"We have taken a look at Benedictine life differently," Pr.Michael-John explains. "Much of what you see is the same, prayer, study, hospitality, contemplation, meditation, silence. I founded the order in 1992 using the rule of St. Benedict as the foundation for this community. Benedict, when he wrote this rule 1,500 years ago, wrote it on the shoulders of those who preceded him. He modified it to fit the needs of his time. At the same time that we hold to tradition, we also look at what society needs. If religious life is to survive it must have some flexibility."

Life at the community is a mix of the ancient and modem. The brothers typically wear the traditional habit (consisting most notably of a black tunic and rope cincture) and address each other as'brother.'Some members of the community live within commuting distance and spend time at the Abbey nearly daily. Others live throughout the United States as far west as Arizona and as far east as Florida.

Although the flexibility has helped generate initial interest, many still find a life devoted to stability, discipline, selflessness, obedience and prayer to be something other than what they were seeking.

Whether living at the community or else where, all members are expected to order their day around the Monastic Breviary, a liturgical book of worship services which includes four daily prayer offices - Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline.

The flexibility has helped to attract a relatively large number of aspirants. they were seeking. An Internet website (www.iowaepiscopal.org/companions-of - st - luke/) launched last summer has already attracted almost 4,000 hits. The community also selectively advertises in specialized publications. Probably most of the inquiries come through word of mouth. Pr. Michael-John isn't exactly certain.

New aspirants have helped to put the community on the fast track to becoming an official order. In the Episcopal Church, an order must have at least six religious (meaning the aspirant has satisfactorily completed a lengthy process of discernment and made a public vow of lifetime commitment to the community) before it can be certified. Currently the Companions of St. Luke have 10 brothers and two male oblates, or associates, in varying stages of discernment. The community also has several women and nine priests in discernment with a relatively even mix between those who are married and those who are single.

Although the flexibility has helped generate initial interest, many still find a life devoted to stability, discipline, selflessness, obedience and prayer to be something other than what they thought they were seeking. The attrition rate both voluntary and involuntary - is surprisingly high, according to Pr. Michael-John.

"Walls created from the heart provide an unlimited ministry, " he said. "Monastic life is a state of the heart and mind. Whether someone lives at the Abbey or elsewhere, they integrate that into a life that is whole, one where a commitment to prayer is a part of their work."

FEBRUARY 10, 2002, THE LIVING CHURCH