The name of this confraternity of Christian faithful is “The Confraternity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King”, or “The Confraternity of Christ the King” or “CCR” for short.

Subjecting itself to Canon 298 § 1, the CCR is inspired toward establishing in the modern world the Catholic teaching about Christ the King, especially as explained by Pius XI in Quas Primas. CCR is also aimed at fostering a more perfect life in its members, and to the work of the apostolate (for the beginning of evangelization, the doing of works of piety and charity, and especially for animating the temporal order with a Christian spirit) in light of this doctrine.

Canon 299 § 1 says, “It is integral to the Christian faithful to form confraternities, begun by a private formation among themselves, for pursuing the ends about which [are written] in can. 298, § 1.” CCR is a confraternity in this sense: a private gathering together of Christian faithful, constituted for the ends shown in section here. This constitution is neither praised nor recommended by the ecclesiastical authority; therefore, CCR is called “private”, under Canon 299 § 2, and under Canon 299 § 3 the CCR is not known in the Church because its statutes are not recognized by the competent authority. However, the CCR always subjects itself to the authority of the Church.

CCR dedicates itself to the corporal works of mercy, especially anything which helps the poor; and the spiritual works of mercy, especially to teach about the earthly and social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King.

All Christian faithful are eligible to enter the CCR, if they faithfully believe and diligently live the Catholic faith taught by Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, have reached at least the age of sixteen years, and are baptized and, if possible, confirmed.

Members of the CCR are of three types: comrades, soldiers, and knights.

All Christian faithful may become comrades of the CCR; males only can become soldiers or knights.

Those seeking to be received into the CCR are called “aspirants”.

It is necessary for all aspirants to believe all Catholic teachings, without exception. No one in public heresy may be received into the CCR. All aspirants must swear that they are faithful to all Catholic teachings and will always remain so in order to be received into the CCR.

The form of this oath will be thus: “I, N., swear by these words that I do now believe and always will believe all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church, the sole path to God and to heaven, teaches; for God Himself has revealed them, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived.”

The oath which the aspirant must swear, upon entering the CCR, shall be in the following words: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. I, N., will pray and work for the establishment of the earthly and social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, as the rule of this Confraternity requires a comrade/soldier/knight to do, and in all ways which are within my power. Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ is the ruler!”

It is necessary that aspirants take these oaths in the Latin language; however, they must demonstrate their knowledge of their meaning in either Latin or the vulgar tongue before they swear. The aspirant may read the oaths while swearing.

When an aspirant has sworn, his name is written in the Roll of the ccr. The names on the Roll shall always be part of the intentions of the ccr.

First the aspirant must take the oath from number here.

To become a comrade of the CCR, an aspirant need only promise that he will fulfill the obligations of prayer and work. These obligations can be found in number here, below.

Then the aspirant swears as in here.

First the aspirant must take the oath from number here.

To become a soldier or knight of the CCR, an aspirant must pass the examination on the Catechism of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, as well as promise that he will fulfill the obligation of prayer and work. These obligations can be found in numbers here and in here, below.

The examination of the Catechism of Christ the King is as follows: the leader of the chapter (see number here et seq.) will ask the questions of the Catechism, and the aspirant must correctly answer. The questions and answers may be in Latin or the vulgar tongue, at the choice of the aspirant. The answers do not need to be verbatim, but they must preserve the sense of the Catechism. The leader of the chapter decides whether the answers are correct.

Then the aspirant swears as in here.

Because the CCR is a private confraternity, the obligations of members do not bind under pain of sin; however, members of the CCR promise to fulfill these obligations.

A comrade promises to do the following:

All comrades must be given a card with these prayers written on it.

A soldier promises to do the following:

A knight promises to do the following:

Every member of the CCR ought to always pray to the Lord before and after meals, especially in public, unless grave circumstances prevent it.

