Lifestyle of Canons?

[awatkins69]

Hello. I’ve been considering, among other things, entering into an order of Canons Regular. I was wondering what their lifestyle is sort of like. I have some questions:

• Do they pray the entire Divine Office with their whole community? Do they live by a set horarium?
• How are they different from monks? Are their lives as ascetic and enclosed as those of monks?
• In what ways do they interact with the laity? In general, what do Canons Regular have to do in regards to the religious lives of other people?
• Are Canons Regular given time to visit family or go on vacations/pilgrimages such as your average priest?
• Do they take vows just like normal religious?

These are just a couple of questions I have. Any answers as well as comments in general about the life or what you know about Canons Regular would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JReducation]

Hello. I’ve been considering, among other things, entering into an order of Canons Regular. I was wondering what their lifestyle is sort of like. I have some questions:

• Do they pray the entire Divine Office with their whole community? Do they live by a set horarium?
• How are they different from monks? Are their lives as ascetic and enclosed as those of monks?
• In what ways do they interact with the laity? In general, what do Canons Regular have to do in regards to the religious lives of other people?
• Are Canons Regular given time to visit family or go on vacations/pilgrimages such as your average priest?
• Do they take vows just like normal religious?

These are just a couple of questions I have. Any answers as well as comments in general about the life or what you know about Canons Regular would be greatly appreciated.

Usually, Canons Regular are not religious orders, though some have come together to form orders. They are religious congregations. They live in community and some of these communities publicly profess the evangelical counsels, not all. Each community has its own charism. You would have to check each one out independently. Canons Regular are usually communities of priests. Some have brothers. Unlike monks and friars which were founded as fraternities or brotherhoods and the priesthood is accidental to them. Canons Regular were first introduced by St. Augustine for priests.

Some communities of Canons pray all of the Liturgy of the Hours in common, some pray certain hours in common, but not all. They do not model their lives on monastic or the mendicant orders. Their asceticism is going to be defined by their constitution. A good example of a community of Canons are the Canons of St. John Cantius.

canons-regular.org/go/about/

I hope this site is helpful.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF