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RITE OF COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATIO
INTRODUCTION
38. The petition for “admission to commitment or consecration” in the Trinitarian Laity should be formulated according to the model indicated in the Statutes.
39. The commitment or consecration of a brother or sister in the Trinitarian Laity is an event which is of interest to the local Church: the brothers, nuns, sisters, members of the Secular Institutes and those belonging to the various lay associations of the Order. Thus they should be fittingly notified in a timely manner of the celebration of the rite so that they might have the opportunity to attend, or at least that all the members of the Trinitarian Family might share the event through a communion in prayer.
40. It is the right of the Conventual Minister or a duly named Delegate to preside at the Rite.
41. It is appropriate that the Rite should be held on a Sunday, or on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity or on one of the feasts proper to the Trinitarian Family.
42. The Rite should take place: during the celebration of the Eucharist, after the proclamation of the Gospel; or during Morning or Evening Prayer, after the proclamation of the Word of God.
43. If among the candidates for commitment there be a priest or deacon, it would be preferable that they should take part in the rite – in the context of the celebration chosen - while exercising the ministry proper to their order (in the case of a priest, by concelebrating at the Eucharist; in the case of a deacon, by proclaiming the Gospel…). They will go to join the other candidates only at the “Ritual for Commitment or Consecration” strictly speaking: from the time of the petition to that of the concluding prayer.
44. The Rite is drafted for a celebration for several candidates, brothers and sisters.
In cases in which the Rite is used for the commitment or consecration of a single candidate, or of only brothers or only sisters, the texts should be fittingly adapted.
I. DURING THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Introductory Rites and Liturgy of the Word
45. The Introductory Rites and Liturgy of the Word are celebrated in the normal manner. To call to mind the fact that the commitment or consecration is rooted in the basic baptismal consecration, on Sundays it is recommended that the penitential rite be replaced by The Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water (See Roman Missal).
If the liturgy permits, readings more suited to the occasion may be chosen.
RITE OF COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATION
PETITION
46. After the proclamation of the Gospel, all are seated. The one in charge of formation calls each candidate by name. When called, each stands and approaches the celebrant, who is located in front of the altar or in some other appropriate place. The candidates – or one of them in the name of all – stand and address together to the one presiding and to the President of the Laity the petition for “admission to commitment or consecration”:
Celebrant:
Brothers and sisters,
having completed the probationary period,
you have come before the altar.
What is your desire?
Candidates:
We humbly ask to be accepted
into the Trinitarian Laity.
We wish to commit ourselves according to our state in life
to live out and bear witness to the Gospel in the world
according to the charism of St. John of Matha,
for the glory of the Trinity
and the liberation of the oppressed.
Celebrant:
May the Lord, the Father of love and mercy,
grant you His grace and strengthen you in your intention.
R: Amen.
HOMILY
47. The celebrant preaches the homily, in which he comments on the readings proclaimed, explains the meaning of the commitment or consecration and speaks about the Trinitarian charism and the values of the fraternal communion existing among all the members of the Trinitarian Family.
48. Having ended the homily, the celebrant prays:
O God, Father of goodness,
pour out Your grace upon these, our brothers and sisters,
who dedicate themselves, with a renewed intention,
to live out their baptismal consecration in the Trinitarian Laity,
and grant them fervor and perseverance.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
49. Before the celebrant and the President of the Fraternity, one by one – or together – the candidates read the formula of commitment or consecration:
In Your presence, O Most Holy Trinity
and trusting in Your all-powerful assistance,
I, NN., renew the promises of my baptism
and promise to live them out,
making every effort to incarnate in my state as a layperson
the demands and commitments of the Trinitarian vocation
as they are expressed in The Trinitarian Way.
I entrust myself to Mary, the Mother of Good Remedy
and to the intercession of all the Saints of the Trinitarian Family
that they might help me to be faithful
to all that I have now promised.
In the event that the formula is ready by all together, each one should individually pronounce the conclusion, with these words:
This I promise. May the Lord help me
to be faithful to all that I have now promised.
