Canons regular of the new jerusalem

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Can anyone give me any info about the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem in the Archdiocese of St. Louis? I’m especially interested in knowing if they’re contemplative or semi-contemplative and if they allow laymen to visit for retreats (sort of like the Benedictines at Clear Creek). They don’t seem as well-known as some other orders that exclusively celebrate the EF. Thanks!
 
I can’t tell you much about them in St. Louis, but one of their priests is in residence nearby and he did a few Masses at the TLM parish this month. And they are canons, so they live under a rule and in common. So I believe they are semi-contemplative.
 
The last time I heard from Dom Daniel Oppenheimer was a few months ago. He said that they were with the Norbertines in California while awaiting for a couple of Brothers to finish up their studies in Rome.

Guess they are still looking for a new permanent home. At one time a couple of years ago they were looking at the Pacificnorthwest.
 
moderate_trad said:
Can anyone give me any info about the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem in the Archdiocese of St. Louis? I’m especially interested in knowing if they’re contemplative or semi-contemplative and if they allow laymen to visit for retreats (sort of like the Benedictines at Clear Creek). They don’t seem as well-known as some other orders that exclusively celebrate the EF. Thanks!
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I went to my godson’s First Holy Communion at a Mass of the Canons Regular when they were in St. Louis. They appeared to be more active than contemplative. At the time, a couple of years ago, Fr. Oppenhemier had several young men in formation who were assisting him in parish work. My brother-in-law and my sister were very disappointed when financial circumstances seemed to result in their needing to find a place elsewhere than St. Louis.

I am pretty certain Fr. Oppenheimer had his formation at the seminary of the Society of St. Pius X, and was ordained I believe by Abp. Lefebvre. I presume the Norbertines with whom they are currently residing are at least friendly to the Traditional Mass as one of them has offered to say a Tridentine Mass for my son’s wedding, but Fr. Oppenheimer seems committed to the Old Mass exclusively.

Rory
 
Hello moderate trad,

I have been in contact with them and am hoping to join them. In my personal opinion they fill a much needed gap in modern day religious life. Somewhere between the contemplative and the apostolic in Tridentine circles. While they are not strictly contemplative they do live under the rule. They want to live a more cloistered life but at this stage without a settled gepgraphic location it is difficult. When live with another community or visit a parish you have to go by their guidelines and accomodate. They would like to live a more contemplative life than right now. However, their particular charism is in the dignified and reverent celebration of the liturgy. This is their main point although in the future they hope to be involved in education (similar to the Norbertines). For all religious houses the most hectic and difficult time is the foundation. Even the Carthusians who first came to this company were not able to live a regular Carthusian life until the monastry was set up. You will have to keep that in mind. Also they have their reasons for being Tridentine only. Part of it is for personal spritual formation and part of it is it is easier to prevent the many abuses that can happen in the NO (ie.
deacbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/best-wedding-processional-ever-now.html).

You will need to talk to Dom Daniel about more detail. Obviously everthing I said is my own perception and it is possible I misunderstood something. He is the best source.

While I don’t believe the website is updated they still reply to emails. If it doesn’t get through I would be happy to mention it to him. They are very busy (difficult to found a community) but will reply.

While they are devoted to the Tridentine they are not contemptful of the NO. However, they have reservations on certain aspects and so their community doesn’t celebrate it. They will attend an NO at times. They are exceptionally knowledgeable and faithful in regards to liturgical issues but also realize the purpose of the liturgy is to promote holiness. It is not an end in of itself as it is to direct one to God.

I know that Dom Oppeheimer was with the FSSP at one time and has permission to start another community. I beleive he was one of them in 1988 who decided not to follow the SSPX in irregular relations.

I don’t believe they are capable of receiving anyone lay people for retreats *unless you are seriously thinking about pursuing a vocation with them. *

From what I have been told they are in discussing with the bishop of Wheeling / Harper’s Ferry WV about the prospect of setting up a religious house there. It would be good to pray for them in that regards.

They aren’t as well known as they are smaller and more recent.
I hope this helps.
God bless.
 
Thanks a lot for your info. Their webpage obviously hasn’t been updated recently! They sound like a wonderful order, and there really seems to be only fraternities of diocesan priests and completely contemplative orders saying the EF right now (at least in the US). They really would fill a need if they expand. I hope maybe there’ll be branches of the really big orders (Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, etc.) that are set up to say the EF exclusively.
 
