SSMA Admission Requirements
Men seeking membership in the SSMA must meet the following requirements:
1. They must be a man of at least 18 years old.
2. They must profess a Christian Faith.
3. They must have completed a Spiritual Exercise with the SSMA.
SSMA Rule of the Order
There has always been an expectation of a particular lifestyle within the culture of the SSMA. Members of our fraternity are expected to observe a baseline protocol of ongoing spiritual, mental and physical formation.
I. Morning Offering
“In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”
Psalm 5:3
“I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.”
Psalm 119:147
“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”
Mark 1:35
Wake up early to give yourself time to pray and exercise before family and life duties demand your attention. Do not press snooze, begin the day with a Heroic Minute! Make the sign of the Cross before your feet touch the ground. Kiss your Brown Scapular and make a Morning Offering. Offer a brief Morning Prayer of Gratitude and leap from bed ready for Glorious Battle!
St. Josemaria
“The heroic minute. It is the time fixed for getting up. Without hesitation: a supernatural reflection and … up! The heroic minute: here you have a mortification that strengthens your will and does no harm to your body. If, with God’s help, you conquer yourself, you will be well ahead for the rest of the day. It’s so discouraging to find oneself beaten at the first skirmish.”
II. Daily Prayer
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Engage in a minimum of 20+ mins of prayer each day. The form and type of prayer is up to each Brother to discern. Continually focus on personal dialogue with the Lord, and on listening to the Holy Spirit. We must strengthen our ability to sit quietly in the presence of God. Brothers are encouraged to spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and regularly attend Adoration.
III. Daily Scripture/Theological Study
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
Revelation 1:3
Read the Holy Scriptures, sacred writings, or words of the Saints for a minimum 15+ minutes each day. Daily ongoing catechesis is essential to our training as warrior saints. We must engage our minds and continue to educate ourselves on our faith and the Scriptures.
IV. Regular Physical Training
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.” Hebrews 12:11-12
Exercise a minimum of 3 times per week. Make it challenging and vigorous according to your capabilities. Eat a healthy diet and avoid excess. 7 hours of sleep is also recommended.
Our bodies should be glorified and sanctified temples of the Lord. We have the opportunity to make our physical activity an extension of our spiritual practice. We unite our struggle with our Lords. It is a mortification of the flesh. An ascetic practice of physical endurance and discipline, given up to God.
V. Nightly Examen
At the end of the day reflect upon the day’s events. Consider your successes and your failures. Make a Battle Plan for the next day. Offer a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving, then pray for any assistance you may need.
VI. Friday Ascetic Observance
Each Friday Brothers must choose a suitable ascetic discipline or penance to observe, in remembrance of our Lords Passion.
VII. Discipline and Perseverance
Brothers are called to observe discipline in all things. Do not partake unduly of any of the worldly passions or pleasures. TV, Movies, Sports, Food, Alcohol, devices, all these need to be regulated and enjoyed in moderation. It is up to each man to discern what his limits are.
VIII. Chastity
Men of our fraternity are called to observe the laws of chastity appropriate to their station in life.
IX. Regular Confession
Our Brothers are encouraged to regularly frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Frequency will vary but a minimum of once a month is recommended.
X. Pray the Rosary
Pray the Rosary at least once per week, striving to increase that number, building towards a daily Rosary. Men are also encouraged to always carry a Rosary with them. The Rosary is the Spiritual Sword of Our Lady.
Pope Pius XI.
“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.”
XI. Devotion to Saint Michael the Archangel
Pray the Saint Michael prayer once each day and pray the Chaplet of St. Michael regularly. Consecration to St. Michael is recommended.
Sister Antonia d’Astonac
“Whoever would practice this devotion in his honour would have, when approaching the Holy Table, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for the daily recital of these nine salutations, he promised his continual assistance and that all the holy angels during life, and after death deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and all their relations.”
XII. Devotion to our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Our Brothers are encouraged to be invested with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. This is an optional devotion for our members.
Pope Leo XIII
“The Carmelite Scapular’s nobility of origin, its extraordinary spread among Christian peoples for many centuries, the spiritualizing effects produced by it and the outstanding miracles worked in virtue of it render the Scapular of Carmel commendable to a wondrous degree.”
XIII. Catholic Fundamentals
Brothers of our order are called to observe all tenets and guidelines of the Catholic faith, including but not limited to:
1. Attend Mass each Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation.
2. Observe mandatory Fasts and Abstinences.
3. Provide for the Church according to your means.
XIV. Meetings and Events
Meetings will be held every week on Mondays. They will be from 7pm to 8:30pm. Zoom attendance is available for members.
Events will be held once per month and will focus on service and fellowship.
Members are expected to attend as often as they are able. Family always comes first. But the fraternity must also be a priority.
XV. Dues and Donations
There will be no formal dues required for the SSMA. Members are encouraged to donate to the fraternity according to their means.
Members are expected to contribute towards the fraternity’s charity efforts in some way. This can be through time, talent, or treasure.
This is the Rule of the Soldiers of Saint Michael the Archangel.
“Ferrum Acuit Ferrum!”
“Castigo Corpo!”
Always forward! Never Back!
Soldiers of Saint Michael the Archangel 