Celebrating Religious Life in the Diocese of Missouri

Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in The Episcopal Church is the existence of religious orders and communities: "Oh, I didn't know that we had Anglican monks and nuns!" Many also do not know that you do not have to live in a monastery or convent to be one! Termed as "The New monasticism," many of our communities are dispersed, comprising of members who are both lay and ordained; men and women; married and single. Lay persons work in their secular professions and all commit to a consecrated life living under a Rule of Life, and ministering in various ways in their respective parishes and dioceses.

Canonically recognized Episcopal religious orders and Christian communities are members of The Council of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas (CAROA) and the National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities (NAECC). CAROA includes 23 traditional cloistered communities of men and women; NAECC includes 14 dispersed communities of men and women, and mixed (there are currently another nine such groups in formation). As we'll explore in the upcoming retreat, this way of religious life is not a new idea, but has ancient roots within the church. Medieval mystics termed it "The Mixed Life."

Diocesan Religious have been meeting together quarterly for worship and fellowship since the fall of 2019. Each gathering includes worship led by members of one of the participating communities, drawing on their community's particular traditions. To date, participating communities have been Franciscans representing both The Order of St. Francis and The Society of St. Francis, Third Order, The anamchara Fellowship, The Anglican Order of Preachers, and The (Dominicans), The Rivendell Community, as well as Oblates and Associates affiliated with Benedictine and other orders. In addition to these canonically recognized groups, several other communities within the church living under rules of life have joined in the gatherings: The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, The Daughters of the King, The Community of Hope (Benedictine), and the interns of Deaconess Anne House.

The retreat will be held at the Marianist Retreat Center in Eureka, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21, 2023.

Download retreat details, including schedule and directions to the retreat center.

Registration

• January 20-21: Overnight, Private Room and Bath accommodations, Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch meals
  $125.00
  Register for 2-day Retreat
  

• January 21: Quiet Day Only, Breakfast & Lunch
  $65.00
  Saturday Registration (Quiet Day only)

(If you are registering for Friday AND Saturday, you only need to complete the 2-day registration form. That will register you for both days.)

Leading the retreat will be Anglican Dominican Fr. Kevin Goodrich, OP. A graduate of Nashotah House, with dual doctorates in theology and ministry, Br. Kevin is an Episcopal priest who is engaged in both parish ministry and a ministry of itinerant preaching and teaching. He has preached and led retreats in England, Scotland and Wales, Ireland, Canada, Australian, and throughout the U.S.

Kevin is the Third Master of the Anglican Order of Preachers (Dominicans). Fr. Kevin has had a particular interest in the lives and works of 14th Century English mystics who lived in the North and East of England. He has spent much time visiting, exploring and interacting with the locations and parishes in Nottinghamshire to the location of Walter Hilton's life and ministry, and also the venues where Richard Rolle, Julian of Norwich, and Marjory Kempe lived, ministered and taught.

His 2022 book, Mystic Bonfires, focuses in-depth on Walter Hilton, Augustinian Canon, who as a writer is known for his work The Ladder Perfection, the first book on Christian mysticism written in English. Hilton held that all could embrace a life of ascetic practice, firm faith, and godly contemplation. As a spiritual director Hilton counseled both secular clerics and laypersons on leading The Mixed Life. The retreat will in particular engage with Hilton's work in discussion and practical exercises.