The Eric Michel Ministries International in Africa, the Benedictines of Our Lady of High Grace, is a Third Order of priests, brothers, sisters, and laypeople, founded in 2023 by The Most Reverend Brother Eric M. Gagnon, Metropolitical Archbishop. Our white habit is based on the traditional North African dress of a white gown (gandoura) and a white hooded cloak (burnous). A rosary is worn at the belt cienture to show we are people of prayer. Please note that the EMMI North American Third Order of Benedictines of Our Lady of High Grace, the habit is gray. The members of the White Robe Monks of Saint Benedict who wear a white tunic are not members of a Third Order.

About
A Benedictine Third Order that is lay individuals or families associated with the Benedictine of Eric Michel Ministries International, sharing in its spiritual life and practices without taking public vows, we strive for holiness in our daily lives by following the wisdom of St. Benedict’s Rule, living in the world but committed to the New Life Catholic Ministry community through a lifetime commitment.

What is a “Lay Benedictines?”
Lay Benedictines (also known as “Third Order Benedictines”) are Christians who belong to a Lay Fraternity connected to the religious order founded by St. Benedict.” The Lay Benedictine Order directs its lives around our four pillars: Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching.

What is a “Fraternity”?
A fraternity is a stable community formally affiliated with certain groups. In the case of Lay Benedictines, a Lay Fraternity is affiliated with the EMMI Benedictines of Our Lady of High Grace. This means that the fraternity is under the leadership and authority of different representatives of the Order.

What is an “Order”
Throughout the history of Christianity, groups of men and women have often created communities to serve God and His Church. Early monastic communities are examples of this, where individuals joined together to offer prayer, asceticism, and study under a common rule and way of life. Their rule and mission “ordered” their lives. In the West, the Benedictine Order of monks and nuns are an example of this. Later, during the Middle Ages, as the Church’s needs evolved, new orders were founded to address specific challenges. St. Francis, for example, founded the “Order of Friars Minor” in 1209 specifically to serve the poor in urban environments. St. Dominic founded the “Order of Preachers” in 1216 to preach against heresy and teach the faith. Benedict of Nursia (Latin: Benedictus Nursiae; Italian: Benedetto da Norcia; 2 March 480 – 21 March 547), often known as Saint Benedict, was a Christian monk. He is famed in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the Old Catholic Churches. In 1964, Pope Paul VI declared Benedict a patron saint of Europe.

Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco in present-day Lazio, Italy (about 65 kilometres (40 mi) to the east of Rome), before moving southeast to Monte Cassino in the mountains of central Italy. The present-day Order of Saint Benedict emerged later and, moreover, is not an “order” as commonly understood, but rather a confederation of autonomous congregations.

Benedict’s main achievement, the Rule of Saint Benedict, outlines the rules for his monks. Heavily influenced by the writings of John Cassian (c. 360 – c.435), it shows strong affinity with the earlier Rule of the Master, but it also has a unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness, which persuaded most Christian religious communities founded throughout the Middle Ages to adopt it. As a result, Benedict’s Rule became one of the most influential religious rules in Western Christendom. For this reason, Giuseppe Carletti regarded Benedict as the founder of Western Christian monasticism.

Each order is unique in its rule and its charism (its purpose). For example, the Order is unique in that following our rule is obligatory, but we are not bound to it under pain of sin, the way that members of other orders are. So, for example, we are obligated to pray the Rosary every day, but not under pain of sin if we don’t. Similarly, while there are many fine preachers in other orders, only the Benedictines devote their entire order to this purpose.

What is a “Third Order”?
Religious orders typically comprise monks, friars, and nuns who live in community and take vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience. However, many orders also have branches for those attracted to the order’s charism who are unable to live in community or take these vows.

For example, St. Rose of Lima could not join a convent as a nun because she needed to care for her family, so she joined the Third Order of St. Dominic, which allowed her to live at home while still participating in the order’s mission. Another example is St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, a parish priest who later joined the Third Order of St. Dominic to support the Order’s promotion of the Rosary. Obviously, married people cannot take a vow of celibacy, so many married people who are attracted to the charisms of different orders join their third-order branches.

Secular Franciscans, Lay Dominicans, and Benedictines are examples of third orders.

How does the EMMI Order fit in the Church?
The EMMI Order is primarily dedicated to preaching. As a result, many Benedictines work in parishes, offer retreats, write books or articles, or teach. For this reason, diligent study of sacred scripture, the Church Fathers, and other religious works is a hallmark of our Formation. Benedictines are also responsible for promoting the EMMI Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, which honours the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. Every Benedictine directs and orders his life towards successful preaching.

