The Vision of Our Mission
If you are already a member of Miles Jesu, or you are learning about us for the first time, here is an important message to each of you from the President of Continuity—former Anglican Bishop of London, now Catholic, the Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Msgr. Graham Leonard, KCVO:
The Vision of our Mission
The mission of the Roman Catholic Church and the individual members of the Church is the same: giving glory to God and working for the salvation of souls. Throughout the centuries the Holy Spirit has inspired orders, institutes and individuals to work for this in many ways, always appropriate to the needs of the time and place. The Continuity movement, inspired by the substantial influx of converts in the past two decades, the Holy Father’s ‘New Evangelization’, and by the annual Path to Rome Conference series, held most recently in Phoenix, Arizona, 2004, is just such an appropriate response for this moment on the American continent and elsewhere.
Recently, at a regional Continuity Conference, the members discussed why more people don’t come into the Church. The general consensus was that many non-Catholics, perhaps, have rarely or never met a Catholic who is deeply loyal to the Catholic Church and the Holy Father, and dedicated to growing in personal holiness and in knowledge of the Catholic Faith. Such a Catholic should be enthusiastic to share that Faith with others and well read in the history of the Roman Catholic Church and familiar with the lives of their Saints. Such a Catholic would live as an example of the Catholic Faith in practice—at home, at work—everywhere. The Continuity Movement, in developing such members, will effectively answer this need. We see this as the most effective means to bring about the conversion and evangelization of America, Britain and Europe.
The most efficient way to encourage this development of our members is through the groups that are being formed worldwide. In a joint letter with the Founder of Continuity, the Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Maria Duran, M.J., who is also Founder and General Director of Miles Jesu, we described the various types of groups, seeing them as the best way to develop the Movement and its members. Their description is appended to this letter.
Members of Continuity and Miles Jesu are ready to offer practical assistance and advice to help you in setting up a group in your area. A Continuity Team, usually consisting of two men or two women, can visit your parish or home to help with both the structure and content of the meetings. It will be well worth your while to give them a call and start a group in your area soon. Asking God’s blessing on you and your families, and praying that the Continuity Movement will effectively renew, restore, and preserve these lands in the Faith of our Fathers.
I remain sincerely yours in Christ,
Monsignor Graham Leonard
President of Continuity
"Gathered in His Name" Continuity Groups
There are, at the moment, three types of Continuity groups, while future development of new types of groups is foreseen. There are Continuity Holy Hours of Adoration for the conversion of America, prayer and study “reunions”, and apostolic groups. These groups meet at least once a month and pray a set group of prayers: the Litany of Unity, Prayer of Mary Stuart, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, Continuity Prayer for the Americas, and Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe. You can request a copy of these prayers from us at the address or phone numbers given on the Contact Us page.
While Holy Hours of Adoration are held in a church, reunions and apostolic groups can be held at homes or any other suitable place. In all of these, the members pray for this conversion to come about, study and discuss the Catholic Faith and Catholic history, and work to bring others into the Church.
The Continuity reunions, as distinguished from the Holy Hours of Adoration and apostolic groups, are formed of three parts: Prayer, Study, and Action. (general guidelines)
PRAYER
STUDY
Includes reading, talks and discussion on a selected topic:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- The Doctrine of the Church
- History with a Catholic meaning
- Conversion testimonies
- Lives of the Saints
- Evangelizing our culture through development of the lay apostolate.
ACTION
Each member is encouraged to take part in one of the following Continuity activities, each according to his/her capabilities:
- Promoting the Catholic Faith through good example as a parent, professional worker, student, etc.
- Promoting the Continuity Movement by promoting the Newsletter, Web site, and other media, especially among non-Catholics, or fallen away Catholic family & friends.
- Promoting the Path to Rome Conferences by getting registrations and promoting Path to Rome books, tapes and other Miles Jesu Publications.
- Volunteering to help the Continuity or Miles Jesu staff with promotion or administration needs.
- Participating in Continuity activities such as conferences, seminars, and other projects. – Promoting existing Continuity groups or starting new ones.
The spiritual development and educational formation of Continuity Members is primarily through the following:
- Continuity groups;
- Retreats and reunions;
- Conferences on the history of the Church, faith and apologetics, or leadership seminars.
- Personal initiative to grow daily in every aspect of human formation.
