Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Companions of St. Luke ~ OSB an Order or Community?

The Companions of St. Luke ~ OSB (CSL) is a religious community as defined by the Canons of the Episcopal Church. Religious Life in the Episcopal Church is defined in two sections of Title III.24. The Companions are actually a hybrid, taking the best from both "Orders" and "Communities"; therefore, it is not always apparent, at first reading, which of the two sections best describes our Community. For the sake of brevity, the Constitution and Customary places the Community within the broad concept of Community. The reasons for this will become apparent as you read through the remaining questions and answers.

2. What makes the Companions Benedictine?

As mentioned above, Companions live a modified Rule laid out by St. Benedict 1500 years ago. This pivotal fact along with the important role that Benedictine monastic tradition plays in the life of each Companion makes the Companions Benedictine to the core.

3. As a Community, what canon of the Church does the Companions of St. Luke fall under?

The Companions fall under Title III.24 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church.

4. How are Communities and Orders different?

According to Canon 24 of the Episcopal Church, the primary difference between a Religious Community and a Religious Order is that members of an Order must live in community, hold property in common and be celibate while members of a Religious Community do not have to meet these requirements.

5. How are Communities and Orders the same?

According to Canon 24 of the Episcopal Church, Religious Communities and Orders share the same governance and oversight structures in the Church and the procedure for release from vows or commitment to an Order or Community is much the same.

6. Are the Companions open to both single and partnered relationships?

The Companions are open to any person over the age of 21, single or partnered, who is a communicant member of the Episcopal Church or some other part of the Anglican Communion. Being open to all such people does not, however, mean that all persons will be accepted. The Companions look for those exhibiting the hallmarks of a Religious calling: a desire for a deeper and richer prayer life, spiritual maturity, a longing for union with God.

7. What vocation possibilities are available with the Companions?

One may become an Associate, an Oblate or a Vowed Religious in the Companions of St. Luke.

8. How are these vocations different and the same?

Basically, the varying vocations in CSL are reflections of the different movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those called to this community. All are members of the family and are considered to be an integral part of the community but, like the Body of Christ, of which we are a microcosm, each person has a different function. Associates build their own rule of life based on their study of the Rule of Benedict. Oblates live according to the Rule of St. Benedict as they are able, given their life circumstances. Vowed Religious commit to follow the Rule whether they live in the world or at the Abbey. All these people incorporate the elements of study, prayer and work, so critical to the Benedictine way of life into their own lives.

9. How many times is a member of the Companions required to pray?

A Vowed Religious of the Companions of St. Luke is expected to pray four offices daily - morning, noon, evening and night. Oblates are required to say two of the Divine Offices each day. Associates are encouraged to follow the example of their Community.

10. What type of formation programs do the Companions have?

Formation for individuals within CSL is extensive and ongoing. Please see the Formation section of this web site for specifics relating to Oblate formation. Essentially, the Companion in Vowed Life will be required to read and write reflection papers on a number of different required texts during Postulancy and the Novitiate as well as becoming familiar with the Monastic Breviary, the prayer book of CSL, the Constitution and Customary of the Companions and the Rule of Benedict. The member will be in contact with a formation director who will give feedback on reflections and may assign other reading or meditation as is deemed necessary. Once the person enters Simple Vows, that person embarks on an independent study directed by the Superior.

11. Do I have to live at the Abbey to be a member of the Community?

No. While the Abbey is the spiritual home of all Companions, members are not required to live there. This option is open to those who wish to do so after consultation with the Superior.

12. What vows do I have to make to be a member of the Companions?

Vowed members of the Community take vows of Obedience, Stability and Conversion of Life. Please see the Customary for details of how these vows are lived by the Companions.

13. How is the Community supported financially?

The Community is supported almost entirely by the members of the community. Members agree to contribute a part of their income to the support of the Abbey and the Community in general. This is done as a sign of their love for both their spiritual home and their brothers and sisters in the Community.

14. What would be required of me financially as a member of the Community?

Each member agrees to contribute at least 5% of their gross income to the Community as a sign of their commitment and love for their spiritual home and their brothers and sisters. Contributions are tax deductible and go toward the upkeep of the Abbey and the biannual Convocation among other things.

15. Are habits required?

While at the Abbey the habit is the common dress of a Companion especially during Morning Prayer and Vespers, unless dispensed by the Superior. The habit is worn during Convocation (the gathering of the Community twice a year) unless dispensed by the Superior. Away from the Abbey, discretion, common sense, type of work and occupational guidelines may not always make this possible. Balance, awareness and sensitivity should be employed in all cases regarding the wearing of the habit." Put simply, this means that the habit as external symbol of our call is worn when it is appropriate to the situation. The habit should not be worn if it interferes with work or becomes a "stumbling block" for those around them. Within the context of the parish, each member should consult with their priest about how this symbol could enhance parish life.  

