The Uniqueness of

the Confraternity of Penitents'

Rule of Life

The members of the Confraternity of Penitents are living a modern adaptation of the original Rule for penitents, the Rule of 1221. The CFP recognizes three other groups who are also living modern adaptations of this same Rule. If you know of any others, please let us know about these brothers and sisters in Christ.

How does their living of the Rule of 1221 differ from the Confraternity's?

Three of the four groups living the Rule of 1221 are online. The CFP and another group are private associations of the faithful under their local bishop. The third is a lay association whose position in the Church is unclear from their web site. The fourth group is a Franciscan Third Order whose First Order of friars is subject to their sponsoring bishop. The three lay associations are on line; the Franciscan Third Order is not.

The Confraternity of Penitents was the first of the three lay associations to have an internet presence and to put its Rule and Constitutions on line. You will find affinity between the Rules of the other three groups living the 1221 Rule and the Rule and Constitutions of the Confraternity of Penitents. This is because neither the Rule nor the Constitutions of the Confraternity are copyrighted. Anyone may take and adapt portions of the Rule and Constitutions as they deem fit. It is important to remember that, no matter what the adaptation, all Rules which promote penance in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church are capable of bringing those who follow those Rules to holiness.

The Confraternity of Penitents rejoices as other groups emerge and embrace penance. In 1994, our founder felt an internal and persistent call to "Pray that more people will live the Rule of 1221 and enter this fraternity. Pray that more people will live the Rule of 1221 nationwide and worldwide." That petition has been prayed consistently and daily since it was first given. How delighted we in the CFP are that the prayer is being answered as more people worldwide live a form of the Rule of 1221!

Since the original call was to "live the Rule of 1221," the CFP Constitutions to the Rule of 1221 attempt to closely follow the original Rule while updating it for modern use. Some of the specific provisions of the CFP Constitutions, as compared to parallel provisions in other Rules, and the virtues they bring about, are as follows. This is not an exhaustive list but rather a highlighting of some of the major points of difference between the CFP Constitutions those of other groups.

FOCUS

The CFP Rule:  The CFP Rule and Constitutions focuses on penance (conversion to God) as preached by our Lord Jesus Christ and lived by St. Francis of Assisi as well as by all other saints such as St. Maria Goretti, St. Matt Talbot, Blessed Margaret of Cortona, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Vianney, St Therese of Liseaux, St. Francis de Sales, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and so many others. The Confraternity calls upon the vast history of penance in the Church from the first call by John the Baptist to "repent and believe the Good News" up to now. Pope John Paul II has exhorted all the faithful to embrace a life of penance (see the links to articles by him on our home page).

CLOTHING

Stipulations of Other Rules: All four groups ask that their members dress modestly. One of the other groups forbids sleeveless shirts to its members, strongly encourages below the knee skirts for women members, and forbids the wearing of jeans, sweat pants, sneakers, and such to Mass. Colors and patterns are up to the individual. This group also has a habit which is worn at meetings or other special group occasions only. Another group allows its professed members to wear a habit at home, in meetings, or in public religious gatherings but has no standard other than modesty for everyday garb. A third group has its members wear solid colors only and allows relaxation of the clothing rule on Sunday's and holidays while also allowing the use of jewelry given as gifts.

The CFP Rule: The CFP Rule and Constitutions define modest clothing as clothing that is meant to conceal rather than reveal. The CFP Rule and Constitutions do not mandate or forbid styles. Rather they require members to always wear modest, solid colored clothing in neutral colors (black, gray, white, beige, brown, ivory, charcoal, and other solid color earth tones which were the colors of natural fabrics in Rule of 1221) or blue (in honor of the Blessed Mother to whom the CFP is consecrated). Members are to  mix and match styles and colors so as not to give the impression of a habit. The objective of the clothing part of the CFP Rule is to blend in with the crowd, not stand out from it. The CFP Rule allows exceptions for one's employment (mechanics who wear red jackets emblazoned with the name of the garage) or for charity (all the bridesmaids are wearing lavender gowns). CFP penitents also lay aside jewelry with the exception of wedding rings, watches, a crucifix or cross pendant or pin, and small pierced earrings if needed to keep the earring holes from closing. Like religious who wear habits, CFP penitents follow these clothing parameters whether in the home or out of it, including Sundays, holidays, and gatherings of the membership. The penitent does not retain clothes or jewelry outside the Rule, even if given as gifts. Rather, they gift others with them.

Virtue: Detachment: Certainly this "giving up" of one's personal effects is a great penance. In addition, dressing so that no one suspects that one is wearing a certain type of dress is going to prevent a penitent from succumbing to spiritual pride which can come from appearing "holy." With this relinquishment of effects and their effect on others comes a great gain, the virtue of detachment. A pliers can grasp a screw only if it is detached from grasping the nut. When a penitent is detached from retaining clothing and jewelry, including those that are sentimental, he or she can more readily attach to God's Will.

