The first sentence on our website reads “Welcome to the website of the Holy Cross Benedictines of Adoration, an autocephalous, ecumenical and idiorrhythmic monastic congregation in the Liberal Catholic/Old Catholic and Anglo-Catholic traditions." This is clear enough but may require some unpacking for our visitors and inquirers.
Firstly, we are “autocephalous”, in that we are not connected in any way to the Roman Catholic Church which claims among its members the vast majority of Benedictines worldwide. Neither are we connected with Anglican or Lutheran Benedictines. We are also autocephalous in that on occasion members may be ordained for the order by the Abbot-Bishop or other members who are bishops of the Holy Celtic Church International or one of the churches in communion with us.
Secondly, we are “ecumenical” in that our members come from a number of different ecclesial jurisdictions within the independent movement, however, unlike some other ecumenical Benedictine orders our ecumenism is necessarily selective due to the sacramental nature of our particular charism. For example, our custom of daily Eucharistic Adoration requires that most brethren be ordained to the priesthood in a church with regular apostolic succession. In case of lay brethren, deaconesses and sisters, the Blessed Sacrament can be reserved for communion and adoration. However, despite our autocephaly and the limited ecumenism of our membership we are open to both ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, especially with other Benedictines.
Thirdly, we are “idiorrhythmic”, an adjective used to describe monastics who live an eremitic or semi-ermitic life, keeping an individual rhythm of prayer, work and study. Of course, in mainstream monasticism, in both the Eastern and Western Churches it will be taken for granted that the monk or nun is celibate, which is not necessarily the case with us. So in this respect although we have a similar outlook to the “New Monastic” movement, in which the vows are usually interpreted "according to one state in life" rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model of cenobitic monasticism, where we may differ from the majority of “New Monastics" is in our rejection of liturgical modernism in favour of traditional style liturgies, and of course our particular orientation towards Eucharistic Adoration is also quite unique among “New Monastic” communities.
Finally, “in the Liberal/Old Catholic Tradition”. It should be noted that this refers to the Liberal Catholic Church and its ecclesial offspring rather than to Roman Catholicism for religious liberals. In fact, as traditional Old Catholics who more often than not use the Liberal Catholic Liturgy of 1918 we would more resemble mid twentieth century Anglo-Catholics than the vast majority of those who today claim the title “liberal Catholic”. We are also proud to number among our lineages a line of succession from the Mariavite Old Catholic tradition, which is itself particularly focused on Eucharistic Adoration. This particular strand of our spirituality finds maximum expression in the Confraternity of the Life of Mary.
Therefore, the Holy Cross Benedictines of Adoration offer a unique kind of liberal traditionalist community. If you like your social teaching progressive and enlightened; your theology mystical and your liturgy intimate and beautiful then we may be the community for you!
Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts ....
We welcome applications from mature men and women of Catholic faith and good morals. Male members of the order, who having received proper education and training, wish to be advanced to major orders may be ordained by their respective jurisdictions or by the Abbot for the order. Female members may be ordained to the office of Deaconess. All applicants, in the first instance are invited to use the contact form below. Our formation program is personalized to meet the needs of the individual. Thank you.
"Let me strive for that silencein which everything I touch becomes prayer."
Thomas Merton
The Abbot-Primus saying Mass, Good Shepherd Sunday 2018
Jesus, gentle and humble of Heart, You are the Bread of Life; help me to live my life hidden in Your Eucharistic Heart in the Presence of our Father united in the love and power of Your Holy Spirit.
Give me a listening heart, a heart to love You for Your own Sake, to love You in myself, and to love You in my brothers and sisters as You have loved. Consume me in the fire of Your Love.
Holy Mary, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, guide me in the journey of the Spirit that, together with you, I may participate in the wedding feast of the Risen Lamb until at last I may sing an eternal Magnificat of Love and Praise, face to Face, before our All-Holy Triune God. Amen.