A Founder's Decree
The text presents itself as a decree issued by Raimundo Irineu Serra, referred to within the tradition as Mestre Irineu, in his capacity as president of the community he led. It sets out expectations for how members should conduct themselves toward one another and how the community's works should be carried out.
On Conduct Within the Community
A first section addresses the community's membership, calling on members to maintain peace and mutual respect and to work on correcting their own faults rather than dwelling on those of others. It describes an ideal of equality among members, including a provision for a committee to assist any member facing illness.
On the Conduct of Works
Later sections describe the mindset with which participants were historically expected to approach the community's works — bringing a hopeful, healthy state of mind and directing their petitions toward what the decree calls the Infinite Spirit of Goodness and the Virgin Mother — and touch on matters of order during the proceedings, including care of the children of women attending. The decree closes by affirming that participation in the community carries responsibilities as well as freedoms.