Every member should pray at least the third part of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary every day. In honor of and for the restoration of the reign of Christ the King, during the recitation of the third sorrowful mystery, the fifth sorrowful mystery, and the fifth glorious mystery, every member should pray kneeling, unless circumstances prevent it.

Fasting (and abstinence, but especially fasting) is not only penance and discipline for the body; fasting is also an opportunity for helping the poor. The money not used, or the food not eaten, should be given to the poor, and every member must always remember the poor; for “[b]lessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The CCR is a single organization, but it is divided into its proper parts. The organization of the entire CCR is governed by the senate, but members principally act in the chapters.

The CCR consists of chapters.

If possible, a chapter should be joined to a parish; if that it not possible, either through the absence of a parish or the great burden of the work, the chapter may be instituted by itself.

A chapter must choose a name for itself. Its name should signify its place, members, parish, or other aspect of the chapter, and must be religious. It is never permitted to choose or use the name of a living person.

One member only suffices for a chapter; however, the state of many members is better.

Chapters come together at least once a month.

Members of the chapter call one another “brother”, “worthy brother”, “dear brother”, or similar terms.

A chapter is composed by its members, of whom one is the leader.

The leader of the chapter is chosen by its members from its members.

The leader must be a knight or soldier.

The leader serves the chapter for one year.

The leader is chosen at the chapter meeting preceeding the feast of Christ the King.

The leader is addressed as “worthy leader”.

The duties of the leader of the chapter are as follows:

A chapter must have a treasurer.

The treasurer is chosen by its members from its members.

The treasurer must be a knight or a soldier.

The leader is not permitted to be the treasurer, unless there be no other member.

The duties of the chapter treasurer are as follows:

The treasurer is addressed as “worthy treasurer”.

The money of the chapter is guarded with great care, by the treasurer especially but also by all members. To this end, the Confraternity has established the following rules:

The leader or the whole chapter may establish other necessary offices, if the good of the chapter requires it. All these offices are subject to the leader.

If the treasurer is shown by the leader or by the whole chapter to be careless, unfit, or dishonest in office, the chapter shall remove him from office, and if necessary, report him to the civil authorities.

The Confraternity throughout the world is gathered into the senate.

Every chapter chooses one member to send to the senate.

This member is called the legate.

The legate's duty is to speak for the chapter in the senate.

The legate must be a soldier or a knight.

The senate meets once a year.

Members of the senate address one another as “brother“, “worthy brother”, “dear brother”, or similar terms.

The senate has only two officers: a tribune and a treasurer.

The senate chooses one man from its legates who will be the tribune.

The senate chooses the tribune every year in the senate meeting; this man will serve for the next year, and the tribune's year of service begins after the meeting.

The tribune serves the senate for one year.

The tribune's duties for the senate are the duties of the leader for the chapter.

The tribune is addressed as “worthy tribune”.

The treasurer is chosen at the same time and in the same way as the tribune, and serves during the same year as the tribune.

The duties of the treasurer of the senate are the duties of the treasurer of the chapter, but on behalf of the senate.

The treasurer is addressed as “worthy treasurer”.

The tribune or the whole senate may establish other necessary offices, if the good of the Senate and the Confraternity requires it. All these offices are subject to the tribune.

The Senate must preserve the good of the Confraternity and its ends, and its fidelity to its ends.

The Senate judges its own officers, and either admonishes or deposes those who are not faithful, diligent, and true in their office.

The Senate makes or receives accusations against leaders, treasurers, and other officers, and judges them. If the leader, treasurer, or other officer is found to be unfaithful, undiligent, or false in office, the senate must remove that officer, and direct the chapter to select a new officer.

The Senate makes or receives accusations against chapters themselves, and judges them. If the chapter is found to be unfaithful, undiligent, or false in duties, the senate must direct that chapter to reform itself; and, if the chapter refuses to reform itself, the senate must suppress the chapter, and the chapter shall not be permitted to use the name nor the symbols of the Confraternity.

