The Rule of the Knights of the Holy Eucharist

The Knights of the Holy Eucharist are single Catholic men seeking to follow Christ more closely through a life lived in community and dedicated to the service of God. The primary focus of this service is the fostering of reverent devotion to Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament and the assistance and protection of the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration.

The Knights of the Holy Eucharist are located at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. Here the Knights seek to promote faith in the Real Presence of Our Lord by their vigilant presence each day before Our Eucharistic King exposed for adoration. This presence serves not only to increase their personal devotion and witness to their faith, but also to provide protection for Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Called to serve at Masses, Healing Services and Benediction Services, the Knights give public witness to the profound reverence and devotion befitting such sacred service. They also provide assistance, tours and talks to the many pilgrims who visit the Shrine.

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is also the home of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, where the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration fulfill their divine vocations as Cloistered Contemplatives and Extern Sisters. Sharing with the Poor Clares a love for St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan heritage, the Knights seek to live out their own vocation in his spirit.

The Knights of the Holy Eucharist generously offer assistance to the Poor Clare Nuns, helping with the maintenance of their Monastery and attending to other needs. Residing on the Monastery grounds, the Knights provide protection for the Nuns, their continual presence discouraging possible intrusion or vandalism.

The Evangelical Counsels

Although not professing public vows, the Knights of the Holy Eucharist are intent upon living the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, according to their state in life.

The Knights of the Holy Eucharist do not require their members to renounce all private ownership. However, the spirit of detachment should be cultivated. Material goods should be used responsibly and with the prudence and restraint that befits any sincere follower of the poor and humble Jesus. Knights are given a living allowance for their needs and are asked to be discerning in the administration of such funds and to remain free of debt.

Knights of the Holy Eucharist live the evangelical counsel of chastity by maintaining a celibate lifestyle for the duration of their membership. Although free of all such restrictions upon departure from the community, members are requested to refrain from dating or similar situations for the time of their participation. This makes possible a communal atmosphere where union with God and devotion to His service have primacy.

For members of this community the practice of obedience is pursued through a zealous performance of assigned work obligations, conscientious observance of the community schedule and regulations, and subjection to a central authority within the community (the Brother Guardian). Although it will sometimes be necessary to deviate from assigned or schedule activities, members should make these occasions known to the Brother Guardian. Dispensations should be requested in advance whenever possible. When unexpected circumstances make this impossible, it should be reported to the Brother Guardian at an appropriate time.

Adoration

Seeking to foster devotion to Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Knights provide an example of reverence and devotion both in serving at the altar and in their daily hours of adoration. Although other pressing duties and scheduled activities may at times call them away from the Chapel during their allotted time of adoration, each Knight is asked to spend at least one complete hour before Our Eucharistic King each day. This obligation may be fulfilled in the Monastery Chapel or in the Priests’ Chapel adjoining the Knights’ place of residence.

Each Knight is responsible, during his time of adoration, for enforcing the Monastery’s rules regarding appropriate dress and behavior in the Chapel. If he is called away from this duty, he must make arrangements for other site personnel to replace him.

The Knight’s Residence

At the discretion of the Nuns, the Knights of the Holy Eucharist occupy a building located on the Monastery grounds. The Knights acknowledge that the building is owned by Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, Inc. and that by the Knights living there they acquire no rights, title, or interest, in and to the land and the building. This building is provided for their use by the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration. Located in this building is also the Chaplain’s quarters and a private chapel.

Free Time

(Recreation as “Re-Creation” of both body and spirit)

The free time allotted by the community schedule allows its members time to attend to personal obligations and necessities. It also allows individuals time for a balance of private prayer, reflection, spiritual reading or community recreational activities. Television may be watched only in moderation, with the Superior’s permission and not to the exclusion of all other forms of recreational activity. All media viewed should be assessed responsibly to be in keeping with the norms of Christian morality.

The Knights should not absent themselves from the Monastery grounds without permission from the Brother Guardian and all Knights should have returned to their communal residence by 9:30 p.m. (except in the case of community outings). Should occasion arise when necessity or duties require departure from the Monastery in the Brother Guardian’s absence, members should leave written notification of their destination and the time anticipated for their return.

