Order of Christ the King ~ The Rexists ~ Chaplaincy Programs

THE SALISBURY~REXIST MISSION & MINISTRIES CONSORTIUM

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE SOVEREIGN NATION OF THE UKRAINE

Rexist Chapel in Florida 1958 – 2007

TRADITIONAL ~ ORTHODOX ~ CATHOLIC ~ ECUMENICAL WHERE  LAITY & CLERGY ARE WELCOME AS EQUALS IN CHRIST THE KING  

We will begin this Treatise as what could well be considered the end or a summation.  The Order of Christ the King is an Orthodox Catholic Inter-Jurisdictional Religious Order.  Laity and Clergy are without distinction among our members in terms of Privilege.  In fact, it is possible for Lay Members to hold certain Offices above those who are Clergy within our ranks.  At the end of the day in this Order, all are EQUAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST OUR MOST HOLY REDEEMER AND HEAVENLY KING.  Our rationale for this position?  All who come before the Throne of Christ Our King are equally Precious to Him.  All Believers who Acknowledge The Lord Jesus Christ as the Eternal Supreme Monarch are counted by Him as His Equal Subjects.  This is an Eternal Truth and no matter how far we stray  from The Throne of Grace He Always Reconciles Himself to All  who Seek His Reconciliation.

CELEBRATING NEARLY A CENTURY AND A QUARTER  OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE TO HOLY MOTHER CHURCH.

THE ORDER OF CHRIST OUR MOST HOLY REDEEMER AND HEAVENLY KING was Organized in Leeds, England on the Feast of Christ the King in 1900 A.D. The unwritten motto of the Order came to be the Pauline directive, “be in the world, but not of it.” Our founders sought to strengthen their daily lives through a common discipline of devotion and study thereby encouraging the faithful to participate more fully in the Sacramental and Liturgical life of the Church.  It was not uncommon in our early History to find members of the Church of England, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Non Theosophical Liberal Catholic and the Orthodox Church Praying and Worshiping together at our Gatherings.  The Order of Christ the King was the pioneer organization to first bring Christians together who shared the Universal Faith and Historic Episcopate.  We have carried on this same Tradition for well over a century without interruption.

THE ORDER OF CHRIST THE KING IS THE FIRST HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ORDER IN THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH TO USE THE POST NOMINALS OCR FOLLOWING THE NAMES OF OUR ADHERENTS TO DESIGNATE THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER.  WE ARE NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS ORDER, SOCIETY OR ENTERPRISE USING THE DESIGNATION OF “CHRIST THE KING.”  NEITHER DO WE HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE ADHERENTS USE THE POST NOMINALS “OCR” AFTER THEIR NAMES.

A PATRIMONY THAT IS HISTORIC ~ TRADITIONAL ~ PRACTICAL

Over the decades as a matter of practicality our members developed the habit of abbreviating our identity to the Order of Christ the King. It was also thought this would better  express the emphasis we place on our Devotional life and the Kingship of Christ to non-members. The Order of Christ our Most Holy Redeemer and Heavenly  King remains our official designation and will ever remain so, that we might honor our Blessed Organizers and stay true to our noble Patrimony. The post nominals (OCR) which follow the names of those who are professed members of the Order stand for the name of the Order as it appears when written in Latin: Ordo Christus Rex, which is literally translated as the Order of Christ the King.  We have simply become “the Rexist’s” by those who have come to know us.  “Who is that Priest”?  “He is a Rexist Father”.  Is usually the scenario as it plays out  among  our members.

The Rule of the Order never provided for a Monastery or other Mother House for her members.  However as a practical matter this changed in October of 2008.  The Manse and Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene on the Hill was established in Exeter, Missouri in the United States as the first permanent Headquarters of the Order.  The Order of Christ the King has never had any connection, official or otherwise, with any of the various established Religious Orders and Societies of the great Historic Communions of the Church. In this respect, the Rexists remain a unique century old singular witness to the great diversity which exists within the religious life of the Universal Church.

