Our Rules of Life
Each category of membership in the Society of the Good Shepherd has its own appropriate rule of life.
Vowed Celibates
Vowed Celibates live the vow of Poverty, not by divesting themselves of their material possessions, but by recognising that all such possessions come from God, and by consecrating them to God’s service through generous stewardship. They live this out through simplicity of lifestyle, through transparency within the community concerning what they own, and through openness to the advice of their College Chapter as to how they might best use their resources.
They live the vow of Chastity as the complete abstinence from sexual relationships. This frees them to live in that joyful state of being which allows the fullest expression of each one’s call to an all-consuming, love relationship with the Lord. This love relationship is grounded in and nurtured by a disciplined life of prayer and a well-balanced lifestyle.
They live the vow of Obedience by living in the spirit of the Seven Notes, by the faithful observance of the Rule of Life and Constitution, and by seeking always and in every situation to discern what will be to the greater glory of God.
On a day-to-day level, they spend an hour in silent prayer, recite some form of morning and evening office, pray for the community and each member thereof, and attend a service of Holy Communion at least once a week. They attend all meetings of their college, unless prevented by illness or emergency or by exceptional demands of their ministry, such as missionary journeys, and are encouraged to get an adequate amount of sleep and recreational time.
Vowed Non-Celibates
Vowed Non-Celibates live a rule of life similar to that of the Celibates, with certain differences. They live chastity as that chaste living to which all Christians are called, and, unlike the Celibates, they are not expected to be transparent as regards their finances. Those who are married have a prior responsibility of fidelity to their marriage vows, and may have other familial claims on what is possible for them. So, although they are encouraged to live mostly the same rule of life as the Celibate members, there may be occasions when they need to exercise discretion over this.
Companions
Companions spend a half hour in silent prayer, recite some form of morning and evening office, pray for the community and each member thereof, and attend a service of Holy Communion at least once a week. They, too, attend all meetings of their college, unless prevented by illness or emergency or by exceptional demands of their ministry, such as missionary journeys, and are encouraged to get an adequate amount of sleep and recreational time. They do not exercise transparency concerning their finances, but are encouraged to have a regular rule of almsgiving.