ABOUT

Eric Michel Ministries International

Classification: Protestant

Orientation: Catholicism

Polity: Episcopal, the IAoC is Congregationalist

Region: As of 2020, Canada

Founder: Most Rev. Eric. M. Gagnon

Origin: 1978/79, Chaplaincy 2010

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Members: 194 Total of Class A & B

Official website: https://www.thirdorderfranciscans.org


"We accept any Christian who devoutly, sincerely, thoughtfully, seriously, and prayerfully regards themselves as Christian. If they honestly believe they follow Jesus of Nazareth's teachings as they understand them to be."


There are many ways of classifying the over 34,000 separate Christian groups in the world that consider themselves to be Christian from the Amish to The Way.

Eric Michel Ministries International Catholic Chaplaincy is a Christian corporation with headquarters based in Ottawa Ontario and Halifax Nova Scotia..The Church traces its founding to Jesus and the Twelve Apostles and regards the bishops to be the literal successors of the Apostles, holding their keys of authority. Eric Michel Ministries International Catholic Chaplaincy considers itself to be part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. While it derives its Apostolic Succession from the teaching of the Apostles, we are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church but differ from them theologically in several important respects.

We are under the influence of the Franciscans, the Jesuits (Society of Jesus), Thomas Aquinas and the Cristogenesis. 

Beliefs

Sacraments

The Church recognizes the historic seven sacraments, which are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Absolution, Extreme Unction, Holy Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

Paterology

The EMMI teaches the orthodox doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Paterology or Patriology, in Christian theology, refers to the study of God the Father. Both terms are derived from two Greek words: πατήρ (patḗr, father) and λογος (logos, teaching). As a distinctive theological discipline, within Theology proper, Paterology or Patriology is closely related to Christology (study of Christ as God the Son) and Pneumatology (study of the Holy Ghost as God the Spirit).

Creeds in the Eastern Church began with an affirmation of faith in "one God" and usually expanded this by adding "the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible" or similar words to that effect. The Nicene Creed, which dates to 325 and 381, states that the Son (Jesus Christ) is "eternally begotten of the Father", indicating that their divine Father-Son relationship is seen as not tied to an event within time or human history. 

Soteriology

The EMMI teaches that we are all immortal, both before and after physical death; and everyone shall "one day reach His Feet, however far they stray." Universal reconciliation is an accepted doctrine of the EMMI, following the words of St. Paul: "Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all." (Romans 5:18)

Ecclesiology

The EMMI teaches that the Holy Bible, the Creeds, and the Traditions of the Church are the means by which the teachings of Christ have been handed down to his followers and that they are fundamental, true, and sufficient as a basis for right understanding and right conduct.

The EMMI teaches that all Christian worship is valid, of whatever kind, so long as it is earnest and true.

Church structure

Episcopal Polity

Constitution and canons

The EMMI is governed by its constitution and canons.

Clergy

The EMMI is currently led by its archbishop, Most Revd. Eric M. Gagnon, and the Symposium (General assembly).

Laity

Laypersons in the EMMI come from diverse backgrounds and from all spiritual paths. Due to the open nature of the Multi-Denominational EMMI Chaplaincy, no layperson is required to accept any of the more "formal" beliefs of the Church and is allowed to accept or reject them as they please

as Baptist, Catholic, Evangelist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostalist or Christian Unitarian Universalist.

Seminary

Training for the clergy of the EMMI is through Footsteps of Jesus Seminary & Bible Academy, the only seminary of the Church. The seminary offers distance study courses for those seeking holy orders or working for the church.

Liturgy

The Church uses its liturgy, today known as the Catholic Rite.

History

Relations with other denominations

The EMMI seeks to work in amity with all other Christian denominations and is open to inter-communion agreements with other denominations. Open communion is a practice of the EMMI.

Franciscans of the Third Order

Religious Order

The Order of St. Francis Ecumenical is a semi-monastic Franciscan spiritual community. Autocephaly, meaning "property of being self-headed", is the status of a hierarchical Christian church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop. The term is primarily used in Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. The status has been compared with that of the churches (provinces) within the Anglican Communion.

Our Ecumenical order is a group of men and women devoted to following the examples of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare of Assisi in their life and understanding of the Christian gospel: sharing a love for creation and for those who have been marginalized. 