16. How many times are the Companions required to travel to the Abbey?

The Companions of St. Luke meet in Convocation biannually and encourage all members to attend both Convocations if at all possible. It is understood, however, that, for a variety of reasons, this may not always be possible. A Companion must come to at least one Convocation a year unless dispensed by the Superior. Companions are also encouraged to come to their spiritual home as often as they are able.

17. How is this travel paid for?

All costs related to travel and lodging are paid for by the individual.

18. Do I have to give up my job to become a member of the Companions?

You do not have to give up your employment to become a Companion. In fact, each member should consider their employment as a part of their mission field. Members of CSL are employed in a wide variety of fields. Companions must, of course, schedule time throughout the day to fulfill their commitment to the Divine Offices and other aspects of Benedictine life.

19. Do I have to be an Anglican/Episcopalian to be a member of the Companions?

To be a Vowed member of CSL, a person must be a member in good standing of the Episcopal Church or some other branch of the Anglican Communion. Oblates and Associates of the Companions of St. Luke, however, may belong to any Christian denomination.

20. How old must I be to be a member?

You must be at least 21 years of age to be considered for membership in CSL

21. Is there an age where I would not be considered for application to the Companions?

CSL does not have a "cut off" age after which a candidate will not be considered. Since part of our call is to make Religious life available to as many people who feel called to it as possible, such a limitation would be an inappropriate stricture on what God has called us to do.

22. What possibilities are there for vocations for those who are not Anglican/Episcopalians?

While those who wish to enter Vowed Life must be members of the Anglican Communion, other Christians are welcome to explore the vocation of Oblate and Associate. Oblates and Associates are vital parts of the life of our community and have their own formation process which will lead them into a deeper life of prayer and a more radical commitment to their baptismal vows.

23. What Prayer Book is used by the Companions?

Our Abbot, after discerning a need within our Community, developed and compiled our new CSL Breviary, which is used for all the Divine Offices.  Each Companion must become familiar with this Prayer Book, as this is used at our Abbey and at all Convocations.  Companions may occasionally use other prayer books as their situation dictates.

24. I understand that the Companions have "no boundaries." What does this mean?

When Christian monasticism first developed in the 3rd century after Jesus' death and resurrection, it was a life of solitude and intense asceticism. Monks and nuns were encouraged to remain in their cells so that their cells could teach them all that they needed to know. This was especially helpful to those who were facing their interior weakness for the first time and this idea of keeping to the cell developed over time into the idea of the cloister: a place where one entered and did not leave without good reason and permission from the Superior. This lifestyle certainly encourages stability of a particular sort but, even in the most cloistered monastery, there are still comings and goings and guests to be welcomed. The Companions believe that we must look deeper for that which provides stability; we must look to the Lord our God. It is only from God that true stability can proceed and so the Companion carries the monastery with him or her, in a heart that overflows with love for the Almighty and an intense desire for Union with the Beloved who calls to us. Therefore, while the Companions have a physical spiritual home in the Abbey of St. Benedict, their monastery is carried in their hearts and minds and has no boundaries.

25. Does the Community require a letter of support from my partner to become a Companion?

The Companions feel that the partner of any member of the community is also a part of the community. The partner, too, will become a part of our family and, as such, we do require that the partner be fully aware of what the aspirant is contemplating before the aspirant can be received into the community. The partner will generally receive a call or other communication from the Superior and, after discussing the community and what it entails in detail, the partner will then be asked to write a letter of support for the aspirant. In this way, the Companions can be certain that the aspirant's life partner clearly understands the rigors the aspirant is about to undertake and can provide the support that they deem necessary to help the aspirant along their way.

26. How old is the Community?

The Companions of St. Luke was founded on June 13, 1992.

27. What is the charism of the Community?

The Customary says: "the combination of prayer propelled into healing action is the Charism of the Companions of St. Luke". The Companions feel that such healing action can be as obvious as a doctor working with children or as subtle as a well timed smile that lightens the day of someone who might otherwise not have known such a moment in their day. The Companions believe that healing starts with the self, with the acknowledgement of our own brokenness and pain serving as a touch point from which we can reach out to others, not as superior beings bent on fixing others but as fellow humans extending a hand, knowing the place from which those who suffer are coming.

28. How is the Community linked to the National Church?

The history of Religious Life and the Church has been a troubled one indeed, especially during the late 1800s and early 1900s when Orders and Communities were being founded or reconstituted. From the Church's perspective, it was important that Religious communities fall under the discipline of Bishops and, thus the institution of the Church. From the communities' perspective, it was important that they remain autonomous, free to practice their God-given charism, without interference. It has only been in the last 30 years or so that a canon has been written which accommodated the concerns of each side. In its simplest form, the accommodation is this: each recognized community will have a Bishop-Visitor linking them to the National Church and each community will retain its autonomy.

