First Rule ~ Prayer

Each Warrior Monk in each place seeks truth and humble faith, glorifying the Lord through continuous prayer.  Though constrained by the myriad pressures of military life, occupational obligations, distractions and incessant noise, the Warrior Monk makes time to pray, usually internally, even while surrounded by military comrades.  In battle, the Warrior monk prays for all souls, friend and foe, especially those in need of mercy.  And given the opportunity to practice the contemplative life, he will heed the Lord’s call to seek “a deserted place and rest a while.”  (Mk 6:31)

While in the world, constantly training for battle or waging war, Warrior Monks rarely meet formally to pray.  However, they do seek one another’s counsel and provide encouragement whenever feasible – even if it is only through written correspondence – in order to honor the prayerful fellowship of this First Rule. 

The Liturgy of the Hours is held in the highest regard and enables the Warrior Monk to pray in communion with his brothers.  The Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the Holy Church, centered around the Psalms, that sanctifies the Hours of the day.  These Hours include Prime, Terce, Sext, None, and Vespers.  Whenever practical, the Warrior Monk prays a minimum of five times daily at three-hour intervals in order to align his heart with the spiritual rhythm of the Hours.  These Hours are also the model from which a Warrior Monk – if he chooses to use another prayer rhythm or cannot pray formally – should develop his own prayer routine, be it contemplative, meditative, or private. In all cases, the Warrior Monk is encouraged to seek the spiritual counsel of his pastor to develop a prayer regimen that echoes the more formal Hours. 

The following are additional prayer requirements:

--Every evening, the Warrior Monk makes a short examination of conscience before going to bed. 

--Each Warrior Monk seeks to preserve the ancient Latin tongue by memorizing common prayers in Latin.

--Yearly, Warrior Monks take a retreat to refresh their souls.  This can also be accomplished by spending two or three days per year in silence.

“Never did a single hour or moment pass in which [Saint Martin] was not either actually engaged in prayer; or, if it happened that he was occupied with something else, still he never let his mind loose from prayer.”  (Severus)

Second Rule ~ The Eucharist

The Warrior Monk’s lifeblood and victory lay in the physical presence of Christ.  Warrior Monks attend Mass weekly – every day if possible (twice weekly during the initiate period) - remembering the words of the Lord:  “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life.”  (John 6:54)  Indeed, each Warrior Monk treasures deeply and pursues faithfully communion with Christ.  If no priest is available, the Warrior Monk goes to great lengths to find one, even on the battlefield. 

Third Rule ~ Self-denial

The Warrior Monk follows a strict routine of self-mortification in accordance with the Lord’s message to “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt 16:24)  Such practice has many spiritual benefits.  Sharing in Christ’s suffering brings the Warrior Monk closer to Him.  It helps clear his mind and minimize mundane concerns.  And it opens previously unseen parts of the heart, deepening his connection with Christ’s love.

During the initiate period, the Warrior Monk fasts once per week.  A fast consists of two very small meals, or snacks, and one normal meal.  Liquids such as juice, coffee, or milk are permitted in order to keep one’s energy at acceptable levels.  A Warrior Monk must be particularly conscientious concerning this obligation and make reasonable adjustments whenever necessary to ensure the optimum performance of his military duties, especially as these duties pertain to the safety of others.  In circumstances where it would be dangerous for a Warrior Monk to fast, he will temporarily suspend the fast or choose another day.

Following established Catholic tradition, the Warrior Monk abstains from meat on Fridays throughout the year. 

Finally, all Warrior Monks carry the Rosary on their person, as near to the left breast as possible.  The Rosary recalls our Blessed Mother, who always intercedes for her faithful.

Click here for the Apostolic Constitution PAENITEMINI of the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI on Fast and Abstinence 

Fourth Rule ~ Penance

Whenever he commits sin, the Warrior Monk does penance internally through sincere sorrow and prayer and externally through the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a priest.  Additionally, he performs worthy deeds to atone for the stain associated with temporal sin. 

A Warrior Monk will practice the Sacrament of Reconciliation a minimum of once per month during the initiate period, and a minimum of once yearly after that.  This time is also an opportunity to receive spiritual guidance from a priest, review prayer techniques, and collaborate on charitable projects.

Fifth Rule ~ Charity

While immersed in his military career and family life, the Warrior Monk vigorously seeks opportunities to serve mankind, following the holy example of Saint Martin and involving his military comrades and families whenever possible.  What gifts he possesses over and above the needs of his family, the Warrior Monk gives to the less fortunate.  For indeed, with the Lord, the Warrior Monk shall not want.