An example of Christian ecumenism, the FAICL opens its membership to Christians of many different denominations, including Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, Methodists, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Reformed Christians, among others. The FAICL understands its charism to include not only ecumenical efforts and the traditional emphases of the Franciscans in general, but also to help to develop relationships among the various Christian Denominations.  is open to any Christian who belongs to any church or denomination, or indeed none, and who is at least 18 years of age.

It is established under Charter # 04062022 of The Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist and is under the protection of an autocephalous church in the historic apostolic succession.

According to the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, "Third Orders signify in general lay members of religious orders, i.e. men and women who do not necessarily live in community and yet can claim to wear the habit and participate in the good works of some great order. Any Catholic may join a Third Order, but may not at once belong to more than one, nor may he without grave cause leave one for another."

Here's the Code of Canon Law's definition: "Associations whose members share in the spirit of some religious institute while in secular life, lead an apostolic life, and strive for Christian perfection under the higher direction of the same institute are called third orders or some other appropriate name." (Can. 303)

Profession for seculars means they promise to live according to the rules of their orders; it does not consist of taking vows.

Immanu-El

Immanuel

Emmanuel

Both Immanuel and Emmanuel are found in the Bible. The Old Testament is originally recorded in Hebrew and Chaldean/Aramaic. The New Testament is originally recorded in Greek. 

Typically, Immanuel is found in the Old Testament and Emmanuel is found in the New Testament.

When the prophet Isaiah spoke of a young maiden who would give birth to a boy named Immanu El ("with us is God"; Isaiah 7:14) he wasn't coining an innovative name or idea. He was recalling a phrase from Hebrew Scripture.

Immanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל, romanized: 'Īmmānū'ēl, meaning, "God is with us"; also romanized: Emmanuel, Imanu'el; and Emmanouël or Εμμανουήλ in Koine Greek of the New Testament) is a Hebrew name that appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) as a sign that God will protect the House of David.

The Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:22–23) interprets this as a prophecy of the birth of the Messiah and the fulfillment of Scripture in the person of Jesus. Immanuel "God (El) with us" is one of the "symbolic names" used by Isaiah, alongside Shearjashub, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, or Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom. It has no particular meaning in Jewish messianism.

By contrast, the name based on its use in Isaiah 7:14 has come to be read as a prophecy of the Christ in Christian theology following Matthew 1:23, where Immanuel (Ἐμμανουὴλ) is translated as μεθ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός (KJV: "God with us").

Also, Emmanuel is used in French.

Immanuel Communion of Love 

The mysterious message is hidden in the Gospel passage from John (2:1-11)

God is a communion of love so intense that the love of the Father for His Son and of the Son for the Father is the third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit. God is a perfect communion of love. This Love that is God generates or creates all that exists. Being love, God cannot contain all that love in Himself; but HAS, so to speak, to pour it upon us, the objects of His love. 

God is a perfect communion of love. This Love that is God generates or creates all that exists. Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God, meaning we are created for communion or relationship with God, with one another and all of creation.

The primary law of the Lord regarding family life is that it must share in the very unity and “communion of love” found in the life of the Most Holy Trinity. Each person of the Holy Trinity has perfect respect for the other, gives selflessly to each other without reserve, and receives each person in their totality. It is their love that makes them one and enables them to act together in perfect harmony as a communion of divine Pers

Upon the fact that God wants you to share in a communion of life, not only with the Most Holy Trinity but also with those around you, especially your family. Try to ponder the hidden life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and seek to make their family relationship the model for how you love others. May their perfect communion of love be a model for us 

The communion of Persons of the Holy Trinity reminds us of the importance of relationships in our world, and at the same time provides the model for what these relationships are supposed to look like. When the Scriptures say we are made in the image and likeness of God, it means we were made to live like the Trinity. We are made for communion, for a relationship, with God and the people God has placed in our lives. God wants us to model and witness to him as Trinity, which means we are made to love as he loved. We are to give ourselves totally in relationship with him and with others. Only when we live in self­giving love, like God himself, will we find our fulfillment in life.

Catholic Churches List:

Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist Ecclesiastical Affiliation Charters List: 

North American Continent Province Charters:

African Continent Province Charters:

Asian Continent Province Charters:


Note: Eric Michel Ministries International and the Franciscan Abbey Communion of Love Catholic Chaplain Ministry are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church through the CREED OF NICAEA, agreed at the council in 325

Full communion is a communion or relationship of full agreement among different Christian denominations that share certain essential principles of Christian theology. Views vary among denominations on exactly what constitutes full communion, but typically when two or more denominations are in full communion it enables services and celebrations, such as the Eucharist, to be shared among congregants or clergy of any of them with the full approval of each.

