St. Catherine of Siena Chapter
Who We Are
The Daughters of the King is an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, or churches in communion with it, or churches who are in the Historic Episcopate. This includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches.
We are a religious order not an organization. We are a community of women that follows a rule of life. We take a lifetime vow to live by the Rule of the Order. Our Rule of Life requires a spiritual discipline of daily prayer, service and evangelism. We are not permitted to raise funds. We contribute to the spread of Christ’s kingdom through prayer and service.
This is a joyful experience that draws on our unique gifts as women. The Daughters of the King is a haven in a busy world where we can grow closer together through our faith and support each other in Christ’s love.
Group Picture 2007
The Daughter's Rule of Life
The Rule of Service
Through her Rule of Service, a Daughter daily seeks to do the will of God where she is, remembering Jesus’ words, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these … you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40 (NIV). The Rule of Service is the application of one’s baptismal vow, reaffirmed by Confirmation:
- To be Christ's faithful servant in the extension of His Kingdom
- To regularly take part in the worship, study and work of the Church.
To render at all times aid to the clergy as deemed necessary for the spiritual up-building of the parish.
The Rule of Prayer
In the Christian life nothing can be substituted for prayer. It is a Daughter’s daily recourse to the source of life and strength. Every member must have a rule of daily prayer. Communication with God must be a growing, deepening relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each Daughter’s Rule of Prayer should be carefully considered and guarded. It should be prayerfully chosen, reviewed regularly and revised periodically.
- For the unity of Christ's Church.
- For the spread of Christ's Kingdom, especially among women and girls.
- For God's blessing upon the members of the Order.
- For the spiritual growth of the parish and for the clergy of the parish to which the chapter owes allegiance.
- For the grace to follow our Rule and for our own needs.
Prayer of the Order
O Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your heavenly Kingdom.
Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world.
Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross through the battles of our earthly life.
Give us strength to overcome temptation and the grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always remember it is your work we are called to do, that all we think, do or say may be pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
What is Prayer?
Prayer is conversation with God. It is like quietly opening a door and entering into the very presence of God. There, in the stillness we can listen to His voice for guidance and strength and petition Him with our cares. What we have to say matters not…just to be there, in His presence, is prayer.
Help Us to Pray
Almighty God, help us to pray so faithfully that we may draw near to you and learn your will. Help us to serve so joyfully that others may be drawn to you. May your Holy Spirit guide us each day, that all we think, do, or say may be acceptable to you. We ask all for the sake of Him whose cross we wear, our Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Emblem of the Order
The emblem of the Order is in the form of a modified Greek fleury cross inscribed in Latin, “Magnanimiter Crucem Sustine,” the watchword of the Order, meaning “With heart, mind and spirit uphold and bear the cross.” At the base of the cross are the letters “FHS”, initials that stand for the Motto of the Order: “For His Sake”.
Sisters wear the cross at all times. It is a sign of her devotion to Christ and an outward symbol to others of her relationship with Jesus. It can provide opportunities to spark discussion about Jesus when others see the cross and ask about it.
It is customarily worn on the left side over the heart or it may be worn on a silver chain around the neck, but it is never to be worn simply as an ornament. Only a member in good standing may wear the cross of the Order, which remains the property of the Order. When a Daughter dies, her cross may be buried with her or incorporated into her memorial; otherwise, it must be returned to the National Office.
Motto of the Order
For His Sake...
I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Hymn of the Order
"Lift High the Cross" was adopted in 1985 at the 100th Anniversary Celebration to replace the original hymn of the Order, "Lord, Speak to Me" as this hymn was not included in the 1982 Hymnal.
Click here to for the words and music to "Lift High the Cross"
Refrain: "Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore His sacred Name." Words by George W. Kitchin & Michael R. Newbolt; Music by Sydney H. Nicholson.
Are You Being Called?
Because we are an order, not an organization, we don't just enroll as members and start attending meetings. A prospective member, after personal, prayerful consideration, takes an 8-week/12 study session program to explore whether she is being called to take on this Rule of Life.
We use the National Daughters of the King Study Guide. These study and discussion sessions are a sequential course of study and cover the basic philosophy and practices of the Order to give prospective members an opportunity to explore whether this group is right for them.
We offer this program as needed – when there is a group of interested women.
Time Commitment
The biggest time commitment is for the study program – 8 weekly classes. This is essential preparation to build a sense of community in the group, to see if you are called to this ministry and to prepare you for it. After that, there are monthly meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month. Our service projects currently include taking turns volunteering in the Nursery, hosting the Seder supper during Holy Week, sending birthday cards to parishioners and maintaining the flowers in the Cross garden. The amount of time for personal prayer and Bible study is each member’s individual decision.
Pray for guidance to see if God is calling you to this group and its ministry.
The Top Five Reasons to Become a Daughter of the King
- To grow in your relationship with Jesus by following a tried-and-true rule of life that develops your prayer life.
- To learn a realistic, every-day kind of spiritual discipline that gives structure to your spiritual life.
- To become part of a close-knit group of Christian women who support you in your Christian walk in life.
- To add meaning to your life by ministering to our clergy and parishioners through prayer and service.
- To become part of a larger (national and international) group of like-minded Christian women.
Contact us
E-Mail The DOK President Lynne Bansavage at: NYUSA7(at)yahoo.com or Vice-President Marjorie Edgar at: medgar2(at)aol.com.
