The New About Us since October 2026: “The Independent Sacramental Movement”

Key Branches & Operations
The ministry organizes its work through several specialized subsidiaries:

  • The Interdenominational Assembly of Churches: A foundational EMMI branch that serves as an ecclesiastical umbrella body. It provides a framework for independent clergy and ministries to share resources and maintain structural connectivity.
  • African Churches Association: Operating as a subsidiary NGO, this wing focuses heavily on assisting small churches in developing countries. It helps under-resourced local pastors access educational materials, digital resources, and a network of publishers.
  • St. Benedict Chapel Oblate Group: Reflecting its sacramental, liturgical roots, the ministry maintains monastic-inspired affiliations, such as the St. Benedict Chapel, serving independent Benedictine- or Franciscan-style callings. (Eric Michel Member)
  • Wholeness Chaplaincy: EMMI strongly focuses on healthcare, marketplace, and community chaplaincy, validating independent chaplains who may not be affiliated with traditional mainstream denominations.

Note: Eric Michel is a Roman Catholic Voluntary member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)

Also a member of:

  • Roman Catholic Prison Ministry
  • Roman Catholic Mental Health Ministry
  • Roman Catholic Media Missionary
  • Roman Catholic Confraternitas Sancti Petri
  • Roman Catholic Confraternity of Penitent

Approach to Ministry
EMMI operates on a highly decentralized, multifaceted model that bridges traditional sacramental practice (such as regular chapel services and liturgical ordinations) and modern digital outreach. It relies heavily on digital databases, membership platforms, and e-learning resources to support bivocational clergy who minister to highly localized or marginalized communities.

Eric Michel Ministries International (EMMI) is part of a larger, global network of churches that share a similar DNA; they practice traditional Christian worship but do so completely independently of mainstream churches like the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches.
To break this down:

  1. The “Broader Eco-system”
    Think of it like an independent business network rather than a massive global corporation. EMMI is not an isolated group; it is one node in a larger web of hundreds of independent ministries, chaplains, and micro-churches worldwide. They share historical roots, theology, and resources, even if they don’t answer to the same boss.
  2. The Core ISM Shared Traits
    By being inside this “eco-system,” it means EMMI operates on the same core principles you see across the ISM:
  • The Rituals (Sacramental): Like the Roman Catholics or Eastern Orthodox, they value formal liturgical worship, sacraments (like the Eucharist), and ordained clergy.
  • The Autonomy (Independent): They do not answer to the Pope in Rome or the Archbishop of Canterbury. EMMI sets its own rules, manages its own finances, and decides who to ordain.
  • The Custom Fit: Because they are independent, they can pivot quickly to fill gaps mainstream churches might miss, such as certifying marketplace chaplains, helping tiny village churches in Africa, or offering flexible online training.

In short, EMMI is an independent player, but it plays the same kind of “sacramental” game as hundreds of other micro-churches around the world.

Eric Michel Ministries International (EMMI) is an independent religious corporation officially relocated from Ottawa to Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, serving as the ecclesiastical umbrella for a unified, secular religious charism.


External directories like the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM) list only the main URL (https://franciscanseucharist.com/), which points directly to our primary online portal. That site acts as the gateway to the ministry’s core “Vocation in the World,” which expresses itself through three distinct, complementary Third Orders designed for faithful living in society:

  • Third Order of the Franciscan of the Eucharist (TOFE): A Eucharistic-centred path focused on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and service. https://franciscanseucharist.com
  • Third Order of Franciscans of the Immaculate (TOFI): A Marian Franciscan path marked by total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary (https://franciscansimmaculate.org).
  • Third Order of Saint Benedict (TOSB Oblates): A path enriched by the Benedictine tradition, emphasizing the rhythm of ora et labora (prayer and work) and contemplative depth.

Operational Updates

  • Geographic Base: The organization’s focus has transitioned to Cornwall, serving the surrounding Eastern Ontario and Argenteuil, Quebec regions for localized, in-person appointments and blessings.
  • International Footprint: Administrative and subsidiary networks continue to operate internationally, including an active branch location in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Independent Sacramental Movement

Independent Sacramental Directory