Charism and mission
- Name
- Lumens
- Status
- Proposed private association of the faithful
- Diocese
- Salina, Kansas (to confirm)
- Legal and financial partner
- Peterpan Corp, 501(c)(3)
- Guiding documents
- Canon law cann. 298–329; Antiqua et Nova (2025); Laudato Si'
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14–16
Charism: to be skilled, joyful witnesses of Christ in the age of AI, serving the poor with real work, keeping the Eucharist and the human person at the center.
What we adopt from other groups
| Source | What we adopt |
|---|---|
| Tzu Chi | Disaster relief, volunteer discipline and uniforms, recycling, clinics, members with several skills, products and media (Da Ai TV) |
| Knights of Columbus | Brotherhood, charity fund, mutual-aid model |
| Couples for Christ | Family ministries for every age |
| Legion of Mary | Weekly meeting discipline, home visits, reporting |
| Opus Dei | Holiness through excellent work, spiritual direction |
| Sant'Egidio | Friendship with the poor, peacemaking |
| Focolare | Dialogue, businesses that share profits |
| Communion and Liberation | Faith and reason, culture, schools |
| Charismatic Renewal | Living praise, healing prayer within Church norms |
| Cursillo | Strong entry weekend, then small groups |
| St. John Bosco | Magic, juggling and performance to reach youth |
| Mondragon / social teaching | Worker cooperatives, subsidiarity |
Twelve pillars
- PrayerMass, adoration, Rosary, weekly digital fast.
- CharityRelief teams, food, free clinics, repair cafés, home visits.
- SkillsTrades, nursing, tech and AI training with certificates so members earn a living.
- TechnologyCatholic tools, help for poor parishes, ethical AI.
- WonderArt, music, science, creation care.
- Performance and joyStage magic, juggling, drama, music and dance for catechesis, outreach and fundraising.
- Products and mediaUpcycled goods, religious art and food sold through a cooperative; a studio for video, podcasts and AI-animated saints' stories in English and Indonesian.
- Little LightsCharacter and faith formation for children and teens with their parents.
- Health and long lifeTraditional fasting, temperance, movement and sleep.
- EducationTeaching, free tutoring, anak asuh scholarships, adopt-a-village in Indonesia.
- Sacred artsLatin, Gregorian chant and trained performance.
- Lumens OnlineLive and on-demand prayer, Mass links and skill classes.
Four-skill member standard
Like Tzu Chi volunteers, every committed member builds at least four skills, at least one from each of the first three groups.
| Group | Skills |
|---|---|
| Care | Nursing and first aid, elder care, counseling basics |
| Trades | Electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry and DIY repair, survival and disaster response |
| Media and tech | Writing, documenting, photography and film, editing, AI tools, web and coding |
| Culture | Dance, music, stage magic and performance, languages (English, Indonesian, Spanish, Mandarin) |
| Enterprise | Product making, cooking, e-commerce, bookkeeping |
| Healing arts and nature | Herbal remedies, nutrition and meal planning, stone craft and geology (see Wisdom skills of the Magi) |
| Sky and sleep | Astronomy, celestial navigation, telescope building, sleep science and lucid dreaming (see Wisdom skills of the Magi) |
Wisdom skills of the Magi
| Skill | Catholic source | What members learn | Domain (apostle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal remedies | St. Hildegard of Bingen, Doctor of the Church; monastery infirmary gardens | Grow and use kitchen and tea herbs with evidence-based uses; always alongside doctors; check drug interactions with a pharmacist | Body (James the Greater) |
| Nutrition | Temperance; monastic eating; fasting tradition | Dairy-free, pescatarian-friendly meal plans; protein and calcium without dairy; breaking fasts safely | Body (James the Greater) |
| Carpentry like Jesus | Jesus the tekton (Mk 6:3); St. Joseph the Worker, May 1 | Woodworking, joinery, furniture and church furniture, tool care; a Nazareth workshop in each chapter where work is prayer | Skills (Thomas) |
| Practical feng shui and space design | Order and beauty of the home as domestic church | Light, airflow, order, orientation to sun and wind, flow of rooms, ergonomics; common sense encouraged, only luck or fate claims left out | Skills (Thomas) |
| Prophecy and discernment | Gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:10; 14:1–3); test everything (1 Thess 5:20–21; CCC 799–801) | Prayerful listening, speaking words that build up, encourage and console; tested with a spiritual director and the Church | Spirit (John) |
| Stone craft | Church stonework; rosary making | Geology, lapidary cutting and polishing, rosary and jewelry making, stone repair for chapels and shrines | Skills (Thomas) |
| Skills of the Magi: praise through creation | Ps 19:1; Ps 8:3–4; St. Francis' Canticle of the Creatures; Laudato Si'; Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana); Jesuit astronomers Clavius (Gregorian calendar) and Lemaître (Big Bang) | Naked-eye and telescope astronomy, building telescopes, celestial navigation, the liturgical calendar and Easter computus | Mind and study (Philip) |
| Sleep and lucid dreaming | Sleep as gift (Ps 127:2); Joseph's dreams (Mt 1–2) | Sleep hygiene, dream journal, reality checks and lucid dreaming as sleep science; any sense of a meaningful dream is discerned only with a spiritual director | Rest (Simon) |
Herbs and supplements can interact with medicines and are not safe for everyone; members with conditions, pregnancy or prescriptions ask a doctor first.
Each skill is tracked with a level (learner, helper, trainer) so members can teach others and serve on relief teams.
