Statutes & Rule of Life

Of the Association of the Immaculate Armor, a private association of the faithful

Sodalitas Armaturae Immaculatae

Nature & Purpose
Charism & Spirituality
Patrons & Devotions
Membership
Commitments of Members
Governance
Support of the Apostolate
Nature of the Association
Amendment & Dissolution

Article I. Nature & Purpose

The Association of the Immaculate Armor (hereafter "the Association") is a private association of the Christian faithful, composed of lay members who freely unite to pursue a common spiritual purpose in accordance with the teaching and discipline of the Catholic Church.

The purpose of the Association is to foster a life of unceasing prayer and meditation among its members, to cultivate the continual awareness of the presence of God, and to carry that presence into daily life as an "armor of peace and love."

The Association professes full fidelity to the Roman Pontiff, to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and to the Sacred Scriptures and Tradition.

Article II. Charism & Spirituality

The charism of the Association is unceasing, unhurried prayer: to give the whole of one's uncommitted time first to God, surrendering the duration of prayer to the movement of the Holy Spirit rather than to distraction or self-imposed limits.

Members seek to:

Make prayer and meditation the central practice of the Christian life;
Remain in interior stillness and closeness with God, rising from prayer when moved by grace;
Carry the presence of God into their ordinary duties as a continual, peaceful recollection.

This emphasis on prolonged prayer never dispenses a member from the legitimate duties of his or her state in life — family, work, health, and responsibilities. Catholic spirituality has always united deep contemplation with the faithful fulfillment of one's vocation.

Article III. Patrons & Devotions

The Association honors as its principal patrons our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception, together with the holy intercessors: St. Michael the Archangel, St. Raphael the Archangel, St. Padre Pio, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Joseph of Cupertino.

The Holy Rosary is especially commended to the members as a daily devotion and spiritual armor.

Article IV. Membership

Membership is open to all lay members of the Catholic faithful, without distinction of sex, who are in good standing with the Church, who accept these Statutes, and who sincerely desire to live the charism of the Association.

Membership is entirely voluntary and free of any required fee.
Members join by a free act of enrollment and may withdraw at any time.
Non-Catholics and inquirers of good will may participate in the public prayer resources of the Association, though formal membership is reserved to the Catholic faithful.

Article V. Commitments of Members

Members are invited — according to their state and ability, never under pain of sin — to:

Set aside a daily period of unhurried prayer and meditation;
Pray the Holy Rosary, in whole or in part, as able;
Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Holy Eucharist and Confession;
Live charitably and give good example in their family, work, and community;
Entrust themselves daily to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Article VI. Governance

The Association is governed by its lay members. In accordance with the law of the Church for private associations of the faithful, the direction, administration, and leadership of the Association belong to the laity.

The Association is led by a Director (or Coordinator) chosen from among the lay members, assisted by a small council of members.
No cleric holds governing authority over the internal direction of the Association by virtue of these Statutes.
The Association may freely invite a priest to serve as a spiritual advisor or chaplain for the sacraments and spiritual counsel, but such a role is advisory and does not confer governance.
Decisions affecting the Statutes or the common good of the Association are made by the council in consultation with the members.

Article VII. Support of the Apostolate

The Association is supported by the modest sale of devotional articles and resources that aid the life of prayer, such as rosaries and sacred reading.

All proceeds serve the mission of the Association: the maintenance of its website and resources, and the furthering of its apostolate of prayer.
The Association keeps honest records and conducts its affairs with integrity.
Devotional articles are offered as aids to prayer and devotion, never as objects of superstition or as a substitute for the interior life.

Article VIII. Nature of the Association

The Association is a private association of the lay faithful, formed by the free initiative of its members, devoted to prayer under the mantle of the Immaculate.

The Association is an independent lay initiative. It does not claim to be a religious institute, a public association of the faithful, or an officially erected body of the Catholic Church. It exists simply to help the faithful grow in prayer and devotion.

Article IX. Amendment & Dissolution

These Statutes may be amended by the lay leadership in consultation with the members, provided that no amendment conflicts with the faith, morals, or discipline of the Catholic Church.

Should the Association be dissolved, its digital resources shall be retired or entrusted to a Catholic purpose, and no member shall derive private benefit from its dissolution.

These Statutes are offered in a spirit of humility and obedience, subject in all things to the judgment of Holy Mother Church.