St Louise de Marillac Parish A Sign of Christ s Presence in the Community Constitution Chapter Number 944 Pittsburgh, PA Established October 4, 2016
Name: Parish: Was received as a Chapter / Auxiliary / Individual / Spousal Member of The St Louise de Marillac NOCTURNAL ADORATION SOCIETY On: Acknowledge by: STL NAS President
DAVID ALLEN ZUBIK By the Grace of God and the Authority of the Apostolic See BISHOP OF PITTSBURGH DECREE DECREE ESTABLISHING A NOCTURNAL ADORATION SOCIETY AT SAINT LOUISE DE MARILLAC PARISH UPPER SAINT CLAIR, PENNSYLVANIA Moved by a strong desire to foster piety, the pastor and faithful of Saint Louise de Marillac Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have presented to me a petition to erect a chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society Having received this petition, I am happy to erect a chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society as a personal juridic person, according to the norm of canon 116 2 of the Code of Canon Law Further, I approve the bylaws submitted for the formation of this chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society In accordance with the Code of Canon Law, both this chapter of the Society and the bylaws that govern it are to remain under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh The pastor of Saint Louise de Marillac Parish is ex officio, the Moderator of this Chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society and this applies to any successor pastor of this parish or its successors Furthermore, the Moderator is granted the faculty to receive new members into the Society and may delegate that faculty to any priest of this diocese in good standing Given on the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4, 2016, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania A b4l Most Reverend David A Zubik Bishop of Pittsburgh Very Reverend Thomas W Vice-Chancellor
May All Worship Be yours, O Sacrament Most Holy! Hail, O Purest Mary! Adorado Sea El Santísimo Sacramento! Ave María Purísima! May All Worship Be yours, O Sacrament Most Holy! Hail, O Purest Mary! Nocturnal Adoration Society NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 2308 MAYA DR LAREDO, TEXAS 78041 (956) 727-1405 Email: naslaredoheadquarters@gmailcom October 4, 2016 St Louise de Marillac Parish, Chapter 944 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Adorado Sea El Santísimo Sacramento! Dear Rev Fr Joseph Sioli and President Henry Rainone, Ave María Purísima! For over 200 years men like you have sacrificed to keep watch with our LordNocturnal Jesus Christ Adoration in the Society Blessed Sacrament in the silence of the night, NATIONAL offering HEADQUARTERS their praises to God and prayers 2308 MAYA DR LAREDO, TEXAS 78041 of reparation for the sins of (956) the727-1405 world The many brave men who Email: naslaredoheadquarters@gmailcom prevailed in times of trouble and persecution have become one October 4, 2016 in Christ and have created a worldwide Society of Nocturnalists St Louise de Marillac Parish, Chapter 944 Today, 320 McMurray we continue Road, to unite as men and women to worship and pray Pittsburgh, before PA the 15241 Blessed Sacrament for the needs of the Church and Dear the Rev world Fr Joseph at Sioli large, and for President eternal Henry peace Rainone, of our departed brothers and For sisters, over 200 and years for men strength like you have in our sacrificed commitment to keep watch for with our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in the silence of the night, offering their Evangelization praises to God and prayers ry keep of reparation you in her for the loving sins heart, of the world protect The and many guide brave you to our men Lord who Jesus prevailed Christ in times of trouble and persecution have become one in Christ It is with great joy that I, Rev Fr Alirio Corrales Gomez, and have created a worldwide Society of Nocturnalists Today, we continue to National unite as men Chaplain and women of to worship the Nocturnal and pray before Adoration the Blessed Society Sacrament in for the United needs of States the Church ofand America, the world at by large, thefor power eternal peace vested of our in departed me by the brothers and sisters, and for strength in our commitment for Evangelization Archconfraternity of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, bless and It is with great joy that I, Rev Fr Alirio Corrales Gomez, National Chaplain of welcome the Nocturnal you Adoration to the Society brotherhood in United of States our of Society America, and by the bestow power upon on vested you in all me the by the privileges, Archconfraternity benefits, of the Nocturnal and indulgences Adoration Society, granted bless as a and welcome you to the brotherhood of our Society and bestow upon on you all the full fledge member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society privileges, benefits, and indulgences granted as a full fledge member of the cc: Nocturnal May Raul Mendoza our Adoration Mother President Society Mary Nocturnal keep you Adoration in her Society loving heart, protect and Rev May guide our Deacon Mother you Raymundo to Mary ourkeep Lord Guevara, you Jesus in her loving Christ heart, protect and guide you to VP to US World Federation of the Eucharistic Works of the Church cc: Raul Mendoza President Nocturnal Adoration Society Rev Deacon Raymundo Guevara, VP to US World Federation of the Eucharistic Works of the Church