Besides judging in cases of wrongdoing or carelessness, the senate cultivates the good of the Confraternity and its ends.

The Senate gives aide, whether pecunariary or otherwise, to the chapter, either on the request of the chapter or of the Senate itself.

The Senate promulgates new missions to the chapters.

These rules cannot be changed except by the senate, and the spirit and ends of these rules shall be preserved.

The CCR, like all organizations, has particular symbols. The use of these symbols is governed by this rule.

The Seal of the Confraternity is a Greek cross, either black or red, with the letters “C” in the upper left quadrant, “R” in the upper right quadrant, “I” in the lower left quadrant, and “U” in the lower right quadrant, and with a Crown of Thorns surrounding the whole.

The letters “CRIU” stand for “Christus Rex, Imperator Universi”, or “Christ the King, Ruler of the Universe”.

The Arms of the Confraternity, whole, are a blue shield, divided into three parts by a broad golden line. On the left is the Crown of Thorns; on the right is a globe, with the Cross on top; and beneath is a fasces, a symbol of power and rule. In the center is a Greek cross, red, in a circle (that is, a “sun cross”), and a little below the center of the cross is a golden royal crown. There are long banners above and below the shield; above the shield is written, “Christus vincit Christus”, and below the shield is written “regnat Christus imperat”. The whole inscription is, “Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat” (in English, “Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ rules”). And these arms are the Full Arms.

The Simple Arms of the Confraternity are the Greek cross, red, in a circle (that is, a “sun cross”), and a little below the center of the cross is a golden royal crown. This is the symbol in the center of the Full Arms.

The Standard of the Confraternity is a blue field with the Simple Arms slightly above vertical center and exactly on the horizontal center. This is longer than wide, in contradiction to modern flags.

Blue is the color of Mary, the Mother of God; gold is the color of kingship; and red is the color of blood and suffering. All are deeply meaningful for the charism of the Confraternity.

The Staff of the Chapter. Every chapter has a staff of the chapter, carried by the leader. The staff is about six feet (about two meters) long and about one inch (two or three centimeters) wide, and it has the Seal of the Confraternity near the top. The staff must be made of wood.

The Sword of the Chapter. Every chapter has a sword of the chapter, which is born by the leader. The sword must have the form of a cross.

The Little Crown of Thorns is a private devotion; members are not required to wear it. The coronula, or “little crown”, is a small circle made of plant material, leather, or cloth, with small thorns added for the sake of penance. The coronula's thorns must not cause injury, and should be hidden if possible. It is worn on the wrist, around the waist, or on some other suitable part of the body.

The CCR, like all confraternities, has certain words which uniquely express their charisms and goals.

The motto of the CCR is Age viriliter, noli morare (“Act manfully; delay not”). The first part of this motto is from the first epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, do manfully, and be strengthened.” The second part expresses the necessity of acting now, of not putting off action until it is too late.

The acclamation of the CCR is Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat! (“Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ is the ruler!”). This acclamation is ancient and glorious, and is a part of the Royal Praises; it should be very frequently recited and shouted.

The Litany of the CCR is the Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King (see Appendix here on page app:en:litania). The Litany is said especially during processions.

Those members of the CCR who are not clerics wear markers of the membership, different markers for different times.

All members of the CCR may wear the Seal of the Confraternity, either on a pin, on their clothing, or displayed in some other way.

Soldiers and knights of the Confraternity may wear the Seal of the Confraternity, as well as its Arms, either the full version or the simple.

Soldiers and knights of the CCR may wear the cloak of the Confraternity. This cloak is like the Roman sagum in many ways. The Roman sagum was a garment of war, and for the soldiers and knights of the CCR, it is also a garment of war. The war, however, is spiritual, not a carnal war; the cloak is therefore blue, not red. The cloak is long, to the ground, and it is fastened on the right shoulder. The Simple Arms are on the left side, over the heart. If possible, the cloak should be fastened with a medal of the Seal of the Confraternity.

