CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS OF THE

ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES, PHILIPPINES

Article I - Name, Objectives, Organizations

Section I. NAME

The name of this association shall be the ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF OUR LADY OF

LOURDES OF THE PHILIPPINES in accordance with the Decree of His Holiness Pope Paul X
of August 1910, by which the Sodality of Our Lady of Lourdes of the Capuchins in Manila was
raised to the rank and granted the privileges of ARCHCONFRATERNITY, (with its Office at N.S.
Amoranto Ave., (Retiro) corner Apo, Quezon City or can be located in other place in Metro
Manila.

Section II. OBJECTIVES

The Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes has for its objectives:

a)
To honor the Immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to
commemorate the dogmatic definition of Pope Pius IX on the 8th of December, 1954.

b) To give thanks and praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her apparitions in the grotto
of Lourdes, France, and for all the benefits which she continually bestows in the place, in the
Philippines and in other places where she is invoked with faith.

c) In respond with fervor to the wishes of the Blessed Virgin Mary according to the
intentions she manifested in her apparitions at Lourdes.

d) To attain holiness and personal sanctification through veneration and devotion to the
Blessed Virgin Mary in unity with Christ by means of spiritual and temporal works of mercy.

e) To cultivate both the spirit and practice of prayer to recourse daily to the sacrifice of
the Holy Mass, to know more of Jesus Christ, active participation in the liturgical life of our
communities by means of catechetical instruction.

f) To hold in high esteem the virtues relating to social customs namely: honesty, justice,
sincerity, kindness and courage.

g) To take the Virgin Mary and Mother as the model of a true Christian; to elevate the
degenerating morality of women in society thru Mary, she being the perfect example of
spiritually and apostolic life.

Section III. ORGANIZATION

a) The Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes comprises all the members and Board
registered in a book for that purpose for all times supposed to be kept at the Office of the
Archconfraternity.

b) These members shall be organized into groups of exactly fifteen under the leadership
of a Board of Directors (promoter) in a parochial and archdiocesan level.
 c) The Archconfraternity shall be governed by a National Board of Directors with the
guidance of a National Chairman and a Spiritual Director. One spiritual Assistant is the Very
Rev. Minister Provincial of the Capuchin Order in the Philippines or a Capuchin designated by
him. The other two spiritual Assistants are secular priests who shall be selected by the Board
of Directors to be taken from any of the member parishes of the Archconfraternity for proper
presentation of the secular sector.

d) The National Council will be composed of Officers and a Board of directors, fifteen
(15) in members: these are men and women elected by the National Assembly of members
every two (2) years.

e) The Board shall be the over-all policy making, supervising and coordinating body for
the Archconfraternity in the national level. The Diocese/Archdiocese Council shall be directly
responsible to the National Council.

f) The Officers shall be the following: national Chairman; Vice-Chairman; Secretary;

Treasurer; Auditor; and Public Relations Officer, all of who shall be elected by the Board of
Directors from among themselves. Assistants to the Secretary and Treasurer may be
appointed by the Board.

g) A National Chairman shall be elected by the unit presidents present voting and will
serve for a duration of two (2) years until such a time that the incumbent is still willing and
capable or another can be available to take the place of the incumbent.

h) The National Chairman together with the Spiritual Assistant may sit during regular
meetinmgs of the Board with the usual voting powers.

ARTICLE II – ELECTIONS, MEMBERSHIP

Section I. ELECTIONS

a) The fifteen (15) members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the National
Assembly on the Third Sunday of November once every two (2) years.

b) The fifteen (15) Board Members shall elect its Officers immediately from among
themselves. The officers elected shall immediately be inducted to Office by the Provincial
Minister of the Capuchins.

c) The election of officers shall take place after the fifteen (15) Board Members have
been duly elected.

d) The newly inducted officers and members of the Board of directors shall now attend
the monthly regular meeting.

ARTICLE III – RULE OF LIFE

RULE OF LIFE

A member's dedication and perseverance to the apostolate and to the sanctification of

his/her person and through him/her and of his/her social group can be kept alive by living the
Rule of Life of the Archconfraternity members. The Rule of Life embraces:

PRAYER LIFE

Morning Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Daily meditation of at least ten (10) minutes.
Daily reading the Sacred Scriptures.
Devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary by the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
Nightly examination of conscience.
Monthly Holy Hour in the Church.
A close retreat at least once a year.

EVANGELICAL LIFE

Living and spreading the gospel by word of mouth and by example.

Be a witness to the poverty of Christ and Mary in one's life through service to the
poor.
Fraternal life of peace, love, joy and justice.

APOSTOLIC LIFE

Dedication to the promotion of the social reign of the Heart of Jesus under the
patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the hearts of men.
Personal and association involvement in the Christian social apostolate.
Self-sacrifice for the sanctification of work.
Be detached from the world of temporal concerns.

