To live one’s life consecrated to Jesus as Lord is the calling of all faithful believers. This is the way. It is the ordering of one’s life in such a way that Christ is both the foundation and center of every choice. It is the intentional diminishment of self so that one might more fully live with, in, and through Christ, in fulfillment of His command to those desiring to follow Him, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Early Christians were identified as followers of the way as they recognized the Lord Jesus Christ, as He taught of Himself, as the way, the truth, and the life. We seek only to continue what has been from the beginning, this is the way.
Intentionality and certain disciplines have long been recognized for their value in aiding sojourners along the way. Prayer, fasting, community, work, and study are mainstays of a life consecrated to Christ. These disciplines, intentionally practiced, form the rule by which our lives are guided. The Order of Saint Cuthbert is an Anglican religious community in formation that invites every Christian to live in the sacred life they have been called. To learn more about us, please inquire at info@anglicanfriars.org.
The principles that guide our community and way of life:
PRAYER – FASTING – PENITENCE – COMMUNITY – WORK – STUDY
Prayer: the sojourner’s life is ordered around prayer. It is not an afterthought, or something to devote oneself to only when time is available. It is the first priority, after which all other priorities must be ordered. The day must begin and end with prayer.
Pray the daily offices, and pray daily for the brothers and the bishops.
Fasting: “Fasting gives birth to prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise. Fasting is a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, a weapon for the valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes. Fasting repels temptations, anoints unto piety; it is the comrade of watchfulness and the artificer of chastity. In war it fights bravely, in peace it teaches stillness.” – Saint Basil the Great
“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity. Enter again into yourself.” – Saint Augustine of Hippo
A day of fasting begins following the evening meal on the day prior and continues until the next evening. During this time, it is best to abstain from all food if possible. If, due to medical condition, or extenuating circumstances, total abstinence is not possible, then choose small and simple meals. Additional fasting and abstinence may be observed in order to nurture asceticism. In congruence with the desire to recognize and honor all life as sacred, consideration should be made, when possible, to the source of food consumed, and the impact on the environment and people associated with its production.
In the tradition of the Church, fast on all appointed days/seasons of fasting to include Wednesday and Friday of each week and excluding all appointed feast days.
Penitence: We are called to be a penitent people, to continuously re-orient ourselves to Christ as Lord. This is evident throughout Holy Scripture and the liturgical tradition of the Church.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” The Epistle of Saint James 5:16
“Confess your sins in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life. . . On the Lord’s Day gather together, break bread, and give thanks, after confessing your transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure.” – Didache 4:14,14:1
Daily, with the aid of God the Holy Spirit, seek to examine and re-orient oneself in submission to the Lordship of Christ Jesus. Regularly throughout the year, for the sake of healing, make use of auricular confession through your spiritual father.
Community: It is through community that we mature in the faith. We are challenged, we are encouraged, we are inspired, and we are held accountable.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – The Gospel according to Saint Matthew 18:20
“There is one kind of love that is indissoluble, what no interval of time or space can sever or destroy, and what even death itself cannot part For with God the union of character, not of place, joins friends together in a common dwelling.” – Saint John Cassian
As a community dispersed throughout the world, we must be intentional about engagement with one another. Although, not easy, and perhaps requiring sacrifice, gathering is paramount to the religious life.
Deep and sacred friendship, which permeates the facades and defenses of the human existence, is an essential element of the religious life. A life consecrated to Christ is one lived communally with those who sojourn together as teachers, companions and guides; soul friends or anam cara.
Commit to engaging in the life of the community. Maintain regular contact with the community, especially your anam cara.
Work: life is most fully lived integrated. Every action, every decision, every task, no matter the perceived significance, is an opportunity to worship God, and to recognize the lordship of Jesus. Humanity is called to be fruitful, to live the image of God in which created by joining in continued creation. As sojourners on the way, the standard of success with every job and task is only to please God.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3:17
Love the Lord with the fullness of our hearts, souls, minds, and with all our strength. Approach every task as an act of service and worship to God.
Study: Commitment to learning and wisdom for the sake of others is a known charism of the Celtic tradition of monasticism. Dedication to deep study and mastery of Holy Scripture, history, liturgy, and the disciplines of spiritual formation is both holy and useful.
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:1-6
For the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God, apply yourself to learning and mastery as a lifelong pursuit to bring about the renewal of the Church and continued commitment to Holy Scripture and tradition.
The Customs of the Order of Saint Cuthbert:
The brothers of the order shall commit themselves to faithfully ordering their lives according the following customs and priorities:
- To live a life fully consecrated to Christ.
- To honor and advocate for life as stewards of God’s creation.
- To pray the daily offices and pray for the brothers of the Order and for the Bishops of the Church.
- To keep the seasons and days of feasting and fasting according to the traditions of the Church, to include a regular practice of fasting every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, except on those days specifically appointed as feast days.
- To make every effort to daily participate in the daily life of the community and to regularly connect as anam cara.
- To meditate regularly on the life and example of Saint Cuthbert and to read the fathers writings and saints lives of the Celtic, Gallican and Mozarabic traditions.
- To daily examination of conscience, and continuous reorientation to Christ Jesus as Lord through penitent confession.
- To work and study in order to further God’s kingdom and bring about the renewal of the Church.