Requirements

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REQUIRMENTS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FRATERNITY. MEMBERSHIP IS AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATED IF THESE ARE NOT GENERALLY KEPT* . . .

  1. Always defend the honor of Mary at every opportunity.

  2. Say the daily vocal prayers prescribed by the fraternity, offered specifically for the intention of all members to persevere in chastity and to be steadfastly guarded against all impure temptation.

  3. Say a 7 Sorrows Chaplet on the first Saturday of each month, in reparation for sins committed against the heart of Mary.

  4. Participate, in some pious way, in at least one of the following minor lents: Our Lady’s Lent (Aug 1-15) or St. Michael’s Lent (Aug 15-Sep 29).

*Each member of the fraternity should be aware that none of these requirements bind under the pain of sin.

  FAQ  

  • This is not an officially approved or erected association under Church authority. It is an informal, lay-led initiative, which is fully permitted under Canon 215 and Canon 299 §1 of the Code of Canon Law. These canons affirm the right of the faithful to form associations for purposes of charity and piety. Our aim is to grow in sanctity and chastity through united prayer, in fidelity to the teachings of the Church—without officially representing the Church.

  • Register as a member using either a pseudonym or your real name, and providing an email address so that we can keep in touch with you. If anonymity is a concern, we accept burner emails. Once registered, preferably on a Marian feast day, begin saying your daily prayers and holding fast to the requirements in pursuit of chastity.

  • Occasional lapses in prayer do not affect one’s enrollment, provided there is general fidelity. However, if one ceases the prayers entirely, they are no longer members of the association and are asked to notify us to be removed from the membership list.

  • We believe in the fullness of the Catholic faith, united in faith and obedience to the Roman Church. We profess the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith; accept the authentic teachings of the Second Vatican Council; and adhere faithfully to the post-conciliar Magisterium. With filial loyalty, we submit to the teaching authority of Pope Leo XIV, striving always to live in communion with the Church, in Illo Uno unum.

  • Our Lady of Sorrows is the Mediatrix of All Graces—mediating even the grace of chastity. For centuries, this title has been associated with deliverance from impurity, healing from addiction, and strength in spiritual warfare. The Sorrowful Heart is a way of contemplating her most pure heart under the aspect of her sufferings, yet it always contains within it the fullness of her Immaculate Heart, which Our Lady promised would triumph in the end. Her Sorrowful Heart, pierced by seven swords, is a powerful source of intercession for those striving to overcome the flesh and follow Christ with undivided hearts.

    The Holy Face of Jesus, as testified by the Saints, is a tremendous source of graces for Catholics. Graces shine forth from the face of Jesus as rays of light from the sun. He is eager to furnish you with the graces needed for Catholic spirituality. We may also look to the Holy Face as a reflection of our own pain and struggle against sin, to unite our sufferings with His.

    St. Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, is our protector and guardian in the daily battle against temptation. As the leader of the angelic army, he defends us against the assaults of the enemy, especially those against purity. Alongside Our Lady, the Virgin of Virgins, St. Michael stands as a shining exemplar of angelic purity and godlike strength.

  • Yes. Membership in this association does not conflict with participation in other prayer groups or apostolates. You are welcome to join and offer these devotions alongside your existing commitments.

  • Membership is open to all males. Women are welcome to participate in the prayers and devotions, offering them in charity for the intentions of the Fraternity, but they are not admitted as members. Young men under 18 are REQUIRED to obtain parental permission and a digital signature for membership.

  • No. It is completely free. Though, we welcome charitable contributions to our fraternity which go toward providing for the members.

  • Other than the Morning Offering, which should be prayed at the start of the day, there is no required time for the other prayers. While it is encouraged to pray in the morning and evening, members are free to decide when to pray according to their judgment and daily circumstances.

  • You may honorably rescind your membership at any time by contacting us to request removal from the list. However, membership effectively ends when one ceases the devotions altogether.