50. Having read the formula, one by one they go to the altar, kissing it and leaving there the paper with the formula of the promise. Then they return to stand before the celebrant. The President of the Fraternity says:
Brothers and sisters,
with great joy we receive you into our Lay Fraternity.
Let all of us,
each according to his or her state in life and condition,
as members of this Family,
in communion and mutual collaboration,
live out the Trinitarian charism,
glorifying the Holy Trinity
and bring hope and consolation
to our poor and oppressed brothers and sisters
in the ministry of liberation.
May the most holy Virgin,
the Mother of Good Remedy, our holy patroness,
protect you,
and may you be assisted by our holy father John of Matha
with all the saints of our Trinitarian Family.
SIGN OF MEMBERSHIP
51. After the words of the President, the Celebrant bestows on each brother and sister the sign of their membership in the fraternity and in the Trinitarian Family (according to the custom of the place: the Trinitarian cross, a medal of the Most Holy Trinity, a ring…)
As an expression
of your membership in the Trinitarian Family,
receive this sign.
May it serve you as a remembrance of this moment
and an invitation to live with constant love
the commitment which you have assumed today
in the presence of the whole Trinitarian Family.
52. Immediately afterward, the Celebrant gives each candidate a copy of The Trinitarian Way, saying:
Receive The Trinitarian Way.
Faithful to its directives,
may you live out in your lay state
your Trinitarian vocation
in the Church and in the world.
53. Then, extending his hands over their heads, the celebrant concludes the rite with the following prayer:
God, almighty and merciful Father,
look down upon these our brothers and sisters
who have placed upon Your altar their promise
to follow Christ in the Trinitarian Fraternity,
and make their hearts attentive
to the voice of the Spirit.
Fill them with Your blessing
and strengthen them with Your grace
in their choice of the Trinitarian vocation
which will draw them near to all who suffer
persecution for the sake of their faith
or for the values of the Gospel
or because of the different forms of captivity of our time
or live in poverty and oppression.
May they be courageous witnesses to the Gospel
in their family, in their work
and in the different areas of our society.
Grant them light
to recognize their needy brothers and sisters
and great love to come to their aid
according to their means.
Grant, Lord,
that these our brothers and sisters,
and all of us who form the Trinitarian Family,
religious brothers and sisters and laity,
that we may promote justice,
communion and solidarity
among all men and women, and all peoples,
for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
54. The celebration continues with the Prayer of the Faithful and the presentation of the Eucharistic gifts. It is fitting that, during the offertory hymn, some of the new members of the Laity bring to the altar the bread, wine and water for the sacrifice, and possibly other symbolic gifts, especially for the poor. At the time of Communion, the new brothers and sisters can receive the Eucharist under both species.
55. At the end of the Rite, the celebrant, the President of the Fraternity, a witness and the new members of the Laity should sign the register of promises.
56. After the prayer, there should be time for socializing, congratulations and fellowship.
II. DURING THE CELEBRATION OF MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER
OPENING RITES
57. It begins with the opening versicles of Morning or Evening Prayer:
+God, come to my assistance.
-Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. (Alleluia.)
Then a hymn is sung, that of the Office of the day, or one to the Most Holy Trinity.
COMMENTARY
58. At the end of the hymn, if opportune, the one presiding directs a brief introductory commentary to the candidates and the assembly.
PSALMODY
59. The psalmody follows: the psalms and antiphons of the Office that is being celebrated.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
60. The psalmody is followed by the proclamation of the Biblical reading corresponding to the Office of the day, or one chosen for the occasion.
A short responsory follows.
RITE OF THE PROMISE
PETITION
61. After the responsory, all are seated. The one in charge of formation calls each candidate by name. When called, each stands and approaches the celebrant, who is located in front of the altar or in some other appropriate place. The candidates – or one of them in the name of all – stand and address together to the one presiding and to the President of the Laity the petition for “admission to commitment or consecration”:
Celebrant:
Brothers and sisters,
you have completed the probationary period.
