Title I – Preamble 
Section 1.01: This Constitution is established to implement provisions of the Rule of Life of the  Society of Christ the King (the “Society”) for the purposes of establishing a community of  Apostolic Life within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Called to a mindful awareness of our sacred vocations to live the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, let each member of the Society carefully adhere to these constitutions in all that they do. 

Title II - History & Purpose 
Section 2.01: The Society of Christ the King was established as a Society of Apostolic Life on the Feast of Christ the King, November 21, 2020. The Society was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary with the following objectives:  

1. The formation in and propagation of proper liturgy in the Roman Rite.  

2. The formation in and teaching of the true and sound doctrine of the holy Catholic faith that has been believed and upheld “everywhere, always, and by all,” substantiated and affirmed by Sacred Scripture and Tradition.  

3. The outreach and inclusion of all the People of God, especially those on the margins, in the one Church of Christ, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.  

4. Through prayer, penance, and charitable works, the ultimate purpose of the Society is to effect the complete Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ in union and in conjunction with the mission of the Universal Church here on earth.  

Section 2.02: The Society of Christ the King is comprised of single people, married people/couples, and families called as a spiritual family into a deeper relationship with the crucified Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Beloved. We experience this call to a spiritual family in everything we do in our daily lives.  

Section 2.03: 
What is the charism of the Society of Christ the King? 
All members of the Society are bound to the liturgy, to vowed life, to discipline, and to constant study and formation. The sisters and brothers of the Society are dedicated to truth, for Jesus is the “way, the truth, the life.”  (John 14:6). God has called us into the intimacy of his own Trinitarian life so that as children through the divine adoption effected to us through Baptism, we can cry out, “Abba, Father.”  (Romans 8:15) Moreover, we are meant one day to see the glory, the power, the love, beauty,  wisdom of God face to face. Whilst on pilgrimage, we share in God’s own self-knowledge through faith in Him, as He reveals Himself in the Word made flesh and the Word as preached.  The truth convicts, the truth redeems, the truth saves. The brother and sister of the Society are to live in that truth, to be converted and sanctified by it, and to preach it.  

Section 2.04: 
Guided by the Apostolic Tradition and the teaching of the Holy Gospel, this life of  love and truth is fundamentally expressed in the spirit of integration that exists at the core of our 
religious life. As clerics, we devote ourselves to the exercise of the ministry in caring for the living as well as for the dead, preaching, the administration of the sacraments, education,  spiritual direction, and other spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Ministry does not have one definition and may take place in a variety of ways. We realize this in the gifts that each member of the Society has and can share with others. As laity, our apostolate is in promoting love and harmony according to the Gospel to our friends, family, and those around us. In our lay vocations, we are to ask the Lord to bless our work and accept it as an offertory gift, uniting our little efforts with the offering of Himself that the Lord Jesus made on the Cross.  

Section 2.05: 
We integrate our individual vocation to live as single, celibate, or married persons in the clerical state while living in the midst of the world. The Society of Christ the King does not profess vows of poverty and chastity but, at a minimum, professes obedience, as is the norm in many religious communities. Our obedience is not blindly made but submitted with a clear conscience and with complete understanding and knowledge of the authentic teachings of our Catholic faith. Obedience is owed to our superiors insofar as they preach, teach, administer, and live the faith that has come down to us through Scripture and Tradition. As a fraternity of Apostolic Life, we make a commitment to the common life and fraternity with all those within the Society. 

Title III - Communal Life  
Section 3.01: 
The Society of Christ the King is a spiritual family bound to the Kingship of Our  Lord Jesus Christ and ever seeking the love of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God. Moreover,  the Society is bound to a life of service to the Mother Holy Church, which is the One, Holy, Catholic,  and Apostolic Church. As a true spiritual family in Christ, the Society is guided by the leadership of the Superior General, who acts as the spiritual guide to the members of the Society,  who fosters a more faithful adherence to the example of the Fathers of the Church, and who helps develop attitudes of interdependence, selfless service, and Eucharistic unity. 

Section 3.02: 
We are called to remain in constant union with the Church founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles, which is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We adhere to the historical and approved Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church, according to the Roman Rite.  Moreover, in the spirit of the charism of the Society, as expressed in its objectives, all brothers and sisters are committed to the celebration of the Sacraments in strict accordance with the rubrics and tradition.  

