Devotional Societies

St. Michael and All Angels’ Church has opportunities for worship and fellowship outside of Mass. These opportunities are expressed through the devotional societies that originated in the Church of England, and spread to the United States. The three major devotional societies in the Anglican tradition are: The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, The Guild of All Souls, and The Society of Mary. There are other devotional societies and guilds, such as the Guild of the Servants of the Sanctuary or St. Vincent’s Guild (for those who serve as acolytes at the Altar), the Society of King Charles the Martyr, and The Living Rosary of Our Lady and S. Dominic. Presently, at St. Michael’s the most active devotional guilds are the Queen of Angels’ Ward of the Society of Mary and St. Teresa of Avila Ward of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. The Guild of All Souls ward is under the patronage of St. Michael, who is also the patron of the entire Guild. The ward has been dormant for some time, but efforts are being made to reinvigorate it. Please contact the Rector if you are interested in joining any or all of these devotional guilds. Participation in their events does not require membership. All are welcome!

The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1862 in the United Kingdom, and in 1867 in the United States is a confraternity of men and women praying and working for a greater devotion to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. 

The Guild of All Souls seeks to promote the Church’s teaching for the faithful departed through intercessory prayer for the Dying and for the repose of the souls of the Departed. It promotes the two great doctrines of the Christian Creed: the Communion of Saints and the Resurrection from the Dead.

The Society of Mary is the principal Anglican group that focuses on devotion to the Mother of God and service to the poor in her name. Its principal goals are; to love and honor Mary, to spread devotion to her in reparation for past neglect and misunderstanding and in the cause of Christian unity to take Mary as a model in purity, personal relationships and family life.