What is your desire?
Candidates:
We humbly ask to be accepted
into the Trinitarian Laity.
We wish to commit ourselves according to our state in life
to live out and bear witness to the Gospel in the world
according to the charism of St. John of Matha,
for the glory of the Trinity
and the liberation of the oppressed.
Celebrant:
May the Lord, the Father of love and mercy,
grant you His grace and strengthen you in your intention.
R: Amen.
HOMILY
62. The celebrant preaches the homily, in which he comments on the readings proclaimed, explains the meaning of the commitment or consecration and speaks about the Trinitarian charism and the values of the fraternal communion existing among all the members of the Trinitarian Family.
48. Having ended the homily, the celebrant prays:
O God, Father of goodness,
pour out Your grace upon these, our brothers and sisters,
who dedicate themselves, with a renewed intention,
to live out their baptismal consecration in the Trinitarian Laity,
and grant them fervor and perseverance.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
49. Before the celebrant and the President of the Fraternity, one by one – or together – the candidates read the formula of commitment or consecration:
In Your presence, O Most Holy Trinity
and trusting in Your all-powerful assistance,
I, NN., renew the promises of my baptism
and promise to live them out,
making every effort to incarnate in my state as a layperson
the demands and commitments of the Trinitarian vocation
as they are expressed in The Trinitarian Way.
I entrust myself to Mary, the Mother of Good Remedy
and to the intercession of all the Saints of the Trinitarian Family
that they might help me to be faithful
to all that I have now promised.
In the event that the formula is ready by all together, each one should individually pronounce the conclusion, with these words:
This I promise. May the Lord help me
to be faithful to all that I have now promised.
65. Having read the formula, one by one they go to the altar, kissing it and leaving there the paper with the formula of the promise. Then they return to stand before the celebrant. The President of the Fraternity says:
Brothers and sisters,
with great joy we receive you into our Lay Fraternity.
Let all of us,
each according to his or her state in life and condition,
as members of this Family,
in communion and mutual collaboration,
live out the Trinitarian charism,
glorifying the Holy Trinity
and bring hope and consolation
to our poor and oppressed brothers and sisters
in the ministry of liberation.
May the most holy Virgin,
the Mother of Good Remedy, our holy patroness,
protect you,
and may you be assisted by our holy father John of Matha
with all the saints of our Trinitarian Family.
SIGN OF MEMBERSHIP
66. After the words of the President, the Celebrant bestows on each brother and sister the sign of their membership in the fraternity and in the Trinitarian Family (according to the custom of the place: the Trinitarian cross, a medal of the Most Holy Trinity, a ring…)
As an expression
of your membership in the Trinitarian Family,
receive this sign.
May it serve you as a remembrance of this moment
and an invitation to live with constant love
the commitment which you have assumed today
in the presence of the whole Trinitarian Family.
67. Immediately afterward, the Celebrant gives each candidate a copy of The Trinitarian Way, saying:
Receive The Trinitarian Way.
Faithful to its directives,
may you live out in your lay state
your Trinitarian vocation
in the Church and in the world.
68. Then, extending his hands over their heads, the celebrant concludes the rite with the following prayer:
God, almighty and merciful Father,
look down upon these our brothers and sisters
who have placed upon Your altar their promise
to follow Christ in the Trinitarian Fraternity,
and make their hearts attentive
to the voice of the Spirit.
Fill them with Your blessing
and strengthen them with Your grace
in their choice of the Trinitarian vocation
which will draw them near to all who suffer
persecution for the sake of their faith
or for the values of the Gospel
or because of the different forms of captivity of our time
or live in poverty and oppression.
May they be courageous witnesses to the Gospel
in their family, in their work
and in the different areas of our society.
Grant them light
to recognize their needy brothers and sisters
and great love to come to their aid
according to their means.