Personal and Communal Conduct

A Knight of the Holy Eucharist should be mindful at all times of the obligation he has, as both a Christian and a Knight, to bear witness to the truths of the Gospel.

He should avoid companionship, environments and activities which may confuse or scandalize those who have a right to find in him an example of authentic unworldly Christianity. Always mindful of the primacy of God in his life and his desire to serve Him with freedom and dedication, the Knight should maintain an appropriate and modest reserve in his dealings with others. Knights should, however, strive always to be cheerful and pleasant to all with whom they have contact, radiating the peace and joy that come from following Jesus.

As a means of representing the Shrine, Knights are encouraged to wear their tunic and crucifix when leaving the property. If Knights must leave the Monastery grounds for work related reasons they may wear their work clothes, but these must be clean and presentable. Work clothes should also be worn when participating in approved sporting and recreational activities.

Community Living

Life in community provides many opportunities for growth in the Christian virtues. Courteousness and consideration should be exercised at all times, each member fulfilling his share of assigned household tasks conscientiously and in a spirit of fraternal charity. Duties will be allotted at the discretion of the Brother Guardian.

Entrance to the Knights residence should be restricted to its members and the Priests and visitors scheduled to stay there. Other visitors should be permitted only with the permission of the Brother Guardian. All who come seeking assistance, however, should be treated with warmth and Christian charity.

Members are asked to refrain from smoking and drinking hard liquor for the duration of their participation in this community. Wine and beer may be permitted on Solemnities and days of special celebration at the discretion of the Brother Guardian. However, consumption must be limited to a moderate amount. They are also asked to keep their communal residence and private accommodations clean, neat and orderly.

Asceticism

The Knights of the Holy Eucharist strive to maintain a wholesome asceticism in their communal living. This includes simplicity in their meals and entertainment and fasting and abstinence on Fridays according to the laws of the Church and the discipline of the community. Although rest is permitted during free time, it should not be resorted to without real necessity.

Days of Retreat

Each Knight is to set aside one day a month as a day of retreat and reflection. This day should be used to assess one’s spiritual progress and to rededicate oneself to the pursuit of holiness. Days of retreat should be spent in prayer, reflection, and spiritual reading. Knights should remain on the Monastery grounds during their days of retreat.

Hospitality

As part of their ministry of service, the Knights offer hospitality to many visiting Priests, Religious, and other approved guests, who travel to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Knights are asked to receive these men as they would Jesus Himself, sharing with them their fraternal life, encouragement and support. Although offering hospitality may often prevent an exact observance of scheduled activities, this should not be seen as an infringement but a privileged opportunity to serve Our Lord in His ministers.

Family Visits

The Knights of the Holy Eucharist are allotted two weeks of vacation time each year. During this time they may travel to see relatives or make pilgrimages to holy sites. Their conduct while away from home should be consistent with their behavior while in residence at the Shrine and always bear fitting witness to Christ and His Church.

Since a Knight of the Holy Eucharist has chosen to give himself to Christ more fully, he is called to sacrifice many of the legitimate goods that others enjoy. In order to maintain closer bonds with his community, times spent with family and friends outside of the scheduled vacation time should be rare and at the discretion of the Brother Guardian.

The Apostolic Life of a Knight

A Knight of the Holy Eucharist seeks to manifest his love for Jesus not only in the faithful fulfillment of his daily responsibilities but also, when opportunity arises, by performing works of charity not specifically prescribed. In his free time he may choose to bring comfort and companionship to the sick or the elderly or assist the poor and underprivileged with whom he has contact.

Even in the midst of his daily occupations, he will have many opportunities to evangelize, to comfort, to lend a willing ear to the needs of the numerous visitors who travel to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament or to other individuals whose paths he might cross. He should strive to be sensitive always to the opportunities for furthering the Kingdom of God that Divine Providence will present to him unexpectedly each day.