BY THE REV. H. NOLDIN, S.J.
AUTHORISED TRANSLATION FROM THE GERMAN.
REVISED BY THE REV. W. H. KENT, O.S.C
STATUTES OF THE APOSTLESHIP.
1. The Apostleship of Prayer is a pious association which exercises the apostolic office of promoting the glory of God and the salvation of souls by prayer, both mental and vocal, and also by other pious works in so far as they are impetratory and can unite us with the Sacred Heart of Jesus in attaining the end proposed. Wherefore, although the Apostleship of Prayer may seem to have certain things in common with other pious associations, such as those of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Living Rosary, still it is wholly distinct from them all both in its end, which is altogether universal, and in the special means which it uses.
2. There are three degrees in this apostle-ship according to the different works which it undertakes to practise; hence there are three degrees of associates.
The first degree (essential and common to all the associates) is composed of those who daily offer to God in some approved form of words all their prayers, works, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and for all those intentions for which Our Lord is continually interceding and offering Himself for us in sacrifice. Hence love and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are very proper for all associates enrolled in the Apostleship of Prayer. For, although this devotion does not constitute the end of the association, still it is the chief and most powerful means of inciting all the associates, moved by the example of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to a more diligent practice of prayer, and of making that very prayer, per formed in union with the Sacred Heart, more efficacious in attaining the end proposed, which is the glory of God.
The Apostleship of Prayer, therefore, is an association quite distinct from the Archconfraternity of the Sacred Heart, and therefore the societies, churches, and all the faithful en rolled in the pious work of the apostleship are in no way to be considered in the future as enrolled also in the Archconfraternity of the Sacred Heart, erected in Rome in the Church of St. Mary of Peace, unless they shall have been duly received into the same Archconfraternity by its director.
