Becoming a Cheese Head Monastic...

This next week I am heading up to the Order of Julian of Norwich in Wisconsin on retreat. Such retreats are important for clergy, as they feed us so that we may in turn feed the people of God. Many people are surprised to learn that the Episcopal Church has monastic orders. Indeed, Henry VIII abolished the monasteries and convents after nationalizing the Church of England. It was only with the renewal of interest in the catholicity of the church in the mid-1800s that monastic orders within the Anglican tradition began to be re-formed.

There are approximately 168 Anglican religious orders throughout the world, of which 38 have a presence in the United States. All of them share forms of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The Order of Julian of Norwich is unusual in that it is a “double order” containing both monks and nuns living in the same monasteries. The “Members Regular” (monks and nuns) take vows of complete poverty, celibacy, and obedience to the order. They wear traditional monastic vestments including a habit and wimples for the nuns. Their worship is from the 1979 BCP with particular additions and changes. All liturgy is in contemporary language.

OJN is a contemplative order, meaning that they consider their major work to be prayer for the world. A typical day includes at least four offices (Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline), the Holy Eucharist and additional seasonal services. The rest of their time is spent in silence excepting necessary communication. Much of their teaching and liturgy centers on the writings of Lady Julian of Norwich, a medieval mystic. She was one of Thomas Merton’s favorite writers, and much of my theology is based in her writings.

In addition to the “Members Regular” there are “Oblates” who take modified versions of the vows (A tithe rather than total poverty and chastity rather than celibacy) but live in the world. “Associates” round out the membership, made up of people who wish to be affiliates with the order but need more flexibility. I will be “installed” as an associate on the 5th. This three-fold system of membership is pretty typical for religious orders and makes for a diverse community of prayer and service centered in a cloistered, monastic heart. The advantage of a monastic community is that you know however un-prayerful your day may end up being, there is a community holding you up in prayer.

David+

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Comments

[Peregrinato]

I adore Julian. Congratulations and God bless on this significant step in your spiritual life.

[brooke]

Many well wishes for your retreat! OJN seems an ideal fit...I am awaiting my copy of a Lesson of Love...and have been pouring over their materials myself.