Hello. You are welsome. As far as the Major orders exclusively using the Tridentine it is unlikely. However, the Franciscans of the Immaculate are planning on using it in the future at least if not already. They are in the process of gearing up for it right now (it takes awhile). They are of pontifical right though only since the 90s. They are the closest thing you will find to the main orders exclusively uses the Tridentine. However, they will continue most likely to use the NO in their ministeries (parishes, etc) where it is it is desired by the Bishop and helpful as some people are not desirious of it. However, when they celebrate the NO they celebrate it ad orientem and are very reverent. The Dominicans of the West are a bit more enthusiastic about the older Dominican rite. The Dominicans of the East are a bit harder to figure out. They are pretty conservative but haven’t yet come to a consensus and I think are still trying to figure out what course to choose. That is not to necessarily say one is more solid than the other- best to talk to them if you are interested. The Norbertines of Saint Micheal’s Abbey are also open to the Tridentine and many priests celebrate it there. However, the conventional Mass will probably remain NO (albeit reverent) for some time. However, I must warn you that if you apply to either the Norbertines or the Canons Regular you will not be able to apply to the other if you change your mind. This is due to the close relationship (primarily personal) between the two. They don’t want to have the possiblity of any issues that can damage the relationship. I beleive it is a wise decision and respect it. Other than that there are some Tridentine orders in France/ Austria. Some new, some well established. Some recently regularised. If the language and cost of travel is not a problem then you might want to consider them also. I don’t think you will want to join the Jesuits or Franciscans if you would like to celebrate the Tridentine predominately. I beleive as an order they are more resistant to it. Also while there are a number of solid and conservative priests/ religious in both they are not the majority. The Dominicans (at least the priests and male religious) are much sounder overall. If you apply to a less sound order you will have to face possible rejection and have to supplement your own spiritual formation as it can be very poor in some communities. It is possible but you will not be able to as open asyou could in others. In my opinion it is not healthy more many to go that route- you will be forced to be “undercover” in some ways.

Hope this helps.
 
Yeah, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are very interesting. I was briefly involved in their 3rd order program (although I never officially became a member). They’re excellent, and I’ve heard them praised by several FSSP priests. Oddly enough they don’t seem to get the attention by the Catholic press that some other orthodox orders do. I knew that they were favorably disposed to Catholic tradition and that some of their priests say the traditional Mass, but I always thought that they were more of a reform of the reform order with little or no ministry for the EF community.

Incidentally, do you know anything about a group called Militia Templi? Although I’m not ruling out a vocation to the brotherhood in a traditional order, I have reasons to believe that it might not be God’s will. If I’m not mistaken from what I’ve read (which hasn’t been that much), Militia Templi seems a little bit like a traditional Opus Dei – the members don’t become religious but are closer to being religious than simply being a member of a pious association. Perhaps I’m wrong.
 
Hello Moderate Trad- sorry about not replying sooner. I try not to get too involved with online forums as I can spend hours on them if I’m not careful. No I haven’t heard of the group you mentioned but googling it they seem to be very interesting and fully licit. It seems to not quite be like Opus Dei but primarily devoted to helping pilgrims, travelers, the poor, and reciting the Divine Office. As some members do take the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience that aspects is closer to a religious order. I suppose it depends on which level you aspire to join. Apparently they also accept women. I suspect their spirituality is closer to that of the Templars with some modern adaptations rather than Opus Dei and the “standard” orders. They also seem to have their own chaplains who would be ordained. Not sure where the combative aspect which is frequently mentioned comes in. I assume it is more spiritual or intellectual than physical but it does’t seem to be much mention of what it actually entails.

I think the best thing to do is to determine what are the God given desires in your heart and the abilities and limits to your mind and body. To try to make yourself into what God has not created you to be will cause a great amount of unecessary frustration. In other words what type of person has God made you to be? God has not created everyone to be a hermit nor is every man called to be a priest. As Therse of Liseux believed God created roses and violets. What He desires is not a garden of only roses but that each person fulfill his pupose.

After determining that it is easier to narrow the focus down to a few orders. Talking with them they may also be able to provide you with insight into yourself. Be careful of ones that try to push you into theirs.

As far as the Franciscans of the Immaculata are concerned yes they are a reform of the reform but exceptionally open to the Tridentine (from what I have heard on the New Liturgical Movement). They will never be solely a Tridentine order as Franciscans traditionally will use all licit means to evangelize. In the future they may use the Tridentine for conventual use but they will also use the Norvus Ordo to reach souls. They even had some priests ordained in the Tridentine recently. Check out the following links: airmaria.com/category/subjects/fi-houses/
newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/01/solemn-requiem-franciscans-of.html

The only thing I must advise you is that if you are looking for a Thomistic formation you will not want to go to them. They emphasize St Bonaventure greatly over St Thomas Aquinas. As a matter of fact a search of Thomas Aquinas on their web site only brings up about 4 hits and I don’t believe Summa Theologica is even mentioned. They plainly feel that St Thomas was wrong on a number of issues. Though Thomism is the perennial philosophy of the Church one is permitted to hold and teach other philosphies that do not directly or proximately contradict the truths of the Faith. I believe that they adhere to St Bonaventure’s views as they are Franciscans and he was correct on the doctrine of the Immaculate conception while St Thomas erred in his understanding of it. No doubt there are other reasons. Neither were all the saints Thomists. Whether, this is a wise course or not is another issue. Personally, I disagree with this virtual exclusion of St Thomas but still respect them very much for their love of our Lady and devotion/ service to the Church. They do lead a regular and humble religious life. God bless you in your discernment.
 