In 1992 the Rt. Rev. Frank Griswold, then Diocesan of Chicago, gave permission for the founding of the Companions of St. Luke ~ OSB. Thus, from its formation, CSL has had a Bishop-Visitor. A second step in the recognition process for the Community came about when the Diocesan of Iowa invited the Companions into his Diocese. This invitation recognized the Community as a foundation within the Diocese and resulted in the Companions moving from Chicago to Donnelson, Iowa in the year 2000.

The final form of recognition needed by the Community was given by the National Church on August 2004 by the Committee on Religious Life of the House of Bishops. Because of this recognition the Companions of St. Luke, OSB now appears in the Church Annual (also known as "Red Book"):

CSL-OSB is a community founded on the Rule of St. Benedict having attributes of both traditional Orders and Christian Communities. The Community honors the richness of its tradition, yet knows that each age needs to bring to its history and practice innovations. CSL is about making choices, whether it be living at the motherhouse or living the Benedictine experience within the context of a larger community. The Community is about prayer, lectio divina, contemplation and study. CSL is open to single and married persons, ordained or not. Vocations include Vowed Life and Oblation with respective vows and promises made of: obedience, conversion of life and stability. (The Episcopal Church Annual 2006, p. 119).

More important to us, however, is the spiritual link that we have with the Episcopal Church and, indeed, to the Church Universal. Religious have, for centuries, served as the "prayer engine" of the Church and, as the Abbot has noted elsewhere, whenever the Church has worked in concert with Religious, miracles of conversion and growth have occurred. A Companion of St. Luke prays each day for the Episcopal Church and the whole Body of Christ in all its permutations.

29. Who is the Bishop-Visitor of the Community?

The Community's Bishop Visitor is Bishop Dean Wolfe, Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas.

30. What type of references will I need to apply to the Companions?

You will need to provide three reference letters, one of which must be from a priest. The other two letters must be from persons who know you well and can answer the questions asked with particulars.

31. Are there other requirements when applying to the Companions?

An aspirant must also present certificates of Baptism, Confirmation and, if applicable, Holy Orders. The aspirant is encouraged to have a thorough physical, dental and optometric exam before entry and will need to produce necessary documentation if he or she has been previously married. Partnered aspirants must have a letter of support from their partner before being accepted and the partner must have had a chance to discuss the community with the Superior before the letter is written.

32. Can a member of the Community live outside of the United States?

Although this has not happened yet, the Companions are in the process of discernment with several persons who live outside the bounds of the United States.

33. How does the Community stay in contact when apart?

The Companions are very proactive in this regard. Communication may occur by phone, fax, email, Internet meeting (in the near future) or good old fashioned letter. The Companions do have their own Internet site and domain and, therefore, all Companions have access to an email address specific to the community. The Companions encourage each new applicant to have access to a computer.

34. What formats are used to insure that a Benedictine life is being lived?

Members of CSL in beginning formation report to a Novice Master who is appointed by the Superior to be responsible for the postulants and novices (the beginning stages of our journey). Each postulant and novice submits a weekly review to the Novice Master detailing what parts of the Rule they have read that week, what sections of the Customary and Constitution and what Scripture they have used for lectio divina. The novice or postulant also explains what required reading they are doing and whether they are on track for the reflection paper required after the book is read as well as detailing what Offices they did or did not do throughout the week. This tracking allows the Novice Master to see which of his or her charges are doing well and which ones need additional help.

35. Is it important to have my priest's approval to apply to the Companions?

The priest and the parish community will be an integral part of living out the Religious life in the world. The Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist, feed the soul of the Religious and help him or her to grow closer to God. Without the support of the parish leadership, it will be very difficult for the Religious to function effectively while away from the Abbey. In essence, the Religious will be away from their spiritual home (the Abbey) with no lodging available for their physical/spiritual being.

36. Can those in Holy Orders be a Companion?

Benedictine monasticism was originally a lay movement and St. Benedict cautions us in the Rule not to admit a priest too quickly. Any priest or other cleric entering Religious life must be aware that, when they are received into any Benedictine community, they will simply become a Brother or Sister in that community and nothing more. They will be granted no favoritism in rank or place and will undergo the same formation as any other person entering the community. On the other hand, the Companions know what it is to be called to serve and we honor the commitment of the many fine priests of the Anglican Communion. If a priest is called to the Religious life as well as to Holy Orders, then we welcome them in the name of Christ.