Statues of St. Pio Prayer Groups in the Philippines
FOREWORD
The Prayer Groups are response to the spiritual needs of our times, as perceived by Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Their purpose is to promote the spreading of the teaching of Christ, who repeatedly insisted on the necessity of prayer.
Total and unconditional adherence to the teaching of the Catholic Church, guided by the Pope and Bishops.
Obedience to the Pope and the Bishops whose representative in each group is the Spiritual Director.
Generosity and self-sacrifice in undertaking works of charity, especially for the suffering and needy, as a practical demonstration of the members’ love of God.
CENTRAL OFFICE
Article 1 – The PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PRAYER GROUPS is guided by the norms set out in these Statutes.
The Philippine central administrative office is housed in the Philippine Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Inc. (or Philippine Centre) at 188 E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave. Barangay Bagumbayan, C5, Quezon City, 1110 Philippines.
THE PRAYER GROUPS
Article 2 – The Prayer Groups are composed of members of the faithful, who try to respond to Christ’s invitation to pray, as reiterated by various Supreme Pontiffs. They are to be erected in a church, or oratory or a place approved by the Priest. They assemble at regular intervals under the guidance of a Spiritual Director to pray and to draw others to pray in communion with the Hierarchy and in accordance with the spirituality of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
The members of the Groups shall consider the study of Catholic doctrine in groups, as part of their spiritual formation. They shall also take the initiative in promoting and assisting the work of evangelization and play their full part in the various pastoral activities of the local church.
Article 3 – Laity, as well as priests and religious, can be members of the Prayer Groups. Their names are to be inscribed in a suitable Registry by the Spiritual Director.
CERTIFICATE OF GROUP AFFILIATION
Article 4 – The Philippine Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Inc. Issues a certificate of affiliation to individual Prayer Groups. The Philippine Centre must be satisfied that the Group has at least fifteen (15) members and is capable of functioning as a Prayer Group, with the approval of their Spiritual Director.
Prayer Groups should make it their concern to maintain and foster relations with the General Direction through regular reports of the Group’s activities. These ties should be further strengthened during visits and pilgrimages to San Giovanni Rotondo, or the Philippine Centre.
RELATIONS WITH DIOCESAN BISHOP
Article 5 – The Prayer Groups are subject to the jurisdiction of the Parish Priest to the Norms of Canon Law. The members of the Prayer Groups, in complete communion with their own Bishop, will follow the pastoral directives both at diocesan and national level. They will accept, in complete fidelity, the instructions of the General Direction, as an essential means of preserving unity.
DIRECTION OF THE GROUP
Article 6 – The Group Leader, the Spiritual Director, the Assistant Leader and the Secretary are responsible for the administration of each Group. They regulate and organize works and initiatives to be undertaken by the Group.
When circumstances indicate a need, the Group can organize and undertake projects for children and young people, etc.
THE GROUP LEADER
Article 7 – Each Prayer Group is presided over by a Group Leader, who is elected by an absolute majority of the members, in a plenary meeting, in the presence of a priest delegated by the bishop. If no one obtains in absolute majority in the first ballots, the person who obtains even a relative majority in the second ballot is to be deemed lawfully elected. This election must be confirmed by the Spiritual Director and the Philippine Centre. The Group Leader is elected for a period of five (5) years, but can be reelected for a maximum of three (3) periods of five (5) years.
THE ASSISTANT GROUP
Article 8 – The Group Leader is assisted by one or two Assistant Group Leader/s, elected by an absolute majority in a plenary meeting of the members. If an absolute majority of votes is not obtained in the first ballot, a relative majority will suffice. They remain in the office for five (5) years and can be reelected for a further five (5) years.
If, for any reason, the post of Group Leader becomes vacant in the course of five (5) years period, the senior (older) Assistant Group Leader assumes the direction of the Group. It is the duty of the Assistant Group Leader to arrange a meeting of the Group members within thirty (30) days, in order to elect a Group Leader in accordance with the Norm of Article 7.
THE SECRETARY
Article 9 – The Group Leader nominates a Secretary who remains in office for five (5) years and be reappointed. The Secretary shall keep a registry of the members of the Group and record of the decisions of the Direction of each Group. The Secretary will assist the Group Leader in all matters requires for the proper functioning of the Group itself.
THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Article 10 – Each Prayer Group has a Spiritual Director who is a priest nominated by the group. His special task is the religious instruction and formation of the members. To this end, he will organize Retreats, or courses of spiritual exercises and initiate other ways he may deem useful and suitable.
The Spiritual Director, ordinarily, presides over liturgical celebrations and sacred functions organized by the Group, in agreement with the Parish Priest of the Rector of the Church.
COORDINATON OF THE PRAYER GROUPS
Article 11 – The Spiritual Director of the Prayer Groups shall maintain contact with the Philippine Centre. He shall receive printed communications and literature from the Philippine Centre for all the Group. The Philippine Centre can designate a Priest coordinator as national or regional coordinator.
ACTIVITIES OF THE PRAYER GROUPS
Article 12 – Each Group shall normally hold a monthly meeting. The Holy Mass will be celebrated with a suitable homily, preceded and followed by other prayers, specially the liturgy of the hours and the Rosary.
Retreats, spiritual exercises, days of recollection and other works of piety as seem opportune can be arranged, in accordance with the directives of the competent ecclesiastical authority.
Article 13 – The following general intentions are recommended to the Prayer Groups. The Church, the Pope, the Bishops, Ecclesiastical and Religious Vocations, the sanctification of the Clergy, zeal in living the Christian life, the conversion of sinners and of atheists, the sick especially the incurable, the old and other intentions which include the needs of the Church and society at any particular time.
Article 14 – Members of the Groups shall dedicate themselves to the Prayer of Reparation and following the teaching of the Apostle Paul shall offer their suffering as their share in the passion of Christ, Redeemer of the world.
The members of the Prayer Groups shall perform works of Penance and Reparation, so that their prayer be more acceptable to God. They shall seek to be an example through accepting the sufferings and sacrifices which form part of their daily lives and by the sincere practice of the Christian life.
They shall dedicate themselves, in a special manner, to works of charity, especially towards the sick, the old, the marginalized.
Article 15 – The members of the Prayer Groups are not obligated to contribute financially. Whenever the Groups desire to contribute they are free to do so and can forward their contribution to the Philippine Centre.
MEETINGS
Article 16 – Local, regional and national meetings of Prayer Groups are at the discretion of the Philippine Centre.
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
Article 17 – The Magazine “St. Pio Newsletter” with a supplement for the Prayer Groups is the only official publication of the Prayer Groups.
RULES SPECIAL TO EACH GROUP
Article 18 – Each Group can draw up a specific rule which is deemed useful for the good of the members of the Group, and which is in conformity with the present Statutes.
Such a Rule must be approved by a plenary meeting of the member of the Group. A copy of this Rule, when approved by the Group, must be sent to the Philippine Centre.
CONCLUSION
This Statutes was approved and adopted by the Board of the Philippine Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Inc. on August 10, 2011 at 188 E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave. Barangay Bagumbayan, C5, Quezon City, 1110 Philippines.