Section 3.03: 
As members of a Society of Apostolic Life, the habit for the Society will be the black cassock, with or without the black fascia/sash. A biretta of the color of the ecclesiastical rank may be worn at Mass and while in Choir. All other ecclesiastical garb shall follow the norm as set forth by the Roman Catholic Church, which the Society esteems as a source of unity.
 
Title IV – Prayer 
Section 4.01: A main objective in any community of Apostolic life is prayer. We accomplish  this through faithful adherence to the Catholic faith and the Apostolic Traditions: 
a. Eucharist 
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass retains the central position of our spiritual lives as  Catholic religious. The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth does not  simply express a daily experience of faith but recapitulates the heart of the mystery of the Church. Consequently, the gaze of the Church is constantly turned to her Spouse, present in the Sacrament of the Altar, in which she discovers the full manifestation of His boundless love.  
b. Rosary 
With a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who is the constant helper of the Christian people, it is therefore fitting that the brethren of the  Society accord Her honors and call upon Her aid with confidence that daily grows more ardent. The abundant blessings infinitely varied and constantly multiplying, which flow from Her all over the whole world for the common benefit of humankind, add fresh motives for invoking and honoring Our Blessed Mother. This is done through constant prayer of the Rosary by all members of the Society, whether privately or communally.  
c. Divine Office 
“Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice.” (Psalms  119:164) We view the Divine Office as an opportunity for continual prayer and the perfect accompaniment to the celebration of the Eucharist. As members of the Society are normally engaged in secular employment and family obligations, the time required for the complete recitation of the Divine Office can be burdensome. It would serve better for a few of the hours of the Office to be said prayerfully than for the entire Divine Office to be recited hastily. The recommendation is, at a minimum, the hours of Prime, Vespers, and Compline. 
d. Devotions 
Special attention is given to those devotions, which reflect on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and on His Blessed Mother. Additionally, we honor those saints who serve as examples of the life of Christian surrender. 

Section 4.02: 
When gathered in common for periods of prayer and reflection, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow a period of Adoration. 

Section 4.06: 
The celebration of the Eucharist is the ultimate expression of our faith and unity in Christ and is the life of the Church. It is, therefore, celebrated daily, when at all possible, with due reverence and devotion.  

Section 4.07: 
Our Blessed Virgin Mother is to be honored in a special way in our lives. All members of the Society are to recite the Rosary and faithfully observe the Votive Masses in Her honor, especially the devotion of the First Saturdays. 

Section 4.08: 
Each year, when possible, the Society will come together for a period of three days for retreat and prayer to devote itself to a more conscious spirit of recollection. When possible, this retreat shall be held in person.  

Title V - Penitential Life 
Section 5.01: 
We are called to live a life of continual conversion, penance, and reconciliation so that others might be inspired to turn to the comfort of the Spirit of Christ in their lives as well.  We are called to frequently partake of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) and the daily examination of conscience. 

Title VI – Formation 
Section 6.01: 
Both initial and ongoing formation requires a balanced understanding of the apostolic tradition, sacred scripture, and Marian spirituality.  

Section 6.02: 
The responsibility for the increase of vocations rests with everyone. This responsibility comes from the consciousness of offering to others a way of life rich in the Gospel values. Each member of the Society should fulfill their duty to promote vocations – first by the example of their lives, and likewise through the Evangelization activities and prayer of every member. 

Section 6.03:
 Formation is an ongoing process of conversion directed towards the fuller living of our Christian lives. The development requires the active involvement of the individual and the community under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this important work, so vital to the growth of our community and its effectiveness in the life and mission of the Church, we are guided by the principles found in the Apostolic Tradition of the holy Catholic Church, from which the Society derives its Apostolic Succession. All aspects of formation are to be in complete 
conformity to the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church, which serves as our reference or guide in areas that are not covered by our own rules and constitutions.  

Section 6.06:
Candidates for the priesthood are likewise to augment their formation with the appropriate academic, practical, and spiritual preparation prescribed according to Canon Law.  For members and postulants standing for ordination into Holy Orders, additional courses in the general categories of Sacred Scripture and Tradition, Church history, pastoral ministry, moral theology, dogmatic theology, and especially liturgical ministry will be required. Candidates will work closely with the Superior General in determining the necessary coursework needed.  
Section 6.07: 
As this Society’s primary charism is the faithful study, formation, and celebration of the liturgy, members will be required to take continuing studies that further their understanding, appreciation, and celebration of the Rites of the Church.  

