A number of the clergy in the Anglican Catholic Church are members of the Society of the Holy Cross, therefore it seemed appropriate to share some information about the Society with members of the Diocese.
The Rev’d Canon Donald L. Malins, SSC
Deputy Master, Province of the Americas
St. John the Evangelist, Victoria
The Society of the Holy Cross was founded by Father Charles Lowder and five other priests who met on 28 February 1855 in Soho, London. Each felt called to serve God in parish and mission work within the context of Catholic priestly discipline, devotion and brotherhood. 
During the early days of the Catholic Revival the Society played its part in the recovery of Catholic doctrine and practice within the Anglican Communion. Members of the Society were instrumental in mission and retreat work. Among the many well-known priests of the Society were Father Alexander Mackonochie, Dr. Edward Pusey, and Bishop Frank Weston of Zanzibar.
There are over 900 SSC priests around the world. There is a Master General. Each Province and there are three, United Kingdom, the Americas and Australasia has its own Master. The Provinces are broken down into Regions, each with a Regional Vicar appointed by the Master. Regions are divided into Chapters, with a Local Vicar appointed by the Master. Chapters meet regularly for prayer, study and discussion. Regions and Provinces meet yearly.
The first object of the Society is the sanctification of its members through, an in union with, the mystery of the Holy Cross.The Statutes state that the Objects of the Society shall be:
- i. to strengthen and consolidate the spiritual life of its members according to Catholic belief and practice;
- ii. to maintain and extend the Catholic Faith and discipline and to defend truth against error;
- iii. to unite its members in a spiritual bond of mutual charity arising from their common faith.
The Mass is at the centre of the life of the brethren, and a disciplined spiritual life is regarded as vital to each priest’s response to the call to personal holiness. So, the Rule of Life envisages a daily Mass [where possible], the ordered recitation of the Divine Office, daily payer and study, an annual retreat and regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The brethren seek to live out the discipline of the Crucified Saviour in every aspect of life, and through their teaching and pastoral care, to help others to the same. The brethren shall consider their obligation to the Society as a close spiritual bond which takes precedence to that of any other volunteer society. (Stat. IV:I)