Starting a Confraternity?

Start here! You will find all the resources you need to start, or re-establish, a Confraternity at your local parish!

First Steps

Establish New

This memo is for ladies who would like to help bring the Confraternity to their parish. It summarizes the steps that should be taken to establish a new chapter.

Establishing

Re-start a Confraternity

This memo is for ladies who would like to help restart the Confraternity at a parish where it was established previously but no longer actively functions. It summarizes the steps that should be taken to give the chapter new life.

Re-starting

Related Documents

  • Letter to the Pastor

    A letter to introduce the mission of the Confraternity to your parish Pastor.

    Download

  • Application for Affiliation

    For the Father Director to send to the Local Ordinary (usually the Bishop) to request that he establish the Confraternity at a parish.

    Download

  • Tri-Fold Christian Mothers Brochure

    This document is for use as a recruitment brochure at your parish to introduce potential members to the mission of the Confraternity. Print double-sided.

    Download

  • Editable Tri-Fold Pamphlet

    An editable version for you to create your own outreach resources specific to your confraternity. Only available in Word Doc.

    Download

  • Principal and Indulgenced Feast Days

    Officers of a local chapter may use this document to learn more about establishing particular feast days within a local chapter, and to record their chapter’s feast days. Officers may download and edit as appropriate. Keep the completed document with the other records of your Confraternity such as your Diploma of Affiliation and your membership ledger.

    Download

FAQs

  • Any Catholic woman who supports the mission and desires to grow in her vocation of faith and family life is welcome—even if she is not currently a mother.

  • Yes. A Confraternity must operate with the approval and support of the pastor, who serves as the spiritual authority in the parish.

  • Most groups meet monthly and include prayer, spiritual reflection or talks, and fellowship. Activities can also include family events, parish service, and devotions.

  • Contact the National Office at admin@christianmothers.org or call (412) 683 - 2400.

    At the National Office, one of our primary functions is to help you bring the Confraternity to mothers in your parish. We can provide you with the information, materials and support to start (or restart) a chapter at your parish, including:

    • Information to share with your pastor when seeking approval.

    • Forms your pastor (and bishop) need to sign, and documents for getting started.

    • Resources and materials for promoting the Confraternity to the women in your parish.

    • Ritual of Solemn Reception and guidance on how to enroll women once your chapter is established.

    • Support in operating a Confraternity chapter.