✦ COME & SEE WEEKEND • 13–15 JUNE 2025 • YOUNG WOMEN 18–35
Lay Branch FAQs
Membership, formation, prayer and everyday life.
General Information
What is the Lay Branch of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham?
The Lay Branch is one of three branches of the COLW, which is a public Association of the Faithful destined to become an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life. In this contemplative and apostolic family, inspired by the spirit of the Rule of Saint Albert, lay members live the spirituality of the community while living in the world.
Who can join the Lay Branch?
Discernment of membership is open to single and married people of all ages, as well as widows, widowers. Clergy and consecrated virgins may be individually associated with the Community and should contact the Sisters branch initially to inquire. We especially welcome young adults wishing to follow the call to holiness with COLW before making a final life choice, such as discerning a vocation to the priesthood, vowed life, marriage or the committed single life.
What is the core "charism" or mission of a lay member?
We live our baptismal promises with the desire to become, like Mary, a "house of God, a hearer of the Word and a bearer of the Spirit".
Each day, rooted in Mary’s Fiat, we strive to live according to the spirit of our community prayer:
‘O Mary, teach us to say ‘yes’ to the Lord, every moment of our lives;
O Mary, teach us to give thanks to the Lord, every moment of our lives!’
Vocational Journey and Formation
How do I join?
The first step is typically attending our eight month online formation course that runs each year. The course helps you to understand the COLW charism. Interested individuals are also encouraged to read the Rule of Life and get to know the community through the COLW Pilgrim Blog.
What are the stages of membership?
Our journey towards full membership of the COLW Lay Branch takes place in three gradual stages:
Candidacy: Normally lasts two years and involves initial formation and getting to know the Ecclesial Family.
Temporary Commitment: Annual renewable promises made for a period of up to four years.
Permanent Commitment: A final, solemn promise to live the charism in full membership.
What does formation involve?
Formation is an integral, lifelong path involving spiritual, human, apostolic, and intellectual growth. It is managed through a formation plan that includes study circles, online and in-person meetings, and annual gatherings.
Do lay members make religious vows? How do the "Evangelical Counsels" (Poverty, Chastity, Obedience) apply to lay people?
Lay members do not make vows to live the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity and obedience) like consecrated members. Instead, we make promises to live according to the spirit of these counsels:
Obedience: Fidelity to the Magisterium and openness to God's will in daily reality.
Poverty: Creative stewardship of possessions and supporting the COLW mission through donations, time, or talents.
Chastity: Purity of heart, modesty in behavior and speech, and hospitality within the home.
Daily Life and Commitments
What is the prayer life of a lay member?
Members of our Lay Branch, at all stages of formation, strive for unceasing prayer modeled on Mary’s interior life.
Our rhythm of prayer might include:
Time in silent prayer to listen to the Lord, and lectio divina to meditate on His Word (at least 30 minutes)
Regular Sunday Mass (and Weekday Mass where possible, or prayer with the COLW prayer book according to individual circumstances).
Adoration, to spend time with Jesus and to cultivate our love for Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
Praying the Holy Rosary and the Angelus.
Praying the Fiat Rosary (We regularly pray together, monthly in Ordinary Time and weekly in Advent and Lent).
Offering a daily Magnificat of gratitude.
What is the "Personal Plan of Life"?
Each member develops a personal plan that sets out our specific commitment to the Lord, especially focusing on good spiritual habits and virtues we would like to develop. Our plan is adapted each year, with the support of our Spiritual Director. The plan takes into account our professional life, family situation, and level of commitment within COLW.
How do lay members live "Fraternal Life" if they live separately?
While members live in our own homes, we gather monthly (at the moment online) for faith and lifesharing. We also enjoy three "in-person" weekends each year to experience community living and fellowship with our sisters in our convent in Dereham.
Governance and Association
Who leads the Lay Branch?
The branch is led by the Leaders of the Lay Branch (currently Lizzie & Brian Sudlow) in collaboration with a Lay Council and the leader of the consecrated branch, the Community Servant, who is responsible to God and the Church for our whole Ecclesial Family.
Can lay people be associated with COLW without joining the Lay Branch?
Others may choose to be "Friends of COLW," supporting the community through prayer and friendship without becoming formal members.
Come and meet the community
Discover our life of prayer and community. We would love to hear from you.
Community of Our Lady
of Walsingham