As brothers in the Knights of Columbus (which most Warrior Monks are or aspire to be), the Warrior Monk supports his local council and the council’s formal charitable enterprises.  If no Knights of Columbus chapter exists at his duty station, the Warrior Monk creates one - for the Knights of Columbus embodies the spirit of Saint Martin, who exemplified the charity of Jesus “by aiding those who were in trouble, by furnishing assistance to the wretched, by supporting the needy, by clothing the naked, while he reserved nothing for himself from his military pay except what was necessary for his daily sustenance.”  (Severus)

Sixth Rule ~ Catholicism

As Roman Catholics, the Warrior Monk adheres to and studies Catholic Cannon in fulfillment of his role as exemplar to his military brethren - Catholic and non-Catholic alike.  The Warrior Monk’s “crusade” is first and foremost a crusade of peace.  Through love, the Warrior Monk aims to unite fellow Christians and inspire non-Christians to seek union with the Father of All Creation.  The Warrior Monk never attacks the peaceful, spiritual aims of other faiths, preferring instead a calm, respectful dialogue.

In addition to their military oaths and commitments, Warrior Monks promise obedience to the Holy Catholic Church.  In the same spirit, they obey those who minister on behalf of the Order, their priests and deacons wherever they may be.  Warrior Monks fervently honor and respect those within the Order as well as those who support them from the outside, particularly their families.

Seventh Rule ~ Study

Study is an integral part of Warrior Monk life.  Through study, the Warrior Monk seeks to understand the ailments of his world while honing his aptitude to improve the world.  The Warrior Monk is required to devote a portion of each day to spiritual education by studying, for example, theology, scripture, or the lives of the Saints.  Other forms of study are permitted, so long as they lead the Warrior Monk closer to Christ.  Indeed, a great many academic subjects have contributed to the treasures of the Church, each with the potential to enhance the Warrior Monk’s vows.

Eighth Rule ~ Leadership

Warrior Monks are both leaders within their respective military organizations and God’s faithful defenders of “Just War” doctrine. 

A Warrior Monk is obligated to work for the avoidance of war.  However, there are a number of conditions leading to the legitimate use of force:

--The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

--All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;

--There must be serious legitimate prospects of success;

--And, the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.  The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.  (CCC, 2309)

In the case of armed resistance against a political oppressor, the following conditions apply for the legitimate use of force:

--There is a certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights;

--All other means of redress have been exhausted;

--Such resistance will not provoke worse disorders;

--There is well-founded hope of success;

--And, it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution.  (CCC, 2243)

In the everyday conduct of leadership and management, the Warrior Monk always subscribes to the highest possible ethical standards, in much the same manner as he wages battle.  The Warrior Monk disdains idleness because it is the enemy of the soul, but he is never so busy in his day-to-day obligations that his spirit of prayer and obedience is extinguished.  As a promoter of good order and discipline, the Warrior Monk endeavors ever to be peaceful, forgiving and humble, while speaking respectfully to subordinates, peers and superiors.  Similarly, the Warrior Monk avoids unnecessary quarrels and the sinister judgment of others.  In greeting others, he says, internally or externally, “The Lord give you peace,” or “Peace be with you.”

Warrior Monks follow the example of Saint Martin who “did not seek honor from men, he desired, as much as he could accomplish it, that his virtues should be concealed.”  (Severus)  Indeed, the Warrior Monk seeks to foster the beneficent virtues of other men, especially subordinates, for the betterment of the military unit and the spiritual growth of all.  Most importantly, the Warrior Monks are men of character, committed to sound personal conduct in their personal and private lives – even when there is no one to observe.

To the best of their ability, Warrior Monks also try to follow the example of Saint Therese of Lisieux.  Her spiritual guidance, or "Little Way," provides an extraordinary example for military leaders to follow.  If we were truly living the "Little Way" we would:

(From Father Peter John Cameron, O.P., First Steps on the Little Way of St. Therese of Lisieux, Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, 2001)

Warrior Monks welcome protégés from all walks of life in order to inspire and humbly cultivate in them sound ethical standards, and to guide them in the enrichment of their spiritual lives whenever appropriate.  Warrior Monks do not recruit - those who may want to follow the Rule of the Military Order of Saint Martin of Tours will naturally gravitate toward it through steady devotion to Christ and the tranquil guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Through continuous mentorship, the Warrior Monk is ever mindful that a well-prepared Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman will be more likely to emulate the same high ethical standards as those pursued by the Warrior Monk. 

First image at top of page titled St Martin and the Beggar, by El Greco, ca. 1597-99 (National Gallery of Art, Washington)