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Version 1.1 - Jim Bolner – April 13, 2000

[Note: This draft lacks a full treatment of the consecrated life.]

Constitution of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate

[Note: Words in italics are direct quotes from Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, C.M.]

1. Our Lord had very much at heart the creating of a spirit, a missionary spirit, an evangelical burning that would sweep over the whole world. He came to cast a fire on the earth, and he willed that it would be enkindled (Lk 12:49). The Holy Spirit has enkindled this fire in our hearts. This is our heritage: an apostolic spirit, a Gospel spirit, a Catholic spirit. The Missionary Cenacle spirit is charity, charity aflame.

NATURE AND PURPOSE

2. We, the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, are a private association of the faithful, one branch of an apostolic family, whose members have been called by God to be missionaries in the Church. We have a special relationship with the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute. Together, we comprise the Missionary Cenacle Family.

2.1 Our Association is comprised of male and female Catholic lay persons seventeen years of age or older and deacons.

2.2 In our common vocation each is called primarily to holiness of life while sharing fully in the apostolic goals of the Association.

3. By our lives as Candidates and Associates of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate we seek first to glorify the Triune God. We follow in the footsteps of the apostles who, filled with the Holy Spirit, went forth from the Cenacle to spread everywhere the knowledge and love of Jesus. We live and work that God's name may be hallowed, that his kingdom come, that his holy will be done (Mt 6:9-10).

4. The missionary thought, the missionary idea, the missionary spirit should be dominant in our Missionary Cenacles. We meet the pressing needs of our day by undertaking works that the Church wants, that are good and necessary, and that have a note of abandonment about them. In all our apostolic commitments, we recognize the authority of the bishops and their special role as signs of unity and as pastors in the local churches.

4.1 We shall work in close cooperation with the Ordinary of the place where we carry on our apostolate.

4.2 We shall cooperate with the clergy in those dioceses where Missionary Cenacles are located.

5. Our specific mission is the preservation of the faith in the areas and among those people who are spiritually neglected and abandoned, especially the poor. Our chief effort is to develop a missionary spirit in the laity, with the goal that every Catholic be an apostle.

5.1 Thus our apostolate involves those who, because of the present circumstances of their lives, have little or no opportunity to practice the true Christian faith which they have, so to speak, by birthright.

5.2 In all our works we are to manifest a particular concern for youth, especially for their spiritual, moral development.

6. We are to have an ardent zeal for the poor, for those desolate in all things spiritual and for victims of injustice. Charity urges us to action on behalf of justice as an integral part of announcing the coming of the kingdom.

6.1 Thus we work by preference among the economically poor in both rural and urban areas in whatever way the apostolate might be best carried out. We labor to preach the Gospel, to correct injustices and to care for immigrants and minorities. We do this in response to the social teachings of the Church.

7. The Cenacle spirit is a Catholic spirit, a living, burning, operating love of God and neighbor. - We are to share this spirit by promoting and supporting the ministries of the laity in the mission of the Church. We acknowledge "different gifts but the same Spirit, different ministries but the same Lord" (1 Cor 12:24).

7.1 Thus we foster lay involvement in the mission and ministries of the Church not only as a particular aim, but as a part of all our apostolic efforts. We shall carry out each of our apostolates in such a way that our activity is marked by the recognition, the encouragement and the fullest possible development of the laity in the work of the Church.

8. We are to call forth apostolic men and women from everyday walks of life to become lay associates in the Missionary Cenacle Family. A family spirit should be demonstrated by loving regard among the members of the branches and, when feasible, by collaboration in apostolic works. It is our particular responsibility as lay members of this family to spread this Cenacle spirit by word and example,(to reach those noone else can reach). Father Judge declared that

if the right spirit is maintained, if the primitive spirit is passed down, this family idea will engender the most beautiful fruits for the honor and glory of God and for the edification of the Church.

SPIRITUAL LIFE

9. The Cenacle spirit is a Christlike spirit of "faith working through love" (Gal 5:6). We are to confess in hearts the mysteries of faith: the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We aspire to a devotional knowledge of these mysteries, that is, a deeply personal and interior faith that is restless until it finds expression in good works; our good works, in turn, nourish our life of faith and bear fruit in apostolic holiness.

