The Duties Commitment Form is intended to help Transitus Oblates: Candidates (Inquirers), Postulants, Novices, Professed Members, and Guests determine which duties in the Rule they wish to fulfill, so as to better order one's life in light of the Gospel.
As it stated in the Rule, we do not wish to follow a monastic rule because it instructs us to do more or do something different than what the commandments of God, the Gospel and the Epistles already require of us. We wish to follow a monastic rule because it instructs us to follow the commandments of God, the Gospel and the Epistles in a greater measure, where we would without one, do less.
TRANSITUS members are only bound to what they can do. They are encouraged to commit themselves, according to their circumstance and measure of grace, only to that which they have the interest, the ability, and the time insofar as they do not alter the Rule and School of Perfection itself, nor any of its particulars, their meaning or their terms, or by arbitrarily replacing their duties with something else.
Members can do more or do less than what is suggested, and they are free to increase or decrease their level of commitment, or even leave the association at any time. Each member is only required to define to what it is he is committing himself, so as to make himself accountable to it. They should do less than what would be counter-productive to their spiritual growth but more than what is easy, remembering the path to perfection is the Way of the Cross, yet not forgetting what matters is not the accumulation of our prayers and works, but the quality and measure of our love. Thus Oblates should strive above all else to grow and to be perfected––through the life of monks––in charity.
Members must pray the Weekly Consecration & Renewal of Commitment (Act of Oblation to Divine Merciful Love) and they must fill out and submit the (online) Duties Commitment Form (at least once) so as to determine their own personal acquisition of the Rule and School of Perfection and their level of commitment in Transitus, thus making themselves accountable not only to the Rule and School, but to our Abbot and Savior Jesus Christ, to one’s own conscience, and to each other (to be revised as often as needed).
There will be times one will not be able to fulfill a particular duty either for legitimate reasons or not––which is fine and even to be expected. This is not necessarily the measuring stick to determine if one is suited to lay monastic life as much as it is the very process of living it. It is recommended that if after a month or so one is consistently failing to fulfill certain particular duties, they should fill out and submit a new form. One can change the level of one's commitment––more or less––as often as needed, and may submit as many forms as is necessary.
Keep in mind: The Transitus School of Perfection requires––if one would do ALL the suggested duties––approximately one hour (more or less) a day. Can we give God one hour a day in exchange for eternal life? (Matthew 26:40) I believe we can. May our patrons St. Francis the Little Poor Man of Assisi, St. Therese the Little Flower of the Child Jesus and Holy Face, and Our Mother of Perpetual Help, help us, pray for us, and guide us in following in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal and Sovereign High Priest and King. Amen.
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THE RULE: DUTIES COMMITMENT FORM