  Membership  

Membership is available to all baptized Catholic males. Anyone under 18 however is required to obtain parental permission as well as a digital signature.

Membership is based on adherence to the practices of the fraternity, which directly supports the principal aim of the association. Failure to perform the strict requirements for membership results in an automatically imposed termination of membership without the need for formal resignation or judgement.

Any man whose membership has been terminated for any reason may resume membership by once again taking upon the responsibilities of the first degree. If he wishes to resume membership with the second, third, or fourth degree, he is required to seek an allowance from the Grand Knight and he is strongly exhorted to obtain approval from his confessor.

There are FOUR degrees of membership. Unlike other similarly structured fraternities, these degrees correspond directly to advancement in the virtue of chastity, and each entail a greater commitment to devotion. The FOUR degrees are:

1. Knight

2. Consecrated Knight

3. Valorous Knight

4. Master Knight

First Degree: KNIGHT

The strict requirements for this degree consist of the following:

  1. Always defend the honor of Mary at every opportunity.

  2. Say the daily vocal prayers prescribed by the fraternity, offered specifically for the intention of all members to persevere in chastity and to be steadfastly guarded against all impure temptation.

  3. Say a 7 Sorrows Chaplet on the first Saturday of each month, in reparation for sins committed against the heart of Mary.

  4. Participate, in some pious way, in at least one of the following minor lents: Our Lady’s Lent (Aug 1-15) or St. Michael’s Lent (Aug 15-Sep 29).

Second Degree: CONSECRATED KNIGHT

The strict requirements for this degree consist of the requirements of the first degree, as well as the following:

  1. Complete or renew a 33-day Marian consecration in the form of St. Louis de Montfort prior to the day of enrollment.

  2. Wear either a miraculous medal, a brown scapular, a St. Joseph cord, or a St. Thomas cord.

  3. Fast on every Saturday of the year in honor of Mary (one full meal, with two smaller meals that together do not add up to a full meal). If Saturday falls on a Solemnity, it is not necessary to fast.

  4. Obtain a voucher from a master knight, parish priest, or spiritual director or higher who testifies to your increase in sanctity and chastity, unless exempted by the Grand Knight or Vice-Grand Knights.

Third Degree: VALOROUS KNIGHT

Being a consecrated knight for one full year being a prerequisite, the strict requirements for this degree consist of the requirements of the previous degrees, as well as the following:

  1. Renew a 33-day Marian consecration in the form of St. Louis de Montfort prior to enrollment.

  2. Keep the Sabbatine privilege.

  3. Attempt to obtain 1 plenary indulgence each month for the soul in purgatory most devoted to Our Lady.

  4. Obtain a voucher from a master knight, parish priest, or spiritual director or higher who testifies to your increase in sanctity and chastity, unless exempted by the Grand Knight or Vice-Grand Knights.

Fourth Degree: MASTER KNIGHT

Being a valorous knight for two full years being a prerequisite, the strict requirements for this degree consist of the requirements of the previous degrees, as well as the following:

  1. Renew a 33-day Marian consecration in the form of St. Louis de Montfort.

  2. Engage in daily mental prayer for a minimum of 15 minutes.

  3. Attend weekly Eucharistic Adoration.

  4. Assist and mentor other members in the way of purity and holiness.

  5. Obtain a voucher from a master knight, parish priest, or spiritual director who testifies to your increase in sanctity and chastity, unless exempted by the Grand Knight or Vice-Grand Knights.

Dearest Jesus! I know well that every perfect gift, and above all others that of chastity, depends upon the most powerful assistance of Your Providence, and that without You a creature can do nothing. Therefore, I pray You to defend, with Your grace, chastity and purity in my soul as well as in my body. And if I have ever received through my senses any impression that could stain my chastity and purity, may You, Who are the Supreme Lord of all my powers, take it from me, that I may with an immaculate heart advance in Your love and service, offering myself chaste all the days of my life on the most pure altar of Your Divinity. Amen.

—St. Thomas

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