Full communion is an ecclesiological term for an established relationship between Christian denominations that may be constituted by shared eucharist, doctrine, and ecclesiology. Different denominations emphasize different aspects or define the term differently.

Full communion is an ecclesiological term for an established relationship between Christian denominations that may be constituted by shared eucharist, doctrine, and ecclesiology. Different denominations emphasize different aspects or define the term differently.

Several Protestant denominations base their idea of full communion on the Augsburg Confession which says that "the true unity of the church" is present where "the gospel is rightly preached and sacraments rightly administered." They believe that full communion between two denominations is not a merger, they respect each other's differences, but rather it's when two denominations develop a relationship based on a mutual understanding and recognition of Baptism and sharing of the Lord's Supper. They may worship together, exchange clergy, and share commitments to evangelism and service. For example, groups recognized as being in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, on this basis, include the Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church (United States), the Moravian Church, and the United Methodist Church. These churches are not necessarily in full communion with each other, however; each denomination is free to develop its own relationships with other churches. For example, The Episcopal Church, in addition to being a member of the Anglican Communion, is in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Moravian Church (Northern and Southern Provinces), Mar Thoma Syrian Church of India, Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, Philippine Independent Church, and the Church of Sweden. They are not, currently, in full communion with the Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, or the United Church of Christ, though they are currently in dialogue with other churches; including the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Roman Catholic Church.

Second Vatican Council used the word "communion" in a sense other than communio in sacris when speaking of Christians separated from the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, citing the Second Vatican Council and Pope Paul VI, states:

"The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honoured by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter" (Lumen gentium 15). Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church" (Unitatis redintegratio 3). With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist" (Paul VI, Discourse, 14 December 1975; cf. Unitatis redintegratio 13-18).

Full communion thus involves completeness of "those bonds of communion – faith, sacraments and pastoral governance – that permit the Faithful to receive the life of grace within the Church."

Agreements completed

The United Methodist Church with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the African Union Methodist Protestant Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church.

At Eric Michel Ministries International, we have a root in Syncretism from the union of a Christian Unitarian Minister and an independent Baptist Minister. 


Ecclesiastical Affiliation Charter Under the name:


Franciscan Abbey of the Immanuel Communion of Love (FAICL) Third Order of Saint Francis Ministry (OFE)


We are a body of Christians who are followers of Christ in the footsteps of Francis, Anthony and Clare of the Franciscan Order.


Brotherhood


Our Order is a group of men and women of Christian Catholic under Chart #04062022 of the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical (OFE Site). We are an order of men and women who have dedicated themselves to following the footsteps of Saint Francis. Our members serve as Chaplain Ministers in the community and work in capacities to help the needy.


We are a loving order that does not discriminate based on age, race, physical capabilities, marital status, employment or social status. 


We do not live in a monastery, friary or convent, and we do not require our members to give up their jobs or move away from their homes, friends, and families. We will not ask you to make a life-changing sacrifice to belong to our Order.


Our way of conduct is in our Rule of Life, based on the Original Rule, established in 1221 for the First Order of Franciscans. 


We strive to lead our lives according to the words and work of Christ, following the example and spirituality of our fraternal father, Saint Francis of Assisi.


Our traditional Vows are the following:



We are a Christian Catholic Chaplaincy located on the north shore of Montreal, Quebec. We are in the Association within District 01 Canada in the Interdenominational Assembly of Churches Ministry affiliated in Africa, America and Asia.


Those who have an open mind and an honest heart are welcome. We don't discriminate based on race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or identification, ethnicity, or disability. Our sacraments, including the fullness of Holy Orders, are available to all baptized.


The FAICL carries on the mission of Christ by expressing our faith publicly. In communion with other Christian denominations proclaiming the Good News. God's help and the blessing of our Archbishop, we like to spread joy and happiness among our brothers and sisters.


Love and Peace.


Saint Anthony's Quote: 

"Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach, and your actions speak."


THE ROOTS or where we came from:

On July 9, 2020, Eric Michel postulated to be a member of the Order of Lesser Sisters and Brothers to Br. Thomas OSFM Franciscan Friar. Due to the spouse's illness, the request is paused for an indeterminate time.


Eric Michel "TIMELINE"