Letter of Foundation

July 24, 2025

Most Revered Bishop Armando Leyva

Bishop of the Diocese of California

Most Holy Trinity Parish

3908 Woodruff Ave.

Long Beach, California 90808

Dear Bishop Armando,

Throughout the history of the church, God the Father, through His son Jesus Christ and by the working of the Holy Spirit, has raised up new religious orders and institutes of consecrated life to respond to various needs of the church and of society in specific places and specific contexts. With deep humility, we believe that God has called us to become a new institute of consecrated life within the Diocese of California. The purpose of this letter is to declare to you our intention to vow ourselves to this way of life and to ask for your permission and blessing upon our endeavor. At this time, we do not plan to accept other members or to seek recognition or approval from the ECC.

When I first incardinated into the Diocese, I was a member of a Benedictine monastic order. When I parted ways with that community, I continued living as solitary religious without connection to a community in the manner referenced in Roman Canon 603. I maintained a religious life characterized by silence, obedience to the Rule, Liturgy of the Hours, contemplative prayer, use of the habit and celebration of the Eucharist. For the last few years Marcus has joined me in the practice of this life and in my various priestly ministries.

Given the climate of division within our nation, communities and churches, we feel that God is calling us to be a community particularly devoted to peace and reconciliation. Given the climate of fear in which many of our brothers and sisters who have immigrated to this country live in at this time, we feel God is calling us to be a community particularly devoted to serving the immigrant poor and all those on the margins. For this work we rely on the grace of God, the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and the wisdom and strength of their Holy Spirit. We place ourselves under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and much loved and recognized advocate of the poor. In solidarity with these, we take the name in Spanish: Los Compañeros de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (CNSG). We will continue to work through Holy Angels Parish and within the Diocese, particularly the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego. We ask that you notify the clergy and laity of the Diocese that we are available to accompany members and the friends and family of members of any parish of the Diocese to Immigration hearings and for pastoral care and counseling within these counties. We pledge special obedience and commitment to serve you and to the people of this diocese

We humbly ask your permission and blessing upon this endeavor and hope that you will join us to preside at a vows ceremony and celebration around the time of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

With Filial Affection, We Are Your Sons in Christ,

Father Jacob, CNSG Brother Marcus, CNSG

Los Compañeros de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Casa Gratia Plena

San Bernardino Mountains

California