Ruins of Whtby Abbey    Ruins of Lindisfarne Abbey          Cuthbert's Island 

The early pre-Roman Celtic Church was essentially built around the monastic community. In fact all who came to these monastic towns were considered part of the monastic family. Monks were men and women, single, married and yes there seems some evidence that some may have been partnered! These monasteries were not the quiet, contemplative centers we have come to think of. Rather they were monastic villages and cities. Monks and nuns also traveled as peregrini. They left on journeys with no particular shrine or destination, rather the journey itself was the point, an embodiment of the spiritual journey.When monks wished for calm and quiet they left the monasteries and went to be alone in the wilderness places, then returned again. It was with this model in mind that the Companions were formed on the feast of St. Cuthbert in 2005.

The Community of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert  are an ecumenical lay (The Companions of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert) and monastic community (The Monastics of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert), living in the world and under the sponsorship of the ICC, who follow a Rule of Life and the Customary of the order. Currently we are 2 members, 1 Monastics in the San Francisco Bay area and 1 Companion in Alabama.

Our primary vocation is the journey, the work of prayer. To make a vocation of each day holding all people, the world, our planet, and each other in our lives and individual ministries in prayer and with joy.

Any person who feels drawn to our life and are of sound mind and exhibit a maturity in their emotional and spiritual life are welcome to join. You may be L/G/B/T, straight, married or partnered, or single. You may be differently-abled in ways that other communities may not be able to accommodate. You may be poor or rich, ordained or laity. 

The Companions make their promises annually. After the three years a Companion may request to make life promises as a Monastic. Those who are interested from the start in the Monastic life make annual promises for two years before making life promises. All are considered members in the community whether they make annual promises or life promises.

Life promises are made at the annual Chapter meeting of the Monastic Community.

The Promises are as follows:

"Before God, and before the people of God, I make these promises:

To be available to God and community by:

being alone with God in the cell of my own heart, the practice of hospitality to all I meet, to pray for the world, and to embrace the ministries to which God and my community call me.

To be vulnerable to God and community by:

The discipline of prayer, Sacred Reading, accountability to my community, challenging assumed truths, affirming relationships matter more than reputation, and creating inclusive community.

I promise all these things and seek to live out this monastic manner of life, according to the Common Rule of life of the Companions (or Monastics) of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert and commit myself to live openly in the world.

(N.B. While our promises are based on those of the Northumbria Community we are no way associated with that community and our interpretations and differences are solely our own).

For more information about the Community of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert or to begin the process of joining our community please contact ,The Very Rev. John Bell, MHC - Prior

prs37@aol.com