“Proclaim with courage Our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world. Be messengers of the Gospel through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”.

In order to give themselves entirely to the evangelizing activity, and at the same time fulfill their ideal of perfection, based on their charism, the heralds of the Gospel, while remaining in the lay state, live in community, submitting to an Ordo of Customs, practicing the evangelical counsels of chastity, obedience and poverty while living a celibate life.

However, there are also many who feel called by grace to sanctify themselves and live in accordance with the spirituality, charism, and mission of the Heralds of the Gospel, and yet the obligations of their state of life do not permit a total dedication, thus necessitating other forms of membership in the Association. Over time, there developed different groups within this ecclesial movement known as Companions, Apostles or Tertiaries, comprising a special branch, inspired by the organization of certain religious Orders.

According to the Statutes of the Heralds of the Gospel, these Companions are those who, “while they identify themselves with the spirit of the Association, due to their priestly duties, or because they belong to an institute of consecrated life or a society of apostolic life, or due to their professional or family obligations, cannot give themselves fully to the work of the Association” (Statute 9).

Therefore, as married or single lay people living in the world, priests, deacons, religious, lay people of consecrated life or members of other associations or ecclesiastical movements, the Companions of the Heralds of the Gospel, besides observing the precepts and duties proper to their state in life, make an effort to live in conformity with the charism and spirituality of the Association, dedicating their free time to it and committing themselves to fulfill certain obligations.

They desire to apply to their daily life — in their family circles, during social activities and in the workplace — the spirit and teaching of the Heralds of the Gospel, being witnesses of Christ to their neighbor by both word and example.

The primary objective of the Association, according to its Statutes, consists in “being an instrument of sanctity in the Church, helping its members to respond generously to the calling of the fullness of the Christian life and the perfection of charity, favoring and encouraging the greatest unity between daily life and the faith”, and uniting itself to the efforts of all Catholics to participate “in the salvific mission of the Church through apostolate, to which they are destined by the Lord, in virtue of Baptism and Confirmation”, being especially active “in favor of the Christian evangelization, sanctification and animation of the temporal realities” (Statute 1).

To belong to a true ecclesial vanguard, in order to, at the dawn of the Third Millennium, contribute toward the re-Christianization of society and the establishment of the Reign of Christ, is the ardent desire of each herald of the Gospel, who has confidence in the victory of the Church of Christ.

“We do not know what the new millennium has in store for us”, stated Pope John Paul II, “but we are certain that it is safe in the hands of Christ, the ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 35).

They want to contribute towards bringing about the consecratio mundi, in other words, the Christianization of the temporal order to which John XXIII referred (Cf. Mater et Magistra, 214), a most important task of the laity in the New Evangelization.
In order to fulfill this mission, they spare no efforts, placing all their resources at the service of the Church, applying their intelligence and imagination to the most diverse activities, proclaiming the Gospel to all social classes, being active in parishes, homes and schools, in professional, cultural and sportive ambiences, on television and radio, in slums, hospitals, asylums and prisons, anywhere it is possible to bring a word of consolation, encouragement or hope.

Inasmuch as his duties and way of life permit, the Apostle or Companion also takes part in these activities, led by those whom the superiors designate.

At the same time, like any herald of the Gospel, they know that all their efforts will be useless, if their hearts are not intimately united to Jesus and Mary, for the interior life is the soul of the apostolate.

The pillars of the spirituality of the Heralds of the Gospel are represented in their emblem: the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin and the Roman Pontiff.

In the Sacred Host they seek the necessary strength not to falter in the path leading to the perfection of charity, and to courageously give witness to the Gospel.
Towards the most Holy Virgin they cultivate a filial piety, knowing that she is the best way to reach Christ. Following the Christ-centred and Marian school of St. Louis de Montfort, they consecrate themselves as slaves of love to Jesus through the hands of Mary.

It is through fidelity to the Pope, our Sweet Christ on earth and infallible master of Faith and Morals, that their Catholic heart best expresses their love for the Church.

The life of piety and participation in the liturgy of the Church are integral parts of their spiritual life, the lifeblood of sanctity and of the apostolate.
They are zealous in cultivating contemplation, custody of the heart and mental prayer, and they offer all their actions, even the most insignificant or inadvertent, as praise and supplication.

In the practice of Christian virtue, they place special emphasis on vigilance in avoiding occasions of sin.

They humbly strive to willingly obey their superiors, never seeking personal promotion.
They strive to practice purity of mind and body, which is reflected in their gaze, behaviour, manner of dressing and their pristine appearance.
Furthermore, they practice detachment from the goods of this earth, which they make use of solely for the greater glory of God.