Title VII - Entrance into the Society 
Section 7.01: 
When an individual recognizes the call of Christ, the community joins with him to begin the process of discernment. The purpose of this period of discernment is not to test the  “quality” or “worthiness” of a person before God or before the community. It is meant to discern whether the specific call within our community exists in the individual.  

Section 7.02: 
All expressions of religious life (Priesthood, Diaconate, or Consecrated Religious) must undergo the following process to allow sufficient time for the candidate and community to discern the ability and vocation of the candidate to adhere to our way of life. The process of entering the community shall be as follows: 

a. Inquirer: This period extends to the beginning of postulancy and calls for a minimum of two personal or technological visits with the community and an interview with members of the vocations committee. 

b. Postulancy: This is a three to six-month period designed to give the individual an opportunity to get to know the community in both ideals and practice while the community gets to know the postulant. During this period, the candidate will receive spiritual direction and support for growth in prayer and the interior life. During this period, the individual will also submit the appropriate applications, background reports,  and other supporting documentation to the Superior General for review.  

c. Year of Spirituality: After the postulancy, the individual enters the Year of Spirituality for a period of one year. During this time more intense instruction in the charism of the community takes place. This period includes the study for Holy Orders- if the candidate desires Holy Orders- but the formation for Holy Orders does not necessarily end upon the 
conclusion of the Year of Spirituality. 

Moreover, in the Society, ordination into Holy Orders can only come after an individual has become a full member. Individuals in the Year of Spirituality may use the suffix “S.C.R. Novice” with full awareness that the usage of the suffix does not imply full inclusion and membership in the Society.  

d. Engagement: After the novitiate, the individual is then admitted into the Society. At this point, the individual may affix the suffix “S.C.R.” after their to denote inclusion and commitment to the Society of Christ the King. 

      For members in formation for Holy Orders, inclusion into the Society does not necessarily signify that their diaconate or sacerdotal ordinations will occur at the moment of inclusion since formation for Holy Orders takes place independently. 
  
Title VIII – Government 
Section 8.01: 
The Society of Christ the King is a spiritual family in Christ, raised up by the Spirit of the Church, integrating the single, celibate, and married states of life, as well as those who are called to live in an intentional community with those who share a call to live together in a priory.  As such, this spiritual family shall be governed by the General Chapter, made up of the leadership of the various expressions of life. As one spiritual family, the community is guided by the Superior General and exists under the direction of the General Chapter, the Rule of Life, and the Constitution. 

More importantly, not possessing territorial jurisdiction, the Society does not have the power to elevate a priest to the territorial jurisdictional office of bishop or to impart jurisdiction where the same is lacking. 

However, the Society may impart ordination or consecration upon members of the Society who belong to communities that need a pastoral administration. Furthermore, the Society may impart sub conditione ordination or consecration on an existing member of the clergy who already holds a jurisdictional office but who has reasonable cause to believe that their Holy Orders may be considered of doubtful validity. In these cases, upon proper investigation, the Society may delegate its bishops to correct any perceived default by imparting unquestionably valid Apostolic Succession. Its bishops may also administer conditional Confirmation, and its clergy may administer conditional Baptism. 

Section 8.02: 
The General Chapter: Supreme authority in the Society resides in the General  Chapter. The General Chapter consists of all engaged members of the Society of Christ the King. 

Section 8.03: 
The General Chapter exists under the direction of the Superior General and his  Assistants, the Rule of Life, and this Constitution. The Superior General shall preside at the  General Chapter as its presider. If at any time the Superior General becomes unable to actively govern, the First Assistant will take the Superior General’s place.

Section 8.04: 

The General Chapter has the authority to govern proper to the general visionary concerns and stated goals of the community. This function primarily includes the direction of any general apostolates, ministerial foundations, and the amendment of the Constitution of the Society, when required. The Superior General shall convene the General Chapter every two years at a convenient time. They may convene an extraordinary Chapter in cases of extreme necessity.
 
Section 8.05: 
The Executive Chapter: Since many matters of the Society do not require the constant attention of the General Chapter, the General Chapter entrusts those lesser matters and daily management of the Society to the Executive Chapter. 

