Spiritual Orders and the Order of St. Jude
Spiritual Orders are the major form of consecrated life within the Church of Soldeus. They are organizations of laity and/or clergy who live a common life following a religious rule under the leadership of a religious superior.
Their intention is to imitate Lucius more closely and in turn purify their Inner Spark and strengthen their connection with Soldeus. This is mainly achieved, but not exclusively, by observing the three Holy Vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. Members of Spiritual Orders bind themselves to this form of living by taking public vows in accordance with the norms of church law. Additionally they profess to obey certain guidelines for living as established in the Rule of their orders.
Spiritual Orders exist to tend to people who have pledged themselves to the Church, but are not priests or their assistants (deacons). The highest ranking person in an order would be an abbot, prior or grandmaster (these positions are all held by priests) and you would not likely find more than two priests in any order.
The following religious orders are currently operating within the Diocese of Wessex.
The Order of St. Jude, a mendicant order.
It is entirely possible for members to create their own spiritual orders and/or saints by following the guidelines here and submitting the proposal to the Bishop of Wessex.