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

Personal friendship and imitation of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Living a Eucharistic life by participating in Sunday mass, the Friday and Saturday
Novenas and if possible offering of Holy Mass with the priest and receiving Holy
Communion.
Frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
Confession as a means of increasing sanctifying grace.

ECCLESIASTICAL LIFE

An effort to understand the Christian Faith by a study of Vatican II documents.

Loving Mother Church and praying for the universal intention of the Pope.
Obedience to the Pope.
Defending the catholic faith and all teachings of the Catholic Church including the
Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

TEMPORAL LIFE (The Social Dimension)

Assist in fair distribution of the world's goods specifically to the poor, the deprived
and less fortunate.
Work for the promotion of social justice as much as possible.

ARTICLE IV – AFFILIATION OF CONFRATERNITIES

 Section I

Parish or local confraternities of Our Lady of Lourdes must be affiliated to the

Archconfraternity in order to enjoy the privileges and share in its indulgences.

Section II

Canonical establishment by the Parish Priest or Priest designate gives the confraternity
its canonical existence, while affiliation granted upon request to the Rev. Spiritual Assistant
of Archconfraternity gives participation of privileges and indulgences.

Section III

To establish and affiliate a new confraternity of Lourdes, the following steps must be
followed:

The Parish Priest or Rector of the Institution presents a formal written petition to
the Minister Provincial of the Capuchins stating the convenience of having a
confraternity of Lourdes established it later to the Archconfraternity.
The Provincial Minister grants a decree of canonical establishment.
A copy of the establishment decree is forwarded by Parish or Rector to the Rev.
Spiritual Assistant of the Archconfraternity with a request for affiliation.
The Certificate of Affiliation is granted by the Spiritual Assistant of the
Archconfraternity.

ARTICLE V - INDULGENCES

The members of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes and of affiliated

confraternities may gain the following indulgences under the ordinary conditions:

Section I. PLENARY INDULGENCES

On the day of entrance to the Archconfraternity or confraternity.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception or one of the eight (8) days after it.
On the Feast of Nativity, Annunciation, Purification and Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the 3rd of July, Anniversary of the Coronation of the Image of Our lady of Lourdes

Section II. PARTIAL INDULGENCES

Those who make a half hour meditation gain an indulgence of sixty (60) years.
Those who visit the sick, and Indulgence of twenty (20) years.
For each time they confess and receive Holy Communion an Indulgence of seven (7)
years and seven (7) quarantines.

Section III. NEW INDULGENCES

The following indulgences were granted on September 24, 1947 and confirmed on 1956 to the
Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City. These indulgences are not applicable
to other confraternities affiliated or otherwise.

A plenary indulgence for attending the Novena of Our Lady of Lourdes at the
Capuchin Fathers, Lourdes church in Quezon City for at least five (5) times.
On the Feast of St. Joseph, the 19th of March.
On the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the 29th of September.
On the Commemorate of the faithful departed, November 2.
At the hour of death.

Section IV. INDULGENCES OF SEVEN YEARS & SEVEN QUARANTINES

On the 11th of February, 1st apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes.

On the 18th of February, second apparition.
On the 4th of March, 16th apparition.

Section IV

Indulgence of sixty (60) days is gained by members whenever they practice a work of
charity, or mercy, mortification according to the Rules of the Archconfraternity.

Section V. INDULGENCES OF THE BLUE SCAPULAR

The numerous indulgences attached to the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception,
formerly granted to the Third Order have been extended to the members of the
Archconfraternity and affiliated confraternities of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Blue Scapular
may be replaced by the medal of the Archconfraternity duly blessed and imposed by the Rev.
Fr. Director or by another priest with the necessary delegation or faculty

A. Plenary Indulgences

On the day of the scapular is received.

On the principal feasts of the Theatine Order.
A new priest on the day he says his First Mass.
At the hour of death.
Making spiritual exercises.
On the First Sunday of every month.
On the Sunday and Friday of Passion Week.
On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of Holy Week.
On the Feast if the Immaculate Conception, nativity of Our Lady, Annunciation,
Purification and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
On the Feast of Nativity of Our Lord, Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost and the
Holy Trinity.
Feast of the Finding of the Cross (September 14); St. John the Baptist (June 24);
Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29); Last Sundayf oJuly; Our Lady of the Angels
(August 2); St. Augustine (August 28); St. Michael, The Archangel (September
29); The Holy Guardian Angels (October 2); St. Theresa of Avila (October 15);
All Saints Day (November 1).
On the feast and Last day of the Novena of the nativity of Our Lord.
Once a year during the forty (40) hours Devotion.
The Indulgences of the Stations of the Seven Basilica of Rome (Seven plenary
 Indulgences, and twice a month the Indulgences granted for visiting the Holy
Sepulcher and the Holy Land.
By saying six (6) Our Father’s and Hail Mary's, Glory Be to the Father in honor of
the Most Holy Trinity and of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate, members may
gain all the Indulgences of the Seven Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome (of the
Portiuncula of Jerusalem and St. James of Compostela). These Indulgences
may be gained as often during the day as the six Our Fathers, Hail Mary's and
Communion, as long as there is state of grace.
These and the rest of the Indulgences attached to the Blue Scapular may be
applied to the souls in purgatory.

ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTIONS

Amendments to the Constitutions may be two-thirds vote of the members present in

the National Assembly and provide copies of the Amendments to be sent with the notice to
the members.

Appendix 1. Organizational Procedures

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE

CONFRATERNITY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

The proper and perfect establishment and functioning of the Confraternity of Our
Lady of Lourdes requires two important Acts.

1. The Canonical Establishment

2. The Affiliation

The first, (Canonical Establishment) gives legal or canonical existence.

The second, (Affiliation) gives privileges and indulgences.

The first is conceded by the Ordinary of the place.

The second is conceded by the Spiritual Assistant of the Archconfraternity of Lourdes

(Capuchins, Lourdes Church, Quezon City).

Petition for Canonical Establishment

a) The Parish priest should present a formal written petition to the Ordinary of the place
stating that he is desirous of propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.

b) That there is no other association of the same name in the parish.

c) That there is no other association of conceded, he will make the affiliation to the
Archconfraternity Ceremonials.

Admission of the members into the

Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes

The ceremonies are very simple. The candidate kneels down before the altar of Our
Lady of Lourdes. The medal with blue ribbon is placed upon the altar. If possible the
candidate should be accompanied by the corresponding promoter, and he or she should be
instructed about the duties and privileges.

It is wrong to believe that only ladies and girls can be members of this Archconfraternity.

All Catholics were called by Our Lady of Lourdes when she said: “I want to see near me
plenty of people.”

Since the main object of this membership is to spread the devotion to Our Lady of
Lourdes, men as well as women can and should be admitted.

Note:

(a) Women do not need to wear the habit and sash of Lourdes to become members of the
Archconfraternity; the blessed medal is enough.

(b) The medal cannot be blessed by any priest, but only by the Spiritual Director of the
Archconfraternity or his delegate and with the official prayers.

Blessing of the Medal of Lourdes

(The priest wears surplice and white stole)

Priest. Our help is in the name of the Lord

Response. Who made heaven and earth

Priest. The Lord be with you

Response. And with your spirit

Let us pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, who through the many apparitions on earth of the
Blessed Virgin Immaculate didst a work wonderful things for the salvation of souls, we beg
thee to give your merciful blessing (+) so that those who remembering this, wear it devotedly,
may obtain your mercy and protection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The medal is sprinkled with Holy water)

The Priest Vests the Candidate (Candidates) with the Medal:

Receive this Holy Medal and wear it, with fidelity and reverence and many
Immaculate Queen of heaven protect and defend thee; and trying to renew the wonders of her
holiness may she obtain for you what you ask and during your life and at the hour of death,
may you find happiness under her motherly care and protection. Amen.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father…
V. Queen conceived without original sin,
R. Pray for us
V. O, Lord hear my prayers.
Note: (If more than one in plural)
R. And let my cry come unto You

V. The Lord be with you

R. And with your spirit

Let us pray

O Lord Jesus Christ who didst deign to glorify with numberless miracles the Blessed
Mother Mary conceived without sin; grant, we beseech Thee, that those who implore her
protection may obtain the eternal happiness. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.

Instruction
(Priest or Spiritual Director)

For the greater honor and glory of God and the spread of the devotion to Mary most holy and
for the greater benefit of your soul in virtue of the faculties given by the Roman Pontiff, I
accept you as members of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes canonically
established in this Church in honor of the Immaculate Conception and at the same time, I
make your partaker of all the favor, indulgences, graces and privileges conceded by the
Apostolic fee to this Archconfraternity. In the name of the Father…

Note: The blessing cannot be given by any priest but only by the Spiritual Assistant
(local or general) or his delegate. Members should be inscribed in the Official
Book of the Confraternity.

CEREMONY FOR THE SOLEMN RECEPTION

(The Solemn reception is most appropriate for Catholic School and Colleges when many
members are enrolled at the same time or whenever the Confraternity is inaugurated in a
parish.)

At the appointed hour the candidates kneel before the altar for the Blessed Virgin. The
medals are placed upon the altar. The priest vests in surplice and white stole.