10. We are to have a personal love of God our Father, of God's Son Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit who abides with us. In a particular way we cherish in our prayer and labor the naked, abandoned Jesus on Calvary. We express our love through personal service to his poor and abandoned members.

11. We are to make the Holy Spirit better known and loved. By steadfast prayer in our Cenacles we seek to attract the Holy Spirit so that our own hearts may be enkindled with God's love and that we may spread this fire to others. We ask to be filled with the gifts of the Spirit, wisdom and fortitude especially.

12. The Cenacle spirit is a Gospel spirit. In order to follow Jesus more closely, as set forth in the Gospels, we publicly consecrate ourselves to be apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ within the Missionary Cenacle Family as a fuller expression of our baptismal consecration. The uncompromising message of the Gospels calls us to exercise our prophetic role as witnesses to truth.

13. Our Act of Consecration and our commitment to the Missionary Cenacle unites us in faith, hope and love. We strive to emulate the early Christians who had one heart and one mind and were nourished by the teaching of the apostles, the breaking of the bread, and the common prayers (Acts 2:42; 4:32).

13.1 Each Associate shall show respect and love for all those working with him or her in the apostolate. In all their actions Associates shall strive to be responsive to the needs of his or her fellow members.

14. We shall hold the Word of God in high esteem. We cherish the Gospels in particular because they depict Jesus showing by word and example the way of the Father. By reflection on the providence of everyday life in the light of the Gospels we come to a devotional knowledge of the mysteries of faith and a deeper understanding of our own experience. Each shall have a copy of the Sacred Scriptures and make frequent use of them in prayer and proclamation.

15. The Eucharist is the center and sun of our apostolic lives. We are to worship God in the daily celebration of Eucharist, our sacramental participation in the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection. We should so prepare and celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy that it will be a genuine expression of community and source of apostolic vitality. We are to have reverence for the sacramental presence of the Lord Jesus and for all that are related to the Eucharist, especially the priesthood.

16. Because of our need for God's mercy in our brokenness, we are to approach the Sacrament of Penance frequently for reconciliation and healing. By our experience of sacramental forgiveness, we grow in mercy and compassion towards others.

17. The Cenacle spirit is a prayerful spirit. We recognize that only a spiritual person can lead an apostolic life, and that one cannot be spiritual without prayer. Great value, then, shall be placed upon periods of prayerful silence and recollection. We are to devote suitable time each day to personal prayer, meditation, and spiritual readings. Our reading should include Missionary Cenacle writings, and in keeping with our maxim sentire cum ecclesia, we are to reflect prayerfully on the documents of the Church.

18. Periodically we shall seek extended times of prayer and recollection. We are each to make an annual retreat. In order that we may be more attentive to the lights and impulses of the Holy Spirit in our following of Christ, we are encouraged to seek personal spiritual direction.

19. We are to glorify the Triune God through common prayer. We pray individually and collectively to promote greater zeal in the apostolate, more supportive community life and stronger bonds within the Missionary Cenacle Family. We shall encourage others to share our prayer.

19.1 In each Missionary Cenacle the Associates shall gather at regular intervals for prayer at times and in a manner suitable to their apostolic commitments.

20. Our prayer should not be narrow, personal prayer; it should reach the throne of God only after having touched the farthest bounds of God's creation and mourned in every human misery and rejoiced in God's goodness. We are to pray, therefore, for the needs of the entire Church, especially for the Holy Father, for bishops and for priests; we pray for youth and for those who are sick, suffering, or abandoned. We have a special obligation to pray for our living and deceased relatives, friends, benefactors, and members of the Missionary Cenacle Family.

20.1 Let the Associates remember their departed brothers and sisters.

21. In our Missionary Cenacle family we have a special devotion to Mary, Queen of the Missionary Cenacle, to Joseph, an unfailing and powerful friend, to the Apostles, ardent followers of Jesus, and to Vincent de Paul, patron of charity and humility.

