Catholic, but Not Roman Catholic

The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross orients itself within the Catholic-Benedictine-Cistercian traditions.

As Cistercians, we seek the face of God by following the Rule of St. Benedict. We grow as a Christian community through the monastic practices of obedience, stability, conversion, work, and prayer.

Our Catholic orientation places us within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of God whose Head and Chief Priest is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

We hold as sacred the Holy Scriptures, the ancient creeds of the Church, the seven sacraments, and governance through valid Episcopal orders.

We follow the example of both our progenitors and contemporaries as we follow the commission of our Lord to “go forth and teach.”

We welcome and embrace our brothers and sisters in Christ, from other Catholic bodies, whether they are Roman, Anglican, Orthodox or Old Catholic or others. Our Protestant brothers and sisters are also welcome to be Oblates within the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross.