A new movement for lay people

the Chi Rho Movement iS an organisation to help lay people nurture their faith and discover the unique vocation that God has in store for them, for the building up of the body of Christ.

Unity and Diversity

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 

- Ephesians 4.11-13

We often think of the word ‘vocation’ in terms of ordination to the priesthood, but the scriptures paint a much more colourful and far-reaching picture. In his letter to the Ephesians, St Paul writes of both unity and diversity in the body of Christ and invites that Christian community to consider the variety of vocations that God has gifted to them. He argues that it is precisely because of this variety that unity will be achieved.

News!

Check out the new website, by clicking here.

For the latest Chi Rho Newsletter please click here.

Get in touch

If you would like to know more, contact Mthr Samantha Martell SCP, who is coordinating the Chi Rho Movement on behalf of the Provincial Council.

Please do remember us in your prayers as we seek to build up the body of Christ and enable one another in our vocation.

Three CHARISMs

At the heart of this new movement are three charisms (spiritual gifts):

Prayer

At the heart of the Christian life is our relationship with God, so any movement which hopes to participate in God’s mission must open its ears to hear God’s voice. So, members commit, first and foremost, to nurturing the life of prayer. We believe that Christ is made specially present to us in the offering of the Holy Eucharist, so regular participation in this act is important to our life.

Community

The Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reminds us that at the very centre of the life of God is a community of love, into which we are invited. So, members commit to meeting together in order that we may build each other up in our faith.

Service

If we look at the life of Christ in the Gospels, we find that he spent his time reaching out to those who found themselves on the edge of society, ever widening the circle of God’s love. So, members commit to some form of loving-service in their own communities, following the example of our Lord.

These charisms should not be seen as discreet: each feeds the other. If we place ourselves in God’s presence and remember our sisters and brothers in prayer then we are naturally moved to seek community. If we seek community then we are inspired to invite others in and serve them. If our lives are dedicated to service, then we are moved to pray, so that God can show us where he needs us. And the cycle begins again…