Consider this a clarion call for the implementation of guilds in our society and their principles and possibilities.
If you are a craftsman/tradesman who makes/sells a product, offers a service, or can train people to do these things, consider forming a guild. There are books available on this topic; please read them. IHS Press currently offers a few good books on the subject and new books are in the works.
Guilds are virtually free to start on your own… and are slowly but consistently gaining in popularity. They offer the modern world both a credible economic alternative to the failures of today’s Left and Right systems and a tool for social regeneration.
Or you can ask Rebuilding Christendom: The Movement (RCM) to help form and sponsor your new guild.
Benefits:
- Internet presence for your product or service.
- RCM provides organizational expertise.
- Ability to accept payments via all major credit/debit cards and direct deductions from checking/saving accounts. These transactions are done over the phone, in person, by fax, and on the website.
- Easy and effective networking with others in your profession.
- Beneficiary of our ongoing “Buy Catholic” drive.
- Promotion of your guild at our events, in our publications, verbally by our members, ads on our website, etc.
- Members and visitors coming to the RCM website are encouraged to do financial business with the sponsored guilds listed on the site.
Getting your guild sponsored by Rebuilding Christendom: The Movement (RCM) is simple. Just fill out this Application for Sponsorship.
How can RCM do this for so little money? It is not about money with us; it is about helping you provide for yourself and your family, making low-cost products and services widely available to consumers, bestowing new skills on fellow Catholics especially the young, etc. Society is the greatest beneficiary.
The Guild System —
Backbone of Christendom
Rebuilding Christendom: The Movement (RCM) aims, God willing, to deliver to the world the hope of a peaceful and fruitful existence, free from both the excessive power of the state and the ruthless injustice of an untamed market. Catholic social teaching is the solution of nearly all of the ills which plague our society.
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The movement’s ultimate purpose – bringing about the social reign of Christ the King.
To bring this dramatic change about, Rebuilding Christendom: The Movement (RCM) makes use of many avenues. Guilds are one of these avenues. Guilds are voluntary associations for religious, social, and commercial purposes.
To help further the guild system, RCM sponsors four types of guilds: craft, merchant, religious, and frith.
Members are encouraged to do their financial business with RCM sponsored guilds. To make doing business convenient, guilds are listed and otherwise promoted in each RCM Bulletin and in other publications and at events.
RCM sponsors four types of guilds: craft, merchant, religious, and frith. Guilds are voluntary associations for religious, social, and commercial purposes. Guilds are listed and otherwise promoted in each RCM Bulletin and other publications. We read in the book “A Christian Admonition”: “Let the societies and brotherhoods so regulate their lives according to Christian love in all things that their work may be blessed. Let us work according to God’s law, and not for reward, else shall our labor be without blessing and bring evil on our souls.” Each guild has its patron saint, who, according to tradition, had practiced its particular branch of industry, and whose feast day was celebrated by attending church and had Masses offered up for the living and the dead members. This union of religion and labor is a strong tie between the members of the guilds, and it is of great assistance in settling peacefully the differences arising between members.
Craft Guild
Craft items may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, sculpture, clothing, jewellery, household items and tools or even machines. The religious observance of Sunday and Holy Days is practiced by the guilds.
Members progress from apprentice (learner),to journeyman, and eventually to master (employer).
Apprentices, journeymen, and masters have the minimum rank of Adherent, Associate, and Partner respectfully.
Merchant Guild
A small or family owed business may form a Merchant Guild on payment of a low fee. Members are encouraged to patronize guilds (both craft and merchant) and ask others to do likewise. Additionally, RCM promotes all guilds through its publications.
From this strong organization, all filled with the spirit of Christianity, great benefits will result for the artisan. Even more noteworthy is the brotherly character of the relations between employee and employer.
Religious Guild
While individual members certainly pray for the success of rebuilding Christendom, a Religious Guild formalizes and expands these private prayers in various ways including by meeting in churches and having Masses offered for the success of our Movement and for individual member’s intentions.
Knowing that the Christ the King Movement will only expand worldwide with God’s help, we pray unceasingly. Our Lord said whatever you ask of the Father in my name shall be given you.
Frith Guild
A peace guild may take the form of a benevolent neighborhood watch association.