The Ordo of Customs of the Heralds of the Gospel — composed of rules compiled over the years, from the habitual practices of daily life — constitutes a fundamental aid in the journey toward perfection, according to their charism, spirituality and mission. It helps them live in an ambience of fraternal charity, discipline and sacrality, seeking to wisely harmonize contemplation with action, prayer with apostolate, recollection and study with the commitment they have assumed of giving public Christian testimony.

Without prejudicing the duties of state — whether familial, professional or social —the Companion seeks to adapt his life to the spirituality of the Heralds of the Gospel.
It is also part of this spirituality to promote pulchrum with detachment. Here we touch on the core of the charism.

Many are the charisms raised up by the Holy Spirit, according to the historical circumstances and the necessities of the times. What is the charism of the Heralds of the Gospel?

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they admire the truth, virtue and beauty of the created universe (verum, bonum and pulchrum), as reflections of God.

“Truth carries with it the joy and the splendour of spiritual beauty. Truth is beautiful in itself”, teaches the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2500).

It is the same with virtue, “the practice of goodness is accompanied by spontaneous spiritual joy and moral beauty” (ibid.).

However, before manifesting Himself to men in words of truth, in order to ask for the practice of virtue, “God reveals Himself to him through the universal language of creation, the work of his…wisdom” (ibid.).

“The beauty of creation reflects the infinite beauty of the Creator”, for “God created the world to show forth and communicate his glory” (ibid. 341, 319).

Take note that it is not only to “show forth”, but also to “communicate”. “That his creatures should share in his truth, goodness and beauty — this is the glory for which God created them” (Catechism, 319).

To give witness to beauty, the splendour of virtue and of truth; to be a symbol of the infinite greatness and goodness of God, transmitting a note of solemnity and pulchritude, in all their manifestations, is the ideal of the Heralds of the Gospel.

In order to fully develop their charism, the Heralds of the Gospel envelop all their actions with perfect ceremonial, from the simplest — such as personal appearance, the manner of dressing, eating and praying, individual and social conduct —, to the most solemn, in community or in public, such as singing the Office, corteges, liturgical functions and ceremonies of a cultural or civic character.

They wear a habit that seeks to symbolize their vocation with pulchritude. In their emblems, symbols, standards, ceremonies, in everything, they want to show forth the beauty, sacrality and sublimity of the Order of the Universe, in order to exalt the grandeur and perfection of the Divine Creator.

With their presence, bearing, behaviour, manner of dressing, and treatment of others, even with their timbre of voice, the Heralds of the Gospel desire to represent a human type that proudly proclaims the Catholic Faith and a great love of the Holy Church.
In this manner they seek to interpret that which the Catechism sets forth in the following terms: “All creatures bear a certain resemblance to God, most especially man, created in the image and likeness of God. The manifold perfections of creatures — all reflect the infinite perfection of God” (41). “We must contemplate the beauty of the Father without ceasing and adorn our own souls accordingly” (2784).

One of the joys of the heralds of the Gospel consists in awakening in mankind that admiration for the marvels of the universe, of which John Paul II speaks. For only in this way can they transmit the enthusiasm that the world needs “to meet and master the crucial challenges which stand before us. Thanks to this enthusiasm, humanity, every time it loses its way, will be able to lift itself up and set out again on the right path. In this sense it has been said with profound insight that ‘beauty will save the world’” (Letter to the artists, 04/04/1999, 16).

It is in accordance with this charism that the Heralds of the Gospel — those who lead an entirely dedicated life, as well as the Companions — seek the perfection of charity in all things: “If I have not charity I account for nothing…if I have not charity, I am nothing… the greatest [of the three theological virtues] is charity” (1 Cor 13:2-3,13). They desire to attain sanctity itself.

As Pope John Paul II alerted, sanctity “is a duty which concerns not only certain Christians: ‘All the Christian faithful, of whatever state or rank, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity’”(Lumen Gentium 40, Novo Millennio Inuente 30).

“The whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction…. the paths to holiness are personal and call for a genuine ‘training in holiness’… This training must integrate the resources offered to everyone with both the traditional forms of individual and group assistance, as well as the more recent forms of support offered in associations and movements recognized by the Church” (Novo Millennio Inuente, 31).

“As the Council itself explained,” the Pope continues, “this ideal of perfection must not be misunderstood as if it involved some kind of extraordinary existence, possible only for a few ‘uncommon heroes’ of holiness. The ways of holiness are many, according to the vocation of each individual” (Novo Millennio Inuente, 31).

As any herald of the Gospel, the Companions participate in the special graces that God sends the Association. The Holy Father has granted them plenary indulgences in articulo mortis, on the day one is received into the Association, and on the feasts of the Chair of Peter (February 22nd), Our Lady of Good Counsel (April 26th) and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

They are grouped into Sodalities, organized in function of their parishes, or the proximity of a house of the Heralds of the Gospel.

