How is the Community linked to the “Universal Church” or to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church?
A. The history of Religious Life and the early Church has been a troubled one indeed, especially during the late 1800s and early 1900s when Orders and Communities were being founded or reconstituted. From the Church’s perspective, it was important that Religious communities fall under the discipline of Bishops and, thus the institution of the Church. From the communities’ perspective, it was important that they remain autonomous, free to practice their God-given charism, without interference. It has only been in the last 30 years or so that such concerns have been mutually resolved. To address this issue, the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos is linked to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church through the Bishop-Abbot’s valid lines of Apostolic Succession. Likewise, each member is affiliated with the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos as well as with his/her own denomination or jurisdiction if they so choose dual affiliation. In so doing, the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theo