How do Lay Benedictines fit within the Order of EMMI?

1. Apostolic Sisters
2. Lay Benedictines, who run various apostolates and work in their private lives to preach the Gospel.
3. Priestly Fraternity of St. Benedict.

How do Lay Benedictines fit within the Ministry?
Lay Benedictines are faithful Christians in full communion with the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission. We serve God and the Church by supporting orthodox preaching, teaching, and catechesis. Lay Benedictines participate in the liturgical life of the Church through frequent reception of the sacraments, like confession and the Eucharist, and in our praying of the Divine Office (“Liturgy of the Hours”) daily.https://franciscanseucharist.ca/reading-of-the-day/ French https://franciscanseucharist.ca/lecture/

Lay Benedictines work in other ministries and apostolates serving the poor, volunteering at their parish, and, in general, sanctifying the secular world.

What are the obligations for a Lay Benedictine?
A Lay Benedictine commits to the following (though not under pain of sin):

• Following our rule
• Daily recitation of the Rosary
• Daily recitation of Lauds and Vespers (Morning and Evening Prayer) of the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) https://franciscanseucharist.ca/reading-of-the-day
• Attending and participating in Fraternity meetings, including the study of any formation materials or other materials as assigned
• Directing and ordering one’s life towards our pillars of prayer, study, community, and preaching
• Attending a yearly retreat

What is the process for becoming a Lay Benedictine?
Postulancy (“Inquiry”). A postulant attends meetings and studies the basics of the order to discern whether God is inviting them to join this fraternity. This process lasts at least six months. Afterward, the postulant may formally join the Benedictines as a novice. Postulants have no obligations other than listening for God’s voice, although they are encouraged to begin practices such as daily recitation of the Rosary and the Divine Office.

Novitiate. A Novitiate receives a scapular as a sign of their affiliation with the order and begins to live a New Life, including praying the Divine Office, reciting the Rosary daily, and entering more formally into formation. In many ways, a novitiate’s internal response to these three voluntary commitments is key to their discernment process. Someone who finds a daily commitment to saying Lauds and Vespers irksome rather than spiritually fulfilling, or who is unable to set aside time for formation materials, may have a clear indication of whether this way of life is a good fit for them. On the other hand, for many Lay Benedictines, these commitments fill a hole in our hearts we didn’t know was there.

Temporary Promises. At the end of the Novitiate (typically at least a year), the Novice may request to make temporary promises for a three-year period. In many ways, the difference is that what had been voluntary during the novitiate is now obligatory, and formation materials are more rigorous. At this point, someone is a full member of the Benedictine Order, with all obligations and benefits. Before temporary promises are allowed, existing members of the fraternity will vote on whether or not to accept you into their community.

Final Promises. At the end of this three-year period, the temporarily professed member will either make final (permanent) promises, renew (but only once) their temporary promises, or leave the Order.

The Rule
There is no separate “Third Order Rule” of Saint Benedict; instead, Benedictine Oblates (lay members of the Third Order) commit to living by the same Rule of St. Benedict as monks and nuns, adapted to their own secular lives and circumstances. This involves making a spiritual “oblation” to live according to the values of the Rule, such as humility, obedience, and prayer, within their families and communities.

Key Aspects of the Benedictine Rule for Oblates

Adaptation, Not a Separate Rule:

The Rule of Saint Benedict was not written specifically for the laity, but its wisdom has been applied to guide both religious and secular people for over 1500 years.

– Oblation of Self:
Oblates make an oblation, which is a spiritual “offering of self,” to live out the values of the Rule.

– Focus on Benedictine Values:
The Rule emphasizes core principles like:

• Humility: Developing a deep sense of humility and self-effacement, as outlined in the twelve steps of humility (Chapter 7).
• Obedience: Submitting one’s will to God’s will and obeying superiors, even when their actions might seem contrary to the Rule.
• Prayer: Engaging in regular prayer, both communal and personal, recognizing God’s omnipresence.
• Work: Performing manual work and other tasks for the glory of God and the good of the community.
• Balance: Seeking a balanced life of prayer, work, and leisure, and following a “middle way” rather than excessive austerities.
• Community and Service: Fostering mutual love and respect within the community, and serving guests and one another.

Spiritual Affiliation:

• Oblates are affiliated with a specific Benedictine monastery where they make their oblation.
• How it Differs from the Monastic Rule

No Vows or Community Living:

• Unlike cloistered monastics, oblates do not take religious vows or live in a monastic community.

Secular Circumstances:

• They apply the Rule’s principles in their daily lives at home, at work, and in social settings.