Monastic community

The Order of st. John the Beloved (Franciscan) to which I belong, since its beginning, has been a group of Christians who feel called to a lifestyle of radical discipleship, as have all monks, nuns, and oblates. We have felt called to times of prayer, reading and meditation, and also to be serving Christ and people out in the world. (Some would call us an "active" order.) Like the early Celtic orders, we live as each of us is called--married or single. Since the beginning, we also know that, like the Celts, some of us would eventually be called to live together in an "integrated" monastic community--with part of the housing for married and family and part for singles. Yet some would still be called to remain living in their own homes, and still be a part of and serve with this Order.

I am excited to share that we just had a meeting about community! Those who are presently called to community met on Ash Wednesday, and shared with one another what ideas we felt God had given each of us for that community. Now we begin to look for property.

We feel led to purchase land in the OKC area. We are looking for a wooded property, far enough out from the city and noise, so as to have space to pray and meditate.

We will have a part for married and families and a part for singles. The community will have a "common area" with a kitchen, living room/fellowship area, chapel, and a library. There will also be a music room. We are praying about how often to do shared meals and prayers. Chapel of St. Francis parish will meet there, and continue to offer Morning Prayer weekdays, Eucharist on Sundays and Wednesdays, and probably eventually Eucharist on weekday mornings. Our intent is for those of us who are presently called to begin this intentional community some time next year.

We ask you to pray with us as we move toward this. If you feel you may be called to be a part of a monastic community, either living in the intentional community or in your own home, please feel free to contact us. If we can help you in any way with your prayer life or reading and meditating on the Scriptures, or want to know about the ancient Church and why it is relevant for today, please contact us. My email is br.francis@yahoo.com. You can reach us at Mercy House hermitage (home of my wife Shirley and myself and Athalia the cockatiel) at 405-470-0174.


blessings,
Br. Francis