Grant, Lord,
that these our brothers and sisters,
and all of us who form the Trinitarian Family,
religious brothers and sisters and laity,
that we may promote justice,
communion and solidarity
among all men and women, and all peoples,
for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
GOSPEL CANTICLE AND INTERCESSIONS
GOSPEL CANTICLE
69. The celebration of the liturgical Hour continues with the appropriate Gospel Canticle – that of Zechariah at Morning Prayer, and that of Mary at Evening Prayer – with their antiphon, taken from the Office of the day.
INVOCATIONS OR INTERCESSIONS
70. After the Gospel Canticle, at Morning Prayer the invocations are prayer – at Evening Prayer, the intercessions. In either case, it would be fitting to mention the candidates who have made their promise at the appropriate place.
Immediately after the last invocation or intercession, the Our Father follows, which is to be prayed by everyone together, and may be preceded by a short introduction.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
71. Immediately after the Our Father, the concluding prayer of the Office being celebrated is prayed.
DISMISSAL
72. After the prayer comes the dismissal.
If the one presiding is a priest or deacon, he says:
The Lord be with you.
R: And also with you.
The one presiding:
In His Son, God has redeemed men and women
and has given them the gift of His Holy Spirit.
May He grant that you carry out your efforts in the world
with love and perseverance.
R: Amen.
If the one presiding is a priest or deacon, he adds:
May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you forever.
R: Amen.
73. The one presiding dismisses the assembly, saying:
Go in the peace of the Lord
and be witnesses to the Gospel of Christ.
R: Thanks be to God.
74. The ritual concludes with a hymn to the Trinity.
75. The admission of brothers and sisters will be duly inscribed in the Register of the fraternity.
76. After the prayer, there should be time for socializing, congratulations and fellowship.
II. RENEWAL OF COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATION
77. The Renewal of Commitment or Consecration required by The Trinitarian Way (No. 57), is carried out with simplicity and moderation during the Mass or at the celebration of Morning or Evening Prayer.
A. RENEWAL DURING MASS
78. The Mass of the day is celebrated, or a votive Mass of the Trinity, if the liturgical norms permit.
After the Gospel, there is to be a homily in which the celebrant comments on both the biblical readings and the meaning of the rite which is to be celebrated.
79. After the homily, in these or similar words, the celebrant invites those present to seek the help of God:
Let us pray to God our Father,
that He might pour forth His grace
upon these our brothers and sisters
who wish to renew their commitment,
persevering in their intention
of living out the Gospel in the Trinitarian Laity.
All pray in silence for a while. Then the celebrant says:
Look with favor, Lord,
upon these, Your sons and daughters
whom in Your love You have called
to bear witness to the Gospel
in the Trinitarian vocation.
Grant that they may continue
with a generous and constant devotion
upon the path which they have set out and traveled.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
RENEWAL OF THE COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATION
80. After the prayer, the brothers and sisters who are to renew their commitment or consecration present themselves, one by one, before the celebrant and the President of the Fraternity, and say the formula in the following manner:
In Your presence, O Most Holy Trinity
trusting in Your all-powerful assistance,
and commending myself to the intercession
of Mary most holy of Good Remedy,
St. John of Matha and all the saints of the Trinitarian Family,
I, NN., renew my intention
assumed in the Trinitarian Laity,
of living out with commitment
my baptismal consecration
and my Trinitarian vocation,
following The Trinitarian Way.
81. If the formula was read by all together, then each one must conclude individually by saying:
Thus I renew my commitment.
May the Lord help me to remain always faithful.
82. The rite ends with the Prayer of the Faithful. The Liturgy of the Eucharist follows.
B. RENEWAL DURING THE CELEBRATION OF MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER
83. The Hour of the Divine Office begins in the usual way.
After the Psalmody, Reading and its short responsory, the celebrant preaches a brief homily.
After the homily, the Rite for the Renewal of Commitment or Consecration follows as in numbers 80 and 81 above.
84. This is followed by the Gospel Canticle, that of Zechariah at Morning Prayer, that of Mary at Evening Prayer, with the respective antiphon, the morning invocations or evening intercessions with the appropriate prayer, and the conclusion in the normal manner.
