Aviva Directory » Faith & Spirituality » World Religions » Abrahamic Religions » Christianity » Church Divisions » Catholic » Orders & Congregations » Community of Saint John

The Community of Saint John was founded by Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, a Dominican, in 1975. The Order was formed in response to five students of the University of Freiburg, who asked Father Marie-Dominique Philippe to be their spiritual father in 1975. He accompanied them in their desire for monastic life. In 1978, the group was linked to the Cistercian monastery, Lérins Abbey, at which point it was named the Community of Saint John. In 1982, its first monastery was established in Rimont, and its novitiate was opened in 1983, in the Diocese of Lyon. The Community of the Brothers of Saint John has been a religious institute of Diocesan Right, under the Bishop of Autun, since 1986. From 1996 to 2004, the Order experienced several difficulties, including several departures and an obligation to restructure, as well as outside criticism from anti-cult associations. In 2000, the Collège Stanislas de Paris was taken from the control of the Order, at the direction of Cardinal Lustiger. In 2001, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe left the direction of the Order to Father Jean-Pierre-Marie, and stopped teaching in 2003, passing away in 2006. The Brothers of the Roman Catholic religious institute are known as Small Grays, a reference to their gray habit, which consists of a gray tunic and a scapular similar to the black habit of the Benedictines, with a rosary to the waist. Contemplative Sisters of the Order wear an additional white veil, while Apostolic Sisters wear a gray veil. The Order is made up of brothers, both contemplative and apostolic sisters, and oblates. New members go through a seven-year novitiate and training period, after which they live in small communities known as priories. Today, there are priories throughout the world, including four in the United States. Members take religious vows. The Community of Contemplative Sisters of Saint John was founded in 1982, and was established as a Diocesan Congregation of Right in 1994.

 

 

Recommended Resources


Search for Community of Saint John on Google or Bing