Kitchen, table and personal care
| Skill | What members learn | Path (learner → helper → trainer) | Domain (apostle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage crafting | Espresso and pour-over with Indonesian single origins (Gayo, Toraja, Kintamani, Flores); gongfu tea and tea ceremony as hospitality; jamu; kombucha and fermentation; mocktails; monastic traditions (Trappist beer, Chartreuse, monastery wine) | Home brewer → café helper → barista or tea trainer (SCA courses) | Body (James the Greater) |
| Michelin-level cooking | Mise en place, knife skills, stocks and mother sauces, sous vide, fermentation, plating; wok hei and dashi; dairy-free pescatarian versions (oil, coconut or nut bases instead of butter and cream) | Home cook → kitchen helper (ServSafe food handler) → chef trainer (culinary apprenticeship, ServSafe Manager) | Skills (Thomas) |
| Feast-day table | Saint and season menus, Friday fish fry, Christmas and Easter feasts, hospitality for the poor | Family cook → parish meal team → event lead | Family (James the Less) |
| Frugality | Budget, repair before replace, buy used, meal prep, zero waste, bulk and seasonal buying | Personal budget → family coach → money class trainer | Work and money (Matthew) |
| Haircutting and grooming | Family haircuts, barbering, grooming; free haircut days for the homeless in the Catholic Worker spirit | Family cuts → ministry helper → licensed barber (state license needed for paid work) | Family (James the Less) |
| Sewing and self-care | Mending and alterations, basic first aid and self-care | Mend own clothes → repair café helper → class trainer | Skills (Thomas) |
Moderation: alcohol only by adults, in small amounts, and not on fast days; mocktails and tea are always offered so no one is left out.
Iconic tool kit (buy once, last a lifetime)
| Skill area | Iconic tools (value pick last) |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Wüsthof Classic or Shun chef knife (value: Victorinox Fibrox); Lodge cast iron skillet; carbon-steel wok; Le Creuset Dutch oven |
| Coffee and tea | Hario V60; Comandante C40 grinder; Rancilio Silvia (La Marzocco for a chapter café); Yixing clay teapot |
| Carpentry | Lie-Nielsen or Veritas hand plane; Japanese ryoba saw; Festool or Milwaukee M18 power tools |
| Electrical and trades | Klein hand tools; Knipex pliers; Fluke multimeter |
| Barbering | Wahl Magic Clip or Andis Master clipper; Mizutani or Joewell shears |
| Sewing | Mechanical Singer or Bernina machine |
| Survival | Leatherman Wave; Mora knife; Ka-Bar |
| Astronomy | 8-inch Dobsonian or Celestron telescope; 10x50 binoculars |
| Media | iPhone or used Sony a7 camera; Rode microphone |
| Garden | Hori-hori knife; DeWit hand tools |
Choose repairable, timeless, commercial-grade tools; buy used or refurbished first. Prices were not verified and are left out. Expensive and power tools belong to the chapter workshop, not each member (Skills, Thomas; Work and money, Matthew).
Extreme minimalist count
| Category | Target per person |
|---|---|
| Clothing, shoes, accessories | 33 items (Project 333 reference) |
| Kitchen | 30 items |
| Personal tools | Only a pocket kit (multitool, knife, sewing kit); the rest borrowed from the chapter tool library |
| Media and tech | Phone, laptop, one camera or mic |
| Books | Bible, Catechism, Lumens Rule, plus library or e-books |
| Total personal belongings | 100 items (100-item challenge reference); family shared items counted separately |
| 33-item capsule | Items |
|---|---|
| Tops (9) | 3 modest cotton or linen tees or blouses; 2 long-sleeve shirts; 1 Lumens uniform shirt with lamp emblem; 1 Sunday shirt or blouse; 1 flannel work shirt; 1 merino base layer |
| Bottoms and dresses (6) | 2 trousers or chinos; 1 work pants; 1 linen pants for Indonesian heat; 1 modest skirt or dress; 1 Sunday trousers or dress |
| Layers and outerwear (5) | Cardigan or sweater; fleece; rain shell; insulated winter coat; Sunday blazer |
| Shoes (5) | Work or trade boots; walking shoes; Sunday shoes; sandals; snow boots |
| Accessories (8) | Lumens scarf with lamp emblem; chapel veil (optional); sun hat; beanie; gloves; belt; watch; crucifix |
Project 333 counts clothing, accessories, jewelry and shoes; underwear, sleepwear, workout wear and a wedding ring are not counted (bemorewithless.com/therules). Kansas winter and Indonesian heat items can be swapped each quarter, keeping the total at 33.
Rules: one in, one out; share through a community tool library; declutter each quarter at the Ember Days and donate to the poor. Tracked in the journal under Work and money (Matthew) and Skills (Thomas).
Capsule 33: product picks
Palette: navy, charcoal, black, camel, white. The style mixes Japanese techwear shells with Bond-style tailoring. Prices are new US list prices as shown on 24 Oct 2026; "unverified" means no price or page was confirmed. Used prices were not checked (eBay, Grailed and Sorel blocked automated checks), so the used column names where to look, not a price. "Budget" is listed wherever premium is over $300.
