The Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church

A living tradition of Christian liberalism and ecumenism

The Order of Ave Maria

History of the Order.

In 1951-52, during which time the Ancient Catholic Church was an autocephalous tropus of the Catholicate of the West, Mar Joannes I Nicholson founded three religious Orders, The Order of St John the Baptist, The Order of Ave Maria and The Order of St Teresa - The Little Flower. These Orders were chartered by means of exquisite hand-illuminated documents prepared by Mar Joannes I himself that received the signatures of their founding members, and were registered in the archives of both the Ancient Catholic Church and the Catholicate of the West (which was at that time incorporated in India under Act XXI of 1860). The Catholicate of the West was formally dissolved in 1953.

As Patriarchs, Mar Georgius and Mar Joannes I reserved to themselves the powers to create religious orders for the benefit of encouraging members towards particular aspirations and works. The Order of St John the Baptist is dedicated to Preaching the Gospel, Healing the Sick and Comforting the Mourner. The Order of Ave Maria is dedicated to promoting love and devotion toward the Virgin Mary. The Order of St Teresa - The Little Flower is dedicated to promoting the Devotional Life according to the example of St Teresa of Lisieux and sustaining the Priests of the Church by means of love and prayer.

For further information about Mar Georgius as a fons honorum, please see this page.

Foundation Charter of the Order of Ave Maria                                                                           

In 2008, reflecting the fact that each Order was long-dormant due to the vicissitudes of the Ancient Catholic Church since their foundation, the Metropolitan Primate regranted each of the Charters afresh, ensuring that each Order was now accorded perpetual validity within the Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church.

Renewal Charter of the Order of Ave Maria