To start a Chapter in your parish you only need two people, yourself and one other person.

1. If you meet in homes, it is not necessary to obtain any special permissions. However, it is a nice courtesy to notify your pastor. In order to meet on church property you must obtain permission from your pastor. In case of the latter, announce your intention in the parish bulletin.

2. The name of the chapter should be the parish name.

3. Agree among yourselves on a time to meet. If possible, meet for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in your parish. Your primary purpose for meeting will be prayer. You may add study time and fellowship as well. All study should ultimately be referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church but you may study the Faith and pray together in a wide variety of ways: through art, literature, music, by going on pilgrimage, etc. You may structure your prayer time as you wish and say whatever prayers you wish, however you must always include prayers for the pope, your bishop, your parish priests and deacons, and all of the priests and seminarians in your diocese. The common prayer of the Apostolate is the Canticle for the Church, found in the back of the Rule. It is nice to end meetings with this prayer.

4. When you hold your first meeting, notify the Apostolate that you have formed a chapter and let us know when and where you have decided to meet. If you are meeting at the church or in a public place we will post that information on the website. If you are meeting in a private home we will not post that.

5. Always opt for simplicity whenever possible but if your chapter grows larger than 10 people, you will need a formal leadership structure. At that time, you should begin to hold annual elections of officers.

If your chapter grows larger than 10 people you should obtain a chaplain, if possible. Since many priests are overworked this may not be possible. But it is advisable to have a good priest in your midst to keep you firmly grounded in the Faith and connected to the Church.

6. Under no circumstances should your chapter become a fund-raising or service organization. You are contemplatives in the world; your most important work is prayer. No money should be collected unless it is necessary to pay for a place to meet.