| # | Men: item | Product | New | Used option | Why timeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Tees x3 | Uniqlo AIRism Cotton Crew Tee (uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E447683-000/00) | $14.90 each | n/a | Cool in Indonesian heat; white, navy, black |
| 4-5 | Long-sleeve x2 | Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Oxford Button-Down (brooksbrothers.com, ME04727) | $128 list ($69.99 sale seen) | Poshmark, eBay | Inventor of the button-down collar, 1896 |
| 6 | Uniform shirt | Brooks Brothers OCBD, navy, with lamp emblem embroidered | $128 | Same | One shirt, both uniform and dress |
| 7 | Sunday shirt | Brooks Brothers OCBD, white | $128 | Same | Bond-level dress shirt |
| 8 | Flannel work shirt | Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt (filson.com) | $145 | Filson Restoration Dept repairs | Since 1897; repairable |
| 9 | Base layer | Uniqlo Heattech Tee | $14.90 | n/a | Kansas winter base; merino upgrade: Wool&Prince (price unverified) |
| 10-11 | Trousers x2 | Outlier Slim Dungarees (outlier.nyc/products/slim-dungarees) | $100 as shown | Grailed (unchecked) | Techwear trouser; dries fast, travels well |
| 12 | Work pants | Filson Dry Tin Cloth pants | unverified | eBay | Waxed canvas that lasts decades |
| 13 | Linen pants | Uniqlo Premium Linen Wide Pants | $59.90 | n/a | Indonesian heat |
| 14 | Sunday trousers | Brooks Brothers wool trousers, charcoal | unverified | eBay | Tailoring core |
| 15 | Shorts or chinos | Uniqlo chino | unverified | n/a | Summer; budget |
| 16 | Sweater | Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino crew, navy | unverified | n/a | Layers under the blazer |
| 17 | Fleece | Patagonia Better Sweater (patagonia.com 25528) | $160 | Patagonia Worn Wear (price unchecked) | Ironclad Guarantee and repairs |
| 18 | Rain shell | Arc'teryx Beta Jacket (arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/beta-jacket-0868) | $400 | Budget: Arc'teryx Outlet $280 (verified) | GORE-TEX; Arc'teryx repair service |
| 19 | Insulation | Uniqlo Ultra Light Down | unverified | n/a | Packs into a pocket; goes under the Beta for Kansas winter |
| 20 | Sunday blazer | Brooks Brothers navy blazer | unverified | eBay, Poshmark | Bond navy blazer |
| 21 | Work boots | Red Wing Iron Ranger 8111 (redwingshoes.com) | $349.99 | Budget: Blundstone 500, $209.95 | Goodyear welt, resoleable, made in USA |
| 22 | Walking shoes | Allbirds Wool Runner (allbirds.com) | $110 | n/a | Alternative: Veja Campo, $175 |
| 23 | Sunday shoes | Allen Edmonds Park Avenue (allenedmonds.com) | $450 | Budget: AE sale from $249.98 (seen); Recrafting service | Classic cap-toe oxford; recraftable |
| 24 | Sandals | Birkenstock Arizona (birkenstock.com) | $117.95–160 as shown | n/a | Resoleable cork footbed |
| 25 | Snow boots | Sorel Caribou Men's (sorel.com) | $250 | eBay | Since 1959 |
| 26 | Lumens scarf | Navy wool scarf with lamp emblem | unverified | n/a | Identity |
| 27 | Cap | Navy cap with lamp patch (replaces the veil) | unverified | n/a | Sun |
| 28-30 | Beanie, gloves, belt | Filson or Allen Edmonds | unverified | eBay | Leather and wool, repairable |
| 31 | Watch | Casio G-Shock DW-5600 (DW5600E-1V on casio.com) | $99.95 | Premium: Hamilton Khaki Field 38 mm, $675 | Unchanged shape since 1983 |
| 32 | Crucifix | Metal pocket crucifix (L-5) | unverified | n/a | Faith |
| 33 | Spare | Second Uniqlo Heattech or a swim layer | $14.90 | n/a | Seasonal swap |
| # | Women: item | Product | New | Used option | Why timeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Tees x3 (modest fit) | Uniqlo AIRism Cotton tee, women's | unverified (men's version $14.90) | n/a | Heat, layering |
| 4-5 | Long-sleeve blouses x2 | Brooks Brothers women's oxford shirt | unverified | Poshmark, ThredUp | Classic |
| 6 | Uniform shirt | Navy oxford with lamp emblem | unverified | n/a | Identity |
| 7 | Sunday blouse | White silk or cotton blouse | unverified | ThredUp | Ashley Weston white anchor |
| 8 | Flannel | Filson women's flannel | unverified | eBay | Repairable |
| 9 | Base layer | Uniqlo Heattech | unverified | n/a | Kansas winter |
| 10-11 | Trousers x2 | Outlier women's or wide-leg wool trousers | unverified | Poshmark | Modest techwear |
| 12 | Work pants | Filson women's work pants | unverified | eBay | Trade work |
| 13 | Linen pants | Uniqlo linen wide pants | unverified | n/a | Heat |
| 14 | Modest skirt | Midi or maxi A-line skirt, navy | unverified | ThredUp | Modest, timeless |
| 15 | Sunday dress | Sleeved midi dress, navy or black | unverified | Poshmark | Mass and feasts |
| 16 | Cardigan | Uniqlo merino cardigan, camel | unverified | n/a | Layering |
| 17 | Fleece | Patagonia Women's Better Sweater (patagonia.com 25543, page verified) | unverified (men's $160) | Patagonia Worn Wear | Repairs |
| 18 | Rain or waxed jacket | Barbour Beadnell (barbour.com/us/beadnell-collection) | $415 | Budget: used on eBay or Poshmark; Barbour re-waxing service | Since 1894 |
| 19 | Winter coat | Max Mara 101801 camel coat, bought used | unverified | Poshmark or eBay (unchecked) | Icon since 1981; budget: Uniqlo Ultra Light Down |
| 20 | Sunday blazer | Navy blazer | unverified | ThredUp | Tailoring |