22. The Cenacle spirit is an apostolic spirit, which finds its perfection in zeal, the white heat of charity. We are to become perfect in the spirit and virtues of the Cenacle, to live and die simple, prudent, humble, charitable... [persons of] sacrifice, of patience, of self-denial whose lives are spent consecrated to the service of God the Father, Son and Spirit.

22.1 The Associates strive to make the virtues, practices and devotions of the Missionary Cenacle operative in their lives.

CONSECRATED LIFE

23.. In the spirit of the Missionary Cenacle, we are to offer each other support and understanding, rejoicing with those who rejoice and sorrowing with those who sorrow. In a special way, our love is given to the sick and aging, who are our particular treasure in community.

23. 1 Associates who are sick should know that in a special way they are united with the suffering Christ for the salvation of the world. They will daily grow in holiness if they accept their sickness "with faith from the hand of their heavenly Father, and if they cooperate with the divine by showing every person through their earthly activities the love with which God has loved world" (Mt 5: 1-16).

23.2 The health of the members of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate should be seen as a special concern of the Associates.

23.3 We should seek out regular periods of rest and relaxation to assure a well- ordered life.

24. We imitate the poverty of Jesus who for our sake "made himself poor though he was rich, so that we might become rich through his poverty" (2 Cor 8:9). The virtue of poverty inspires us to be totally dependent upon the providence of God, to be subject to the common law of labor, to heed the cry of the poor and to live simply, using what we have for the honor and glory of God.

25. We are to be responsible stewards of the material God entrusted to us. Our Cenacle heritage, moreover, directs us to be generous in sharing with others and in offering hospitality.

25.1 There is the obligation of the individual members to practice the virtue of poverty by recognizing that they have a responsibility to be prudent in their stewardship of material goods.

25.2 We shall prudently avoid involvement with others in their legal affairs, in the drawing up of wills, in purely domestic matters.

25.3 We shall exercise prudence in discussing affairs of the Association both among ourselves and with others outside the Association.

25.4 We shall show Christian hospitality to others in the places set aside for that purpose in our Missionary Cenacles.

26. We imitate the obedience of Jesus, who "humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross" (Phil2:8). The virtue of obedience is grounded in faith and love, generosity and forgetfulness of self. Our obedience should be humble and of the heart, simple and entire, constant and strong in everything.

27. By our Act of Consecration we pledge to obey those persons who exercise authority in everything that pertains to the observance of the Constitution and the integrity of our Act of Consecration. We are to obey the Holy Father in virtue of our obedience and to show him a particular loyalty. (as head of our Church)

27.1 The General Custodian shall exercise his or her authority with humility and prudence. The Directory shall specify the process to be followed in commanding obedience.

27.2 We shall perform the works of the Association according to the prescriptions of the Holy See and the Constitution, in conformity with canon law. Periodic evaluation and planning will ensure continuing response to the pressing needs of our day and fidelity to our aims and mission.

27.3 Associates will be attentive to the policies fixed by the General Custodian and the General Council in undertaking and/or abandoning apostolic works.

28. Relying on the Holy Spirit, we are to seek together to discover God's Will in a climate of respect and trust. With genuine love, we call each other to grow in apostolic holiness through encouragement and mutually appropriate accountability. This practice of taking counsel in matters of common life and mission is a cherished tradition in the Missionary Cenacle. After prayer and counsel, we humbly accept the decision of those in authority.

28.1 Love for the Church and the Association has prompted us to adopt a process of conciliation. Consequently if such conciliation is desired, then procedures as outlined in the Directory and church shall be followed.

MINISTRY OF AUTHORITY

29. Religious authority is exercised by those chosen to call us to be faithful to our vocation as Associates of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. The functions of this authority are to assist each other to seek the will of God, to promote a true spirit of community and to unite us in pursuing our apostolic goals.

30. This authority, a ministry after the example of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mt 20:28), is to be exercised according to the Constitution and other statutes of common and particular law.

