Prayer
We will participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sundays (and on major feasts and other days as our circumstances permit). We will pray at least one office, either morning or evening offices daily, and audibly (out loud). We will seek to pray the Compline office with others as we are able.
We intend to participate in the Church’s continual offering of praise, thanksgiving and intercession, and, by structuring our lives around the daily office, affirm that all our lives belong to God.
We will practice regular Sabbath as a means of renewal so that we can lovingly serve God and neighbor.
We will remind ourselves of our prayer lives by wearing the Episcopal Church Service Cross at all times.
We will fast from food once a week (either a full or partial fast).
Hospitality
Just as St. Martin cut his cape in half to clothe someone in need, we explore how we will follow his example by giving half of something we possess to veterans, their family, and those who have been affected by war, poverty, and violence.
We will be hospitable to veterans by attending veteran focused events and going to places where veterans and all those who have been affected by war, poverty, and violence are present.
We will seek to build community among veterans and the communities that sent them to war.
We will be hospitable to our Parish Church through financial support and participation in worship, fellowship, and mission.
We will serve God and our neighbors out of gratitude for the love of God by visiting veterans who are terminally ill or dying, and those who have been affected by war, poverty and violence.
We will identify and refer veterans to appropriate health care services.
We will attend a retreat with our Community at least once per year.
Reconciliation
Regular examination of our obedience to Christ is necessary. To be reconcilers, we must first be deeply reconciled to God. We practice daily self-examination and regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We report regularly to the Community on the keeping of our Rule. We have Spiritual Directors whom we see a minimum of twice a year.
We will seek opportunities to offer reconciliation to veterans, their families, and all those who are affected by war through Episcopal Veterans Fellowship moral injury groups
We will seek to serve in missional activities to veterans and those who have been affected by the trauma of war, poverty, and violence.
We will continually raise awareness of issues such as veteran suicide, healthcare, and family relationships to the local and national level.
We will share the redeeming, healing, creative love of God in word, deed and presence as an invitation to others to experience the transforming love of God.
We will provide Liturgical Resources to veterans and all those who have been affected by the trauma of war, poverty, and violence.
Prayer for those discerning a call to the Hospitallers
Look with favor, Almighty God, upon these your servant/s N., who, in response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, desire to commit themselves to you in a life of special vocation, and are undertaking to embrace the Rule of Life of the Hospitallers of St. Martin. Grant them the strength of your grace to persevere in their endeavor, and the guidance of the Spirit to find their true vocation. If it be your will that they continue in this way, reveal this to them, we pray, and bring them in due time to the taking of solemn vows; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
