member of the SSIM may have his membership revoked by the Chapter without a reason being given. Such a decision is binding and has immediate effect. No appeal is allowed.

4.9. Membership of the SSIM does not confer any rights to a share of any property or assets of the society.

5. Duties of Members

5.1. Full members of the SSIM are duty bound to observe the following practices:

5.1.1. To say a Pater Noster, Ave Maria and Gloria Patri (in Latin) whenever visiting medieval churches, cathedrals, chapels or shrines which had once been Catholic places of worship. In doing so they are to pray to Almighty God for those who worshipped there in former times, especially the loyal Priests who offered mass there. They are to make an act of reparation for those who abandoned the Faith of our fathers and for the wrongs which may have been committed there. If the relics of the saints or venerable images are preserved in such places, members are to venerate them in a manner appropriate to Catholic practice. An intention should be offered for those who currently worship God in those places that they may come to the knowledge of the Truth and that all Christians may soon be united with the See of Peter.

5.1.2. To observe the precepts of the Church[i]

5.1.3.To pray regularly for fellow members

5.1.4. Priest members of the SSIM are to offer Mass for the members of the society at least once each year.

5.2. Associate Members are to observe the duties in 5.1.1 (above) as best they are able given their particular circumstances and:

5.2.1. To observe the precepts of the Church[ii]

5.2.2. To pray regularly for fellow members

5.2.3. Priest Associate Members of the SSIM are to offer Mass for the members of the society at least once each year

6. Insignia

6.1. Norms shall be established concerning the insignia of the Society. These shall be approved by the Master and published.

6.2. The liturgical laws governing the vesture of clerics take precedence over any norms and rules of the Society and prevent the wearing of insignia over Mass vestments.

7. Chapter ‘Titles’

7.1. The following ‘titles’ of the Martyr Patrons of the Society shall be allocated to members of the Chapter by the Master:

1. S Justin – The Master

2. S Thomas (Beckett) - The Chaplain General

3. S Restitutus (of Rome) – The Chamberlain

4. S Pancras (of Rome)

5. S Praxedes (of Rome)

6. S Edward (of England)

7. S Phillip (Howard)