| 21 | Work boots | Blundstone 500 Women's (blundstone.com) | $209.95 | eBay | Resoleable classic |
| 22 | Walking shoes | Veja Campo (veja-store.com) | $175 ($122.50 camel sale) | n/a | Clean white sneaker |
| 23 | Sunday shoes | Leather loafer or flat | unverified | Poshmark | Modest |
| 24 | Sandals | Birkenstock Arizona | $117.95–160 as shown | n/a | Resoleable |
| 25 | Snow boots | Sorel Caribou Women's | unverified | eBay | Since 1959 |
| 26 | Lumens scarf | Wool scarf with lamp emblem | unverified | n/a | Identity |
| 27 | Chapel veil | Lace mantilla, black or white (optional) | unverified | n/a | Devotion |
| 28-30 | Sun hat, beanie, gloves | Wool and straw | unverified | n/a | Seasons |
| 31 | Belt | Leather belt | unverified | n/a | Repairable |
| 32 | Watch | Casio G-Shock DW-5600 | $99.95 | n/a | Since 1983 |
| 33 | Crucifix | Metal crucifix necklace | unverified | n/a | Faith |
| Total | New | Used |
|---|---|---|
| Men, 21 items with verified prices | $2,956 list; about $2,264 with the budget swaps (outlet Beta, Blundstone, Allen Edmonds sale, Brooks Brothers sale) | unverified |
| Women, 5 items with verified prices | $1,060 (Blundstone, Veja, Barbour, Birkenstock at $160, G-Shock) | unverified |
Lumens Standard Issue
| Code | Personal sacramentals and identity | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| L-1 | Lumens ring | Stainless steel, titanium or sterling silver with the lamp emblem. Precedents: religious profession rings, the Claddagh, and the rosary decade ring, which doubles as a backup rosary. |
| L-2 | Full-metal rosary | Pull-chain, cord-free, in the WWI combat rosary tradition: chaplains gave out pull-chain rosaries in 1917–18 (National WWI Museum). Gunmetal or steel. Rugged Rosaries offers reproductions. |
| L-3 | Scapular medal | Brown scapular, or the approved metal scapular medal, worn daily |
| L-4 | St Benedict medal | On the rosary or the keyring |
| L-5 | Crucifix | Pocket or neck crucifix, metal |
| L-6 | Word | Pocket New Testament and Psalms; Magnificat or a breviary app as backup |
| Code | Every Day Carry | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Wallet | Minimalist metal or leather card wallet (Ridge, Bellroy or Trayvax style), max 6 cards |
| E-2 | Multitool | Leatherman-class with pliers, with a 25-year warranty and repair service |
| E-3 | Flashlight | Olight, Fenix or Streamlight; rechargeable or 18650/AA. Backup: phone light (rule of two) |
| E-4 | Knife | Small folder, only where legal; skip it for church, school, flights and Indonesia |
| E-5 | Phone | With the Lumens apps; grayscale, phone basket at meals |
| E-6 | Watch | G-Shock or Seiko dive watch; the alarm keeps the Angelus at 6, 12 and 6 |
| E-7 | Pen and notebook | Fisher Space Pen plus a Rite in the Rain notebook for the examen |
| E-8 | Keys | Key organizer with the St Benedict medal |
| E-9 | Mini first aid | Bandages, gauze, tape, pain relievers, personal meds (rule of two) |
| E-10 | Paracord | 3 m of Type III paracord, or a paracord bracelet |
| Code | Bags | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 | Daypack | 20–25 L, repairable, carries the EDC plus water and a rain shell |
| B-2 | Go-bag, 72 hours | Ready.gov list: 1 gallon (about 3.8 L) of water per person per day; food; crank or NOAA radio; flashlight and spare batteries; first aid; whistle; dust mask; sheeting and duct tape; wipes, bags and ties; wrench; can opener; maps; charger and power bank. Lumens adds a rosary, holy water and copies of documents. |
| Code | House standard (standar rumah) | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| H-1 | Home altar or prayer corner | Crucifix, Bible, candle, Marian image, sanctuary lamp (LED or oil) |
| H-2 | Holy water | Font at the door, plus a bottle in the go-bag |
| H-3 | Crucifix in each room | Plus a yearly house blessing at Epiphany (chalk 20+C+M+B+27) |
| H-4 | Safety | Smoke and CO detectors on each level; ABC fire extinguisher in the kitchen |
| H-5 | Water | At least 1 gallon (3.8 L) per person per day for 3+ days, more in Indonesian heat (Ready.gov). Rotate home-filled water every 6 months. |
| H-6 | First-aid kit | Full home kit, with a second one in the car (rule of two) |
| H-7 | Tool board | Pegboard with outlines, so a missing tool shows at a glance; feeds the parish tool library |
| H-8 | Pantry | 2-week supply of dairy-free, pescatarian staples: rice, beans, oats, canned fish, oil |
| H-9 | Recycling station | Sorted bins plus compost |
| H-10 | Hospitality bed | A Christ room for a guest in need (Catholic Worker tradition) |
| H-11 | Table | Dining table with a phone basket |
| H-12 | Bookshelf | Bible, Catechism, Imitation of Christ, Lumens Rule |
| Inspection | Cadence | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Evening examen | EDC complete: ring, rosary, wallet, keys, light |
| Monthly | First Saturday | Room inspection: crucifix, order, smoke detector test, tool board complete |
| Quarterly | Ember Days | Gear check: go-bag, batteries, first aid expiry dates, pantry rotation, fire extinguisher gauge, capsule swap |
| Yearly | Epiphany | House blessing, water rotation, rosary chain and ring repair |
Prices are not listed because none were checked.
