About

Christ Mission Anglican Benedictines is a community of Brothers and Sisters, married and single, vowed and oblates. We are joined together through a common devotion to deep spiritual formation made possible by adhering to the Rule of Saint Benedict. Bound together through common vows of obedience, stability, and cruciform life. We live physically dispersed in secular communities around the world. From Germany to Columbia to the United States. We leverage technology to share community together. We engage together in prayer and study. Lead by an Abbot, we have a Prior who serves as the pastoral care example to Brothers and a Prioress who serves our Sisters. Oblates are completely welcome to join us as they are able.

Our Order is pastoral from its roots. Every Brother is paired with a Brother. Every Sister is paired with a Sister. Each offering a ministry of presence to the other and each receiving care from the other. We use Stephen Ministry as a method of care giving and receiving. Primarily, our monastery is in our hearts. However, we are raising funds to establish a physical space for cloister at the Abbey in North Carolina. We realize this is unique in monasticism.

Thoughts of monastic life tend to picture men or women living in isolated communities. Visions often include monks or nuns, clad in black habits, strolling through the gardens or corridors of gothic monasteries. There is mystery, perhaps a little trepidation, associated with the practices behind the doors. Certainly, there are closed (or cloistered) monastic communities. However, you would be welcomed to visit them. You would discover men and women who are less than mysterious. They share similar needs and desires as you. However, they have devoted themselves to their community for prayer, study, and work to benefit the Church and the world outside of the walls of the monastery.

There are also different monastic lifestyles. Similar to Franciscan Friars, the brothers and sisters of the Congregation of Christ Mission Anglican Benedictines live outside of the monastery. We live in the communities and build relationships with our neighbors. However, we have vowed to live a rhythm of life in accordance with the Rule of Saint Benedict. That Rule has guided monastic communities for more than 1,500 years.

What is The Rule? It is a guide of personal and community values and norms. The Rule describes a path for healthy and enduring relationships. Called to living in vowed commitment to humility, obedience, and spiritual formation – we strive to become the love of Christ to others. We are committed to the practice of prayer and study that nourishes us for service. Our desire is to offer all we do as a gift to God.

As a dispersed Order of Benedictines, we strive to live as icons that point others to God through a more simple life. We continue to work toward living life in a rhythm that flows like breathe.

Our life rhythm is framed by prayer. Praying at regular intervals throughout the day, like the ancient Roman guards who watched over the city, we pause to pray and watch over our communities and the Church. 

We approach Holy Scripture with a desire to be mastered by God’s Word, rather than attempting to master it. We submit ourselves to God’s Word. Therefore, we embrace the mystery of the Bible, trusting that God will reveal depth of meaning as He desires. 

Our work extends from the strength gained through prayer and study. Our work is integrated into our daily rhythm. However, unlike our cultural habits, we work from our rest (rather than rest from our work). This was the rhythm of Creation, the lesson of the Creator.

If this sounds intriguing, we invite you to get to know us. We invite you care for your soul. We invite to discover a place to breathe. Contact us by going to the Contact Page in this website.

We are a community of Benedictines. We are Christ Mission Anglican Benedictines