This Executive Chapter shall be composed of six (6) members from the Clergy and six (6) members from the Laity. If there are not enough members at the time of formation, it is preferred that, at a minimum, an equal representation of clergy and laity sit in the Executive Chapter. The clergy and laity shall select six from their respective groups to sit on the Executive Chapter. The method of selection is left to the clergy and laity to decide. 

Section 8.06: 
The Superior General: The Superior General possesses ordinary jurisdiction over the Society in conjunction with the General Chapter. The Superior General’s authority is exercised in accordance with the norms of this Constitution and with the consultation of the  General Chapter.  

A: Qualifications of the Superior General: Given the nature and mission of the Society, the Superior General must necessarily be a priest or bishop. Furthermore, a  newly-elected Superior General must already be a member of the Society.  

Section 8.07: 
The Superior General shall be elected by the voting members of the General  Chapter. The term of the Superior General shall be three years and may be extended by re-election. A two-thirds supermajority vote is required to elect a Superior General. 

Section 8.08: 
The First Assistant: The First Assistant assists the Superior General in all things pertaining to the daily administration and guidance of the community. When the Superior  General is absent or impeded, the First Assistant governs the community with ordinary authority in accordance with the above articles. This ordinary authority extends only to what cannot be postponed until the Superior General returns. Should the office of Superior General become vacant, the First Assistant temporarily assumes the role of Acting Superior General until a suitable replacement is elected in accordance with this Constitution. The First Assistant shall make no innovations that are contrary to the wishes of the General Chapter. 

Section 8.09: 
District Superiors: Should there be a need in the future, it is provided in this  Constitution to elect District Superiors to govern each District of the Society of Christ the King.  The term of office of each District Superior shall be four years and may be 
extended by re-election. District Superiors shall be elected by the members residing in the proposed geographical area.  

Section 8.10: 
Leadership Authority: The general leadership of the whole community exists under the authority of the General Chapter. The Executive Chapter derives its authority from the  General Chapter.  

Section 8.11: 
Loss or vacancy of office occurs by expiration of term of office, by resignation, or by removal and deprivation by the General Chapter. 

Section 8.12: 
For grave reasons and on the advice of the Executive Chapter, the Executive  Chapter may temporarily remove from office any person occupying a position within the Society.  An extraordinary meeting of the General Chapter shall then be convened to decide on the permanent removal of the individual. These proceedings can be made on any office in the Society, including the Superior General, First Assistant, Provincial Superior, and District Superior.

Title IX - Withdrawal and Dismissal 
Section 9.01: 
For activities that cause serious harm to ecclesiastical discipline or which are of scandalous nature, based on real unlawful conduct, competent authorities will call an extraordinary meeting of the General Chapter, and if the matter is of a spiritual nature only, the individual in question will be dealt with according to the rules of this Constitution. If the matter in question is of a criminal nature, local law enforcement will be contacted immediately by the local Superior. 

Section 9.02: 
Though the community submits itself to Church discipline, competent Church authority is not liable for any civil transgressions on the part of community leadership or  membership. 
Title X– Provisions for Second Order and Third Order

Section 10.01: 
There is a provision made for the creation of a Second Order of Consecrated  Religious should there be inquiry amongst the faithful to be attached to our way of life in the confines of the Religious Sisterhood or Brotherhood.  

Section 10.02: 
As this Society encompasses both clergy and laity, the original founding of the  Society does not include a Third Order. However, should the laity have a particular charism that warrants the separation and creation of a Third Order within the Society, the Third Order shall have their own set of Constitutions that will provide for their way of life as members of the Third Order. 

Title XI - Binding Nature of This Constitution  
Section 11.01: 
The General Chapter is competent to establish and repeal this Constitution.  Interpretation of laws established by the General Chapter falls within the competence of the  General Chapter.  
Section 11.02: 
Should there be for just reason or cause that the rules, provisions, and laws of discipline set forth in this Constitution should be dispensed, the Superior General, First Assistant,  Executive Chapter, and General Chapter shall pray on and discuss the matter. The Constitution and Rules can only be set aside after proper discussion and vote by the General Chapter.  
Section 11.03: 

The Rule of Life in this Constitution does not bind under pain of sin; however, we should strive to keep them with the greatest care. 

Here ends the Sacred Constitution of the Society of Christ the King.