THE
ALL SOULS GUILD
“ETERNAL REST GRANT
UNTO THEM O LORD.
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. AMEN.”
The All Souls Guild also known as
the Lazarus Society is a Traditional Sarum Ministry
under the auspices of the Anglican Independent Communion
– Original Province The Guild/Society was duly
and canonically established by Apostolic Mandate on
the Feast of All Souls (November 2) 2009. We have
no connection with any similar Guild/Society or Association
presently active in any branch of the Historic Christian/Catholic
Church.
The main objective of the All Souls
Guild/Lazarus Society is to foster and promote the
teaching of MATER ORTHODOXA ECCLESIA ANGLICANA in
regard to the Faithful Departed. We do this by offering
special Prayers in our Ministry to the Dying remaining
with them as they finish their earthly journey and
Repose in the Lord. It is our firm purpose and intention
to carry out this “Liturgia of Ministry”
without the extremes and superstitious fables put
forth by the Bishop of Rome in the Dark Ages as well
as to avoid the errors and omissions of the Sixteenth
Century Non-Conformists and Sectarians. We resolve
deep within to perform this Ministry of Mercy; Decently,
Orderly, with Compassion, Dignity and to offer worship
(on behalf of our members) to the Almighty “in
Spirit and Truth”.
This important aspect of our Christian
teaching and Devotional life has been with us from
time immemorial. The early Church drew not only upon
the examples from the Apostolic Age; but reached back
to the Old Testament to fully illustrate the principle
of the “Communion of Saints” as expressed
in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. In order to fully
bring our Ministry to the Dying/Departed to fruition,
(1) we administer the Sacrament of Holy Unction (simple
or Extreme) as the particular need arises; (2) by
the Celebration of the Traditional Sarum Rite of Christian
Burial and (3) in offering (for our dearly departed)
the Requiem Eucharist or Requiem Mass as it is most
commonly called. In accordance with ancient Custom
and Rubrics prescribed by the Church, the Sacrament
of Unction will be administered by the Priest or Bishop
wearing a Purple Stole. All Requiem/Memorial Liturgies
will be celebrated wearing Traditional Black Vestments.
There are no exceptions with regard to Vestment color,
except in the case of Funerals for young children.
In such cases White Vestments will be used.
Our heartfelt desire is that our
witness and “Liturgia” of this most important
(often overlooked or misunderstood) aspect of our
Anglican Faith and Ethos will lead others to a proper
appreciation and understanding of the doctrine of
the “Communion of Saints”. We also endeavor
to emphasize and return the Church teaching of the
“Resurrection of the Dead” (as stated
in the Creeds) to its place in the devotional life
of our members and those who are making inquiries
about joining with us.
The raising of Lazarus from the
dead (St. John 11) by our Blessed Lord, clearly illustrates
the “hope of future glory” shared by the
entire “Communion of Saints”. THE CHURCH
MILITANT AND TRIUMPHANT! A more fitting Patron than
St. Lazarus for our Guild there could not be. Therefore,
all Guild members are encouraged to ask for the intercession
of St. Lazarus for the well being and Blessing of
the Almighty on this Apostolic Ministry.
The Roman Calendar makes no "official"
provision in setting aside a day to celebrate the
life of this holy man of God. The Raising of St. Lazarus
has always held a place of prominence within the Eastern
Orthodox and Historic Anglican Communions. In accordance
with our Sarum heritage and (Ordo) Calendar we celebrate
the Raising of St. Lazarus on December 17. A special
Mass is celebrated by all of our Clergy. All lay members
of the All Souls Guild/Lazarus Society are encouraged
to attend and receive Holy Communion at this Eucharist.
“ST.
LAZARUS; PRAY FOR US.”
"Come unto me all that
travail and are heavy laden,
and I will refresh you." (The Comfortable Words)
DEVOTIONAL
LIFE OF MEMBERS
Members of the
All Souls Guild/Lazarus Society are commended to perform
the following Devotions and Acts of Piety:
-
Daily Intercessory
prayers to include the Litany for the Dying and the Litany
of the Departed.
-
Reception of the
Holy Eucharist and special personal Prayers at all Requiem
Eucharist’s attended.
-
Encouraging the faithful
to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Unction in the form
of Holy Anointing or Extreme Unction as the particular parochial
circumstance dictates.
-
Use of all Guild
publications for personal spiritual growth as well as to
distribute to potential inquirers/members.
THE GUILD MANUAL
OF PRAYERS IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL GUILD/SOCIETY
MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES. CONTACT THE FATHER DIRECTOR
TO OBTAIN COPIES OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON MEMBERSHIP.
BENEFITS
OF MEMBERSHIP
DUTIES OF MEMBERS
- Diligence in maintaining
a Daily Devotional life as prescribed in our Manual of Prayers.