85. At the end, a hymn is sung to the Trinity.
INTRODUCTION
38. The petition for “admission to commitment or consecration” in the Trinitarian Laity should be formulated according to the model indicated in the Statutes.
39. The commitment or consecration of a brother or sister in the Trinitarian Laity is an event which is of interest to the local Church: the brothers, nuns, sisters, members of the Secular Institutes and those belonging to the various lay associations of the Order. Thus they should be fittingly notified in a timely manner of the celebration of the rite so that they might have the opportunity to attend, or at least that all the members of the Trinitarian Family might share the event through a communion in prayer.
40. It is the right of the Conventual Minister or a duly named Delegate to preside at the Rite.
41. It is appropriate that the Rite should be held on a Sunday, or on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity or on one of the feasts proper to the Trinitarian Family.
42. The Rite should take place: during the celebration of the Eucharist, after the proclamation of the Gospel; or during Morning or Evening Prayer, after the proclamation of the Word of God.
43. If among the candidates for commitment there be a priest or deacon, it would be preferable that they should take part in the rite – in the context of the celebration chosen - while exercising the ministry proper to their order (in the case of a priest, by concelebrating at the Eucharist; in the case of a deacon, by proclaiming the Gospel…). They will go to join the other candidates only at the “Ritual for Commitment or Consecration” strictly speaking: from the time of the petition to that of the concluding prayer.
44. The Rite is drafted for a celebration for several candidates, brothers and sisters.
In cases in which the Rite is used for the commitment or consecration of a single candidate, or of only brothers or only sisters, the texts should be fittingly adapted.
I. DURING THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Introductory Rites and Liturgy of the Word
45. The Introductory Rites and Liturgy of the Word are celebrated in the normal manner. To call to mind the fact that the commitment or consecration is rooted in the basic baptismal consecration, on Sundays it is recommended that the penitential rite be replaced by The Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water (See Roman Missal).
If the liturgy permits, readings more suited to the occasion may be chosen.
RITE OF COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATION
PETITION
46. After the proclamation of the Gospel, all are seated. The one in charge of formation calls each candidate by name. When called, each stands and approaches the celebrant, who is located in front of the altar or in some other appropriate place. The candidates – or one of them in the name of all – stand and address together to the one presiding and to the President of the Laity the petition for “admission to commitment or consecration”:
Celebrant:
Brothers and sisters,
having completed the probationary period,
you have come before the altar.
What is your desire?
Candidates:
We humbly ask to be accepted
into the Trinitarian Laity.
We wish to commit ourselves according to our state in life
to live out and bear witness to the Gospel in the world
according to the charism of St. John of Matha,
for the glory of the Trinity
and the liberation of the oppressed.
Celebrant:
May the Lord, the Father of love and mercy,
grant you His grace and strengthen you in your intention.
R: Amen.
HOMILY
47. The celebrant preaches the homily, in which he comments on the readings proclaimed, explains the meaning of the commitment or consecration and speaks about the Trinitarian charism and the values of the fraternal communion existing among all the members of the Trinitarian Family.
48. Having ended the homily, the celebrant prays:
O God, Father of goodness,
pour out Your grace upon these, our brothers and sisters,
who dedicate themselves, with a renewed intention,
to live out their baptismal consecration in the Trinitarian Laity,
and grant them fervor and perseverance.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
49. Before the celebrant and the President of the Fraternity, one by one – or together – the candidates read the formula of commitment or consecration:
In Your presence, O Most Holy Trinity
and trusting in Your all-powerful assistance,
I, NN., renew the promises of my baptism
and promise to live them out,
making every effort to incarnate in my state as a layperson
the demands and commitments of the Trinitarian vocation
as they are expressed in The Trinitarian Way.
I entrust myself to Mary, the Mother of Good Remedy
and to the intercession of all the Saints of the Trinitarian Family
that they might help me to be faithful
to all that I have now promised.
In the event that the formula is ready by all together, each one should individually pronounce the conclusion, with these words:
This I promise. May the Lord help me
to be faithful to all that I have now promised.