St Louise de Marillac Parish A Sign of Christ s Presence in the Community CONSTITUTION ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC 320 McMURRAY ROAD PITTSBURGH, PA 15241
NAS Statute 2 4, 5, 6 1 2 STL Nocturnal Adoration Society THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC NOCTURNAL ADORATION SOCIETY DEFINITION 1 The St Louise de Marillac Nocturnal Adoration Society is canonically established by the Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Pittsburgh as an autonomous, parochial Chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society of the United States 2 The Society is an association of Catholic laymen and women committed to praying with our Lord and Savior Jesus, exposed in the Blessed Sacrament; They offer Him adoration, thanksgiving, atonement, and petition, seeking to be with Him in the hours of darkness, as at the Garden of Gethsemane They give living witness to His Real Presence on earth 3 Membership is principally, but not strictly, from St Louise de Marillac Parish located at 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 in the township of Upper St Clair Adoration vigils are held in St Louise de Marillac Church 4 The Society is affiliated with the Archconfraternity of Nocturnal Adoration, established in Rome in 1810, through the Nocturnal Adoration Society of the United States, also known as the US National Headquarters Originally established in New York in 1928, the national headquarters transferred to Laredo, Texas in 1999 Its members share in all the spiritual benefits that accrue to the Archconfraternity and all Romechartered Societies in the Church 5 In virtue of the canonical establishment of the Society by the Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and of his formal approval of this Constitution, the directives herein contained have binding force and may not be changed without the Ordinary's authorization As a Chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society of the United States, any changes may not run counter to the National Headquarter Statutes 6
Could you not watch with me for one hour? 6 The Society observes all the directives set forth in the Statutes, dated May 18, 1990 This Constitution supplements the National Headquarter Statutes to accommodate the particular needs of this local Chapter PURPOSE 7 The Nocturnal Adoration Society has a threefold purpose delineated in the Statutes and reprinted here in paragraphs 8-10 This particular Society, in cooperation with the Diocese and Parish, and, in light of the spiritual benefits bestowed, takes on a fourth purpose delineated in paragraph 11 8 1) To provide a fervent response to Christ s invitation to keep prayerful vigil with Him (Matthew 26:38-40; Mark 14:37-38; Luke 22:40-46) a This response takes shape when there is formed an assembly of members who strive, through prayer to share in Christ s confrontation with the forces of evil Since this confrontation took dramatic expression in the Garden of Gethsemane at night, prayer in the hours of darkness, an ancient tradition in the Church, is rich in symbolism, significance, and inspiration 9 2) To deepen the experience of communion with Christ Eucharistic, as He continues His self-offering and saving influence a The Presence that Christ gives of Himself through the sacrament of the Eucharist is one in which He, though risen and glorified, is yet in the act of His redemptive sacrificial offering and unceasing intercession on behalf of the world (Hebrews 8-9) b Members of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, by praying in the presence of the exposed Sacrament, seek to be of one mind and heart with Christ in His priestly prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, atonement, and petition to the Father, in the Holy Spirit At the same time they worship Christ as Lord and Savior (See Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, No 80, June 21, 1973) NAS Statute Epilogue 4 5 7
NAS Statute 6 54 7 8,9,10 47,48,49 53,54,55 40 STL Nocturnal Adoration Society 10 3) To live more consciously and actively the full significance of the Eucharist as the Sacrament of charity and unity for the Church and the world a By living more intensely from the Eucharist, through the Mass and prolonged prayer before the Sacrament, members strive to acquire and actualize in themselves the spirit of Christ by which He placed himself at the service of others b In this way, members enter into and extend Christ s work of salvation, and manifest His presence to the world (See Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, Nos 80 and 81, June 21, 1973) 11 4) To pray to our Lord Jesus in the name of the Church and of the community specifically for the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope, our local Bishop and our Pastor at St Louise de Marillac MEMBERSHIP 12 Membership is open to Catholic men and women who are eager to enrich their prayer and Christian life by means of the Eucharist and who are willing to meet the minimum commitment necessary for one of the four categories of membership 13 The Statutes define four aspects to membership that apply to all Chapter members: a Conditions for valid membership b Membership duties and responsibilities c Spiritual benefits of membership d Deceased member benefits 14 The Society consists of four (4) membership categories: Chapter Member, Auxiliary Member, Individual Member, and Spousal Member a Chapter Members meet the minimal national conditions of membership as detailed in the Statutes b Auxiliary and Individual Members are not defined in 8
