Abba, Father Chapter of Catholics United for the Faith

Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) is an international lay apostolate founded in 1968 to support, defend, and advance the efforts of the Teaching Church in accord with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

Abba, Father Chapter was formally launched on June 12, 2003 with a Mass celebrated by Vicar General Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel and the consecration of the chapter and its members to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Abba, Father Chapter of CUF embraces the positive mission and goals of the international organization. Its activities include prayer, study, fellowship; and the apostolic activities of evangelization and catechesis that is faithful to the Church. The apostolate promotes pro-life values and an authentic Catholic vision for the family.

The Abba, Father Chapter of CUF is committed to the mission and ministries of our archdiocesan sponsor the Office for Pro-Life Ministry.

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Catholics United for the Faith Declaration of Purpose (September 1968)

"The spectacle in our time of dissent and disunity within the Church is an offense to Christ which we, as His lay apostolate to the world, have an obligation to repair. We therefore undertake by this Declaration of Purpose, and through the continuing dedication it envisions, to try to remove the scandal and thus to aid Christ’s purpose that all may be One.

We believe that the Truth of Christ has been confided to the Roman Catholic Church which is the extension of Christ in history. The Catholic Church holds that her solemn Magisterium, with Peter as its head, is the supreme authentic interpreter both of divine Revelation and the natural law, and is freed by Christ for all ages from the possibility of substantial error. We unqualifiedly accept this cornerstone of the Faith; and thank God for both the Promise and the Gift.

We believe further that when the Church speaks authoritatively through the ordinary Magisterium, her teaching is binding in conscience on all Catholics, as reaffirmed by the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, promulgated by the Second Vatican Council.

We, therefore, wish to affirm our unshakable loyalty to the Pope, and thus to the Church, and thus to Christ. We are convinced, moreover, that this affirmation can and should be heard from many voices, that it must ring through the Church and the world.

Therefore, we pledge that Catholics United for the Faith will continue in the days ahead to support, defend, and enthusiastically advance the efforts of the teaching Church—the Vicar of Christ and all the Church’s shepherds—to give light and guidance to a confused and frightened world." ?

(The Chapter Formation Manual)"The spectacle in our time of dissent and disunity within the Church is an offense to Christ which we, as His lay apostolate to the world, have an obligation to repair. We therefore undertake by this Declaration of Purpose, and through the continuing dedication it envisions, to try to remove the scandal and thus to aid Christ’s purpose that all may be One.

We believe that the Truth of Christ has been confided to the Roman Catholic Church which is the extension of Christ in history. The Catholic Church holds that her solemn Magisterium, with Peter as its head, is the supreme authentic interpreter both of divine Revelation and the natural law, and is freed by Christ for all ages from the possibility of substantial error. We unqualifiedly accept this cornerstone of the Faith; and thank God for both the Promise and the Gift.

We believe further that when the Church speaks authoritatively through the ordinary Magisterium, her teaching is binding in conscience on all Catholics, as reaffirmed by the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, promulgated by the Second Vatican Council.

We, therefore, wish to affirm our unshakable loyalty to the Pope, and thus to the Church, and thus to Christ. We are convinced, moreover, that this affirmation can and should be heard from many voices, that it must ring through the Church and the world.

Therefore, we pledge that Catholics United for the Faith will continue in the days ahead to support, defend, and enthusiastically advance the efforts of the teaching Church—the Vicar of Christ and all the Church’s shepherds—to give light and guidance to a confused and frightened world." ?

(The Chapter Formation Manual)

The CUF Spirit

"An organization like CUF can easily be disturbed and weakened by members who do not share its inner spirit; therefore, this inner spirit must be understood. The spirit which CUF strives to embody is clearly shown in the Gospel for the Solemnity of Christ the King, where Our Lord says, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight . . .” (Jn 18:36).

While deeply aware of the need for action now on the Church’s behalf, CUF affirms that “Mary chose the better part” (Lk. 10:42). CUF will act, however, whenever action seems called for, knowing that the earthly upshot of our efforts may appear as nothing. CUF wants to stand for, and be formed by, the Gospels. CUF members have as their first aim the extension and deepening of the reign of Christ in their own hearts, and then in the hearts of all His faithful.

The Church is assured of victory over every obstacle because of the protection of the Holy Spirit. This protection has enabled the Church through the centuries to be the “pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), notwithstanding the errors and sins of her members. By reason of her holiness, the Church is the supreme guardian of the past and the greatest champion of the future.

CUF seeks to imitate the example of the Church, whose mission is to evangelize the world. CUF stands for perfect orthodoxy, ardent interior renewal, and vital unity rooted in charity. As one of our many episcopal supporters has written, “I believe that you are on the right track and that the prudence of your approach and the moderation of your methods will convince many who still may be doubtful, hesitant, or not totally committed.” (Chapter Formation Manual)

Prayer of Catholics United for the Faith

O God our Father, who sent Your only begotten Son to suffer and to give His life for the life of His Church, rule, protect, and nourish her continually, we beseech You. Teach us of Catholics United for theFaith to direct our zeal first of all to the renewal of our own hearts. Then, if it be Your holy will to allow us to be in any way Your instruments in the wider renewal of Your Church, give us the grace to know what services, small or great, You ask of us, and let the Holy Spirit teach us to perform them in obedience, patience, and charity, leaving entirely to You what fruits they may bear. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of that Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Consecration of CUF Members to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our Mother, living tabernacle of the Divinity, sure refuge of sinners; we, the members of Catholics United for the Faith, renew today before you the consecration of our apostolate and all its activities to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to your Immaculate Heart.

In the presence of all the heavenly court we acknowledge you as our Mother and Queen. We deliver and consecrate to your Immaculate Heart our bodies and souls, our goods, both interior and exterior, and the value of all our good actions—past, present and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of us, and all that belongs to us, without exception, according to your good pleasure, in order that we may support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church, and spread the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus throughout the world for the glory of God the Father, to bring all men to redemption and salvation, and through them to establish the right relationship of the entire world to Christ.

O faithful Virgin, make us in all things perfect disciples, imitators, and servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ask Him to send us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, that we may always remain faithful to His Vicar the Pope, and to the Magisterium of His Holy Catholic Church, that we may always place His will and glory before our personal concerns and preferences, that we may strive to make His Sacred Heart more loved and honored among men and that we may serve Him well in the apostolate of the laity and be received in heaven by Him and by you, dearest Mother, when our life’s work has been fulfilled.

Amen

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us.

St. Joseph, Head of the Holy Family and Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us. ++

AMEN.