FAQ

WHAT IS THE ORDER OF ST. LUCY?

 The Order of St. Lucy is a religious order without monastery walls.  We are Catholic, but not Roman Catholic.  Like the Roman Catholics, we have valid Apostolic Succession and valid Sacraments.  Unlike the Roman Catholics, we believe in Universal Salvation, which for us means that we do not believe in eternal damnation, which is not a Biblical concept, but a teaching created by the historical Church.  All people regardless of religion or belief are welcome to join us for Holy Communion if they wish.  We do not require anyone to make a private confession prior to receiving Communion.  We are not dogmatic, which means we do not require anyone to accept a set of intellectual beliefs or doctrines.  Those who join us are free to interpret the creeds and teachings of Christianity however they wish.  We do not interfere in the lives of others by forbidding the use of birth control, discriminating against divorced persons, or campaigning against abortion. We do not attempt to convert those of other religions because we believe that all religions are valid pathways to an understanding of the Divine.  We make no judgments against anyone on the basis of lifestyle, gender, race or sexual preference.  Not just men, but women and sexually active gays of any gender are allowed to become priests and bishops in the Order of St. Lucy.  Clergy in our tradition are allowed to marry. There is no vow of celibacy in the OSL.

WHERE DID THE OSL COME FROM?

 The OSL exists within the Liberal Catholic Movement, and uses the liturgy of the Liberal Rite.  We identify as Liberal Catholics. While we came from a denomination calling itself the Liberal Catholic Church, we are now part of the greater Independent Sacramental Movement.  The Liberal Catholic Church came into being in 1916 as a reorganization of the Old Catholic Church (originating in the Netherlands) on a more liberal basis in Britain.  Later, the LCC came to America.  The clergy of the LCC were esoteric in mindset, teaching the Theosophical concept of the Seven Rays, chakras, reincarnation, and other concepts which are rejected by mainstream Christianity.  While most Liberal Catholic clergy believe in these concepts, no belief whatosever is required of Liberal Catholic church members. Throughout the 20th Century and to the present day, there have been various schisms in the LCC, leading to a broader Liberal Catholic Movement.  This movement exists within the larger Independent Catholic movement, which consists of Catholic jurisdictions with valid Apostolic Succession who have broken away from mainstream churches in order to maintain the integrity of their vision.

WHAT DOES THE OSL OFFER?

 The OSL offers Holy Eucharist (Mass) 3 to 4 times a month, occasional Healing Services, which involve annointing with Holy Oils and an invocation of the Archangel Raphael, occasional services of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as other services and activities.  These services are open to the public and membership is not required.  At this time we are under the Episcopal guidance of the Mission Episcopate of the Theophany in Nahsville, Tennessee.  We also offer membership as vowed brethren of the OSL.  Those who apply for membership undertake a course of spiritual study and may attend closed meetings and ceremonies of the Order.

WHERE DOES THE OSL MEET?

 We meet the 2nd Sunday at the Dallas Meditation Center at 10:30 am for Centering Prayer (a form of Christian contemplation) and Holy Eucharist starts at 11:00 am.

 The 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays (with some exceptions) we meet at St Lucy's Oratory, which is our home oratory, for 10:00 am Holy Eucharist.  Those interested may email Brother Lawrence for directions at br.lawrence@orderofstlucy.org.