Could you not watch with me for one hour? the Statutes, but are category types utilized by National Headquarters to accommodate participation for people who are not able to meet the minimum national conditions c Spousal membership is not defined in the Statutes, but is a category utilized by this Society to recognize the enabling support of a Chapter, Auxiliary, or Individual Member s wife or husband in order to confer spiritual benefits to his or her spouse 15 Tables 1 and 2 (next pages) itemize the conditions for membership, the spiritual benefits and the deceased member benefits for each of the four membership categories 16 Good Standing: Chapter and Auxiliary Members remain in good standing by making at least half of their assigned monthly vigil hours a Members unable to meet an assigned vigil due to sickness, infirmity or other grave reason will remain members in good standing See paragraph 20 b Members otherwise unable to meet at least half of assigned vigils may be reassigned as an Individual Member or released from association with the Society Any change in member category for this reason requires the written recommendation of the President and written approval of the Moderator 17 All Members should report to the Secretary any monthly Offsite Adoration hours that are prayed outside of assigned vigil hours ORGANIZATION 18 Vigils are scheduled once per month throughout the year, typically beginning with Exposition on First Friday and ending with Benediction on First Saturday The Moderator or his assigned delegate will approve vigil schedules 19 Hours of prayer vigil are organized according to a rotating system including both rotating and non-rotating groups Groups are assigned to specific hours during each vigil NAS Statute 48 2) b) 47 1) a) 47 2) a) 11, 34 12, 13 9
STL Nocturnal Adoration Society Member Category Chapter Member Table 1 Chapter Member Conditions and Benefits Conditions for Membership Spiritual Benefits of Members Deceased Member Benefits Formal reception according to the prescribed ritual Exposition with only one or two present (privilege) Mass at the expense of the Society within 10 days of death announcement Declared promise to be faithful to an assigned vigil Designation to pray in the name of the community & of the Church Remembered each hour of each vigil in prayers for deceased members Inscription of name in the Society s official Register Plenary or Partial Indulgence Two Communions offered each year by all members 10
Could you not watch with me for one hour? Member Category Auxiliary Member Individual Member Spousal Member Table 2 Auxiliary, Individual and Spousal Member Conditions and Benefits Conditions for Membership Spiritual Benefits of Members Deceased Member Benefits Informal reception by the Chapter President / Formal reception optional Designation to pray in the name of the community & of Promise to make an of hour the Church adoration each month to an assigned vigil or offsite hour Inscription of name in the Society s official Register Plenary or Partial Indulgence Mass at the expense of the Society within 10 days of death announcement Remembered each hour of each vigil in prayers for deceased members Assigned by Chapter President Promise to make an hour of adoration as able to assigned vigil or offsite hour Plenary or Partial Indulgence Two Communions offered each year by all members Wife or Husband of a Chapter, Auxiliary or Individual Member Partial Indulgence Two Communions offered each year by all members 11
NAS Statute 13 48 2) b) 52 1) 50 51 STL Nocturnal Adoration Society 20 Members in good standing who are no longer able to maintain an assigned hour due to extended sickness, infirmity, or other grave reason are assigned to a non-rotating, non-scheduled group FINANCES a Members in this non-rotating group receive regular business correspondence b Members in the other groups offer prayers of petition for these members and their families c These members are encouraged, if at all possible, to make an hour of adoration (unbroken or in segments) wherever they may be or to offer their sufferings and prayers for the larger adoration Society local, national, and international 21 As a canonically established entity, the Society acquires a juridical personality with the rights and obligations of a moral person in the Church Because of this, the Society has the right to acquire, own, and administer property under the authority of the Bishop of Pittsburgh With such rights comes the responsibility and expectation to make appropriate expenditures and to pay its bills in full, on time 22 There are no dues in the Society Offerings are strictly voluntary 23 Members will be requested for donations on a quarterly basis The Treasurer will provide Members a brief accounting of expenditures made for the last quarter, for expenditures anticipated for the next quarter, and for the current available or deficit funding 24 Expenditures will be needed from time-to-time for items appropriate to the proper execution of the Society s activities as determined by the President and approved by the Moderator Examples of important expenditures include: a Mass stipends for deceased members b Annual donation to the parish to defray expenses such as the administration of reminder cards and other mailings to members, providing a token gift to the presider of Exposition and Benediction, and the costs of heating and lighting which otherwise would not be expended by the parish 12
