Lay Spiritan Associates are [Catholic lay] men and women of diverse backgrounds who are attracted, by the witness of Spiritans, to the Spiritan way of life. Over time, and with Spiritan accompaniment or encouragement, they recognize a distinct “calling” or “vocation” to closer association with the Spiritan family.
Spiritan Friends are associates who are attracted to and identify with various aspects of Spiritan spirituality, community, and mission. They are organized into local, independent, and largely autonomous groups who support, collaborate with, or carry on a Spiritan mission. These could be colleagues at a Spiritan educational institution or a group raising funds for Spiritan seminarians or Spiritan projects locally or abroad. They could be groups in a Spiritan parish providing prayer support or other service to the parish community. They could also be groups that are inspired by the Spiritan charism and share a common interest related to service to the marginalized or to various issues related to justice and peace or the integrity of creation. They are recognized by the local province, share some aspects of Spiritan life, spirituality, and mission, and are accompanied by a Professed or Lay Spiritan.
Lay Spiritans are associates who identify strongly with all aspects of Spiritan spirituality, community, and mission and are called to a deeper and more comprehensive integration with the province and wider congregation. They participate in deliberative bodies such as chapters and assemblies, serve on provincial committees, and may be invited to serve the governing council that advises the Provincial.
Lay Spiritans go through a period of informal association (quite possibly as Spiritan Friends) and then enter an intensive period of formation that focuses on the Spiritan charism and history and the three interconnected dimensions of Spiritan life: spirituality, community, and mission. The formation lasts a minimum of two years after which Lay Spiritan candidates may petition the Spiritan Provincial and Lay Spiritan leadership to make a formal and public life commitment to embrace the Spiritan charism and Spiritan way of life.
Lay Spiritans embody the Spiritan way of life through personal and communal prayer, participating in community life and ongoing formation, simple living, and by engaging actively in some form of Spiritan mission. They take on responsible roles in continuing formation and vocations outreach. They provide direct service to the Spiritan Province through committee service and participation in deliberative bodies.