The PRAYER WARRIORS of the HOLY SOULS (PWHS) has long been identified as an "apostolate". An apostolate is defined as "an association of individuals for the dissemination of a religion or doctrine".

For the past 17years since it was founded as an apostolate by the late Cong. Narciso D. Monfort, M. D., the PWHS did not find any need to be considered more than just an apostolate. It pursued its objective of creating awareness of the plight of the holy souls. This means the awareness that the holy souls need the prayers, mass offerings, and acts of mercy by the members of the Church Militant to hasten their purgation process and eventual entry into heaven.

However, as the PWHS gained more members both here and abroad, and linkages were established with other similarly situated entities in other parts of the world, the need for an official recognition as a "National Association" by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had to be addressed.

After a series of consultations with Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, D. D. Chairman, CBCP Commission for the Laity, the leadership of the PWHS seriously embarked on its objective to be recognized as a national association by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through the Commission for the Laity.

Already in process is the PWHS Handbook which also contains the PWHS Constitution. Incorporated in said handbook is the affirmation that:

1. The PWHS will always be in communion with the pope and the bishops;

 

2. The PWHS recognizes, defers to and actively submits to the authority of the bishop as shepherd of his diocese;

 

3. The national spiritual director of the PWHS has to be approved by the Commission for the Laity of the CBCP

 

4. The diocesan spiritual director has to be approved by the bishop of the diocese (Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, Spiritual Director of PWHS was approved as such by no less than His Eminence, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.)

 

Further to the aforementioned, Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, DD enumerated the requirements for recognition as a national association by the CBCP through the Commission for the Laity, and these are:

1. A minimum of three chapters: one in Luzon, one in Visayas, and one in Mindanao

 

2. Submission of statutes of the association

 

3. Submission of list of officers and members

 

4. Policies must be in accordance with Plenary Council of the Philippines II (PCP-II) Vision

 

5. There must be an endorsement of a Bishop or Spiritual Director

 

6. There must be an approval of the Episcopal Commission of the Laity

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