Come and Journey with Us

 Thank You for Knocking on the Monastery Door.

Are you wishing to embrace the Rule of our Holy Father Benedict and the Charism of Radical Hospitality of the Companions of Our Lady of Walsingham?

Do you sense a call to Religious Life in the Episcopal Church or another faith community in full communion with the Episcopal Church?

The Companions are an intentionally dispersed community, open to members from all over the world. The Companions welcome inquirers who feel called to the Vowed Religious Life without regard to religious affiliation, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, relationship, or marital status. 

 Unlike most other religious communities/orders, we do not have a clearly defined progression of formation for our brothers and sisters.  Rather than focusing on a specified period of time for postulancy, novitiate, simple profession before Solemn Profession, our brothers and sisters participate in what we call the Process.  

Brothers and sisters make their intention to discern with us known and receive the blue Benedictine crucifix that is worn by all our brothers and sisters.  Over the next several months, new brothers and sisters are guided by the community in their coming to understand the importance of being in the Divine Presence of the One.  It is during this time that the brother or sister cultivates a prayer life fitting her or his needs and begins to consider an apostolate for life in community. 

When the community and the individual agree, Vows are taken, and the brother or sister is clothed in the habit of our order.  The Process does not end here, nor does it ever end. 

Discernment in community requires significant time and effort. Before seeking affiliation, Prospective Companions will:

• Have spent significant time in prayer and reflection as to how they feel called to our Way of Life.
• Have been in regular dialogue over time with a Spiritual Director and or Religious Leader about how they feel called to our Way of Life.
• Articulate in writing a call to Apostolic Religious Life, and a particular call to The Companions of Our Lady of Walsingham. 

Discernment with the Companions also requires significant time and effort.

• Future Companions must be prepared to engage in discernment over time until all involved in discernment agree that a call should be tested further under Vows. 
• During your discernment with the Companions, you will be in dialogue with at least two Companions to explore and test a vocation to Religious Life.  
• Receive in-group training regarding sexual abuse and abuse of power through the Episcopal Church's "Safeguarding God's Children" and "Safeguarding God's People" curriculum. 
• Submit to a Background inquiry. 
• Request a supportive Letter of Reference from your Parish Rector or Vicar.  

Once all criteria have been satisfied and documentation received, The Companions entrusted to your care will meet with you concerning your Vocation. 

• Profession of First Vows are for a three-year period. 
• We profess the Vows of Stability, Conversion of Life, and Obedience.
• We profess our Vows on the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.
• Profession of Life Vows occurs when the Spirit moves one to do so. 

If you are feeling the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit and would like to know more about discerning a Vocation with The Companions of Our Lady of Walsingham, please email: vocations@companionsofolw.org