31. We recognize the value of counsel and consultation in important matters of common concern. In house council, we are to share the responsibility for decisions affecting the local community. Local Custodians and other designated persons exercise personal authority within their mandate.

31.1 An organized local unit of the Association shall be called a Missionary Cenacle.

31.2 Missionary Cenacles are established according to a procedure set forth in the Directory.

31.3 A local Cenacle must have a minimum of two members.

31.4 Local Cenacles may be suppressed by the General Custodian after a thorough examination of the facts and issues involved and after consultation with the Regional Custodian and with the General Council. The procedure to be used is detailed in the Directory.

31.5 If the Association or any local Cenacle ceases to exist, all its assets and properties shall be donated to a recognized organization conducting charitable work.

31.6 The chief officer of local communities shall be called local Custodians. They must be Associates for a period of at least two years prior to acceding to the office of Custodian. Local Custodians shall be elected by the Associates belonging to the local Cenacles.

31.7 The special duty of the local Custodian is to coordinate local efforts towards the common aims of the Association. Local Custodians are to regard concern for the individual and community leadership as their most important tasks. The particular duties of the local Custodian are specified in the Directory.

31.8 The term of a local Custodian is ordinarily one year but he or she may be elected to successive terms.

31.9 Local Custodians may be deposed by the General Custodian for grave reasons and only after consultation with the Regional Custodian and the General Council. The local Custodian shall provide leadership to the local Cenacle in accord with prescriptions of ecclesiastical law, the Constitution and the current legislation of the Association.

31.10 The local Custodian is ordinarily assisted by an Assistant Custodian who is elected by the members of the local Cenacle.

31.11 The local Custodian shall ordinarily assemble the Cenacle every month.

31.12 The local Custodian must ask the advice of the members of the local Cenacle in matters of importance.

31.13 The local Treasurer is chosen by the members of the local Cenacle.

Visitation of Cenacles

32. The General Custodian, either in person or by delegate, shall make the visitation of each Missionary Cenacle at least once during his or her term of office.

32.1 The purposes of this visitation include ascertaining the general welfare of the Association, revitalizing local community life and calling each Associate to renewed fidelity to the Constitution.

32.2 The Visitor must be an Associate who has made the Act of Consecration at least one year prior to making the visitation.

33. Full authority in the Association shall be exercised in extraordinary manner by the General Council of the Association. The members of the General Council shall be the General Custodian, the Assistant General Custodian, and the Regional Custodians.

33.1 The General Council shall meet at least once each year at a place determined by the General Custodian and a majority of the members of the Council.

33.2 The agenda and procedures of the General Council shall be set forth in the Directory.

33.3 A summary of the actions taken by the General Council shall be communicated to the general membership of the Association.

Election of the General Custodian

33.4 To be elected to the office of the General Custodian or Assistant General Custodian an Associate must have completed three years as a member of the Association.

33.5 The term of the office of the General Custodian and the Assistant General Custodian is four years. An Associate may be elected to successive terms. If the office of General Custodian becomes vacant before the end of the term, the Assistant General Custodian shall assume the office of General Custodian and the General Council shall take steps to hold elections for General Custodian and Assistant General Custodian. If the office of Assistant General Custodian becomes vacant before the end of the term, the General Council shall take steps to hold elections to fill the office.

33.6 Whenever feasible, the election of the General Custodian and Assistant General Custodian shall be held following the making of nominations of candidates for these offices by a General Assembly of the Association. The constitution of the General Assembly shall be specified in the Directory.

33.7 Each geographic region of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate shall elect a Regional Custodian and an Assistant Regional Custodian. The term of these officers shall be four years, but their elections shall coincide as closely as possible with the second year of the term of the General Custodian and Assistant General Custodian. The procedures for election of these officers shall be specified in the Directory.

33.8 The Regional Custodians shall be responsible for overseeing the work of the apostolate in their region. They shall seek counsel from the Custodians of the cenacles in their region. If there is a need for organizing a Regional Council, the Regional Custodians, after consultation with the General Custodian and the General Council, may organize such a Council.

