Servants of the Children of Light

Bishop Kagan has announced the decree of formation of a Public Association of the Christian Faithful for Women open to all Catholic women between the ages of 18-30 years old., have never been married, are a Catholic in good standing with the Church and have sufficient health and emotional maturity. Those seeking more information should contact Servants of the Children of Light in writing at Christ the King Catholic Montessori School, 505 10th Ave. NW, Mandan, ND 58554. For more information go to the sisters' website at: servantsofthechildrenoflight.org.

The Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
DECREE
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, Amen.

In accord with the norms of Ecclesiastical Law as contained in the Code of Canon Law and Canons 312-320, by these presents the undersigned Diocesan Bishop and competent authority hereby erects:

The Servants of the Children of Light

A Public Association of the Christian Faithful for Women 
of Diocesan Right [canon 312 §1 3º]
 

is established in response to the universal cry rising up to the Heart of God, to send laborers to the vineyard to seek out and serve Christ in children, to belong completely to Christ through religious consecration, the profession of the evangelical counsels, and to live in community in fraternal charity in view of being erected in the future as a religious institute of diocesan right.  The Sisters, drawing from the rich tradition of St. Benedict, serve the Church by contemplative prayer, and have the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education.

An initial description of this new Public Association may be found on the Diocesan website so that those interested may seek further information with regard to is nature, purpose and organization.

The Most Reverend David D. Kagan, D.D., P.A., J.C.L., Bishop of Bismarck

Given at the Chancery the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
1st day of October A.D. 2020

Mr. Dale Eberle
Chancellor 

Charism: The form of life of the Association of the Servants of the Children of Light is this: to renew the earthly city of God by serving Christ in the child in humility and meekness so that the darkness of the world may be scattered by the Light of the New Jerusalem (Is. 9, Is. 60, Rev. 11, Ps. 52). The sisters will strive to assist the child in being conformed to the image of the Son of God. To do so, the child is put into contact with Christ “who teaches within” (St. Augustine) and the Holy Spirit who causes transformation into the image of God.

St. Benedict, with remarkable foresight, realized that peace comes from doing spiritual battle with “principalities and powers;” that the rebuilding of society begins with the rebuilding of the soul on the firm rock of Christ. Because of the profound insight into the nature of monastic life, The Rule of St. Benedict will serve as an inspiration and foundation for the ordering of the Association’s life.

To support and safeguard this charism, along with the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, members will take a fourth vow to serve Christ in the child.

Overview of Life: The Holy Eucharist is the “font and summit” of the Christian life (LG, 11). The daily conventual Mass of the community is to be celebrated, where possible, in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The sisters will pray in community the Extraordinary Form of the Divine Office, holding fast to the desire to conform their lives to Christ. A great pillar of their prayer life will be Lectio Divina, with time dedicated each day to listening to the voice of the Beloved through meditation on Sacred Scripture.

Life in community will form the basis of their religious life, including taking meals together in silence, moments of fraternal recreation, and joy in sharing together the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education. The sisters will profess the evangelical councils and wear a distinctive habit that sets them apart to belong totally to Christ.

Mary is the most perfect and essential model for the sisters. She knows what it is to be overshadowed by the Spirit, to conceive and become a Tabernacle, to bear and mother the Son, to experience in her midst the incarnation, to pass from the love of the Spirit of the light of the Word. She is therefore the living icon of all who are called by God to participate in this mission.

Principal Patrons: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and foster father of Jesus.

Principal Saints: St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, St. Francis, St. Clare, St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Principal Feasts (Extraordinary Form):
January 6 (EF): Epiphany of the Lord
February 2 (EF): Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
February 10 (EF): St. Scholastica
March 19 (EF): Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
March 21 (EF): St. Benedict of Norcia
April 12 (EF): The Interior Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 12 (EF): St. Clare of Assisi
October 3 (EF): St. Therese of the Child Jesus
October 4 (EF): St. Francis of Assisi
October 11 (EF): Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary