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MISSION STATEMENT 

The members of the Rays of Merciful Love, as a Lay Association of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, fulfill the mission to serve as rays of love and mercy to all persons whom they encounter in their homes, work-places, social commitments, etc.  As rays cannot exist of themselves but radiate from and return to their source—the Rays of Merciful Love united to the Heart of Jesus, Fount of Love and Mercy, find their source and object in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and seek to direct others to His Kingdom of Love. The Lay Associates particularly endeavor through prayer and sacrifices to promote and strengthen vocations to the priesthood and religious life particularly those called to the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.    

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MISSION OF THE LAY ASSOCIATES

1. To live the Lay Associates’ life of prayer and Sacred Heart spirituality
2. To pray for the Holy Father, bishops and priests (especially those of one’s own diocese and parish); to pray for religious and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, (especially for the young women called to the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.)
3. To promote the enthronement of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes and to distribute images of this Heart
4. To perform each day an act of charity or to offer some sacrifice such as mortification in food, entertainment, social media, in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially for sins against life and the sacrileges that wound His Heart deeply
5. To engage in some charitable work at home, in your neighborhood or parish or to assist in some pro-life activity
6. To speak of God’s love and forgiveness as opportunity allows.

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MEMBERSHIP

​Members of the Rays of Merciful Love: 

1. Share in the spirit of  prayer and glorification of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus;
2. Offer reparation to this Heart for sins;
3. Reveal God’s mercy and love through a more faithful commitment to the Christian life: in prayer, works of mercy and penance;
4. Meet bi-monthly with other Lay Associates.

Members Include:
Catholic men and women who share in the Sisters’ charism and apostolic mission and who are willing to strive for perfection: living according to the law of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church and who are especially distinguished by a great devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist.
 
Auxiliary Members include:
Men and women who, though unable to receive the Lord Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist due to extenuating circumstances such as marital status or religion, yet desire to participate in our spirituality and vision, seeking to do God’s will.
 

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PRAYER LIFE OF LAY ASSOCIATES

The Participation of the Lay Associates in the Sisters’ life of Prayer: 

1. Praying the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus daily and striving to more closely resemble His Heart, especially by gentleness, humility, patience and compassion, in a spirit of joy and simplicity as modeled by St. Francis of Assisi;
2. Praying daily one part of Holy Rosary to imitate Jesus and Mary and to become more sensitive to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit;
3. Striving to attend the Holy Eucharist each day, or at least once during the week, preferably on Fridays; 
4. Striving to make an hour of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament weekly and/or meditating for at least ten minutes a day on the Holy Scriptures (especially the Holy Gospels.) Studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church;
5. For those whose schedule permits, striving to pray at least one part of the Divine Office.

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SPIRITUALITY 

1. An ardent devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; 
   A deep trust in the Divine Heart of Jesus who is all powerful and full of mercy and  goodness; If God is for us, who can be against us (Rom.8:31).   
   
2. A devout participation in Holy Mass and reverence toward Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, for example, making conscious and proper genuflections upon entering and leaving a church or when passing the Most Blessed Sacrament; 
   
3. Frequent and reverent reception of the Most Holy Eucharist in reparation for the sacrilege and indifference the Lord Jesus receives in this Sacrament; 
   
4. A generous love for God in making the intention to offer their daily prayers, works, joys, and sufferings for those who do not love or serve Him.  

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