Canons Regular of St. Augustine of Stift Klosterneuburg

An uncommon priesthood lived in common 

Provost Bernhard with the newly professed members, the novice master and the newly-clothed novices. August 28, 2007

 The Canons Regular of St. Augustine are the oldest form of common life for the clergy in the Church. True to the canonical tradition based upon the Apostolic Life as described in the Acts of the Apostles, canons regular today are active priests who embrace the classic, priestly spirituality of the sacred liturgy, especially in the solemn celebration of the Divine Office and the Holy Mass, as well as pastoral work.

Our vow of stability to one monastic family assures us of a stable, family life.  We grow roots in one community.  Each community of canons regular has its own strengths; founded in 1114 by Margrave St. Leopold III, at Stift Klosterneuburg our emphases are as old as the abbey itself:

• Liturgy
• Pastoral work
• Intellectual life
• Hospitality

 The foundations of our daily common life are

• Common prayer
• Common table

Our canonical and priestly life is founded on these as expressed in a dynamic observance which allows us both to continue the mission of prayer for which we were founded by St. Leopold, as well as care for souls in 24 parishes in and around Vienna and one in Bergen, Norway.

A normal day in the life...

5:55 AM -Matins and Lauds

6:30 Am -Chapter Mass

Breakfast followed by classes or work

12:15 PM -Sext followed by lunch

Rest or work

6:30 PM -Vespers and Compline, followed by supper and recreation

 Our religious family is comprised of representatives of 8 different nations and mirrors the modern reality of globalization in Europe. The community sees its future in carrying forward the ancient tradition of the canons regular in this new, cosmopolitan context.  Our rule of life is that of St. Augustine and this rule crowns our customs and traditions; ancient traditions and an ancient form of clerical common life enunciated in new languages and in a new reality.  This enables us to preach the Gospel in an intelligible way in the modern world.

 The vocation to our way of life presupposes openness to the fundamental inspiration which comes from the Acts of the Apostles: To be of one heart and mind and to hold all things in common.  What makes the difference to every vocation is desire: the desire to embrace a vision of a priestly life lived in common and the willingness to mortify oneself for the sake of the Gospel and the good of the monastic family are essential; the desire to be sanctified by our common life and service.  A rule of life is only as strong as the desire of the individual to live it!

 Interested? For more information, get in touch (click here) and see the Vocaton...In depth page.

                                                                                                                    Bp. Markus of Oslo, canon of Klosterneuburg and former novice master, confers the sacred office of the priesthood on Dom Lukas