Trends 2026, Lumens way
| Trend | Evidence | Lumens activity |
|---|---|---|
| Run and walking clubs | Google Trends: all-time high 2026 (Jul 2026) | Lumens Run Club after Saturday Mass; walking Rosary club |
| Digital detox, phone-free spaces, dumbphones | Axios, Apr 2026; BBC, Mar 2026 | Phone-free Sunday, phone basket at cell meetings, Exodus 90 |
| Grandma hobbies: crochet, knitting, needlepoint | Google, Jul 2026; BBC, Mar 2026 | Craft circle making prayer shawls and blankets for the poor |
| Soft socializing: birding, mahjong, chess, silent book club | Axios, Aug 2026 | Birding walks, chess night, silent spiritual-reading club |
| Catholic young-adult clubs | Vesper Club, National Catholic Register | Vespers then dinner or run; newcomers welcome alone |
| Prayer apps and in-a-year podcasts | Hallow, Ascension (Bible and Catechism in a Year) | Daily plan discussed weekly in cells |
| Traditional liturgy, chapel veils | Widely reported, scale uncertain | Latin and chant schola; veil optional |
| Catholic creators and AI creators | Uncertain, not verified this turn | Media studio: testimony reels, magic-trick catechesis, AI saint stories |
| K-pop dance covers | Uncertain, not verified | Little Lights dance crew with modest, joyful choreography |
| Citywalk, slow living, ikigai, kintsugi | Uncertain, not verified | Pilgrim walks to churches; vocation discernment; kintsugi repair as a sign of mercy |
| Sourdough and fermentation | Uncertain, not verified | Bread for parish meals and Lammas |
| Cold plunge, sauna, pickleball | Uncertain, not verified | Optional health habits; parish pickleball league |
| Podcasts and long-form talk | Uncertain, not verified | Lumens podcast in English and Indonesian |
Left out: 75 Hard-style extremes become the gentler 40-day Spark start; anything built on vanity, debt or occult practice is dropped.
Seasons and planting calendar
| When | Catholic and farm year |
|---|---|
| Feb–Mar | Blessing of seeds; start seedlings indoors in Kansas |
| Ember Days (4 times a year) | Fast and pray for harvest and workers |
| Apr 25 and 3 days before Ascension | Rogation Days: procession and blessing of fields |
| May 1 | St. Joseph the Worker: bless tools and workshops |
| May 15 | St. Isidore the Farmer: plant warm crops and bless gardens |
| Aug 1 | Lammas: offer first fruits and first bread |
| Aug 15 | Assumption: blessing of herbs |
| Oct–Nov | Harvest Thanksgiving; save seed, compost, give surplus to the poor |
| Place | Planting guide |
|---|---|
| Herington, Kansas | USDA zone 6a. Median last frost Apr 24 (safe after May 8); median first frost Oct 14 (risk from Sep 29); about 173 frost-free days (NOAA 1991–2020) |
| Indonesia | Wet season roughly Oct–Mar, dry season Apr–Sep (varies by island, check BMKG); plant rice and greens early in the rains, dry-season crops with irrigation |
Hari baik: choose good days by season, weather, climate data, the liturgical calendar and practical traditional wisdom. Javanese pranata mangsa and the Chinese 24 solar terms (jieqi) are welcome as observed seasonal farming knowledge; moon-phase planting is an optional folk practice to test in your own garden.
Sky and nature calendar 2027
The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
| Date (2027) | Event | Conditions | Lumens activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3–4 | Quadrantids peak | Thin crescent Moon, good; northern sky | Cold-night family stargazing, Psalm 8 |
| Feb 6 | Annular solar eclipse | South America and Africa only | Watch NASA stream in cells |
| Feb 20 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | Subtle dimming; visible Americas and Asia | Photograph and compare the Moon |
| Mar 20 | March equinox | Spring in Kansas, autumn south | Canticle of the Creatures; bless seeds |
| Apr 22–23 | Lyrids peak | Near-full Moon, poor | Short watch, brightest meteors only |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Bird migration on the Central Flyway | Cheyenne Bottoms, about 1.5 hours west (estimate) | Birding walk with Benedicite (Dan 3) |
| May 5–6 | Eta Aquariids peak | New Moon, best shower of 2027; good from Indonesia | Indonesian chapters' stargazing night |
| Jun 21 | June solstice | Longest day in Kansas | Sunrise Lauds outdoors |
| Aug 2 | Total solar eclipse | Totality Spain, North Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen; not visible from Kansas; partial in parts of Southeast Asia (check Indonesia locally) | Live stream watch party; eclipse glasses only |
| Aug 12–13 | Perseids peak | Bright gibbous Moon, fair; watch before dawn after moonset | Summer camp-out and photo documentation |
| Sep 15 | Harvest Moon | Full Moon nearest the equinox | Harvest thanksgiving supper and Rosary under the Moon |
| Sep 23 | September equinox | Autumn in Kansas | Give surplus harvest to the poor |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Monarch and waterfowl migration | Flint Hills and Cheyenne Bottoms | Nature journal and photos |
| Oct 21–22 | Orionids peak | Half-lit Moon, fair | Pre-dawn watch with Psalm 148 |
| Nov 17–18 | Leonids peak | Bright Moon, poor | Teach kids the radiant and meteor science |
| Dec 13–14 | Geminids peak | Full Moon, poor; bright meteors only | Advent evening watch with O Antiphons |
| Dec 22 | December solstice | Longest night | Advent candle night: Christ the Light |
Sources: International Meteor Organization (imo.net), NASA eclipse pages (eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov), timeanddate.com. Peak nights can shift by a day; times are in UTC, so check local time. Bird migration dates and the Cheyenne Bottoms drive time are estimates. For dark skies near Herington, use rural Flint Hills sites away from town lights, such as the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; no certified dark-sky park nearby was confirmed. Never look at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Little Lights (kids and teens)
- Monthly family classVerse or saint's saying of the month, a story or magic trick, a craft and a song; parents attend.