FOOD

Stipulations of Other Rules: One group strongly encourages but does not require abstinence from meat on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, this group mandates bread and water (coffee or tea) fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent and the pre-Christmas fast which they mandate as beginning on All Soul's Day. Another group follows the abstinence provisions but does not mandate fast. A third group allows the spiritual director or confessor, as well as a physician, to mitigate or eliminate the fast and abstinence parts of the Rule. This group also requires fasting regardless of the penitent's age.

The CFP Rule: On days other than Solemnities and Sundays, the CFP Constitutions mandates specific days of abstinence from meat each week and yearly days and seasons of fast as well as daily fasting from food between meals, the only exceptions being for health reasons or charity. These days follow the Rule of 1221. The pre-Christmas fast is the Fast of St. Martin as in the original Rule of 1221. The Diocese of Providence asked that the fasting and abstinence provisions follow those currently practiced in the Church so the CFP does not mandate a specific type of fasting, such as a bread and water fast, and it also does not require fasting for those over age 59, as stated in current Church law. The CFP Rule allows only a physician to mitigate or eliminate the fasting and abstinence provisions for health reasons. The spiritual director can help a penitent decide how best to fast or abstain.

Virtue: Self-discipline: This giving up of eating whatever one wants whenever one wants is a great penance. The great gain that comes from it is self-discipline. Everybody needs food, but the need for food is too often confused with the desire for food. This is most evident in folks who eat only what they like. If something is served that they don't like, they "aren't hungry." It is difficult to over-estimate the self discipline gained by eating only certain foods only at certain times. Self-indulgence yields to self-discipline which opens the eyes of the soul to God's self-disciplining hand in one's life.

PRAYER AND SACRAMENTS

Stipulations of Other Rules: One group mandates a daily five decade Rosary plus a half hour of mental prayer daily and one hour per week of Eucharistic adoration in addition to a five minute nightly examination of conscience and Morning and Evening Prayer from the Divine Office. A second group also requires a daily five decade Rosary as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet and prayer seven times a day, although not necessarily the Divine Office. A third group allows various prayer options similar to those in the CFP but seems to give equal weight to all the options at the discretion of the penitent. The Rosary option is to pray a 20 decade Rosary, and if the Apostles' Creed and Psalm 51 cannot be said, three Our Fathers may be substituted. Daily Mass is recommended but nothing done in its place if not attended. Confession is to be monthly. A shortened form of a Marian Consecration Prayer is prayed daily.

The CFP Rule: Penitents living the CFP Rule pray a great deal. CFP penitents daily pray the Apostles' Creed and Psalm 51, since these were the heart of the Rule of 1221. The CFP penitent is to select a prayer option in consultation with the spiritual director. This option must be reviewed yearly with the spiritual director for applicability. The Rosary option is to pray a 15 decade Rosary daily, a reflection of diocesan examination of the Rule in 1998, before the Luminous mysteries were written. The CFP is the only one of the four Rules that offers a detailed outline of Psalms that may be prayed as one prayer option for penitents who do not have a breviary. The CFP Rule mandates twice monthly confession unless the spiritual director gives the penitent other guidelines. Daily Mass is encouraged but, if missed, the penitent is to pray a decade of the Rosary. The Marian Consecration Prayer as given to the Association by its first Visitor is prayed daily in its entirety.

Virtue: Recollection: In a society that is super busy, in which too many people are over-committed, many people find it a great penance to take time out of busy schedules to pray. Prayer is a penance. But praying brings about the grace of recollection. One stops "doing" and takes time to "be." When one realizes that the world goes on even if one isn't "doing something" to keep it in motion, one begins to reflect on personal values, on the end of life, on what is truly important. The recollected soul is quieted within. It can more easily hear the still small voice of God when He speaks.

GOVERNANCE

Stipulations of Other Rules: One group's governance is by a lay person termed a Superior General. There seem to be no stipulations for Council or elections on the web site, and no mention is made of any consecrated religious having governance rights over the group. A second group requires a male member to be minister (president) and to head up a four person Council subject to a spiritual director who is a Franciscan Friar. Terms of office are three years. A third group mandates yearly terms of office in its statutes but three year terms in its constitutions.

The CFP Rule: Following the Rule of 1221, the CFP does not mandate the gender of its officers. It adheres to one year terms with the exception of the term for the Minister General of the entire Confraternity. The exception for the Minister General was made with the agreement of the Diocese of Providence, RI, USA, where the CFP Headquarters are located. The Council consists of those in the original Rule--minister, associate minister, messenger, and treasurer. The Visitor, who must be a Roman Catholic priest, retains the authority over the association as stipulated in the original Rule.

