This coming weekend I will be visiting the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, near St. Louis, in hopes of beginning to pursue a vocation there.

I really like their charism, and haven't been able to find it anywhere else.

In case you don't know, they use the old liturgy and fasting disciplines of 1962; missal, breviary, rituale, and everything in plainchant! (I'd actually prefer 1954, but that's a different story...)

As I have realized that I could never bring myself to say the new mass or "liturgy of the hours" as a priest (though I attend it most weeks and its okay). It's just...why have New Coke when I could have Coke Classic? Plus, I'd get to go through all the Minor Orders!

There are several groups which say the old liturgy, but the CRNJ take solemn religious vows (so they aren't just a "society of apostolic life" like the FSSP and ICR) They are a true autonomous branch of the Order of Augustinian Canons, under a true Rule (that of St. Augustine) as well as their constitutions and directory of disciplines, with a simple habit.

And yet they aren't entirely monastic. They live a very monastic schedule, and are very poor, but they aren't cloistered so they can provide outside ministry and volunteer work, and (being canons) are also incardinated in the diocesan priesthood as well as the Order. They are very close to Achbp. Burke and say they are very devouted to scholarly pursuits.

If I could change anything, I'd probably get them a bigger (and older) church building (they now use a chapel built in an old garage). I'd keep the living quarters as humble...but I think that I would prefer a more "traditional" church with traditional architecture etc...I'd also probably ask the Pope if the order could be truly Mendicant as well (not only renouncing goods individually and having "the community" technically own anything used...but having the community as a whole also renounce goods and technically deed everything used over to the Holy See)



Please pray for me as I make my visit.

And do any of you have any advice on how I should act besides just "be honest" or "do what Jesus would want"...? I mean specific things I can do to "make them like me". I really would like to enter after high school. Their constitutions allow this, and they have seemed more enthusiastic about this idea than most orders I've talked to...but still seem to have some reservations about me being so young. But I'd rather do my undergraduate studies in a few years, at a Catholic University near the canonry in St. Louis, under obedience. I think I could make it through college with my vocation intact...but I don't want to be out buying oil for my lamp when the bridegroom comes. My parents (who are coming with) are going to make it clear that, if tuition is the issue, they will pay for any costs the order might incur in sending me through undergraduate studies. Is that a good idea, or does it seem presumptuous?

I really worry. I mean...I know Christians aren't supposed to be judgemental...but from some of what I've read here, it seems that in selecting candidates...these orders are acutely judgemental! Sometimes it seems like the "type of person" they "are looking for" is very narrow and that their decisions can seem arbitrary as to whom they want to enter and whom they think "should try again in a few years". What are they looking for? Are they really that selective? Why are some people turned down? If it's size, I don't think its an issue...as so far their are only 4 or 5 canons. What can I do to show my best?

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Prayers! I think just be honest about your reasons for entering out of highschool, which you shared above -they are good and sensible reasons! In the meantime, start a novena to St. Terese of Liseux, the "Queen" of early vocations against all odds!

Father Oppenheimer's a great priest, and its a wonderful community. Prayers!

What experience do you have with them? Please do tell!

I'm visiting again for a week starting monday!