The Benedictine Order of Saint John the Beloved

St. Benedict once said "All are to be welcomed as Christ." In that spirit of St. Benedict, and following the call of Christ to "Love one another, as I have loved you", we welcome everyone regardless of race, gender identification, sexual orientation, marital or divorce status or any other category used by people and churches in a divisive way.

The Old Catholic Church traces its historical roots back to biblical times as part of the "Universal Catholic Church". While the seeds for separation from Rome were sown in the 15th and 16th centuries, the actual break from Rome occurred in 1889 after the Vatican enacted the doctrine of "Papal Infallibility".

While our doctrine and history dates back to the earliest times, our Pastoral Ministries are not out of touch with 21st century realities. There are no barriers from the sacramental life for all who seek Christ with a true heart. Whether you have been divorced or remarried, practice birth control, or are gay or lesbian you are welcomed here. Likewise, our clergy can be male or female, gay or straight, celibate or coupled. All baptized Christians are welcome at communion.

Our parishes have a special welcome for those who have been made to feel unwelcome or rejected by other churches. Please contact a member of our clergy for information and Mass schedules.

If you have a question that is not answered by the various categories at the left, please contact us so that we may respond to you directly.

If you desire a Mass to be said for a loved one, or have another spiritual need, please e-mail us.

Mission Statement

The Benedictine Order of St. John the Beloved, an inclusive community following the Rule of Benedict devoted to the needs of the flock of Jesus Christ in the 21st Century and obedient to Christ's commission, dedicates itself to Social Justice, the Care of the Elderly, and in the Formation of Worshipping Communities.

The Three Primary Ministries of this Order

SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY: The Benedictine Order of St. John the Beloved works to educate people to the truth of the gospels and the message brought to humankind by the Son of God - the simple truth of love and inclusion, which is the message of the Old Catholic Church and this Order. This commandment to love is the greatest commandment in the Gospels and the one most easily forgotten by the zealots of the 21st century. We therefore employ all means necessary and at our disposal to educate the Christian movement leadership and its lay allies of this message. Particular attention will be paid to the victimization of our youth who are often driven to suicide by the malicious actions and blind hatred of others using the gospels to serve their own ends.

We have become very alarmed at the trend by certain large and powerful churches and lay institutions to use the holy gospels as a weapon of spiritual terrorism towards groups that they do not find fit their definition of what it means to be a Christian. Even more alarming are certain elements in society trying to unite Church, lay forces, and the government as one fa�ade against other factions of Christianity. The end results of this troika are repression, hatred, and denial of basic human rights, all in the name of the Prince of Peace and love, Jesus Christ. We find that we must speak out against such attempts to usurp God as a political weapon and act where we find evidence of this policy being implemented in our common society to the detriment of others. The age of the Inquisition, Crusades, and heretic burning is over. The age of Enlightenment and the reiteration of the true substance of the Gospels is upon us.

THE ELDERLY: The Benedictine Order of St. John the Beloved works to assist retired people who when in that time of life when they should be enjoying the benefits of having worked all their lives, many have to decide between medications and food. Government programs have been laid waste by the military industrial complex in this nation and senior citizens have become part of the collateral damage of the resulting federal budgets. Many people need assistance to live out their days in dignity and security, only to have to face the reality that they need help and cannot get it.

Our clergy serves in nursing homes and hospices. We will endeavor to help make the choices necessary more easily accomplished by direct aid in certain limited cases. In lieu of direct aid, we will attempt to act as intermediaries with non-profit organizations cutting through red tape and become advocates on behalf of the senior citizen in need. Often what programs are available are so complicated and cumbersome that many people simply give up rather than try and understand the requirements of the program. We help in this area by advocating on their behalf.

PARISH FORMATION: As an important adjunct to the first and second ministry of the Order, we are in the process of forming Benedictine parishes across this Nation within the framework of the Old Catholic Church, which will provide open arms welcoming all peoples into the House of the Lord to worship him as God has made them. The parishes will have a Provincial House, which will be the Monastery of the Benedictine Order of St. John the Beloved. The Monastery will serve as the training facility for future Brothers, Deacons, Sisters and Priests of the Order. Our Parishes will be activist parishes with worship of the Lord primary and Social Justice secondary. All parishes under this jurisdiction shall be inclusive houses of worship, not exclusive. Our Parishes will work towards the betterment of society as a whole and not just the Old Catholic Community.