Canons Regular

The webmaster mentioned some time ago that it would be a good idea to have something on our history and way of life for our website. Gladly.

The first point to note is that we do not have a founder. The Jesuits have St. Ignatius, the Franciscans St. Francis and so on. We have no one. So how did we get going?

For the first ten centuries of the Church the distinction between secular priest and religious orders did not exist. There were monastic orders and canonical orders, monks and clerics. The clergy lived in the towns and the monks tended to build remote places to concentrate on seeking God under the guidance of an Abbot. How did these clerics live? They were committed to following the canon or sets of rules laid down by a Bishop. That's where our name comes from, priests following a rule. It didn't signify an honour. That came later.

The rules varied from region to region. Some enjoyed greater favour depending on the mane of the Bishop behind them but generally speaking they all comprised certain basic features, celibacy, obediance to a Bishop, commitment to a certain church. Sometimes the Bishop would insist on poverty or the renunciation of personal goods. This made sense is the priests were leading some form of community life but it was held up as the ideal and not always imposed.

By the 8th century the position was becoming more uniform as the rule of St. Chrodegang began to spread. This was confirmed and adopted under the Emperor Charlemagne until the 11th century when the movement for refrom reached its peak. Many saints of the time argued that all priests should be poor and not own property! A big argument ensued and was settled by the Lateran Council of 1059 which decreed that priests must make a choice. Renounce the possession of private property; they became Canons Regular, or retain their goods; they became Seculars. Those who accepted the reform (Canons Regular) adopted the rule of St. Augustine, the Saint who had lived a common form of life with his clergy.

St. Augustine of Hippo

From this time we note the separation between secular priest and the religious orders. The canons regular began to spread and flourish. They adopted some of the practices of the monks for their way of life and began to live in abbeys and priories. Popes and Bishops favoured our way of life and at one time invited a community of Canons to come and live and take care of th Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Many foundations were made in the British Isles which sadly exist now only as interesting ruins. However the influence of holy and learned canons still survives. We remember St. Gilbert of Sempringham and St. John of Bridlington. Many know that England has only produced one Pope, Adrian IV, few are aware that he was a Canon Regular. Many though are acquainted with the writings of Walter Hilton.

It would be wrong to omit the great contribution that Canonesses have made to the Church. Their story, particularly during times of persecution, is one of great courage and fidelity. Today the Canonesses are to be found at Sayers Common (Windesheim Congregation) and New Hall near Chelmsford (Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre).

To sum up, a Canon Regular exists to serve the local church as a priest. He does so by sharing all he has with members of his community, by praying and celebrating Mass and the Sacraments. His prayer is first and foremost the Prayer of the Church which he should recite in and with his community, and if possible inviting the participation of the people of the parish. As we follow the Rule of St. Augustine we attempt to support each other by living together "with one mind and one heart".

Fr. Anthony is currently Abbot of the Confederation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine.