“Indeed, it has been a great, fruitful experience to have studied at St. Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary. I had finally attained one of my dreams, to have a theology doctorate, and I had done it thanks to the guidance and encouragement of the Abbot.”
Meet the President, Vice President, Trustees, Deans and Faculty
We are a Religious Order within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of God whose Head and Chief Priest is Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.
We welcome and embrace all our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those from other Catholic bodies, whether they are Roman, Anglican, Orthodox or Old Catholic.
We hold as sacred the ancient Creeds of the Church, The Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.
Our Rule of life is The Rule of St. Benedict.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is ever working within the Church to accomplish the prayer of Our Blessed Lord, “that all may be one”. We yearn for that day and dedicate ourselves to do all that lies within us to speed its’ arrival. Whenever possible, we will work with other Christian bodies and, if feasible, establish either a “communio in sacris” or a “Union of Prayer”
The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross consists of laymen and women, and Diocesan clergy, single or married from Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Old Catholic traditions. They follow the Rule of St. Benedict and the Constitution of the Order. Monks live in the world as well as in monasteries or hermitages, and desire to lead a contemplative life of prayer and study.
Purpose:
a) To seek perfection through Contemplation, Work, Prayer, Stability and Obedience.
b) To praise and worship God daily.
c) To produce educational materials.
d) To host retreats.
e) To found autonomous religious communities.
f) To prayerfully intercede for those in need and for peace in the world.
g) To perform works of charity, pastoral ministry and mission work.
We humbly throw ourselves at the feet of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, beseeching the intercession of His Blessed Mother, Mary, and Our Holy Father Benedict, to give us the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding; Counsel and Knowledge, Joy and Reverence, to bless us with the gifts of the Holy Ghost that in all we say or do, we may be faithful to the Word of God and seek only His Glory.
Saint Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary and its subsidiary schools are our humble efforts to satisfy the purposes of our beloved Order.
For detailed and in depth information regarding The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross, visit our sister website at www.cistercianmonks.org.
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