Start a Holy Name Society
How to Start a Society
Starting a Holy Name Society for your parish (or one serving a cluster of parishes) is a rewarding activity. However, it requires energy, a core set of like-minded individuals and a supportive parish priest or deacon. The steps involved include:
Read the available information on how to start a Holy Name Society. This includes:
Officer's Handbook - Official Handbook for Parish Name Society Officers. This handbook is essential in assisting with the formation of a parish Holy Name Society. Included in the Officers Handbook is useful information on setting up and running an effective Parish Holy Name Society. It is recommended you read the Handbook before speaking with the pastor. This will give you the opportunity to read over the materials, and become familiar with the Holy Name Society, so that you may answer any and all of your pastor's questions.
The purpose and mission of the Holy Name Society (website page).
Obligations of Members (website page).
2. Schedule a meeting with the pastor of your parish to review this key information. Obtain his permission to proceed with the formation of a Holy Name Society in the parish.
3. If your parish does not have an official Charter, you will need to contact the Confraternity Director of the Dominican Province where your parish is located. This is information may be found on the Charter Information page (website page).
4. While you are waiting for the charter to arrive, or if your parish already has a Charter - please read the NAHNS booklet - Starting a Holy Name Society. This booklet takes you step by step through the process of forming a Holy Name Society.
5. Begin praying the Holy Name Society Vocation prayer (website page), and begin enlisting members. This will require you to energize people to get them involved. This may take a little time and effort. Schedule conferences that include topics that help your members grow in holiness and obtain their personal salvation. If you would like a member from your Diocesan Union or Archdiocesan Association of the Holy Name Society to help with a kick-off session, feel free to contact them for assistance. They will be happy to assist you.
6. Once you get your Charter, it is time to formally induct members into the confraternity. Your priest or deacon can induct members at your parish through the official Holy Name Society Induction Ceremony. The names of inductees are to be maintained in a book / record such as the Holy Name Society Enrollment Register available from the Holy Name Supply Store.
7. Once you have a Society "up and running", you will wish to purchase certain supplies, such as Holy Name pins, medallions, pledge card calendars, perhaps even a banner. These supplies may also be obtained from the Supply Store (website link).
Notes:
The texts that are underlined in this article are links. Clicking on a link will take you to additional information and additional resources.
blue links are links to documents and pamphlets that may be purchased through the Holy Name Society Supply Store.
green links are either links to other pages within this website or links to pages on external websites.
Overtime, we are working to add downloadable versions of these booklets to this page. Check back from time to time for availability of the downloadable versions.
Go forth to Teach, Spread and Defend the Name of Jesus