After attending their epiphany mass in Charlestown, WV (they also kindly allowed me to sing lauds in english by myself before hand), I must confess that they have the best ability to sing gregorian chant that I have yet heard, fluid, clear, crisp, not much solesmes techniques (which I dislike). Though it was only 2 or three people singing it they have completely mastered the genre, this is very rare. Not only that…

They occasionally added a 2 or 3 part polyphony effect on their offertory and recessional hymns, which gave it a rare powerful majesty. mixing simple 2 or 3 part harmony side by side or even doing this to the chant itself is works very well. During the middle ages simple polyphony was quite common for chant on major feasts, not the complex type that palestrina did. Organum really is probably the name for this. I love organum.

THis goes to prove what I have always said.

Which is that it is MUCH better to have one cantor or 2 or 3 people who sing traditional liturgical music and chant well than to expect the large numbers to sing it well.
You only need 1 to 3 people to fill a typical parish with the most beautiful music it needs.
Everyone can participate in some metrical hymns and ordinary (unchanging chants) but most of the music should not be, or does not need to be sung by everyone. That idea is false and impractical. That is what I witnessed occuring at this particular mass.
If only the whole USCCB could have been there and learned some lessons.
Once we have the anglican ordinariates up and running, we’ll be able to do these same things in the english language, such as at Mt Calvary parish in Baltimore, MD.

His homily was also very deep and said most of the same things I heard in my eastern catholic church for the same feast !

In his homily Lord Augustine mentioned the three aspects or stages of Epiphany:
The Illuminatio (the three magi bearing gifts to the child), Manifestatio (baptism of christ in the jordan by john), Declaratio (the Lord granting his first miracle of changing the wine the water into wine at the wedding of cana). Many of the office chants for the octave mention these as well.

Lord Augustine wore a full golden conicle chasuble which was spectacularly beautiful.
Almost no one ever wears these, so thats a treasure.

Frankly, these canons gave me the closest experience I’ve yet had within western christianity to what i have experieced and expect from Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. So rich and ancient. Really it is something life changing for anyone not yet familiar with it.

The canons of new jersusalem have a bright future ahead of them!

The fact that the founder was formerly an anglican seems to have something to do with this. I constantly find that the ex-anglicans within the Orthodox and Catholic Churches have more profound artistic and theological abilities. They really are the leaders of our Church in so many ways. Oddly enough sometimes people think I am an ex anglican myself…due to my usage of their english chants and metrical hymn adaptations.
 
Its been a year and a half since I posted to this thread. Every quarter I get a bulletin (newsletter) from Dom Openheimer. I guess they are still with the Norbertines in California. I had heard a rumor that they had moved back east but I guess it was just that, a rumor.

Its wonderful to hear the news of their Masses in WV. I can only wish we had such things out here in the Northwest. Its such a long way to Seattle for the North American Martyr’s parish (FSSP).

What I wouldn’t give to have them here at our little mission parish; St. Francis Xavier mission , Toledo, WA.
 
I knew them briefly here in St. Louis and then was in some touch in Orange County. Are they now in West VA?
 
ByzCath said:
Lord? I have never heard the word lord as a title for a priest of any kind.

Is this a tradition among the Canons Regular of New Jerusalem?
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I think it’s meant to be a translation of the traditional monastic title (also used for Canon Regular) “Dom” which derives from domnus which derives from dominus. Normally, the title is kept in Latin; this is the first time I’ve seen it translated. Personally, I prefer the Latin.
 
malphono said:
I think it’s meant to be a translation of the traditional monastic title (also used for Canon Regular) “Dom” which derives from domnus which derives from dominus. Normally, the title is kept in Latin; this is the first time I’ve seen it translated. Personally, I prefer the Latin.
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I see. As you said, I have never seen it translated, I have always seen it used as “Dom” but I was unaware that the monastic title was used for Canons. I have always seen the title Canon before the name of a member of a group of Canons Regular.
 
ByzCath said:
I see. As you said, I have never seen it translated, I have always seen it used as “Dom” but I was unaware that the monastic title was used for Canons. I have always seen the title Canon before the name of a member of a group of Canons Regular.
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While I have seen the title used for Canons Regular on occasion, I don’t how how widespread its use is among them. Perhaps it depends on the particular community? 🙂
 
There are also latin catholics who become upset if you call their priest Fr. Ted or Fr. Theodore and demand that you call them Fr. Pulcini. Or we could go with Very Reverend or Presbyter Ted Pulchini. There’s always a critic.

I don’t care for too much informality and egalitarianism of all genders, ages, sexes. We are not all equal, but at the same time we need some intimacy and friendliness in our local christian churches which is different from the formality outside of them.

People become stuck in routines calling someone Ma’am instead of Madame.
I prefer going back to the roots and demystifying quirky historical developments into their original purposes, meanings or roots.

People can go too far of course, but theres a difference between simply translating something effectively and removing it entirely.

It is usually wrong to remove prayers and rubrics,I’ve not seen the harm to add back something that was there for centuries and removed or forgotten for wrong reasons, or accurately translate them. This appears to me to be authentically passing your tradition on to the next generation. With all the translations into english, there’s no reason to stop now.
 
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