Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross

The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross (abbreviated OCCO) is a group which has embraced the Primitive Rule of St. Benedict as Cistercians. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, chapters were developed in several U.S. states. They offer men, clerical or lay, the opportunity to become first order monks, hermits, or priests; and deacons. The Order is open to lay men and women, and diocesan clergy, single or married, over twenty-one years of age, from the Anglo-Roman-Orthodox Catholic traditions. The Order has a variety of missions and ministries throughout the world.

Members are monks who live both inside and outside the walls, seeking a life of perfection through contemplation, work, prayer, stability and obedience.

Organization History

The order had its beginnings in a lay Anglican effort stared by Sister Eileen, a member of the Order of the Holy Trinity, in 1981. Initially, twenty postulants founded the Oblate Order of St. Benedict, and went on to embraced the Primitive Rule of St. Benedict as Cistercians in 1985. While mostly having Anglican members, some were also from Catholic and Episcopal jurisdictions. Membership was open to men, lay or clerics, and women, and formed a unique Anglo-Catholic congregation of its kind in North America.

Sister Benedicta was elected Mother Superior in December 1995, but due to difficulty sustaining membership (by August 1996, there were only two oblates remaining), and resigned on June 16, 1997. Father Oscar Joseph after this became Oblate Superior.

To solve the membership problem, Father Joseph drew up a Constitution and Manual for the Cistercian Order of St. Gregory the Great, and created a filial relationship with New Creation Monastery. After this the Oblates became Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross, Common Observance.

Sister Superior Anamma leads the womans order.

External links

* http://www.cistercianmonks.org