RULES.
[These Rules or Statutes contain the fundamental elements of every Association affiliated to the Archconfraternity. They should not be set aside without some real necessity ; yet they may , with the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese, be modified and adapted to circumstances. " It is enough if the Association adopts the same name and object— " ejusdem nominiset instituti.” - Brief of Pius IX ., 1847.]
I. The end of the Archconfraternity is to honour the Holy Family , Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ; and to give to the faithful of every age, sex, and condition powerful means of advancing securely in the way of salvation, II. The means employed by the Association to attain
the sublime and useful end it has in view are, prayer, the preaching of the word of God , and the frequentation of the Sacraments .
III. The Archconfraternity was originally placed under the patronage of the Right Reverend Bishop of Liège. The Associations which are affiliated to it are placed under the patronage of their own ordinaries.
IV. The Rector of the Community of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer at Liège is perpetual Director General of the Archconfraternity. The Rector of any Community where an Association is established is by right the Director, but he may depute another Father in his stead . In all other places where the Association is established, it is directed by the parish priest, or by any other priest approved by the ordinary.
V. Each Association is divided into sections composed of a certain number of members, twenty -five at most, according to the locality. Each section is placed under the protection of a patron saint.
VI. At the head of each section is a Prefect, appointed by the Director, The Prefect has, by virtue of his office, certain duties of charity and responsibility to perform. To the Prefect should be added a Sub - Prefect, chosen from the same section ; his duty is to assist and to supply the place of the Prefect in case of absence.
Observation.--In places where it may be expedient, the Director has the power to choosen person to assist him , with the title of Prefect-General. The Prefects of each section are subject to him , and he to the Director.