- To assist whenever possible at all
Requiem Masses celebrated by our member Clergy. Attendance
on the Feast of All Souls is mandatory for all members unless
health or geographical impediments make it impossible.
- Priest’s and Bishop’s
(members) are expected to offer one or more Requiem Masses
weekly as the Church Calendar permits. All Souls Day Celebrations
are binding on Clergy members. All Clergy will make full use
of the Sacrament of Holy Unction (as already described) as
they exercise their Ministry to Guild/Society members. Holy
Oil of the Sick (Blessed by the Bishop Protector of the Guild)
will be provided by the Father Director for the use of our
Priest’s (if they so need) upon request.
MEMBERSHIP
The All Souls Guild also known as the Lazarus
Society is a parochial outreach of the Anglican Independent
Communion – Original Province (AICA). Membership is not
limited to those who are members of our particular Communion.
Males in Holy Orders, Lay Brothers, Deaconess’s, Laity
and Parishes/Missions of other TRADITIONAL Christian Communions
who share the Historic Episcopate are most welcomed and encouraged
to become members. Applying for membership is designed to bring
peace of mind, comfort and ease into the lives of our members.
CONTACT THE FATHER DIRECTOR TO APPLY. HE HAS
NEARLY THREE DECADES OF PRIESTLY MINISTRY; MUCH OF WHICH HAS
BEEN SPENT IN BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING AND FUNERAL PLANNING. THE
PAST DECADE HE HAS FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED A NURSING HOME MINISTRY
FOR THE ELDERLY, SICK, INFIRMED AND DYING.
PLEASE READ ON
The All Souls Guild/Lazarus Society exists
strictly to provide Peace, Comfort and Blessing to all who seek
our Ministry. Unlike other organizations who claim to share
some of our objectives -------------------- we have nothing
for sale!
You will find no “trinkets” or
“magical talismans” being offered by us. Such blasphemy
has throughout the centuries given way to superstition and an
unhealthy view of Death leading to the morbid and macabre.
We print no “fee schedule” for
membership or Celebration of the Sacraments. All of our Clergy
cannot help but cringe when we hear (often times from sincere
but misguided folk); “How much do you charge to have a
Mass for my mother?” Our experience is that far too many
(often “episcopi vagantes” types) have actually
posted set fees for everything from Baptism’s to Funerals.
Not only does this fly in the face of our Blessed Lord’s
example of Ministry; but would in fact invalidate any Ministerial
Act performed by such individuals; provided there was any validity
there in the first place.
The Book of Acts clearly teaches that Hell
and Physical Death were the plight of those who behaved in such
fashion during the time of the Apostles. All such attempts to
“sell” the Sacraments since the Apostolic Era have
been termed as “Simony”. Appropriately so named
after the poor soul who first attempted to use bribery/monetary
recompense to extract the “Grace of God” and perform
Priestly Ministry for his own selfish end and for personal gain.
It truly saddens us that governmental laws in the USA are a
“breeding ground” for such sorry individuals who
normally operate “churches” via the Internet out
of rented rooms or apartments and perpetuate this shameful sin
and atrocity against the Holy Spirit.
A FURTHER WORD OF EXPLANATION
Having stated the above;
we all realize that everything associated with “this transitory
life” has some monetary consequence attached to it. Altar
Bread, Communion Wine, Candles, Vestments, Printing and other
basics are all essential and necessary to carry out any form
of Ministry. This being most unequivocally made clear; NEVER
WILL CLERGY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALL SOULS GUILD REQUIRE OR SET
FEES FOR ANY OF OUR MINISTERIAL SERVICES! Any such proven offender
would be dealt with by immediate dismissal!
In order to help defray
the above mentioned expenses our Clergy will gladly and graciously
accept any free will offering given by those who support our
Guild and understand the work our Clergy do. If travel is necessary
and it is within the means of a member to help with such an
expense; this is greatly appreciated. This is all that needs
to be said from our side regarding the monetary aspect of our
existence. MONEY WILL NEVER BE AN OBSTACLE FOR MEMBERSHIP AT
ANY LEVEL IN THE ALL SOULS GUILD/LAZARUS SOCIETY!
==========================
“IT IS A HOLY AND WHOLESOME THOUGHT TO PRAY FOR THE DEAD.”
(Sarum Rite Requiem Mass)
=================================
“ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THEM O LORD. AND LET PERPETUAL
LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. MAY ALL THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
THROUGH THE MERCY OF GOD REST IN PEACE. AMEN”.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & INQUIRIES CONTACT
The Rev’d Father Stephen Charles Marsteller, OCR
Director of the All Souls Guild / Lazarus Society
Oratory of St. Lazarus
930 Butler Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
(610) 252-8702
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