The Powers of the General Council

33.9 In the General Council the most important matters that concern the whole Association shall be discussed. Each member of the General Council is free to propose any such matter. The General Custodian presides over the deliberations.

33.10 It is within the province of the General Council to determine the practical application of the Constitution, to care for the good conduct of the Association.

33.11 The authentic interpretation of the Constitution belongs to the Holy See. If the General Council wishes to change any part of the Constitution such changes must be approved by two-thirds of its members and the request submitted to the Holy See. Changes in the Directory require the support of a simple majority of the members of the General Council.

MEMBERSHIP

34. The apostolic spirit is a rare spirit, a priceless spirit, a spirit high above that of those who are ordinarily devout. This is the life of those great, self-denying, sacrificing lovers of Jesus Christ who strive to be good, to do good, and to be a power for good in the providence of everyday life.

34.1 We are each to encourage and foster vocations to our Association of the faithful. We look for candidates who, in addition to meeting the canonical requirements, manifest a love of God, a zeal for neighbor, and a spirit of sacrifice. The candidates are to be acquainted with the life and spirit of the Missionary Cenacle.

34.2 Any lay person or any deacon who is seventeen years of age and who is sponsored by an Associate may be a candidate for membership in the Association.

34.3 The responsibility of establishing norms for the admission and dismissal of candidates belongs to the General Custodian and the General Council according to the Code of Canon Law and the Directory.

34.4 Candidacy, which takes place prior to making the Act of Consecration, is a period of formal preparation for admission to the Association.

34.5 During the time of candidacy, the candidate shall take part in a planned program aimed at leading him or her to a mature commitment to and integration into the Association. The period of candidacy shall include an apostolic program aimed at the development of the personal spiritual life of the candidate as a member of our religious family.

34.6 The duration of the period of candidacy shall be determined by the Directory.

34.7 The candidates are introduced to the history of the Cenacle, and the significance of the Act of Consecration, according to our charism. At the completion of the period of candidacy, those candidates who are admitted to the Association make an Act of Consecration according to the Constitution.

34.8 Candidates shall be admitted to the program of candidacy by the local Custodian after consultation with the members of the local Cenacle.

34.9 Valid and lawful admission to candidacy requires physical, psychological, intellectual, spiritual canonical qualifications following current canon law and the current legislation of the Association.

34.10 The local Custodian and the members of the local Cenacle shall provide a program of formation for candidates.

34.11 Candidacy shall be a period of at least two years, but in extraordinary cases, at the request of the local Custodian and with the approval of the General Custodian, the period may be shortened.

34.12 The period of candidacy marks the formal beginning of person's life in the Association. It is a time during which he or she has the opportunity deeply to consider his or her vocation, to experience the Association's way of life, to become formed in mind and heart by the spirit of the Association and to test his or her suitability for life in the Cenacle Family.

34.13 The General Custodian, after consultation with the General Council, may dismiss a candidate prior to his or her making the Act of Consecration.

Observance of the Constitution and Directory

34.14 The Directory of the Association further specifies the observance of this Constitution.

34.15 Jesus is the Way and the Truth and our very Life. The Constitution will help us powerfully to walk in this Way, to live this Truth and to find this Life. The Associates shall esteem the Constitution and Directory, hold them sacred and keep them faithfully. They shall read them, meditate upon them and aspire to live them.

35. Fidelity to our vocation demands that we continue our spiritual, apostolic, academic, personal and social development, within our common goals and mission. We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us (Rom 12:6). In community we should be challenged to discover, develop, and use our gifts, lest the grace of God be given in vain (1 Cor l5:10). This is a lifelong process and, as we advance in age, we are to follow Jesus ever more faithfully in the power of the Spirit, until that day when, with him, we enter into the glory of the Father.

Do give this much thought, do hold yourselves responsible for the future of the Cenacle; do remember that as you are, so others will be. What more beautiful legacy can you leave than that of an example and life fragrant and rich in the Cenacle traditions. This means that even after your death you will be continuing your apostleship through others whom your virtue has attracted to the service of God. Such will be my constant prayer for you; do make it your constant effort.