- Virtues and mannersGrace before meals, gratitude to parents, one virtue a month.
- Coin box for the poorEmptied at Christmas and Easter for a charity the kids choose.
- Creation careRecycling days and tree planting.
- ServiceElderly visits, food drives, cards for the sick.
- Teen skills trackVideo, magic and performance, coding, product making, first aid.
Best of American Catholic activities
| Activity | Inspired by | Lumens version |
|---|---|---|
| Fish fry and pancake breakfasts | Knights of Columbus, parishes | Monthly community meal that funds charity; Friday fish fits abstinence |
| Habitat-style home builds | Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities | Trades corps repairs homes of the poor and elderly |
| Coats for Kids, Wheelchair Mission | Knights of Columbus | Seasonal drives run by Little Lights and teens |
| Eucharistic processions and pilgrimages | National Eucharistic Pilgrimage | Yearly town procession and walking pilgrimage |
| Steubenville youth conferences | Franciscan University | Regional youth weekend with music, adoration, magic show |
| SEEK and campus missionaries | FOCUS | Young adults mentor students one-on-one |
| Bible study in a year | Ascension Presents (Fr. Mike Schmitz) | Shared daily podcast plan discussed in cells |
| Prayer app streaks | Hallow | Lumens prayer app with daily readings, Rosary and fasting tracker |
| Exodus 90 | Exodus 90 men's program | 90-day ascetic challenge: cold showers, fasting, no screens for leisure |
| Walking with Moms in Need, Gabriel Project | US bishops, pro-life groups | Support mothers with diapers, rides, nursing help |
| Catholic Worker houses | Dorothy Day | House of hospitality and soup kitchen at a Peterpan property |
| Trivia, bingo, festivals, BBQ | Parish culture | Family nights mixing fun, fundraising and evangelization |
| Scouting and Trail Life | Catholic Scouting, Troops of St. George | Outdoor and survival badges for kids and teens |
| Mentoring and 4-H style fairs | Rural America | Yearly skills fair showing members' products, crafts and trades |
Health, fasting and long life
Body and soul care rooted in Catholic tradition, enriched by Chinese and Buddhist wisdom that does not conflict with the faith. Not medical advice; members with health conditions consult a doctor before fasting.
| Practice | Source | How we live it |
|---|---|---|
| Friday abstinence | Catholic tradition | No meat every Friday of the year, not only in Lent |
| Wednesday and Friday fast | Early Church (Didache), Medjugorje | Bread and water or one simple meal, offered for souls |
| Ember Days | Old Roman calendar | Fast three days each season, praying for harvest, workers and vocations |
| Lent and Advent fasts | Catholic and Eastern Catholic tradition | Simple meals, no sweets or alcohol, more almsgiving |
| Eucharistic fast | Church law | One hour before Communion, longer by devotion |
| Eat to 80% full (hara hachi bu, chi ba fen bao) | Chinese and Okinawan wisdom | Stop before full; a form of temperance |
| Mostly plants, fish, fermented foods, tea | Chinese and Okinawan diet | Fits Friday abstinence and monastic eating |
| Tai chi and qigong as gentle exercise | Chinese tradition | Done as movement and breathing only, with Christian prayer, no energy-spirit beliefs |
| Mindful silence and breathing | Buddhist practice, also Christian contemplative tradition | Jesus Prayer or Rosary with slow breathing; Centering in God, not emptiness |
| Compassion and vegetarian days | Buddhist ethics (Tzu Chi) | Mercy toward creation, extra meatless days as penance |
| Filial piety and respect for elders | Confucian teaching | Fourth Commandment; care for aging parents, elder visits |
| Gratitude and simple living | Confucian and Buddhist | Daily thanksgiving, decluttering, give surplus to the poor |
| Sleep, sun, walking, community | Blue Zones research, monastic rhythm | Fixed sleep, daily walk, weekly shared meal |
Plan of life (Opus Dei discipline)
| Habit | Lumens practice |
|---|---|
| Heroic minute | Rise on time; first words: I want to be light today |
| Mental prayer | 15–30 minutes personal prayer with slow breathing, twice daily for committed members |
| Mass and Communion | Daily when possible |
| Rosary and Angelus | Daily; Angelus at noon |
| Spiritual reading | 15 minutes book plus 5 minutes Gospel |
| Small mortifications | Friday fast, no complaining, eat to 80% full, one screen-free day |
| Work done perfectly | One skill practiced and used in service each week |
| Hidden good deed | One unseen act of kindness daily |
| Examination of conscience | Night: where was I light, where was I dark |
| Confession, recollection, retreat | Weekly or biweekly, monthly, yearly |
| Spiritual direction | Monthly talk with cell leader or priest |
| Apostolate of friendship | Invite one friend to a family night or skills fair |
Lumens keeps the discipline but stays open and voluntary, avoiding the secrecy and pressure Opus Dei is criticized for.
Recycling and progress journal (Tzu Chi model)
- Recycling stationsEach chapter runs a sorting point; plastic, paper and metal are sold to fund charity, PET can become products such as blankets or bags.
- Upcycling workshopMembers and kids turn waste into crafts sold at the skills fair.
- Daily journalEach member logs prayer, fasting, service hours, skills practiced and recycling, in a notebook or the Lumens app.
- Documenting every activityWriters, photographers and filmmakers record each event, like Tzu Chi documentation volunteers.
- Monthly reportChapters publish hours served, kilograms recycled, families helped and funds used, for transparency.