It is fitting that the cloaks should be made of wool. The Simple Arms may be made of any suitable material.

Soldiers and knights of the CCR are permitted to wear the “beak-cap”. Called in French “chapeau à bec” and in English a “bycocket”, the hat is blue and made of linen or felt. A white cockade (plume, feather, or other sign) must be attached to the hat, in honor of the past Catholic defenders of the doctrine of Christ the King who wore white cockades in their struggles. The cockade should be affixed, if possible, by a pin bearing the Seal of the Confraternity.

All together, the dress of the CCR is referred to as the habitus.

Every meeting of the Confraternity must be conducted in virtue and dignity. The CCR is a Catholic organization, and no meeting of the CCR may give a bad name to the CCR or to the Faith.

Neither alcohol, tobacco, nor any other intoxicating chemical is permitted at meetings of the CCR. Caffeine is not an intoxicating chemical.

If outside of a meeting members gather, drunkenness due to any chemical is not permitted. The use of reason must always be maintained by every member.

In all things which the CCR does, or in which the CCR participates, every member must act in a way fitting for a member of the CCR.

At the beginning of the meeting, the leader calls the meeting to order with the Staff of the chapter, striking it three times on the floor, and saying, “Hear! In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and especially in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, and in the Name of our Queen, His Mother, Mary ever Virgin, I call together this meeting of the name of the chapter, a chapter of the Confraternity of Christ the King!”

When all members have come to order, if there is a cleric in the meeting, he leads the chapter in the following prayers; if there is not a cleric present, the leader leads the chapter in the sign of the Cross, saying, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The leader then states, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, Ruler of the Universe, we consecrate ourselves to His Sacred Heart, ever anew.”

The leader then leads the chapter in the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Afterwards a suitable song may be sung, if the leader and the chapter so desire.

The treasurer must, at this time, make report regarding the money of the chapter.

Old business is discussed first; then, new business.

At the end of the meeting, the leader leads the chapter in the Royal Praises, either spoken or singing.

The meeting is finished by the leader, when he bangs the Staff of the chapter on the floor three times, saying, “The meeting of name of chapter, a chapter of the Confraternity of Christ the King, is finished, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

And the members may now go their own ways.

Senate meetings are conducted like chapter meetings, with the necessary changes being made.

If anyone wishes to become a comrade of the CCR, he must only promise that he will fulfil the obligations of prayer and work; no ceremony is needed.

Whenever an aspirant wants to be admitted into the CCR, he must first be examined in the Catechism of Christ the King by the leader of the chapter. If, in the judgment of the leader, he passes, he may be admitted into the CCR.

At a meeting of the chapter, either a normal meeting or convened for that purpose, the aspirant waits outside while the leader and the chapter perform the first part of the ceremony.

The leader strikes the Staff of the chapter three times on the floor and states, “Hear! In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and especially in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King, and in the Name of our Queen, His Mother, Mary ever Virgin, I call together this meeting of the Confraternity of Christ the King!”

The leader then leads the chapter in the sign of the Cross, in the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be; then the leader, as in an ordinary meeting, leads the chapter in the introduction to and the Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.

The leader then says, “Worthy brothers, an aspirant wishes to join in our special service to Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. The aspirant, aspirant's name, is known to me to have prepared, and has passed the examination in the Catechism. The aspirant is also known to me to be worthy and ready to join together with us in our holy work. If anyone objects to the aspirant, speak now! For soon he will be our brother.”

If anyone objects to the aspirant, he speaks, and the chapter discusses and resolves the objection. If the chapter objects, the leader leaves, informs the aspirant, and returns, when he closes the meeting as described in number here. If the chapter does not object, the leader gives the Staff of the chapter to a brother and sends him to the aspirant, who leads the aspirant into the meeting.

The brother leads the aspirant before the leader and hands the Staff of the chapter to the leader. The aspirant bows, and the leader bows his head.