50. Having read the formula, one by one they go to the altar, kissing it and leaving there the paper with the formula of the promise. Then they return to stand before the celebrant. The President of the Fraternity says:
Brothers and sisters,
with great joy we receive you into our Lay Fraternity.
Let all of us,
each according to his or her state in life and condition,
as members of this Family,
in communion and mutual collaboration,
live out the Trinitarian charism,
glorifying the Holy Trinity
and bring hope and consolation
to our poor and oppressed brothers and sisters
in the ministry of liberation.
May the most holy Virgin,
the Mother of Good Remedy, our holy patroness,
protect you,
and may you be assisted by our holy father John of Matha
with all the saints of our Trinitarian Family.
SIGN OF MEMBERSHIP
51. After the words of the President, the Celebrant bestows on each brother and sister the sign of their membership in the fraternity and in the Trinitarian Family (according to the custom of the place: the Trinitarian cross, a medal of the Most Holy Trinity, a ring…)
As an expression
of your membership in the Trinitarian Family,
receive this sign.
May it serve you as a remembrance of this moment
and an invitation to live with constant love
the commitment which you have assumed today
in the presence of the whole Trinitarian Family.
52. Immediately afterward, the Celebrant gives each candidate a copy of The Trinitarian Way, saying:
Receive The Trinitarian Way.
Faithful to its directives,
may you live out in your lay state
your Trinitarian vocation
in the Church and in the world.
53. Then, extending his hands over their heads, the celebrant concludes the rite with the following prayer:
God, almighty and merciful Father,
look down upon these our brothers and sisters
who have placed upon Your altar their promise
to follow Christ in the Trinitarian Fraternity,
and make their hearts attentive
to the voice of the Spirit.
Fill them with Your blessing
and strengthen them with Your grace
in their choice of the Trinitarian vocation
which will draw them near to all who suffer
persecution for the sake of their faith
or for the values of the Gospel
or because of the different forms of captivity of our time
or live in poverty and oppression.
May they be courageous witnesses to the Gospel
in their family, in their work
and in the different areas of our society.
Grant them light
to recognize their needy brothers and sisters
and great love to come to their aid
according to their means.
Grant, Lord,
that these our brothers and sisters,
and all of us who form the Trinitarian Family,
religious brothers and sisters and laity,
that we may promote justice,
communion and solidarity
among all men and women, and all peoples,
for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
54. The celebration continues with the Prayer of the Faithful and the presentation of the Eucharistic gifts. It is fitting that, during the offertory hymn, some of the new members of the Laity bring to the altar the bread, wine and water for the sacrifice, and possibly other symbolic gifts, especially for the poor. At the time of Communion, the new brothers and sisters can receive the Eucharist under both species.
55. At the end of the Rite, the celebrant, the President of the Fraternity, a witness and the new members of the Laity should sign the register of promises.
56. After the prayer, there should be time for socializing, congratulations and fellowship.
II. DURING THE CELEBRATION OF MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER
OPENING RITES
57. It begins with the opening versicles of Morning or Evening Prayer:
+God, come to my assistance.
-Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. (Alleluia.)
Then a hymn is sung, that of the Office of the day, or one to the Most Holy Trinity.
COMMENTARY
58. At the end of the hymn, if opportune, the one presiding directs a brief introductory commentary to the candidates and the assembly.
PSALMODY
59. The psalmody follows: the psalms and antiphons of the Office that is being celebrated.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
60. The psalmody is followed by the proclamation of the Biblical reading corresponding to the Office of the day, or one chosen for the occasion.
A short responsory follows.
RITE OF THE PROMISE
PETITION
61. After the responsory, all are seated. The one in charge of formation calls each candidate by name. When called, each stands and approaches the celebrant, who is located in front of the altar or in some other appropriate place. The candidates – or one of them in the name of all – stand and address together to the one presiding and to the President of the Laity the petition for “admission to commitment or consecration”:
Celebrant:
Brothers and sisters,
you have completed the probationary period.
What is your desire?