To become a Companion, the candidate begins by making the preparation for the Consecration to Jesus Christ the Incarnate Wisdom, through the hands of Mary, according to the aforementioned method of St. Louis de Montfort. They are admitted afterwards, upon pronouncing the formula of the Consecration, during a ceremony in which they receive the Companion cloak, the insignia or pin by which they are identified, a Prayer Book and a copy of the Ordo of Customs.

The Prayer Book contains the prayers which Christians should pray at different times of the day, for example, upon awakening, before retiring, before and after meals, at the time of the Angelic Salutation, (Angelus), along with other prayers to increase the life of piety, obtain the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints, and to please God.

The Ordo of Customs, in its ensemble, merely serves as a guide of conduct and as an incentive to follow the path of perfection. The Companion is only obliged to keep the points indicated further on.
In the act of admission, the Companion also makes a Pledge of honor to fulfill some Obligations, established by the General Council of the Association, the violation of which, in itself, does not constitute a sin, or imperfection.

The following are the Obligations of the Companion. The general ones, valid for all, are called Resolutions; the concrete ones, some appropriate for the clergy, others designated only for the laity, are termed Commitments.

•Resolutions of the Companion

1) Lead a morally exemplary life.

The Companion should be outstanding by his or her exemplary moral conduct, remembering what Our Lord said in the Gospel: “If any should scandalize one of these little ones who believe in Me, it would be better for him that a millstone be hanged about his neck and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mt 18:6).

2) Seek perfection in all interior and exterior actions.

This resolution unites the obligation of every Christian to strive for perfection, following the counsel of the Lord — “Be perfect therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48) — to the charism of the Heralds of the Gospel, according to which, to give witness to beauty, to the splendour of truth and virtue, and to be a symbol of the goodness and the infinite grandeur of God, it is necessary to give a note of solemnity and pulchritude — which signifies seeking perfection — in all interior and exterior actions.

3) Promulgate devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist.

4) Promulgate devotion to Our Lady.

5) Defend the Papacy.

St. Thomas Aquinas says that zeal for souls is love in action. What more can the Companion of the Heralds of the Gospel do to practice love of neighbor, than spread devotion to the Eucharist, to Mary, and defend the Rock upon which Christ built His Church? By this, he strengthens his adhesion to the spirit of the Heralds of the Gospel, which is supported on these three unshakeable columns.

6) Model one’s behavior on the Ordo of Customs of the Heralds of the Gospel.

The Companion should seek to fulfill his daily duties of piety, listed here, according to the manner specified in Chapter I of the Ordo.

One should choose at least three of the acts listed in Chapter II (On actions practiced in private), that one will try to put into practice.

A) Daily obligations of piety:

1) Renew the Consecration to Jesus through the hands of Mary (at least in its abbreviated form).

2) Pray the Rosary, or at least five decades.

3) Pray a Salve Regina and the Litany of Our Lady.

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Lk 1:28), was the salutation directed by the Archangel Gabriel to Mary Most Holy. All the saints have realized that progress along the path of sanctity is possible with the help and intercession of Our Lady — dispenser of divine graces — and the daily prayers for the Companions are those most highly recommended to lead us to our Heavenly Mother.

4) Participate in the Eucharist whenever possible.

Participating in the Eucharist can sometimes seem like a burden. However, if the Companion considers the sublimity of the mystery of the Mass (the bloodless renewal of the sacrifice of Calvary), and pays attention to the readings (which teach us new lessons of wisdom, or help us to understand more profoundly those we already know) he or she will see in this celebration, an opportunity to be closer to God Himself.

5) Pray at least an Our Father, Hail Mary and a Glory Be for the intentions of the Pope, preceded by the ejaculation, “Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope N… may the Lord guard him and keep him, so he may have happiness on earth, and be delivered from the malice of his enemies”.

In addition to becoming more united to the Holy Father and through him to Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Companion also benefits from the indulgence attached to this act of piety.

1) Participate in the meeting and Mass of the Sodality to which one belongs.
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18:20). This is, therefore, another opportunity for the Companion to draw closer to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and thus receive many graces. Besides this, in the communal acts of the Sodality, whether liturgical or not, the Companion will find an excellent opportunity to practice love of neighbor, and work toward the progress of the group, since unity multiplies strength.

2) To the degree possible, make an hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

In His unfathomable goodness, Christ, having poured out such spiritual riches on men, still willed to concede an infinite treasure: to remain himself in Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity — present on earth, at the disposal of anyone who wills to seek Him to express his love, make a request, pour out afflictions, implore His help, or simply “talk”. The Companion of the Heralds of the Gospel is always thirsting for these encounters with God.

3) Receive in one’s home, the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This is an excellent way of putting into practice the desire to do good for souls, bringing them closer to Mary. In effect, what could be better than beginning in one’s own home, sanctifying it, strengthening its peace and family ties, edifying the spouse, children, relatives, neighbors and friends?

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