Virtue: Humility: The CFP sees the wisdom of year long terms as was the case in the original Rule. No officer can ever feel that he or she has a mandate to make sweeping changes or to "take over." At the end of a year, he or she can be replaced. It is a penance to hold office and to hold it in trust. The gain of holding office for a year at a time is humility. Humility is the root of all virtues upon which the spiritual life is built. Only the humble will enter the presence of God.

POSSESSIONS

Stipulations of Other Rules: One Rule "highly encourages" no television, computer, dishwasher, microwave oven, electric can opener, bread machine, and so on. No more than two family vehicles are allowed per household and only one television. Another Rule makes no stipulations regarding possessions. A third Rule states that "homes and surroundings" ought to be "modest, simple, and inexpensive" but this "must not create more work or inconvenience for penitents or other family members."

The CFP Rule: The CFP Constitutions state that "Penitents should attempt to live as simply and inexpensively as possible according to their state in life. With the consent of their spouses and families, they are to have the minimum number of and least sophisticated appliances, furniture, furnishings, electronic aids, and vehicles as necessary" but this "must not create more work or inconvenience for penitents or family members." The subtle but qualifying elements in the CFP Rule are the phrases "minimum number" and "least sophisticated." The CFP Constitutions require that possessions be simplified in type and number. Since each penitent's situation is unique, the "minimum number" and "least sophistication" of possessions is left to the penitent and his or her family to decide.

Virtue: Simplicity: Modern life is complicated with many things. Clearing out what one does not need is a penance, particularly if one possesses a great deal. However, fewer and simpler possessions require less time and attention. Life is simpler if one has less to care for. As simplicity takes precedent in a penitent's life, he or she begins to discover what in life is truly important. The fewer things one has to care for, the more time one has to spend with God and others.

FORMATION

Stipulations of Other Rules: One group has a six month formation program, following certain guidelines but guided by the penitent, after which one may ask for profession. The period of formation can be extended as needed. The other two groups, like the CFP, have a four year formation program, which can be extended, although the formation is done differently for each. The Franciscan Third Order has a friar give instruction in group gatherings while those not present receive tapes of the meetings. There is no online instruction as there is with the other two groups. The other lay association allows profession before the time of formation is completed, at the discretion of the spiritual director or penitent. The spiritual director or Visitor may also waive formation for any penitent at any time. There are written formation lessons.

The CFP Rule: The CFP has a four year mandatory formation program which can only be waived if a penitent, who is already in formation, is in imminent danger of death. In this case, the Visitor can allow the penitent to pledge to live the Rule for the rest of his or her life. If the penitent lives, however, the formation must be completed in the normal manner. Formation is done in local groups, via internet, or by postal mail with written lessons which all members complete.

Virtue: Consistency: The CFP formation program brings about a consistency in the membership's training. Since all members must complete the same program, they all are instructed in the Rule, in Scripture, and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Since formation is not left up to the instructing party or to the penitent's choice, all CFP penitents can be assured of receiving complete instruction. As a group expands in membership, the wisdom of consistent formation for all its members becomes evident.  All the membership is thus formed  consistently in the same goals and virtues.

USE OF INITIALS

Stipulations of Other Rules: All three other groups, which are private associations of the faithful, permit the use of letters of the group after the penitent's name, to indicate their belonging to the said group. One group mandates the use of these initials as well as applying the terms "Sister" and "Brother" to members and capitalizing those terms.

The CFP Rule: The Diocese of Providence, RI, USA, to whom the CFP Rule and Constitutions were presented for review, has requested that CFP penitents not use any initials after their names since the CFP is a private, not a public, association of the faithful. In addition, the term "sister" and "brother" can be used but only in lower case, and only within the Confraternity membership, so as not to cause confusion with professed religious.

Virtue: Meekness: CFP members have no way to distinguish themselves from others, not even in written or printed correspondence where initials after one's name are most often used. This anonymity is a great help in acquiring the virtue of meekness, of littleness, of minority. CFP penitents are to be the least intrusive of all people and to call attention to God, not to themselves.

SUMMARY

These are a few of the major differences between the CFP Rule and Constitutions and those of three other private lay associations whose members are also living adaptations of the Rule of 1221. All Rules which are accepted by the Catholic Church as being suitable to live can lead a person to holiness. Those studying the CFP Rule and Constitutions and comparing them to others would do well to pray about which Rule best suits their own needs. The Holy Spirit will guide if one but asks.

May God bless you and all who consider a life of penance (conversion). Please contact us with any questions and hold us in your prayers.