Candidates:
We humbly ask to be accepted
into the Trinitarian Laity.
We wish to commit ourselves according to our state in life
to live out and bear witness to the Gospel in the world
according to the charism of St. John of Matha,
for the glory of the Trinity
and the liberation of the oppressed.
Celebrant:
May the Lord, the Father of love and mercy,
grant you His grace and strengthen you in your intention.
R: Amen.
HOMILY
62. The celebrant preaches the homily, in which he comments on the readings proclaimed, explains the meaning of the commitment or consecration and speaks about the Trinitarian charism and the values of the fraternal communion existing among all the members of the Trinitarian Family.
48. Having ended the homily, the celebrant prays:
O God, Father of goodness,
pour out Your grace upon these, our brothers and sisters,
who dedicate themselves, with a renewed intention,
to live out their baptismal consecration in the Trinitarian Laity,
and grant them fervor and perseverance.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
49. Before the celebrant and the President of the Fraternity, one by one – or together – the candidates read the formula of commitment or consecration:
In Your presence, O Most Holy Trinity
and trusting in Your all-powerful assistance,
I, NN., renew the promises of my baptism
and promise to live them out,
making every effort to incarnate in my state as a layperson
the demands and commitments of the Trinitarian vocation
as they are expressed in The Trinitarian Way.
I entrust myself to Mary, the Mother of Good Remedy
and to the intercession of all the Saints of the Trinitarian Family
that they might help me to be faithful
to all that I have now promised.
In the event that the formula is ready by all together, each one should individually pronounce the conclusion, with these words:
This I promise. May the Lord help me
to be faithful to all that I have now promised.
65. Having read the formula, one by one they go to the altar, kissing it and leaving there the paper with the formula of the promise. Then they return to stand before the celebrant. The President of the Fraternity says:
Brothers and sisters,
with great joy we receive you into our Lay Fraternity.
Let all of us,
each according to his or her state in life and condition,
as members of this Family,
in communion and mutual collaboration,
live out the Trinitarian charism,
glorifying the Holy Trinity
and bring hope and consolation
to our poor and oppressed brothers and sisters
in the ministry of liberation.
May the most holy Virgin,
the Mother of Good Remedy, our holy patroness,
protect you,
and may you be assisted by our holy father John of Matha
with all the saints of our Trinitarian Family.
SIGN OF MEMBERSHIP
66. After the words of the President, the Celebrant bestows on each brother and sister the sign of their membership in the fraternity and in the Trinitarian Family (according to the custom of the place: the Trinitarian cross, a medal of the Most Holy Trinity, a ring…)
As an expression
of your membership in the Trinitarian Family,
receive this sign.
May it serve you as a remembrance of this moment
and an invitation to live with constant love
the commitment which you have assumed today
in the presence of the whole Trinitarian Family.
67. Immediately afterward, the Celebrant gives each candidate a copy of The Trinitarian Way, saying:
Receive The Trinitarian Way.
Faithful to its directives,
may you live out in your lay state
your Trinitarian vocation
in the Church and in the world.
68. Then, extending his hands over their heads, the celebrant concludes the rite with the following prayer:
God, almighty and merciful Father,
look down upon these our brothers and sisters
who have placed upon Your altar their promise
to follow Christ in the Trinitarian Fraternity,
and make their hearts attentive
to the voice of the Spirit.
Fill them with Your blessing
and strengthen them with Your grace
in their choice of the Trinitarian vocation
which will draw them near to all who suffer
persecution for the sake of their faith
or for the values of the Gospel
or because of the different forms of captivity of our time
or live in poverty and oppression.
May they be courageous witnesses to the Gospel
in their family, in their work
and in the different areas of our society.
Grant them light
to recognize their needy brothers and sisters
and great love to come to their aid
according to their means.