Could you not watch with me for one hour? c Annual donation to the US National Headquarters to support its expenditures such as providing the monthly apostolate brochure and promoting Nocturnal Adoration in the United States d Purchase of supplies from headquarters for such things as the Office of the Blessed Sacrament books, NAS membership pins, and promotional materials 25 The Society s funds will be maintained by the Treasurer in an appropriate vehicle based on total dollar value and as agreed with both the President and the Secretary a The Treasurer will maintain at a minimum a quarterly register b The register will be audited annually by one officer and one non-officer Chapter Member c The President and Secretary will be prepared to render a faithful account of the Society s funds to both the Moderator and the Bishop d The beginning of the financial year will be July 1 to be consistent with the host parish financial year NAS Statute 51 1) 52 2) 13
INDULGENCES What is an Indulgence? An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven as far as their guilt is concerned The faithful, with the proper dispositions and under certain determined conditions acquire this remission through the intervention of the Church which, as minister of the Redemption, authoritatively dispenses and applies the treasury of the satisfaction won by Christ and the Saints 1 The aim pursued by ecclesiastical authority in granting indulgences is not only that of helping the faithful to expiate the punishment due sin but also that of urging them to perform works of piety, penitence and charity particularly those which lead to growth in faith and which favor the common good 2 There are three general grants of indulgences and 70 specific grants of indulgences Indulgences Applicable to Nocturnal Adoration Society Members Grant 3 Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Adoratio Ssmi Sacramenti) A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who visit the Most Blessed Sacrament to adore it; a plenary indulgence is granted, if the visit lasts for at least one half an hour 3 First General Grant (Applies to Spousal Members) A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, in the performance of their duties and in bearing the trials of life, raise their mind with humble confidence to God, adding even if only mentally some pious invocation 4 such as O Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you 5 A Spousal Member, attending to the family s primary duty, particularly the caring for children, enables her husband or his wife to attend a regularly assigned hour of Adoration Obtaining an Indulgence Applicable Norms Indulgences are only granted to the person seeking to obtain the indulgence A person capable of gaining an indulgence must be baptized, in communion with the Church and in a state of grace at the time the prescribed works are completed 6 1 The Doctrine Of Indulgences, Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI, 1967, norm 1 2 The Doctrine of Indulgences, Section IV, text in paragraph 8 3 Ibid, Grant 3, Adoratio Ssmi Sacramenti 4 Ibid First General Grant 5 The Enchiridion Of Indulgences, NORMS AND GRANTS, Authorized English Edition, Issued by the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, 1968, Appendix Pious Invocations, Example 5) 6 The Handbook of Indulgences: Norms and Grants Authorized English ed New York: Catholic Book Pub, 1991 norm 201
Pope Paul VI delineated 20 norms for indulgences in his Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine Of Indulgences Norms to guide Nocturnal Adoration Society members are repeated here 7 : N 2 An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due sin N 3 Partial as well as plenary indulgences can always be applied to the dead by way of suffrage No one, acquiring indulgences, can apply them to other living persons 8 N 5 The faithful who at least with a contrite heart perform an action to which a partial indulgence is attached obtain, in addition to the remission of temporal punishment acquired by the action itself, an equal remission of punishment through the intervention of the Church N 7 To acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary to perform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to fulfill three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff It is further required that all attachment to sin, even to venial sin, be absent If this disposition is in any way less than complete, or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will only be partial N 8 The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; nevertheless it is fitting that Communion be received and the prayers for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff be said the same day the work is performed N 10 The condition of praying for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless the individual faithful are free to recite any other prayer according to their own piety and devotion toward the Supreme Pontiff Additional Information on Indulgences To learn more about indulgences, including the three general grants and 70 specific grants, members are encouraged to read The Enchiridion Of Indulgences, NORMS AND GRANTS, Authorized English Edition, Issued by the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, 1968 This document and Pope Paul VI s Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine Of Indulgences can both be found online at http://freecatholicebookscom/books/indulgencespdf 7 The Doctrine of Indulgences, Norms 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 listed, actual text 8 The Enchiridion Of Indulgences, NORMS AND GRANTS, norm 3
Photo courtesy of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS)