Tradidi quod et accepi
I delivered unto you that which I myself have received” – I Cor. 15:3
Transitus Oblates must profess and live, in truth and in charity, the Christian Faith as summarized in the Creeds and revealed through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, which has been handed down to us from Christ through the Apostles and their Successors, preserved and propagated by the Magisterium (the Pope and the bishops in union with him). For “whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.” – The Athanasian Creed
Oblates must commit themselves to the study of Sacred Scripture, salvation history, the Ecumenical Councils and Papal Documents, the lives and writings of the Church Fathers, Doctors, and Saints, and the entirety of the Church’s faith and morals, liturgy and sacraments, ministry and life, so that they may properly understand all these things, confess them faithfully, and observe them diligently until the end as they attain the goal of their faith––the salvation of their souls. “Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. Whosoever revolts and does not continue in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; but he who continues in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son.”
The Christian, if he is to be a true disciple of Jesus and he seeks to save his soul and the souls of others, must have more than a catechesis (education) of the head; he must have a catechesis (education) of the heart. For it is only when we study, teach, and learn in a spirit of prayer with the intention of living (praxis) what we pray, does the Word become alive within us, and lead us through charity to union with God and love of neighbor (orthopraxy). Faith that is not active in love, not fruitful in good works, and therefore not meritorious, is not sufficient for salvation. “Such faith,” says St. Anselm, “is not the faith of a Christian, but the faith of a devil.” Only he who truly believes in Christ and His doctrine, and lives in accordance with it, will be saved.
Non-Catholic members (Orthodox, Protestant, or "Emergent") are not bound to a full profession of the Catholic Faith and the precepts of the Catholic Church for membership into Transitus. They are welcome as guests, and as brothers and sisters to participate according to their level of interest and ability in our School of Christian Perfection, which is nothing other than the Deposit of Faith prayed, studied, and lived.
The Roman Catechism of the Council of Trent, with its weekly sermon program, will be our primary resource for study and reference.