Grant, Lord,
that these our brothers and sisters,
and all of us who form the Trinitarian Family,
religious brothers and sisters and laity,
that we may promote justice,
communion and solidarity
among all men and women, and all peoples,
for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
GOSPEL CANTICLE AND INTERCESSIONS
GOSPEL CANTICLE
69. The celebration of the liturgical Hour continues with the appropriate Gospel Canticle – that of Zechariah at Morning Prayer, and that of Mary at Evening Prayer – with their antiphon, taken from the Office of the day.
INVOCATIONS OR INTERCESSIONS
70. After the Gospel Canticle, at Morning Prayer the invocations are prayer – at Evening Prayer, the intercessions. In either case, it would be fitting to mention the candidates who have made their promise at the appropriate place.
Immediately after the last invocation or intercession, the Our Father follows, which is to be prayed by everyone together, and may be preceded by a short introduction.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
71. Immediately after the Our Father, the concluding prayer of the Office being celebrated is prayed.
DISMISSAL
72. After the prayer comes the dismissal.
If the one presiding is a priest or deacon, he says:
The Lord be with you.
R: And also with you.
The one presiding:
In His Son, God has redeemed men and women
and has given them the gift of His Holy Spirit.
May He grant that you carry out your efforts in the world
with love and perseverance.
R: Amen.
If the one presiding is a priest or deacon, he adds:
May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you forever.
R: Amen.
73. The one presiding dismisses the assembly, saying:
Go in the peace of the Lord
and be witnesses to the Gospel of Christ.
R: Thanks be to God.
74. The ritual concludes with a hymn to the Trinity.
75. The admission of brothers and sisters will be duly inscribed in the Register of the fraternity.
76. After the prayer, there should be time for socializing, congratulations and fellowship.
II. RENEWAL OF COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATION
77. The Renewal of Commitment or Consecration required by The Trinitarian Way (No. 57), is carried out with simplicity and moderation during the Mass or at the celebration of Morning or Evening Prayer.
A. RENEWAL DURING MASS
78. The Mass of the day is celebrated, or a votive Mass of the Trinity, if the liturgical norms permit.
After the Gospel, there is to be a homily in which the celebrant comments on both the biblical readings and the meaning of the rite which is to be celebrated.
79. After the homily, in these or similar words, the celebrant invites those present to seek the help of God:
Let us pray to God our Father,
that He might pour forth His grace
upon these our brothers and sisters
who wish to renew their commitment,
persevering in their intention
of living out the Gospel in the Trinitarian Laity.
All pray in silence for a while. Then the celebrant says:
Look with favor, Lord,
upon these, Your sons and daughters
whom in Your love You have called
to bear witness to the Gospel
in the Trinitarian vocation.
Grant that they may continue
with a generous and constant devotion
upon the path which they have set out and traveled.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
RENEWAL OF THE COMMITMENT OR CONSECRATION
80. After the prayer, the brothers and sisters who are to renew their commitment or consecration present themselves, one by one, before the celebrant and the President of the Fraternity, and say the formula in the following manner:
In Your presence, O Most Holy Trinity
trusting in Your all-powerful assistance,
and commending myself to the intercession
of Mary most holy of Good Remedy,
St. John of Matha and all the saints of the Trinitarian Family,
I, NN., renew my intention
assumed in the Trinitarian Laity,
of living out with commitment
my baptismal consecration
and my Trinitarian vocation,
following The Trinitarian Way.
81. If the formula was read by all together, then each one must conclude individually by saying:
Thus I renew my commitment.
May the Lord help me to remain always faithful.
82. The rite ends with the Prayer of the Faithful. The Liturgy of the Eucharist follows.
B. RENEWAL DURING THE CELEBRATION OF MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER
83. The Hour of the Divine Office begins in the usual way.
After the Psalmody, Reading and its short responsory, the celebrant preaches a brief homily.
After the homily, the Rite for the Renewal of Commitment or Consecration follows as in numbers 80 and 81 above.
84. This is followed by the Gospel Canticle, that of Zechariah at Morning Prayer, that of Mary at Evening Prayer, with the respective antiphon, the morning invocations or evening intercessions with the appropriate prayer, and the conclusion in the normal manner.
85. At the end, a hymn is sung to the Trinity.