UNITY WITHOUT UNIFORMITY ~ WE COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE

The chief source of unity which exists among our members is our unceasing mission to promote devotion to Christ our Lord and King, while devoting our entire being to a life of unconditional service to His Bride the Church. All professed members of the Order undergo a rigorous period of self-examination prior to acceptance into the Order. All professions must be made in a public liturgical setting and authorized by the Master General or his duly appointed representative.  Newly professed members of the Order choose a Religious Name of a Saint or form the Bible.  Thereafter, the are to be called Brother______________ or Sister____________________.  This to ever keep before their mind they are now called out and have Promised to, “LIVE IN THE WORLD AND NOT OF IT.”

LAY & CLERGY CHAPLAINCY CERTIFICATIONS ~  PRAYER GROUPS ~  BIBLE STUDIES

Over the Decades the Order of Christ the King has proven to be an excellent venue for such Ministries (but not limited in scope) as those in Nursing Homes.  The Elderly who all too often feel marginalized and neglected as Members of the Order find to their delight they are no longer alone.  Severally and Individually they can be ACTIVE MEMBERS of of a Religious Order that values their Wisdom, Longevity of Life and Appreciates the Contributions and Sacrifices they endured for those who have come after them.  Opening a Chapter of the Order in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility often brings a sense of Purpose, Community and Vigor to this often neglected segment of the Church.  Laity of many different Faith-based Traditions have opened Chapters of the Order and conducted Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings, Disaster Relief, Worked as Volunteers in Animal Shelters, Soup Kitchen’s and taken on projects as needed that benefit the Residents of their Local Communities.  OUR MEMBERS HAVE SERVED AS HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS, POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT CHAPLAINS, PRISON CHAPLAINS AND CHAPLAINS IN MANY FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.  The opportunities for Christian Service and Community Outreach are without bounds for Members of the Order of Christ Our Most Holy Redeemer & Heavenly King.  If you have an on going Ministry you feel would benefit by Membership in our Order, do not hesitate to contact us.  The Order will Certify all Qualified Men & Woman as Chaplains-General or as Chaplains in their particular area of Service-Ministry. Credentials are supplied to  our Chaplains to present to all Church and Secular Authorities.  THE FIRST STEP IN BECOMING AN OCR CHAPLAIN IS TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER.  ONCE ACCEPTED AS A MEMBER, DUE CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO YOUR DESIRE FOR OUR CHAPLAIN CERTIFICATION PROCESS.  YOU WILL HAVE OUR NEARLY 125 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SERVICE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT YOUR MINISTRY.

Masters-General of the OCR:

There was no recognized Superior in the Order in her Formative Years 1900 to 1917.  Most of the Members at that time were of the Laity.  The Order fully functioned without a Central Authority for nearly 2 decades.  With expansion and the additional Clergy becoming Members, the need arose and the first Master General was duly elected.  There have been 5 in Succession til today.

The Revd. Alban Cockerham 1918-1951
The Most Revd. E. Vance Harkness 1951-1963
The Most Revd. Jay Davis Kirby 1963-1989
The Most Revd. John Charles Maier 1989-2013
The Most Revd. Josephus Johannes Palumbo 2013-

Christus Rex Chasuble of the Order’s Master General

Qualifications for membership

Ordained male clerics, male candidates for Holy Orders, and laity of both genders are eligible to become members of the Order. Those females who have been Set Aside as a Lay Deaconess are heartily welcomed into the Order.  We invite you to explore the opportunity to serve with us.  Applicants are accepted from Communions within the Church who Recognize the Historic Episcopate as essential to preserve and maintain a proper and Sacramental Ministry as was intended in the Book of Acts.  This would include but not necessarily be limited to: Members of the Orthodox Communions, Roman Catholics, Traditional Old Catholics, Traditionalist Anglicans, Non Theosophical Liberal Catholics and High Church Lutherans who accept the essentials of the Orthodox Christian Faith.  It has never been the Intent of our Leadership (over the decades)  to keep sincere Christians who share our Ideology and Devotion to Christ Our King from our Membership.  Accordingly, we will entertain Applicants from Christian Traditions who do not share our Theology of the Historic Episcopate.  These Applicants will be considered on a case by case criterion depending on the status of their current Church affiliation.

