Go to www.religiouslifesunday.org to download free video and printed materials to share with your parish on Religious Life Sunday.
Are you longing for spiritual companionship and for resources to help on your spiritual journey? Are you seeking to deepen your relationship with God and to center your life on Christ? Religious (monks, nuns, sisters, brothers, friars) in The Episcopal Church provide guidance, community, and resources for the sacred journey. We invite you to celebrate Religious Life Sunday and to learn more about the spiritual support that we offer.
What is “Religious Life Sunday”?
General Convention approved resolution 2022-B004, “Foundation of Religious Life Sunday,” to be held each year on the 3rd Sunday of Epiphany. This Sunday focuses our efforts to tell all Episcopalians that monastic and Christian Communities exist, who we are, and how to find out what we offer to the people of the church.
What are the “religious” communities in The Episcopal Church?
Religious communities in The Episcopal Church include monastic communities, whose members live together under a rule of life and under vows such as poverty, chastity, and obedience. “Religious life” also includes Christian communities whose members are from all walks of life, who live in their own homes and have jobs, and who form unified, vowed communities.
What can religious life do for me and for my faith journey?
In religious life, we have developed traditions and practices that assist in developing spiritual growth and discernment. These include teaching about prayer practices, leading retreats, giving spiritual direction, assisting in writing and living a rule of life, giving presentations about the spiritual journey, and providing spiritual friendship. Many of our monastic communities offer hospitality for short visits or longer retreats. The website, religiouslifesunday.org, includes resources, videos, a speakers’ list, and much more.
You may also want to establish a deeper commitment with one community, and become an associate or oblate. The process usually begins with discernment and preparation, followed by a formal service of commitment. Associates and oblates pray for the members of the community and other associates and oblates, and they usually give financial and other support, commit to a rule of life, and attend retreats.
How can I connect with a religious community?
The monastic communities in The Episcopal Church are listed: caroa.net.
The Christian communities are listed: naecc.net.
For resources and more information visit: religiouslifesunday.org.
Collect For Monastic Orders and Vocations (BCP, p. 819) O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake, that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, those whom you call to follow you under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, that by their prayer and service they may enrich your Church, and by their life and worship may glorify your Name; for you reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.