View of the Island where St. Cuthbert resided as a hermit.
The Customary of the Monastics of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert
1.The Monastics of St. Hild and St. Cuthbert shall be an expression of monastic life under the jurisdiction of the Inclusive Celtic Church.
2.The Monastics are to be an Ecumenical Community.
3.The Monastics shall own no property in common and shall remain a community with out walls.
4.There shall be two expressions of the monastic life within the community. One a Companionship , with annual renewal of promises, and the other a more traditional Monastic expression with life promises and the option to wear the habit. The latter shall also agree to the recitation of the Daily Office, adapted to their individual circumstances of life.
5.Those who express interest in choosing the Monastic Community are considered Novices and must renew their promises for at least two years before they may make life promises. Once the member has made life promises they may not decide later to return to the annual renewal of promises (the Companions) without first leaving the Monastic Community for a period of one year.
6.Those who choose to be Companions, may after a period of three years request to become monastics.
7.Life promises are to be made when we have gathered for annual Chapter. (see below)
8.The Companions shall have no official superior only a convenor. The prior/prioress may act as such or appoint another member of the Monastic Community to be the convenor if need be. Otherwise the prior/prioress acts as superior for the whole community, lay and monastic.
9.When at least two members live within a geographical region they may form a cell of the Companions or Monastics. Each cell should attempt to meet at least once a month or bi-monthly for prayer and community time.
10.All Monastic Community members, once they have made their life promises, are eligible to vote on any matter that may require such action.
11.The Monastic Community are to gather every year for Chapter and the Companions are to gather with us every other year. Chapter should be a time that may include some retreat, some business, and some companionship in a relaxed and informal manner.
12.Except for extreme circumstances Monastic Community members should not miss more than two Chapters in a row.
13.The Monastic Community and the Companions shall establish an on-line community group whereby they may stay in contact with one another. This on-line group shall be open only to those who have made their promises. Those who choose not to renew their promises or leave during their life promises are removed from the on-line group. Members are free to communicate at any time on the group site. Members should commit to communicating online at least once a month.
14.Companions are to receive the Cuthbert Cross upon making their first promises. The Monastics (novices) also receive a Cuthbert Cross and may wear a habit consisting of a black Anglican style cassock and black scapular (no hood).Upon making life promises the Monastic will receive a black monastic cowl/cuculla which may be worn for liturgical events. (PLEASE NOTE because the habit is ordinarily purchased at the individual's own cost the only required habit of novices is the Merton Celtic cross and the only required habit of those in life promises is the cowl and the Merton Celtic cross). The cowl, like the cross, are given by the community.
15.Each Companion and Monastic may choose a "patron saint" if they wish, preferably from a list of Celtic or Northumbrian Saints, but others may be acceptable. However all simply are referred to by their given name, not the saint's name and the monastics may also use either "brother" or "sister" before their name and the initial "MHC" or "novice MHC" after their name. The Companions may use CHC after their names. It is appropriate to refer to one another as brother or sister or by their ordained titles or office. (Such as Father, Mother, bishop etc.)
16.There shall be no dues or financial requirements (other than the purchase of the habit for those who choose it). By vote the Monastic Community may request a voluntary donation to help cover the costs of mailings or some special project or charitable cause or ministry.
17. The religious superior of the Community is known as the prior or prioress.
All members of the Monastic Community in life promises are eligible for election to the office. They also are the members who may vote for the superior. The prior/prioress may serve for 10 years from the date of their election and may be reelected for another 5 year period. All priors or prioresses afterwards may serve for a term of 10 years and also be reelected for a period of 5 years following.
18. Should the Community grow to 12 members in life promises the prior will be named abbot or the prioress named abbess. Each cell, will then elect their own prior or prioress.
19. Should a cell grow to 12 members in life promises then they will be raised to the rank of abbey and their superior become abbot or abbess. Though an independent abbey in their own right the abbeys shall come together to elect an abbot/abbess president from among the abbots/abbesses of the individual abbeys.
20. The prior.prioress or abbot/abbess may appoint other officials within their respective communities as they see the need.
Drawing of the Cuthbert Cross