The leader says to the aspirant, “Aspirant, what do you seek from the Confraternity of Christ the King?”

The aspirant responds, “Only to serve my King.”

The leader responds to the aspirant, “Do you know what will be required of you?”

The aspirant responds, “I know, and I am eager to do it.”

The leader responds, “Then let the aspirant kneel and adore his King.”

A brother hands a crucifix to the leader while the aspirant kneels. The leader receives the crucifix and shows it to the aspirant, saying, “Behold, your King and your God! And ‘[t]he servant is not greater than his lord; neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him’. Your king suffered on the cross; so also you must suffer on your cross, whatever it may be. To this you are called, and to this we all are called: to suffer for Jesus Christ, Our Lord, our captain, our King. But never forget, aspirant: our King is our creator, and our God; our King is omnipresent, all-knowing, all-powerful — but He is also one of us, our brother and our friend, who so loves us that He suffered this torment, which you see before you, and indeed suffers it every day on the altars, for us and our salvation. Adore Him, aspirant! Adore Him, and suffer as your King suffers; be like your King, for only in this way can you rightly serve him.”

Two brothers approach behind the aspirant bearing a large cross while the leader says the prayer of the crucifix. When the prayer has been finished, the brothers place the cross on the aspirant's right shoulder.

The leader says, “Our King told us to take up our cross, the yoke by which we do His work; but our King also told us that ‘my yoke is sweet and my burden light’. Take up, therefore, His yoke, and pour yourself into His work.”

The aspirant proceeds around the room with the cross; all the members, besides the leader, proceed behind him. The aspirant then approaches the leader while the chapter returns to order behind him.

The leader holds out the crucifix to the aspirant, and the aspirant kisses its feet. Two brothers approach behind the aspirant and take away the cross. Then the whole chapter kisses the crucifix's feet.

The leader hands the crucifix to a brother, and receives the Staff of the chapter. He strikes the right and left shoulder of the aspirant with it, in token of the sufferings of our King, saying, “By these blows remember to suffer, as also your King suffers.”

The leader hands the Staff of the chapter to a brother and takes the Sword, while the aspirant goes to one knee, the right, only. And holding it in the form of a cross, the point downward, he says, “Aspirant, knowing well all the things that will be required of you, do you wish to be brought into the Confraternity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King?”

If the aspirant still so wishes, he answers, “I so wish.” If the aspirant does not still so wish, he answers, “I do not wish to be let in”, and he is permitted to depart.

The leader strikes the shoulders of the aspirant, right and left, with the sword, saying, “Aspirant, bear thy sword in the service of the King of the Universe, Jesus Christ, and always in service and assistance of others, especially the poor, the widows, the orphans, and all those who are in need of care and love.”

The aspirant raises his right hand and swears as in number here.

The aspirant bows his head while the leader strikes him with the Sword.

Once the aspirant has been struck, the leader hands the sword to a brother and holds out his hand to the aspirant, saying, “Rise, worthy brother; for you are among friends.”

The aspirant rises, and the leader embraces him in the manner customary in his place. Then the whole chapter embraces him.

Once the aspirant has been admitted, if the meeting was convened for this purpose, the leader closes the meeting as in number here et seq. If it is an ordinary meeting, the leader proceeds with the meeting.

In public processions, we testify openly about the faith. The CCR participates in these processions whenever possible.

Soldiers and knights of the CCR wear their cloaks and bycockets in processions.

The leader or his delegate directs the chapter in the procession.

The leader or his delegate walks in the place of honor, at the end; the chapter preceeds him.

The leader processes with the Staff of the chapter.

The members, if they have them and the laws of the place permit, may process with their swords.

If during the procession no other prayer is being said, the leader or, if a cleric is present, a cleric leads the members in the Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King; and, when the Litany is finished, in the Royal Praises. These prayers may be repeated if necessary.