Mary Carol, a Lay Member, basking in the beauty of nature


Lay Community Members at Meal

The Society of Our Mother of Peace is not only made up of Religious Communities of men and women but also of a Community of Lay persons.

To understand the Lay Community of the Society we must first grasp the primary purpose for which the original Religious Communities were established, namely, a) a strong thrust toward a contemplative mode of life with a focus towards solitude in the context of community, b) with two apostolates which seek to help people spiritually: one by way of spiritual direction, conferences on the spiritual life, a solitary retreat program and an associate membership program, and secondly, an apostolate of direct evangelization of the unchurched, initiated by person-to-person contact, especially of the poor and those who have had least opportunity to experience welcome from the Catholic Church, c) the above elements are lived in the context of material simplicity of life.

Lay membership is related to these three areas of focus but not in literally the same manner in which they are lived within the Religious Communities. This does not mean however that the similarity is a purely spiritual or tonal one. It is only saying that the two modes of life are not identical while still having significant common ground.

Membership in the Lay Community includes both married persons who are no longer responsible for children and single lay persons. The type of person who would show interest in this would be one who feels called to a mature mode of life, containing solid time for prayer, a dedication to an apostolate of evangelization to the same extent as one would normally dedicate to a full time job, and a readiness to break away from many of the diversions and cluttering distractions which often characterize modern society. This would include such practical things as TV and cigarettes.

Persons so dedicated would appreciate the value of a group supportive of this mode of Catholic Life in the Church where their workday would be focused toward the spreading of and building of the Faith within the lives of those who have been deprived of it, at least in its fullness. They would find themselves removed from the necessity of pursuing secular work principally for the sake of financing , so that they could be free for spiritual work, and in that context, supported by the Society of Our Mother of Peace.

Those interested in this mode of life should be prepared to adjust to the three characteristic notes referred to above as distinctive of our Religious Communities, but in a way in which these are considered applicable to lay membership, so that a solid orientation to prayer, a full time spiritual apostolate and a context of simplicity and discipline is expected.

People who want to discern a call to this form of life would need to be practically exposed to it. To do that they first have to feel that the characteristic elements would be positive enhancements of their life.

Persons who would wish to consider membership in a Lay Community connected with the  Society, are asked to get in touch with Fr. Placid Guste. 

Attn: Fr. Placid Guste
Mary the Font Solitude
6150 Antire Road
High Ridge, MO 63409

phone: 636-376-5105