LMS launches Sodality of St Augustine of Hippo for the conversion of lapsed Catholics & others

The purpose of the Sodality is to unite the prayers of members for the conversion of those dear to them. There can be few Catholics today who do not have family members or close friends who have either lapsed from the practice of the Faith, or never had it; it is a particular source of grief when parents see children & grandchildren living without the support of the Sacraments. We take heart from the example of St Augustine, converted at last by the prayers & tears of his mother St Monica, & wish to demonstrate our fellowship with others in the same position, by praying not only for our own dear ones, but for those of others who will do the same for ours. Sodality members undertake to say every day the prayerPro devotis amicis, taken from the Roman Missal, for the Sodality's intention; members who are priests undertake to say 1 Mass a month for this intention. The intention is the conversion or return to the Faith of family & friends of Sodality members. The intended beneficiaries of our prayers are not listed, except in the hearts of Sodality members. The Latin Mass Society, to which the Sodality is affiliated, will arrange & announce at least 1 public, Traditional Sung(or Solemn) Mass for the Sodality's intentions a year. Sodality members, both lay & clerical, may add other Masses, prayers and devotions, for the Sodality's intentions, & are encouraged to do so. In particular, members will be asked annually if they wish to contribute to the costs of the Sodality's public Mass or Masses, & whether they would like to make a Mass offering for an additional Mass or Masses to be said for the Sodality's intentions, which the Latin Mass Society will arrange, to be celebrated according to the Extraordinary Form. (The customary Mass offering is £10). Membership of the Sodality is free & open to all; members sign up by email (info@lms.org.uk) The Sodality Prayer (which may be said in Latin or any other language): Deus, qui caritatis dona per gratiam Sancti Spiritus tuorum fidelium cordibus infudisti: da famulis et famulabus tuis, pro quibus tuam deprecamur clementiam, salutem mentis et corporis; ut te tota virtute diligent, et quae tibi placita sunt, tota dilectione perficiant. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate eiusdem Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. O God, who, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, hast poured the gifts of charity in the hearts of thy faithful, grant to thy servants & handmaids, for whom we entreat thy mercy, health of mind & body; that they may love thee with all their strength and, by perfect love, may do what is pleasing to thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth & reigneth in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. Masses for the intention of the Sodality should include, when possible, the commemoration 'Pro Devotis Amicis' (Collect, Secret & Post communion) found in the Roman Missal. Adding such a commemoration is possible in the 1962 Missal on Fourth Class Feasts at Low Mass, where no more than 1 commemoration is demanded by the Ordo.