1. The Invocation of the Holy Spirit

(All kneel and sing the hymn)
Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest
And in our souls take up the rest
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
And fill the hearts which thou hast made (2x)

2. Sermon or Short Allocation

(All sit down and listen attentively to the words of the priest)

3. Reading the Names of the Candidates

 (The Candidates approach and take their places before the priest)

4. Blessing of the Medals and Imposition

5. Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Lourdes

O Miraculous Virgin of Lourdes, I _________ chose thee this day for my Mother and I
consecrate myself to thee and in imitation of the innocent and humble St. Bernadette, I
promise to be thy faithful child by fostering personal holiness, striving after Thy virtues, and
complying with the statutes and regulations of the confraternity (although I know that they do
not bind..... One under pain of sin)
I solemnly promise to be a true apostle of Christ, an ardent crusader of Mary and active
helper of the priests, the bishops and the Pope in spreading and defending Catholic Religion…
I promise further to profess true devotion to the Holy Eucharist, honor to Mary, respect to
the Pope and love to my neighbor promoting the universal brotherhood of men under the
Fatherhood of God.
So help me God my Father and Mary Immaculate my Mother.

6. Instruction

For the greater honor and glory of God and the spread of the devotion to Mary most holy
and for the greater profit of your soul in virtue of the faculties given by the Roman Pontiff, I
accept you as a member of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes canonically
established on this church in honor of the Immaculate Conception and at the same time I
make your partakers of all the favors, indulgences, graces and privileges conceded by the
Apostolic See to this Archconfraternity, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

7. Hymn - Ave de Lourdes

8. Blessing of the Priest

May Almighty God, Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit bless you. Amen

Note: The names are recorded in the Official Book.

The Habit of Lourdes

The wearing of the white and blue habit of Lourdes is a wide-spread custom all over the
Philippines. The white stands for purity of thought and conduct- - - it is a symbol of a clean
conscience of a spotless life and of a clean heart. The blue stands for truthfulness, sincerity,
steadfastness and integrity.

The Promise

Catholic ladies wear this simple and modest habit in fulfillment of a promise for some
special grace they want to receive or in thanksgiving for a special favor they have already
obtained. Many mothers make their little girls wear it after a grave sickless and often times
just to place them under the protection of the Blessed Virgin. Some girls wear it for one year
for several years or for the whole life.

The Blessing
 Any priest can bless it and the blessing must be repeated when wearing a new dress.

Grave Obligation

It does not bind under pain of sin (mortal or venial) unless it was clearly expressed when
the promise was made.
But girls would try to foster personal holiness and to receive the Sacrament of Penance
and Holy Communion at least once a month. (1st Saturday of the month)

The Habit of Modesty

The main intention in earring it should not be to attract the attention of the people but to
imitate the Blessed Virgins virtues specially the virtue of modesty and to promote this
beautiful virtue among Catholic ladies particularly when going to Church. This habit should
be the uniform of the apostle of Mary Immaculate of the brave crusaders of decency and
modesty.
Therefore it is not appropriate and becoming to wear habits with low meek or sleeveless
or too short or too transparent, or to use it when going to worldly entertainment like shows,
parties, dances.

Look at Your Model

“She is dressed in a white robe, girdled at the waist with a blue ribbon which flows down
all along her robe. She wear upon her head a veil which is also white, this veil gives us a
glimpse if her hair and falls down at the back below her waist. (Bernadette's words)
A Catholic girl has the following reasons for wearing the habits of Lourdes.
-I wear it because I wish to honor and imitate Our Lady of Lourdes who was the first to
use it.
-Because it helps me and helps others to be purer and holier.
-Because I am doing my part in campaigning against provocative and indecent dresses,
especially in the house of God.
-Because I wish to propagate the devotion to Our Lady, by making her better known
among Christians. Being sure that she will reward one in this world and in the other with
innumerable and graces.
-Promote Christian modesty by wearing the habit of Lourdes. Remember that you are the
apostles of modesty, the crusaders of decency. Try to imitate the one who said: “I am the
Immaculate Conception...” Be modest in your dress and try to make others dress modesty.

Note: Ladies and girls who wear the habit of Lourdes but have not receive
the Official Medal are not members of the Archconfraternity of Lourdes.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES FOR THE SICK

O powerful Virgin of Lourdes, full of affliction and with tears in our eyes, we fly to thee.
Comforter of the afflicted and health of the sick, placing in thee all in our confidence
cognizant of the innumerable and wonderful cares made by thee not only in Lourdes but all
over the world, we humbly prostrate before thee in this dreadful hour of distress and sickness
and beseech thee with all the favor faith and devotion of our souls to hear the supplication
which we direct to thee in favor of this our beloved patient __________ .
 Since thou hast worked so many cures among your devotees, do thou make one more
and save these beloved members of our family. Take him or (her) from all danger if it will not
be an obstacle to his) her) salvation and we solemnly promise thee to spend the rest of our
lives as good and practical Catholic in thanksgiving for thy powerful patronage. Amen.

Virgin of Lourdes, pray for us (Hail Mary)

Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us (Hail Mary)
Health of the sick, pray for us (Hail Mary)