THOSE WHO HOLD RELIGIOUS BELIEF’S THAT INCLUDE GNOSTICISM, THEOSOPHY, NECROMANCY, OCCULTISM, SORCERY, REINCARNATION AND NEW AGE PHILOSOPHY ARE EXCLUDED FROM MEMBERSHIP.  FEMALES WHO CLAIM ORDINATION IN THE SACRAMENTAL PRIESTHOOD MAY NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE OCR.  MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF CHRIST THE KING MUST HOLD MORAL VALUES ON HUMAN SEXUALITY THAT ARE BASED ON A TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION OF THE HOLY BIBLE.

We Require of our Candidates

A deep desire to grow in love for God and His creation through Consecration to Christ our Redeemer and King.

  • Strong interest in promoting Christian values in today’s society.
  • Moral, emotional, and psychological maturity.
  • A self-supporting profession or occupation.
  • Freedom to live the Rexist Way of Life (attendance at the basic OCR gatherings).
  • Good health and at least 18 years of age: their is no age LIMIT.

Community

Rexists do not live in community together but share a fraternal and supernatural bond with their Brothers and Sisters in the Order. They encourage and support one another in living their commitment to the Gospel way of life, forming a Christian community of ideals, work and prayer. When Rexists live in the same geographical area, they come together at least weekly for a day of fellowship. Rexists not living in proximity with other Order members make their day of fellowship with like-minded Christians whenever possible.

Our Name and Identity

The name “The Order of Christ the King” reminds its members of the purpose of their the Mission of giving witness to Christ, firstborn of all creatures, Lord and King of the Universe and the center of history. Rexists collaborate in spreading the Reign of God. They become an original sign of the mission of the Church in the world. Through lives of witness and service, members become a leaven to transform the world from within.

The Rexist Way

  1. DEVOTION TO CHRIST THE KING: Members of the Order of Christ the King are devoted to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

  2. SERVICE: A member of the Order of Christ the King is a servant to all who are in need; striving to always be of assistance, as the Lord enables him or her.

  3. DISCIPLINE: Members of the Order of Christ the King must walk in Godly discipline, not forsaking their duties.

  4. FELLOWSHIP: Members of the Order of Christ the King are united in the love of Christ. Though physical distance may separate members one from another, our spiritual life increases the bond of fellowship.

  5. REGULAR WORSHIP: Members of the Order of Christ the King shall, as they are able, regularly attend worship services, the Sacraments, and be faithful in prayer.

  6. HOSPITALITY: Members of the Order of Christ the King endeavor to always be Welcoming, showing kindness and generosity to strangers and acquaintances alike.

  7. CHARITY: Godly love shall ever be the mark of a Christian; Love for God and love for our fellow human beings shall be the daily striving of all Rexists.​

Spiritual Life

The Rexist Brother or Sister is concerned with the spiritual lives not only of the community around us, but of the Church at large, Members of the Order are to attend Christian worship services regularly, and are encouraged to observe Morning and Evening Prayer, as well as other spiritual devotions.

Community Work

Members of the Order of Christ the King are encouraged to perform acts of mercy, and to be of benefit to others.

Prayer for the Rexists

O Lord Jesus Christ, who callest Thy servants to follow the example of they perfect life; we beseech Thee to open their ears to the utterance of Thy voice, and their eyes to the vision of saintly perfection; and grant unto the Rexist Order a constant increase of advancement of the glory of Thy Kingdom; who livest and reignest God, world without end.  Amen.

TRADITION WITH MEANING

“PRO DEO ET HUMANITATE”

“WITH NO COMPROMISE AND NO CONTROVERSY”

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA AND DEPENDENCIES