Education and sponsorship (Indonesia focus)
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Teaching corps | Members teach skills, catechism and languages at parishes and schools |
| Free tutoring (les tambahan) | After-school lessons in math, English, reading and computers for poor children |
| Anak asuh scholarships | A sponsor pays school fees, uniforms and books for one child; yearly report with grades and letters |
| Adopt-a-village or school | A US chapter partners with a parish, village or school in Indonesia for long-term support |
| Online mentoring | US members tutor Indonesian kids by video, bridging both countries |
| Financial channel | Donations through Peterpan Corp 501(c)(3) with clear accounting |
Sacred arts: Latin and Gregorian chant
- Latin basicsLearn the Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Gloria Patri, Credo and Mass responses; one prayer per month.
- Gregorian chant scholaEach chapter forms a small choir; start with Salve Regina, Ave Verum, Pange Lingua, Kyrie and Agnus Dei from the Missa de Angelis.
- Sing at liturgyChant at Mass, adoration, processions and Ember Days.
- Performance standardLumens are capable performers: chant, music, dance, drama and stage magic are trained and rehearsed to a high level.
- Kids and teensLittle Lights learn simple chants and Latin prayers as songs.
Lumens Online (Peloton-style platform)
Live and on-demand streaming connects every cell in the US and Indonesia; online supports in-person life, never replaces it.
| Stream type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Live guided prayer | Morning offering, Rosary, Angelus, Divine Mercy and night examen on a fixed daily schedule; members join live or replay |
| Mass and adoration | Link to livestreamed Mass from partner parishes and a 24-hour adoration camera; Sunday obligation still requires attending in person when able |
| Fasting challenges | Group fasts (Friday, Ember Days, Exodus 90 style) with live check-ins and a shared tracker |
| Skill tutor classes | Live and recorded classes by trainer-level members: trades, nursing, cooking, film, AI, coding, magic, dance |
| Chant and Latin school | Weekly schola rehearsal and Latin lessons, from beginner to performer |
| Fitness and health | Live Lumens Five sessions with prayer, Peloton-style instructors |
| Tutoring for kids | Online les for anak asuh in Indonesia by US and Indonesian volunteers |
| Bilingual | English and Bahasa Indonesia, with AI subtitles and translation |
- Leaderboard of service, not egoStreaks and badges for prayer, fasting, skills and service hours, shown as group totals to keep humility.
- Instructor pathLearner, helper, then certified tutor who leads live classes.
- Class libraryEvery live session saved by topic, level and length, like Peloton.
- Cell watch partiesCells join the same live class together in person.
- Low-cost techYouTube Live and an open-source web app first; dedicated Lumens app later, built with AI tools.
- Free core, optional supportMembership, prayer, Light Sites and kids' classes always free; optional donations or advanced skill-course fees fund the mission through Peterpan Corp.
Rule of life: daily rhythm and life routines
Three levels so anyone can start: Spark (beginner), Lamp (member), Lumen (committed). Each level adds to the one before.
| Time | Routine | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 05:30–06:00 | Heroic minute, water, morning offering, make the bed | Spark |
| 06:00–06:30 | Mental prayer and Gospel of the day | Lamp |
| 06:30–07:00 | Lumens Five movement set in sunlight, alone or at a Light Site | Spark |
| 07:00 | Daily Mass when possible | Lumen |
| Morning | Deep work: hardest task first, done well and offered to God | Spark |
| 12:00 | Angelus, one simple meal or OMAD on fast days, eat to 80% full | Spark |
| Afternoon | Service or skill practice 30–60 minutes; one hidden good deed | Lamp |
| Afternoon | Visit to the Blessed Sacrament or 15 minutes spiritual reading | Lumen |
| Evening | Family meal without phones, Rosary together, help kids with homework | Spark |
| Evening | Journal: prayer, fasting, service, skills, recycling, money spent | Lamp |
| 21:00 | Screens off, examination of conscience, tidy for tomorrow | Spark |
| 21:30–22:00 | Sleep 7–8 hours at a fixed time | Spark |
| Cycle | Life routines |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Sabbath rest and screen-free Sunday; cell meeting; one hour adoration; Friday fast; meal planning and batch cooking; home clean and small repair; call or visit parents and elders; budget review |
| Monthly | Confession; recollection day; skill class; act of service with your skills; spiritual direction; save and give: tithe 10%, save 10%, no new debt |
| Quarterly | Ember Days fast; health check (weight, blood pressure); declutter and donate; review goals with cell leader |
| Yearly | Silent retreat; relief or mission trip; medical and dental checkup; update will and emergency kit; skills fair; renew promise |
Complete way of life (Falun Gong-style form, Catholic content)
| Falun Gong element | Lumens equivalent |
|---|---|
| Five exercises | Lumens Five, about 30 minutes daily: sign-of-the-cross stretch, standing breath prayer (Jesus Prayer), slow tai chi or qigong-style movement as physical exercise only with Christian prayer, strength and mobility, walking Rosary |
| Seated meditation | Christian meditation, lectio divina or silent adoration; Eastern bodily techniques allowed only as aids, never replacing Christian prayer (CDF, Orationis formas, 1989) |
| Truth, Compassion, Forbearance | Three Lumens virtues: Veritas (truth), Caritas (charity), Patientia (patience); nightly examen against all three |
| Daily study of one book | Daily Gospel, Catechism in a Year (CCC), and one paragraph of the Lumens Rule |
| Free practice sites in parks | Light Sites: free open morning sessions at a parish or park, anyone welcome, no fees |
| Xinxing cultivation | Ongoing conversion: monthly confession, one virtue goal a month, growth noted in the journal |
| Sharing and outreach | Testimony nights, invitation, and the Lumens media studio |
| Free to join | Membership and formation always free; donations voluntary |
| Simple uniform | Lumens shirt or scarf with a lamp emblem for service and Light Sites |
Integration audit
| Domain | Daily / weekly practice | Journal tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit (John) | Morning offering, prayer, Mass; weekly adoration | Prayer minutes, Mass yes/no |
| Body (James the Greater) | Lumens Five, fasting, sleep 7–8 hours | Exercise done, fast kept, sleep hours |
| Mind and study (Philip) | Gospel, CCC in a Year, Rule paragraph | Reading done, CCC day number |
| Virtue (Bartholomew) | Examen on Veritas, Caritas, Patientia | Score 1–5 per virtue |
| Family (James the Less) | Phone-free meal, family Rosary; weekly call to elders | Family time yes/no |
| Work and money (Matthew) | Hardest task first; weekly budget, tithe and save 10% | Spending, giving, savings |
| Skills (Thomas) | Practice one of four skills; monthly class | Minutes and level per skill |
| Service (Andrew) | Hidden good deed; weekly service or tutoring | Service hours, people helped |
| Community (Peter) | Weekly cell; Light Site mornings | Attendance |
| Media and tech (Jude) | Screens off 21:00; screen-free Sunday; AI used ethically | Leisure screen time |
| Rest (Simon) | Sunday Sabbath, yearly retreat | Rest day kept |
| Death preparation (Matthias) | Nightly examen; pray for the dead; yearly will and emergency kit update | Yearly checklist |
Gaps found and fixed: no daily movement set (now Lumens Five), no named core virtues (now Veritas, Caritas, Patientia), no structured study (now CCC in a Year), no free public entry point (now Light Sites), screen time and death preparation not tracked (now in the journal).
Twelve Apostles: role models for the 12 life domains
| Domain | Apostle | Occupation or skill | Scripture | Trait | Lumens habit | Patronage (tradition) | Feast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | John | Fisherman (S); contemplative writer (T) | Mk 1:19–20; Jn 13:23; 19:26–27 | Love, intimacy with Christ | Daily prayer and adoration | Writers, friendship | Dec 27 |
| Body | James the Greater | Fisherman (S); pilgrim to Spain (L) | Mk 1:19–20; Acts 12:2 | Zeal, endurance | Lumens Five, walking pilgrimage | Pilgrims, Spain | Jul 25 |
| Mind and study | Philip | From Bethsaida; practical reasoner (P) | Jn 1:43–46; 6:5–7; 14:8 | Asks honest questions | CCC in a Year, Q&A in cell | Hatters, pastry cooks | May 3 |
| Virtue | Bartholomew (Nathanael) | Student of the Law (P) | Jn 1:47–49 | No guile: Veritas | Nightly examen on three virtues | Tanners, plasterers, Armenia | Aug 24 |
| Family | James the Less | Kin of Jesus (T, disputed) | Mk 3:18; Mk 6:3; Gal 1:19 | Steadfast, prayerful | Family meal and Rosary, elder calls | Pharmacists, the dying | May 3 |
| Work and money | Matthew (Levi) | Tax collector (S) | Mt 9:9; Lk 5:27–29 | Converted relationship with money | Budget, tithe 10%, save 10% | Accountants, bankers | Sep 21 |
| Skills | Thomas | Builder in India (L, Acts of Thomas) | Jn 11:16; 20:24–29 | Hands-on, verifies | Four-skill standard, trades | Architects, builders, India | Jul 3 |
| Service | Andrew | Fisherman (S) | Jn 1:40–42; 6:8–9 | Brings people and resources to Christ | Hidden good deed, tutoring | Fishermen, Scotland | Nov 30 |
| Community | Peter | Fisherman, boat owner (S) | Mt 16:18; Lk 5:3; Jn 21:15–17 | Leader, humble after failure | Weekly cell, Light Sites | Fishermen, the Church | Jun 29 |
| Media and tech | Jude Thaddeus | Letter writer (T authorship) | Jn 14:22; Letter of Jude | Clear message, hope | Media studio, ethical AI, screen limits | Desperate causes, hospitals | Oct 28 |
| Rest | Simon the Zealot | Zealot or Cananean (S title, meaning disputed) | Lk 6:15; Acts 1:13 | Zeal ordered to peace | Sabbath rest, retreat | Sawyers, tanners | Oct 28 |
| Death preparation | Matthias | Disciple from the start, witness of the Resurrection (S) | Acts 1:21–26 | Faithful, ready when called | Examen, will and emergency kit | Carpenters, tailors, alcoholics | May 14 |
One-page daily card (Spark)
- WakeHeroic minute, sign of the cross, morning offering.
- MoveLumens Five, 30 minutes, alone or at a Light Site.
- ReadGospel of the day and today's CCC reading.
- WorkHardest task first, done well and offered to God.
- NoonAngelus; eat to 80% full.
- ServeOne hidden good deed.
- EveningPhone-free family meal and a decade of the Rosary.
- NightJournal, examen on the three virtues, screens off 21:00, sleep by 22:00.
Structure
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Cell | 5–12 members, weekly, lay leader |
| Chapter | Parish or city, priest adviser |
| Corps | Relief corps, skills academy, media studio, cooperative |
| Council | Founder, moderator, treasurer, chaplain approved by the bishop |
| Membership | Inquiry 3 months, formation 1 year, then promise |
Path to Church approval
- Gather 5–10 foundersPray and serve together; start one pilot cell in Herington and one in Indonesia.
- Find a priest adviserAsk your pastor's permission to meet.
- Live it 6–12 monthsRefine the rule from experience.
- Bring statutes to the bishopRequest recognition as a private association of the faithful.
- Grow 10+ yearsSpread to other dioceses, then apply to the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.